Jermain Defoe is hoping for a first win of the season this weekend when Sunderland come up against Defoe’s former side West Ham.
The Black Cats striker came through West Hams academy when he moved from Charlton in 1999 and started off his professional career at the hammers. But Defoe has warned Sunderland that their poor run of form can’t continue unless The Black Cats want to be in the Championship next season. Defoe is hoping that his side can end West Hams stunning away form, and start some of their own form.
It is a long season and there are so many more games to play, but it is important that we start getting points now because you can’t wait and think we will do it next week, we will do it next week – we have to do it now.There is also nothing better than getting the points before the lads go away and focus on their countries, but it is also important for the manager and the coaching staff because then they can relax and when we come back we can regroup and kick on from there.West Ham are a good side and they have picked up a lot of points and beaten some of the big teams, so they will come here and be confident, but it is important for us to set our stall out from the first whistle and be confident.
There is a lot to play for with The Black Cats this weekend, with a huge amount of pressure on both Dick Advocaat and all the players to perform. Sunderland haven’t won in any of their games in the Premier League so far this season, but West Ham have already won away at The Emirates, Anfield and The Etihad. Defoe understands the pressure that is on the side that are already red hot favourites for relegation.
It is a big game, even more so because of how it has gone the last few games. We’ve not had that luck and not reached those levels we reached in the closing stages of last year, so it is a massive game and it is a game we need to win.We need points now and as players, we understand that. Everyone is trying and I think we just have to approach it like any other game, don’t get too tense and try to relax.
Defoe hasn’t been in the starting XI since the Bournemouth game, where he squandered some incredible chances. But the former England forward is hoping that Sunderland can end their shocking run of form, as are the whole of the Sunderland faithful.
