Sunderland are eight points adrift of the play-off paces and missing the swagger from the final third that's stood them in good stead since their return to the Championship. So why is that?
Both Mike Dodds and Michael Beale were unable to put their finger on it. During Dodds' first interim tenure, you would have laughed off talk of the Black Cats struggling to create chances in the final third.
After all, according to StatsBomb, their expected goals rose to 1.74 at it's peak, the highest of any Sunderland manager so far this season including Tony Mowbray. After the appointment of Michael Beale, the Black Cats' expected goals has plummeted to 0.96.
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In an attempt to make the Wearsiders harder to beat, they've in turn, lost that swagger at the opposite end.
Now struggling to create chances, Dodds is tasked with rejuvenating Sunderland in an attempt to rediscover that sparkle we've become accustomed to seeing since their return to the second-tier.
For all the talk of transfer incomings and outgoings, the need for experienced heads and loss of Alex Pritchard, they may well all be playing a part. That being said, Sunderland may have the answer sitting right under their noses.
Firstly, it's worth baring in mind that Sunderland's expected goals was on a downward trajectory even with Pritchard in the side, but it's also fair to say his absence has been felt.
With five assists and one goal this season for the Wearsiders, it's a void that's yet to be filled.
Who might that be?
Well, using the stats provided by StatsBomb, Adil Aouchiche is the leading candidate to liven up Sunderland's attack.
With two goals and an assist to his name in 678 minutes of football, it would suggest the Frenchman has plenty to offer.
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However, he struggled for minutes under former boss Beale, a disappointing second-half cameo at Ipswich Town saw him given just two minutes of football under the former Black Cats boss in the six games that would follow.
But is it time to reintegrate him into the side? Dodds gave Aouchiche five minutes from the bench against Swansea City, but his performance against Bristol City for the Under-21s earlier this month only highlighted his quality.
Of course, there's a step up in quality between Under-21s and senior football, but he leads the way for expected goals of players to have played over 600 minutes in red and white so far this season. A sign of his threat, but admittedly, that hasn't converted into goal contributions - yet.
Alex Pritchard was Sunderland's most creative player in terms of expected goals assisted, but Aouchiche again finds himself near the top of the charts.
Again, it's worth noting the like of Pritchard, Clarke and Patrick Roberts have all played substantially more minutes than the former PSG trainee, but the signs are encouraging nonetheless.
Interestingly, it was Tony Mowbray who showed the most trust in Aouchiche, handing him 462 of his 675 minutes of action.
Given Clarke's long-term absence, there's going to be a need to switch things up in the final third, and the inclusion of a 'number 10' could be the tactical tweak Sunderland are crying out for.
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It's also worth noting Dodds started the French playmaker in his previous spell in interim charge in the 2-1 win over West Brom, but hasn't yet called upon him.
“One thing that I demonstrated last time and one thing that I'll keep reiterating is, while I'm in this position I'll make bold decisions," Dodds said following the defeat to Swansea City. "Sometimes that's going to be a positive, sometimes that's going to be a negative."
Aouchiche will be hoping one of those bold decisions is a place in the starting XI.
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