Defoe is key to Sunderland Survival

Well, the Crystal Palace game surprised most of us. I don’t think we really saw that result coming if we’re honest. Thankfully Big Sam set the team up to nullify the Eagles’ biggest threat - pace. It worked. Five at the back or five across midfield depending upon whether we’re attacking or defending meant that Palace didn’t have the space to run into, which would have caused us major problems. However, Sunderland stopped the danger at the root.

The questions prior to the match kicking off were around whether it was going to be a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 formation. Sky were reporting that Sunderland were setting up with four at the back and I have to admit my heart rate did race a little at the prospect of Zaha running at the pedestrian John O’Shea. Of course, I knew all along *cough* it was all a rouse to misdirect Palace. When Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha et al did manage to break through, their end product lacked the clinical edge and they were often forced into making speculative efforts at goal from distance. The plan worked and it worked well.

Credit has to go to the three Sunderland centrebacks who, on the night, looked in control. Youness Kaboul in particular stood out. One individual error on the part of Crystal Palace was the decisive moment in the game though and that led to Sunderland breaking the deadlock. Fortunately Jermain Defoe was on hand to capitalise on Scott Dann’s error. Perhaps the Palace goalkeeper could have done better too, but either way the ball was in the back of the net and that’s all that matters to Sunderland at the moment especially given the position in the league.

Kudos also to Sam Allardyce for it was a brave decision returning to a formation that failed so spectacularly against Everton only a few short weeks back. Six goals were conceded in that match and players must have been unsure about the prospect of experimenting with three at the back again. In my opinion it would be foolish to dismiss it based on one bad performance. Equally it would be naive to suggest we should stick with it long term just because it has worked well once. Let’s be open-minded and give it a run out for a while before making any cast iron judgments. I’d suggest we try it home and away just to get into a rhythm.

The key to Sunderland’s survival bid though is making sure that Jermain Defoe is on the pitch - that is certain. Whenever he plays there is always a genuine threat to the opposition’s goal especially when he plays up front. Defoe is the sort of player that can generate something from nothing as he proved notably against Newcastle United last season as well as get the tap-ins around the box. Whatever formation we play against Stoke on Saturday, Jermain Defoe needs to be part of it.