Player Focus: Defoe Defying Critics to Spearhead Sunderland's Survival Bid

“Well, we’re dispelling the myth that Jermain Defoe can’t play up front on his own. He scored two against Villa, he’s got three today, so keep it up!”, Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce beamed following their 4-2 win at Swansea in midweek. A hat-trick at the Liberty Stadium took his total to nine in the Premier League this season, with the Black Cats landing back-to-back wins against relegation rivals in the process. 

Indeed, victory took the club to within one point of 17th-placed Swansea as Allardyce’s side step up their bid to secure top-flight safety. Furthermore, Defoe’s hat-trick in midweek took him to within seven goals of the top-10 Premier League goalscorers of all time. He would, of course, be keen to close the gap at his former employers Tottenham this coming weekend. 

His recent goalscoring form has propelled him back into the spotlight and, as Allardyce rightly pointed out, he has proven his ability to play as the lone frontman. After testing a three-man defence, the Black Cats boss has reverted a 4-2-3-1 formation with Defoe spearheading the attack with aplomb.  

The former England international has endured his fair share of critics in the past, with doubters suggesting he’s not capable of playing up front of his own, but he is beginning to defy those for the good of the team. Defoe has scored 34.6% of Sunderland’s Premier League goals this season, with his prolificacy clear for all to see once more.

Of the 32 players to score five or more goals in the Premier League this season, only the sidelined Callum Wilson (41.7%) has a better conversion rate than Defoe (26.5%). Given only West Brom (9.9) and rivals Newcastle (9.5) are averaging fewer shots per game than Sunderland (10.7) in England’s top tier, the need for a striker to take the chances presented to him is crucial and Defoe is quite clearly fulfilling the duties required of him lately. 

Part of that, though, has been down to Allardyce’s managerial style. His pragmatic approach benefits a striker such as Defoe, who is never going to drop deeper to help link up with play. This would be a waste of his talents. Rather, Allardyce has demanded Defoe play on the shoulder of the last defender and wait for the opportunity to go through on goal. 

The 33-year-old averages only 12.6 passes per game, adding to the suggestion he doesn’t help in the build up play at the Stadium of Light. However, with Sunderland averaging just 43.2% possession in the Premier League this term - only West Brom (42.3%) are averaging less - the onus is on a counter-attacking approach. 

While at the Stadium of Light this may draw moans and groans from the home support, on the road, this system works in Sunderland’s favour. The 1-0 win at Crystal Palace back in November was a prime example of this plan coming to fruition. As the Eagles pressed forward when time ticked towards the 90 minute mark, Palace were desperately in search of the opening goal, leaving space at the back to be exploited. 

Ultimately, a defensive mix up between Scott Dann and Wayne Hennessey from a hopeful long punt upfield presented Defoe with the chance to score, but the opportunity arose as the Sunderland striker hung on the shoulder of the last defender. It’s a chancers approach to scoring and it means Defoe has been flagged offside 16 times in the Premier League this season - only Mark Arnautovic (17) and Bafetimbi Gomis (32) have been done so more - but he and Sunderland are clearly reaping the benefits. 

His performance against Swansea gained a him a place in this week’s Premier League team of the week with a WhoScored rating of 8.86 and supporters will hope he can prolong his form against his former employers at White Hart Lane on Saturday. He needs to be on top of his game if he is to hit the back of the net against a Spurs side that has shipped the fewest goals (17) in England’s top tier this term, though recent exploits suggest it is indeed possible for him to break through the 10-goal barrier on Saturday.

BUABOOK TRADE TIP

It's often the case that an old favourite returns to haunt his former club and Defoe would certainly fall into that category during two stints at Spurs. However, in this instance the striker hasn't had much joy against his old employers, scoring just one goal in 7 appearances against a Tottenham side who will be keen to bounce back from disappointment against Leicester. As a result I would be tempted to sell shares in Defoe in Buabook's match market for as little as £0.25.

How important will Jermain Defoe be in Sunderland's survival bid? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below