Reid brings some relief but questions remain for Quinn

AMIDST the self-congratulatory back-slapping, Andy Reid posed an awkward question that might just have made his Sunderland team-mates stop and think as they sped from the Stadium of Light to their Christmas party in Leeds.

While most of his contemporaries were happy to lap up the adulation of a rare victory, only a second in nine games to ease relegation fears, Reid chose not to discuss the Ricky Sbragia Effect, but to ask why those very same players had so badly under-performed towards the end of the Roy Keane era.

“The win is a big relief and a lot of it is down to the initial reaction you get from players towards the new manager, but for me that’s a bit disappointing,” Reid mused.

“Why couldn’t we be that way before? We have to look at ourselves.

“I don’t know why it is and I don’t think anybody does, but it’s a thin line between success and failure.”

Sam Allardyce’s position as the favourite to replace Keane is not reflected in the Sunderland boardroom, with Gordon Strachan still the preferred candidate.

Alan Curbishley, the former West Ham manager, is another with favour in the corridors of power at the Stadium of Light, although an appointment is not imminent after this comfortable victory bought Niall Quinn valuable breathing space.

Reid deftly headed the third before Djibril Cisse denied Jones a hat-trick by snatching the ball off his forward partner to thump home the fourth from the penalty spot after Roman Bednar’s handball.

Sbragia has clearly had a galvanising effect, but the stand-in is happy to stand back from the mounting speculation as to Keane’s successor, despite a glowing tribute from Quinn.

“It’s nice of Niall to say I’m in contention but I’ve not thought about it,” he said. “I’ve not applied for it, but if it comes, it comes.”

REFEREE: Lee Mason (Leicestershire) 7: West Brom didn’t get close enough to Sunderland to commit a foul of note all game on a quiet afternoon for the referee.

MATCH RATING: *** Not so much a match as a mis-match, and once Sunderland’s noses were in front they were never in the slightest danger. West Brom look desperately short of attacking ideas.

In the frame: The men in the running for the Sunderland job

Ricky Sbragia: Caretaker but might have half a chance if results continue to improve. Odds: 2-1

Sam Allardyce: Out of work and a former Sunderland hero. Desperate for the job. 3-1

Avram Grant: Has a point to prove after Chelsea, although might wait for Portsmouth. 8-1

Alan Curbishley: Itching to return after leaving West Ham and would be a steady pair of hands. 9-1

Gordon Strachan: Wanted by the Sunderland board and looks ready to leave Celtic. 10-1.