AMAD Diallo's decisive late goal sent his side into the international break on a high.

This, though, isn't Manchester United after Sunday's FA Cup drama at Old Trafford. This was Sunderland 12 months ago.

Diallo was the hero when he stepped up and equalised late on against Luton, a crucial result following a home defeat to Sheffield United three days earlier.

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It's somewhat surprising to look back now a year down the line and see that the Black Cats went into the March international stoppage 11th in the Championship and seven points shy of the top six.

They were very much outsiders to make the play-offs but a hard fought win at Norwich and that Luton draw had kept their hopes alive. And in an eight-game unbeaten stretch that followed the international break and saw them climb into the top six on the final day of the season, the Black Cats were fuelled by momentum and a feel-good factor.

That has long gone. As have hopes of another top six finish. And here Sunderland are now, 12th in the table, closer to the relegation zone than the top six and with supporters wishing away the final eight games of the season. A decisive summer then awaits, when three key questions must be answered.

Firstly, who will be the next head coach?

Mike Dodds impressed in his December caretaker stint in charge and Sunderland would, with hindsight, have been better sticking with the interim boss than appointing Michael Beale, which turned into a disaster. Dodds has made no secret of his desire to become a full-time head coach in the future but any hopes he had of getting the Sunderland gig permanently have surely disappeared in recent weeks. Dodds - it should be said - is absolutely not the cause of the woe in recent months, but a fresh start in the dugout is needed.

It's an appointment Sunderland's bosses can't afford to get wrong.

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Will Still continues to be linked and features prominently in the odds of contenders.

He recently told of his desire to manage in England and revealed he'd be willing to join a Championship club, but he'll be careful to ensure it's the right fit.

“I would work for a Championship team without a problem," he said.

"What I’ve now understood, I’ve now realised, is how important people are. And how important finding the right place to be is going to be for my career. And people who understand the way I work, because I’m a bit different. I’m a bit odd sometimes."

If the odds are of interest, Roy Keane is the current favourite with the bookies, with Paul Heckingbottom, Steve Cooper, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Scott Parker all a short price.

Do Sunderland's bosses know who their first choice candidate is? Recent appointments suggest it'll be a manager currently out of work.

One question candidates will inevitably have for club bosses in negotiations is what the future holds for Jack Clarke. What's Sunderland's stance approaching a summer window when a move for the winger feels more likely than probable? And if he does go, how will the Black Cats set about replacing him? Let's be honest, results and performances in recent weeks have done nothing to stop the talk about Sunderland being a one-man team. Perhaps the Black Cats would have been right in the top six mix had Clarke stayed fit, but how would the table have looked if they hadn't been able to call on the star winger at all this season?

Only time will tell whether Clarke goes this summer and if indeed a replacement will need to be sourced. What's absolutely not in doubt, however, is Sunderland's priority when the summer window opens. Nothing new here, it's been a priority for four successive windows: the capture of a centre-forward. Can the Black Cats succeed where they've failed in recent windows?

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Mason Burstow will return to Chelsea after his disappointing loan spell and although Nazariy Rusyn, Hemir and Eliezer Mayenda can call on a year of experience, there's been nothing to suggest Sunderland can hang their striker hopes of any of those currently on their books. They need to bolster their forward line, preferably with a ready-made centre-forward who can come in and make an impact, rather than gambling on the hope that a player with potential will hit the ground running.

Longer term investments such as Hemir and Mayenda will stand a far greater chance of succeeding if they're allowed to develop as squad players rather than being burdened by the expectation of being the main man.

In the short-term, Clarke's return can't come soon enough. Sunderland need points to lift spirits and to ensure they don't get sucked into the battle below. That is not something that was a concern 12 months ago.