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Sunderland A.F.C.: Three hopes and one fear

By Sean Maslin

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Jermain Defoe of Sunderland celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Jermain Defoe of Sunderland celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Jermain Defoe of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Middlesbrough at Stadium of Light on August 21, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Jermain Defoe of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Middlesbrough at Stadium of Light on August 21, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

Hope #1: That Jermain Defoe can keep up his scoring pace.

Apparently Jermain Defoe is not washed up. After his terrible campaign with Toronto F.C. one might assume that Defoe was on the decline and that we might have heard the last of him. His 2014-2015 form with Sunderland did not exactly light the world on fire putting away jut 4 goals in 17 appearances.

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But oh what a difference a year can make some time. Perhaps it is the home cooking or perhaps it was just a matter of getting adjusted to life in Sunderland. No matter the case The Black Cats received a very different Defoe in 2015-2016. The former England international scored 18 goals across all competitions last season putting him in the top seven of goals scored in the Premier League. His goals weren’t garbage time goals either; five of his 15 Premier League goals came in their final 10 matches of the season.

So can Defoe deliver the goods again in 2016-2017? It really depends upon how he adjusts to working with Adnan Januzaj. The Belgian international came to the Stadium of Light on loan from Manchester United where he really has never found his form. Januzaj is a very fast, pacey player who can break defenses down out wide when he is given proper space.

If Januzaj can bring those skills to Sunderland and finally live up to his potential it will be good news for Defoe. Although Defoe already has two goals this Premier League season defenses are starting to double team him and limit his chances in front of goal.

Defoe has shown that his time with Toronto has not slowed down his career.  The question is now if he can do it consecutive years at the age of 33.

Next: Hope #2: That Lynden Gooch can produce over an entire season.

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