PAOLO Di Canio’s appointment at Sunderland may have had the desired effect.

The big question that remains to be answered is whether he is the right man to lead the club in the future.

The Sunderland board took a huge risk in appointing Di Canio as late in the season as they did.

The Italian was drafted in to replace the sacked Martin O’Neil on March 31.

It’s not traditionally a time of the year when clubs change managers.

For allthe stick that Nicola Cortese got for the sacking of Nigel Adkins, at the very least you would have to say he obviously acknowledged a ‘now or never moment’that dictated the timing.

He didn’t want a new manager in for the run-in alone, aware of the problems that could cause.

Sunderland though were panicking, as so many clubs do these days, when they see the potential millions of the Premier League under threat via relegation.

Di Canio’s appointment was an inspired one shortterm.

His feisty, fiery, over the top nature means that players will get drawntohim, he will be able to lift them, to change the mood and sure enough it has worked.

Going into this weekend’s game against Saints, it very much looks as though Di Canio should keep Sunderland up.

Riding the momentum of a honeymoon period has bought the club another season in the Premier League.

They could probably justify that was worth whatever ittook.

However, Di Canio’s big task will be to prove he can control some of his famous volatility and inspire consistent results as a manager atthis level.

His own character and temperament has been reflected in his results so far.

This Di Canio led Sunderland team can travel away to their great rivals and win 3-0, as Sunderland did against Newcastle, and then notch a 1-0 victory against a hugely impressive Everton.

Theverynext game,however, they are thumped 6-1 by fellow strugglers Aston Villa.

The results are erratic, as is the manager himself.

With Di Canio you can probably only safely predictthe unpredictable.

The trouble is football fans and board of directors want predictable results.

Predictably good thatis.

Delivering that willbe amassive challenge.