What Defoe can still offer Cats this season before time runs out
With 13 minutes remaining at Lincoln’s LNER Stadium there was a moment when Sunderland fans held their breath.
Substitute Jermain Defoe spunawayfromImpsdefender Adam Jackson after receiving the ball from Patrick Roberts and suddenly there was an opportunity to shoot at goal.
Itwasthetypeofchancethe former England striker would probably have buried in his prime, yet this effort from the edgeoftheboxinsteadbobbled wide.
After all the hype which surrounded Defoe’s return to Wearside, it hasn’t quite clicked for the 39-year-old frontman during his seven LeagueOneappearancessofar.
So can the popular striker make a significant impact in the final seven league games and help the Black Cats finish in the play-offs?
While the chance wasn’t converted at Lincoln, Defoe’s movement and close control suggested he’s regaining that match sharpness.
The forward has clearly kept himself in good shape to prolong an established career, yet Black Cats boss Alex Neil has pointed to a lack of game time at Rangers, where Defoe had played just eight minutes in the first half of the campaign.
For that reason it was understandable that he struggled to make an impact for a deflated side after coming off the bench against Doncaster, Cheltenham and AFC Wimbledon.
The39-year-oldwasalsogoing to rely on the right service, whichsimplywasn’tforthcoming in such short cameos.
When Defoe was handed his first start of the season in February’s 1-1 draw with Burton at the Stadium of Light, most of his touches came outside the penalty area, as the striker often found himself dropping deeper to support
Ross Stewart.
Defoe made more of an impactinhisnextappearancefor Sunderland after coming on at half time in the 3-1 win over Fleetwood.
The striker’s touches in the box increased to six that night, as he posed more of a threat in the opposition's penalty area and occupied defenders.
Defoe’s shot eight minutes from time was blocked and allowed Luke O’Nien to break forward and score to put Sunderland 2-1 ahead.
Eight minutes later, Defoe made an intelligent run to the flank which opened up space for Jack Clarke to cut in from theleft,beforenettingSunderland’s third goal of the contest.
That performance earned Defoe his second start for the 2-0winoverCreweAlexandra, yet Sunderland’s attack spluttered once again in the first half, with the team electing to take a more direct approach against a deep defensive line.
Defoe’s partnership with Stewart will clearly be key when the latter has been such a crucial part of the Black Cats’ campaign.
Stewart has spoken extremelyhighlyofhisnewstrike partner,explaininghow‘allthe boys in the dressing room look up to him.’
Evidently, Defoe is having a positive impact off the pitch, yettheforwardwillalsobedesperate to contribute on it.
The signs are that the experienced striker is getting sharper and can have an influenceaswereachapivotalpoint of the season.
Still, with just seven league games remaining, time is running out.