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Sunderland’s tactical change? Reports claims Moyes has tested new strike duo during international break

Sunderland manager David Moyes (REUTERS)
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David Moyes is reportedly testing a partnership of Jermain Defoe and Victor Anichebe.

According to The Mirror, Sunderland boss David Moyes has been trialling a strike partnership of Jermain Defoe and Victor Anichebe in training during the international break.

The Black Cats went into the international break having failed to win any of their first seven league games of the season, picking up just two points to sit bottom of the Premier League table.

Sunderland manager David MoyesSunderland manager David Moyes

David Moyes’ men already look like they’ll be battling against relegation this season, and part of that is down to their lack of goals; Sunderland have only scored six Premier League goals this season, with Burnley and Stoke only scoring fewer, whilst Jermain Defoe and Patrick van Aanholt are the only Sunderland players to score so far.

Moyes has to do something to give Sunderland more of a threat going forward, and he appears to have been testing a tactical switch ahead of Sunderland’s trip to face Stoke City this weekend.

Sunderland's Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring their second goalSunderland’s Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring

The international break has given Moyes some thinking time, and The Mirror report that he has been trialling a strike partnership of Defoe and recent signing Victor Anichebe.

Anichebe, who worked at Everton with Moyes, has played just four minutes of action this season having joined Sunderland last month as a free agent after his West Brom contract expired.

West Brom's Victor Anichebe looks dejected after missing a chance to scoreVictor Anichebe looks dejected after missing a chance for West Brom

The 27-year-old Nigerian only scored 18 Premier League goals in 131 games for Everton, whilst it was just six in 55 at West Brom, meaning Sunderland fans would be forgiven for thinking Anichebe isn’t the attacking saviour they need.

However, playing two up front would be an attacking move in itself from Moyes, and the hope would be that Anichebe and Defoe could strike up a little and large partnership, with Anichebe a battering ram who can hold the ball up and back into defenders, whilst Defoe’s movement off him could give Sunderland a dangerous edge.

Do you think Anichebe and Defoe can be a good partnership?