Dion Dublin believes Sunderland are so bad that the only time they are realistically in a game is just after it has kicked off and is 0-0.
David Moyes' Black Cats are bottom of the Premier League table and were brushed aside by West Brom on Saturday, the Baggies running out 2-0 winners at the Hawthornes.
Moyes has admitted his transfer budget is limited and he feels that he does not have the money available to sign the calibre of players needed to change Sunderland's situation.
Dublin feels the Black Cats have a poor side and the majority of the time are not really in games.
He said on BT Sport's Score programme on Saturday: "The only time Sunderland are in a game is when the game has kicked off and it's 0-0.
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"No disrespect to them.
"That's the truth."
And Dublin's thoughts were on the same page as ex-Chelsea striker Chris Sutton, who dubbed the Black Cats "hopeless most weeks".
Speaking before Dublin, Sutton picked up on Moyes saying he is unsure of his best team.
And he said: "He said this week he didn't know his best team.
"Well, they don't have a best team.
"They are hopeless most weeks."
Matters do not get any easier for Sunderland as they face a visit fromTottenham Hotspur in their next game, which is on 31st January.
It remains to be seen if Moyes will have made additions to his squad by the time his men host Spurs.
