Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has expressed his delight at finally being given a run of games as a striker on Wearside.
The former Spurs man revealed that he was bemused by former Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat’s decision to play him out wide last season and was grateful when Sam Allardyce restored his role as a striker when he arrived in October.
“The previous manager used to play me on the left,” he said. “I’ve never played there in my whole career – not even at school – so that was a bit strange playing as a full-back when you have always been a forward.
“For me it was frustrating because your whole career you play as a forward – and not a No 10, a No 9 – and all of a sudden you are asked to play a role you haven’t before. I will always try to work hard for the team but it is not my natural game. It takes away your chances of getting your goals.
“Obviously you are not going to get goals when you are chasing full-backs, that is something I’ve never done before. But that was at the beginning of the season and this is now.
Defoe has scored 8 goals in 15 games for Sunderland since Big Sam’s arrival, including 6 in his last 6 games since the turn of the year. The England International is undoubtedly the best finisher at the club and arguably in the relegation battle, and could prove to be the catalyst for another great escape by the Black Cats.
