The three-time Premier League window fears for the Black Cats this season.
Martin Keown
Martin Keown has issued a warning to Sunderland boss David Moyes in his weekly column for the Daily Mail.
The Back Cats have taken no points from their opening two Premier League fixtures, leaving them third from bottom and their supporters with an all-too-familiar sinking feeling.
It is six seasons since Sunderland’s last truly comfortable campaign and Moyes has already admitted his newly-acquired side are once again in a relegation dog-fight.
The Scot is still getting to grips with his squad, having replaced Sam Allardyce at the start of last month, and based on Saturday’s Wear-Tees derby defeat to Middlesbrough, a couple of issues are in need of addressing.
David Moyes
Responding to a supporter’s question about Moyes’ recent remarks, the former Arsenal defender wrote: “I’ve heard he wants them to play better football, but they looked far too open during their defeat by Middlesbrough last weekend and he will be worried how easily they were opened up by a newly promoted team.
“And if I were a Sunderland fan I would be worried by how little Jermain Defoe saw of the ball. He’s by far their best player and if Moyes ignores him this season it will be at his peril.”
Jermain Defoe
Defoe’s 15 goals are arguably what kept the Mackems in the top flight last season and despite his apparent isolation against Boro, he is already off the mark for the campaign having netted in his side’s narrow defeat to Manchester City on opening weekend.
Sunderland would be in more trouble were anything to happen to the former England striker, with the less-than-prolific Fabio Borini and teenager Joel Asoro his only back-ups.
Joel Asoro
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