All too easy for the hosts so far. Sunderland need to make this spell count. 

Steven Fletcher tries to feed Fabio Borini inside the Hammers area but goes sprawling under a James Tomkins challenge.

Referee Neil Swarbrick takes a hard look before waving play on.

Image source, Getty Images

Do Sunderland fans want Dick Advocaat to leave?

Not on this evidence. "Dick, Dick Advocaat" sing the crowd.

West Ham arrived on Wearside having defeated Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City on their travels.

Manuel Lanzini picks the ball up in midfield and is invited to run at the home defence. Space opens up for a shot but he drills wide.

Sunderland comfortable so far.  

Sunderland are off the bottom of the 'as it stands' table and they are on a roll.

The Hammers are shaken and Fabio Borini almost doubles the lead but his shot rattles into the side netting.

The Black Cats don't look like a team in trouble.

Scrappy start.

Neither side has yet to get going. Dimitri Payet already looks a handful for the Sunderland defence. 

That noise you can hear? It's the sound of thousands of Wearside fingernails being bitten. There's a nervous atmosphere inside the Stadium of Light. This crowd needs lifting but Sunderland have yet to threaten in the opening exchanges.

West Ham are getting stuck in from the off and skipper Mark Noble is booked inside 90 seconds for a clumsy challenge on Ola Toivonen.

A shrill of the whistle and it is green for go at the Stadium of Light.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Jones, Yedlin, O’Shea, Coates, Cattermole, M’Vila, Toivonen, Lens, Borini, Fletcher. Subs: Mannone, PVA, Brown, Larsson, Rodwell, Gomez, Defoe.

West Ham United: Adrian, Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell, Noble, Kouyate, Moses, Payet, Lanzini. Sakho. Subs: Randolph, Zarate, Obiang, Collins, Jelavic, Antonio, Oxford.

Dick Advocaat is signing autographs and posing for photographs with fans. He's even smiling. He doesn't look like a man about to walk away.

The Sunderland subs have already taken their places on the bench. Jermain Defoe is eating an energy bar while John O'Shea and the rest of the Black Cats team line up in the tunnel. Mark Noble is ready to lead out West Ham.

Steve Bower
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Stadium of Light

Image source, Reuters

"These two clubs couldn't have had more contrasting starts. Facing West Ham is back where it all began at Sunderland for boss Dick Advocaat. There must have been moments so far this season that he has questioned his decision to come back for more.

"The longer the winless run continues the more the pressure will build. With the international break on the horizon, the importance of victory is huge.

"Such has been West Ham's form on the road, they are expected to leave the North East with a positive result. They will look to use the anxious atmosphere around the Stadium of Light to their advantage."

Dick Advocaat looks like a man who has all the troubles in the world resting on his shoulders. Hands in pockets and deep in thought, he has been watching his players warm up on the pitch.

There's a 40,000-plus crowd expected at the Stadium of Light. Those inside the ground already are making little noise.

Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat has just faced the TV cameras. Asked about speculation surrounding his future, he said: "I am concentrating on the game. All the other things are not so important." 

Advocaat makes three changes to the side that lost 3-0 at Manchester United on 26 September. Defenders DeAndre Yedlin and Sebastian Coates are recalled as is striker Steven Fletcher. Out go Younes Kaboul, Patrick van Aanholt and Adam Johnson.

Image source, .

West Ham United are unchanged from the side that salvaged a draw against Norwich City on 26 September. The Hammers are chasing a fourth straight away win this season in the Premier League. There is no Andy Carroll on the bench.

Image source, .

Will Sunderland be hunting a fifth boss in 31 months?

It is claimed Dick Advocaat has become disillusioned with life, external on a limited budget and that the 68-year-old will leave even if Sunderland defeat West Ham United at the Stadium of Light to record their first win of the campaign.

If the reports are true, Burnley manager Sean Dyche is set to take over the struggling club.

Is Mrs Advocaat about to get her husband all to herself? Will Dick stay on long enough to take charge of the looming Tyne-Wear derby? One thing is for sure. It's going to be another eventful afternoon on Wearside.