I believe the implosion started after the Boro game. Since then we've deployed a more slower, cautious approach and reacted in a similar way as we did under Poyet, when we got humped at Southampton. The free flowing, full high press has all but stopped. With Roberts out, it's turned into 'give it to Clarke' like we did with McGeady. Opposition knows that if Clarke doesn't score or create, neither does Sunderland.
The team looks imbalanced. Personally, if we can get a centre forward in, I would go back to 2 up top, like we did successfully with Simms and Stewart, particularly if we can get an experienced CDM in too. Our current shape is all wrong and too easy to defend against.