Since Michael Beale took over has been a dismal…..

After winning just once in their last four outings in the Championship, the Black Cats have fallen as low as 10th in the table and are three points behind Coventry City, who occupy the final playoff spot.

The lack of goals on the team is the main concern for Wearside club supporters. Despite being the team’s leading scorer this season, Jack Clarke is only accountable for 35% of the team’s league goals. Beale’s team is also ranked in the lower half of the rankings in terms of goals scored.

At the moment, Sunderland has Hemir Semedo, Mason Burstow, Nazariy Rusyn, Eliezer Mayenda, and Jewison Bennette as their five center-forwards. Just one goal has been scored by any of the five frontmen, and that came on New Year’s Day in a 2-0 victory over Preston North End thanks to a strike from Rusyn.

However, since the January transfer market opened, Sunderland has been connected to a number of strikers, including Ali Al-Hamadi of AFC Wimbledon, who is presently playing for the Iraq national side at the AFC Asian Cup.

With 17 goals and seven assists in all competitions, the 21-year-old has been in excellent form with the League Two team. It is said that this has attracted interest from numerous clubs in England’s second division, including Sunderland.

But, the East Anglian Daily Times reports that Ipswich Town, Sunderland’s opponents for promotion, are hoping to finalise a deal for the 21-year-old before the deadline on Thursday.

Wimbledon was reportedly only seeking for £1.5 million for the striker, according to a previous report from TeamTalk. However, it appears that Ipswich will win the competition to acquire the former Wycombe Wanderers number “9.”

As one of the Football League’s most sought-after strikers this season, Al-Hamadi’s acquisition would be a very prudent move for Ipswich Town. The Tractor Boys are still planning to sign him even though they are not having any trouble scoring goals this season.

Given that Sunderland has the fewest goals of any team in the top ten of the Championship, it’s odd that the squad didn’t try harder to beat Ipswich to the Al-Hamadi deal. It might not be too late.