The striker refuses to accept that Allardyce’s departure is a cause for Sunderland’s poor start.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring their second goal with Adnan Januzaj
Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has told the Mirror that the club’s defenders tell him they will keep clean sheets because they know he will score the goals they need.
The striker was in sensational form last season, scoring 18 goals in all competitions, 15 of which came in the Premier League.
Those goals came about despite this side struggling at the bottom of the table, with his efforts almost singlehandedly keeping them in the division.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring their second goal
He has continued to be their main goal threat at the beginning of this season, with four goals in seven league games to his name so far.
And it appears the club’s defenders have put the pressure on him, especially if these latest comments are to be believed.
“I speak to the defenders — John O’Shea, Younes Kaboul when he was here, they’d say, ‘We’ll get the clean sheets because we know you’ll score,” he told the Mirror.
“And I’ll say to the boys, ‘Just keep a clean sheet and if I get a chance, then I believe we will win.’ As a forward, you just have to remain positive. Got to believe you are going to score goals if you get the opportunity.”
England manager Sam Allardyce after the press conference
The Black Cats are currently bottom of the Premier League table, without a win under new manager David Moyes.
The former Everton and Manchester United manager took charge at the Stadium of Light in the summer after Sam Allardyce left to take charge of England.
Some believe that the disruption in the summer has been the main contributor to their latest poor start but Defoe will not accept that excuse.
“It’s just an excuse for players to say, ‘There’s been ups and downs, it’s been tough, the manager has gone and a new one has come in,” he added.
“Go out there and perform. You’re playing in the Premier League, it’s something you’ve wanted to do since you were a kid, so if you can’t motivate yourself and go out there and perform, you shouldn’t be playing the game.”
Sunderland manager David Moyes
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