Sunderland lie bottom of the Premier League heading into the international break.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe and Duncan Watmore
The news that defensive midfielder Jan Kirchhoff will be sidelined for at least six weeks will only add to the already growing fears regarding Sunderland’s Premier League survival. Rooted to the foot of the table and without the man who kept them up last season, Sam Allardyce, it is looking pretty bleak for the Black Cats.
But it’s not necessarily all doom and gloom – here’s three reasons why Sunderland can and will avoid the drop in May.
Jermain Defoe’s goals
Is there a more seasoned striker in the Premier League? A stalwart of the English top flight for the last 15 years, Defoe knows everything there is to know about how to score goals in the Premier League. What’s more, 15 goals in the league last term shows he has cultivated the ability to haul his side into contention when it really counts.
When push comes to shove, Sunderland will have the most experienced goalscorer in the league in their ranks – and that surely counts for something.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring their second goal
David Moyes’ survival instinct
Speaking of experience, there’s a reason Sunderland made a beeline for David Moyes upon losing Sam Allardyce. While the Scot has not enjoyed a particularly good last couple of years in the managerial wilderness, Sunderland is the perfect place for him to remind us all why he was Sir Alex Ferguson’s first choice in 2013.
Sunderland are in a similar position to Everton when Moyes took over there – relegation threatened and without hugely substantial funding, there’s arguably no better man to guide the Wearsiders to safety. Indeed, throughout his career Moyes has always had a knack of picking up in the second half of the season, so the trust that the Sunderland board show in him is key.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Squad composition
Sunderland have an extremely varied squad, which can be a good thing in a relegation battle. While the experience of Defoe, John O’Shea and Lamine Kone will be key, the likes of Adnan Januzaj, Duncan Watmore, Jordan Pickford and Jason Denayer bring a youthful exuberance which will aid them further.
If those youngsters want to force their way into the Sunderland starting XI permanently, or their parent clubs in the case of Januzaj and Denayer, then they’ll need to perform well for the Black Cats – do that, and Sunderland will have a very talented group on their hands.
Sunderland’s Duncan Watmore celebrates after Patrick van Aanholt scores their first goal
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