Anichebe has scored three goals in his last two games and Pickford feels the forward has given the whole club a lift.
Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has hailed the impact of Victor Anichebe after the forward made it three goals from two games for the Black Cats, the Chronicle reports.
Anichebe’s brace in the 3-0 win over Hull City at the weekend made it back-to-back wins, following on from a 2-1 away victory at Bournemouth prior to the international break, where the former Everton and West Bromwich Albion forward also found the net.
Pickford is quoted in the Chronicle, saying: “Vic has come in and grafts, he gives 100% and gets the fans going.
“When our fans are at their best, it is like an extra man for us on the pitch.
“If he keeps going then the fans will be buzzing. It is a great outball for us. He holds the ball up really well, he is a good outball and helps us on set pieces too.”
After signing on a free transfer, it represented something of a gamble for David Moyes, especially as the forward has struggled with one or two injury problems in the very early stages of his Sunderland career, but his goals so far have suggested that it was a gamble worth taking by the Sunderland boss.
Pickford has also identified that he is not just in the side for his attacking qualities, but that Anichebe is a team player who will happily do the required work defensively, too.
His impact has certainly helped things look a little brighter for the Black Cats, who have moved off the bottom thanks to their recent upturn in form and are now just three points behind 17th-placed West Ham United.
They could prove to be two big wins for the side, especially ahead of a game against very strong opposition next weekend when Sunderland face Liverpool at Anfield.
Instead of absolutely needing to get something from the game, the pressure has been relieved a little thanks to two good wins.
Sunderland can now go into that game with confidence and getting something from the match would prove to be a marvellous result.
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