Chief football writer Clive Hetherington sees a parallel between the predicament of Sunderland manager Peter Reid and the troubled times of Bryan Robson in his days with Middlesbrough.

PETER REID now knows how soulmate Bryan Robson felt in the twilight of his reign at Middlesbrough.

The pair, of course, have always had plenty in common: redoubtable midfield combatants, fellow England internationals, friendly managerial rivals - and well-practised drinking partners.

But like Robson on Teesside last season, Reid has stumbled into the Last Chance Saloon at Sunderland.

Following Boro's final match last term, with Premiership safety confirmed only 12 days earlier, Robson experienced a mixed reception from the Riverside faithful when he strode on to the pitch to acknowledge the fans.

Most of the cheers that day were for Terry Venables, whose introduction as head coach roughly half-way through the season ultimately saved Boro from relegation.

When Robson reluctantly departed last summer, he cited the adverse crowd reaction as a reason for his exit.

But the writing was already on the wall and Reid should read the warning signs 30 miles up the A19.

Robson had been in charge for seven years and the consensus on Teesside was, as is often after such a period of time, that the itch needed a scratch.

A similar mood is now spreading on Wearside where Reid himself has been in office seven years.

Cries of "Reid out'' were again audible after Saturday's final game of the season against Derby County as Sunderland's Premiership survival was assured.

Lest the boo boys forget, times haven't always been so hard.

Just as Robson did in his early years with Boro, Reid has overseen an astonishing transformation in his club's fortunes.

Both men won the First Division title in their first full seasons in charge; both were at the helm when their clubs moved to magnificent new stadia; both suffered relegation five years ago; and both won back top-flight status.

In Reid's case, there were two Football League Championships to celebrate and, subsequently, successive seventh-place finishes in the Premiership.

All, it seemed, was well - until this season.

Sunderland's failure to beat an already-relegated Derby side was evidence of the Black Cats' decline in the space of 12 months.

Unlike Robson, Reid will, in all probability, be given the chance to rectify matters this summer.

The straight-talking Scouser candidly concedes that he "needs to change things round''.

But that will come at a cost, and possibly in more ways than one.

This Sunderland side needs a drastic overhaul.

Defence, midfield and attack are all in urgent need of strengthening and my feeling is that up to five top-quality recruits are required.

But whatever improvements Reid makes, they may come too late to keep talismanic striker Kevin Phillips at the Stadium of Light.

Northern Echo Sport revealed as far back as February 11 that Phillips was a big-money target for North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham.

It now seems that Spurs are leading the chase for Phillips, who must feel that Sunderland's frightening freefall has been a factor in his failure to secure a place in England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad.

Sunderland fans will be praying that Reid isn't forced to sacrifice Phillips to help finance major reconstruction of their team.

But can the manager save his job any other way?