Moyes on his future, discussions with Ellis Short, the Sunderland fans and rebuilding a squad

David Moyes covered some ground in his press conference this afternoon. With tomorrow's game against Swansea really just a formality to Sunderland, he also discussed his own future, the ongoing talks with Ellis Short and plans to rebuild the squad this summer.

By James Henchard@MrHenchard May 12, 2017, 5:48pm BST

Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League

David Moyes has been in front of the media this afternoon for his final home game preview of the season.

And with relegation confirmed, thoughts are turning to who will depart the Stadium of Light this summer and who might be brought in to refashion the team into one which can compete in the Championship.

Hull City v Sunderland - Premier League — David Moyes last weekend

Swansea are the visitors for Saturday's 3pm kick-off and the game will afford supporters the opportunity to remind the Sunderland squad of their displeasure at how poor many have been in this dire campaign but also perhaps to note those who may be departing in the summer.

As for the football, those in red-and-white can be forgiven for viewing proceedings with an air of detachment compared with fans travelling up from South Wales.

And Humberside will have one eye on the Stadium of Light with Hull City desperate for a Sunderland result to keep their hopes of survival alive in their two-way battle with Swansea to stay up.

Here's a summary of what Moyes had to say on the future of the club, rebuilding the squad and his discussions with the Sunderland owner.

On the fans

Moyes acknowledged how steadfastly loyal the Sunderland supporters have been this season with some impressive away followings and the seventh highest average attendance at home in the Premier League.

Middlesbrough v Sunderland - Premier League

This for a side which will complete the campaign at the foot of the heap and which has spent almost the entire season in the bottom-three.

The Sunderland boss acknowledged the frustration which has been directed towards him but expects the Wearside faithful to stick with the club as it embarks on a journey to return to the Premier League:

I don't think the Sunderland fans will go away. I think they've been disappointed and I am sure there will be a few who have vented their anger at different times this season.

But the supporters will not go away at Sunderland. They are a greatly supported club.

As an aside, Moyes' continued distant use of 'they' to describe the club he currently manages is beginning to grate. It's 'we' David.

On discussions with Ellis Short

The three wise monkeys - if you like - met a little over a week ago, once Sunderland's relegation was confirmed to discuss the future of the club.

Sunderland v Middlesbrough - Premier League

David Moyes, chief executive Martin Bain and club owner and chairman Ellis Short held a summit in London following the Bournemouth game to seemingly agree to hold a series of upcoming summits to debate Sunderland's future.

High on the agenda was the manager's own position and some have suggested that the ownership of the club was also discussed with Ellis Short set to clarify his intentions for Sunderland with sale rumours continuing to circulate.

On those discussions Moyes said:

They were initial conversations and my plans to the owner have roughly gone in of what I think it looks like.

We're due to meet again after the end of the season and see what they look like.

And the manager asserted that the ball remains firmly in Short's court over funds for a squad rebuild and the necessity for a coherent strategy with which to plan a return to the Premier League:

I want to know what we're going to do and how we're going to do it because me, the supporters and the players don't want to be in the lower leagues and we have to get back in the big league.

And on rebuilding the squad

Moyes gave some indication of the scale of the squad overhaul Sunderland are about to embark on but again warned that his playing staff will remain short on bodies without a reasonable re-investment of transfer proceeds this summer:

If the loan players go back to their parent clubs and the free transfers are not kept, then our numbers are back to low numbers.

Of those brought in during the season on a free deal, there may have been a hint in there that Joleon Lescott, Victor Anichebe and Steven Pienaar are unlikely to stay on at the club. Discussions over their futures have supposedly concluded this week along with the other five players out of contract at the end of the season.

Moyes also suggested the Championship will afford some of the young players who have risen through the academy, but found their opportunities limited because of the pressure on performing in the top-tier, a chance to establish themselves at the club:

I think there's two or three of them with a good chance of stepping up.

I think the Championship will make it easier to blood some players. As you know, winning in the Premier League is so important. It makes it hard and you can see it at the majority of clubs and that's why so many English young players are not getting the opportunities they should be.

Reasons to be positive perhaps. At last.