Baggies boss Tony Mowbray had no complaints following Albion's dismal 4-0 defeat at The Stadium of Light admitting the performance summed up the season so far for the Premiership's bottom club.
A brace from Kenwyne Jones in consecutive minutes, plus goals from Djibril Cisse and Andy Reid, ensured the Baggies winless run now extends from early October and 11 games with Mowbray admitting Albion just didn't compete.
"It was a tough afternoon," the Baggies boss admitted.
"I can't sit here and complain about anything.
"We didn't compete in the first half.
"If anything, it epitomised our season.
"In the first 20 minutes, we looked fine and comfortable and then the first couple of balls came into our box and we were 2-0 down.
"It's not a part of the team I've really been over-concerned about recently but today we didn't defend our box well enough.
"The first couple of times we got asked any questions, we conceded goals.
"We didn't defend well enough today.
"That's the bottom line."
The defeat leaves Albion leaves six points from safety as the busy Christmas period rapidly approaches with the Baggies boss looking forward to Sunday's game at The Hawthorns against free-spending Manchester City instead of dwelling on the defeat.
"We need to put it behind us very, very quickly and get on with the next game," Mowbray continued.
"It's just one less opportunity for another three points.
"I think the players understand where we are.
"We need to get back to doing basic things like competing on a football field.
"I'm pretty sure that will happen.
"If we win next week, the week after and the week after and we're mid-table, then great.
"In the second half today we competed better.
"I've talked a bit recently about the 'short blanket' where you are threatening the goal at one end and leaving yourself leaky at the other.
"Or you're keeping it tight at one end and not having enough shots at the other.
"But I don't see the morale of the team as a problem.
"We need a cutting edge because most weeks we've been in the game and have wasted chances.
"We wasted chances in the second half today.
"If you don't score goals in any games, at any level, you don't win.
"I think the evidence was there today, looking at the Sunderland strikers.
"They were a constant menace.
"Every week I sit and talk about the strikers on the opposition that are a menace.
"Today was no different."