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.
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.
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<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/09/14/sunderland-f-c-three-hopes-one-fear/2/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Hope #2: That Lynden Gooch can produce over an entire season.</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_419680" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-419680" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/09/14/sunderland-f-c-three-hopes-one-fear/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F09%2F592637804-sunderland-v-middlesbrough-premier-league-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><p class="wp-caption-text">SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Antonio Barragan of Middlesbrough is closed down by Lynden Gooch of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Middlesbrough at Stadium of Light on August 21, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images )</p>
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<h3>Hope #2: That Lynden Gooch can produce over an entire season.</h3>
<p>The United States soccer hype train has made a stop in Sunderland. No, it is not because of Deandre Yedlin’s exploits last season with <em>The Black Cats. </em> No, it is not for Gedion Zelalem, Matt Miazga, or any other prodigy that has had a small blurb written about them. It is for Lynden Gooch.</p>
<p>Wait, who is Lynden Gooch? Even the most hardcore supporters were scratching their heads when Moyes selected Gooch for his starting eleven in Sunderland’s opener against Manchester City.</p>
<p>The United States under-20 international has been a welcome surprise for U.S. supporters who have few players to root for this Premier League season. Gooch, who has featured for the U.S. under-20 national team, has made five starts for Sunderland this season undoubtedly raising his profile.</p>
<div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/09/14/sunderland-f-c-three-hopes-one-fear/2/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/5HFWdXcnWck?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>But can he produce over an entire season? That is the $60,000 question. Gooch has undoubtedly proven his value to Sunderland thus far, showing his patience and timing delivering passes and tracking attacking midfielders.</p>
<p>It is unclear if he is more of a center midfielder or a defensive midfielder but really at this point it does not matter. Gooch is certainly someone who Sunderland can build around and hopefully be a major piece for the USMNT.</p>
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<h3>Hope #3: That John O’Shea can lead a patchwork defense.</h3>
<p>Last season, The Black Cats survived in large part to their defensive effort. During their strong run at the end of the season the club had three shutouts and allowed more than two goals in a match just twice. Their defensive effort was nothing short of extraordinary and the hope is that effort can carry over to this season.</p>
<p>It has not exactly been as easy for Sunderland this season. In five matches they have already allowed eight goals, dooming them to a 0-4-1 record. Without Deandre Yedlin, Younes Kaboul, and Liam Bridcutt the Sunderland defense has struggled to put in a consistent effort for ninety minutes. Make no mistake about it: if Sunderland cannot clamp down on defense they will be relegated.</p>
<p>There is some hope though and it largely rests within John O’Shea. O’Shea has largely been used as a utility man this season, plugging in at various spots this season. But with a very young and untested defense his experience will become critical as the season goes on. At 35, he has really seen it all.</p>
<p>The Republic of Ireland international has won multiple Premier League titles and pretty much seen everything in his 17 year professional career. With Moyes testing things on defense having someone like O’Shea that can be placed in any position at any time will help this club stay in the Premier League.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/09/14/sunderland-f-c-three-hopes-one-fear/2/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">The big fear: That the ghosts of Manchester United still haunt David Moyes</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-419683" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/09/14/sunderland-f-c-three-hopes-one-fear/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_560,w_850/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F08%2F596250566-southampton-v-sunderland-premier-league.jpg" alt=""></p>
<h3>The big fear: That the ghosts of Manchester United still haunt David Moyes.</h3>
<p>Three years ago it would have seemed strange to see David Moyes at Sunderland. That may sound like a knock against Sunderland but remember at the time Moyes was the talk of the Premier League. Having had a very successful tenure with Everton Moyes was slated to go to Manchester United, taking over for Sir Alex Ferguson. It was expected that Moyes would come in and United would continue on their merry way to more titles.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>But three years later things are very different. Although it is a bit unfair to lump all of United’ problems on Moyes, he was clearly not the solution. The former three-time LMA Manager of the Year left the club after just one season with the Community Shield being the only thing to hang his hat on. A stay at Real Sociedad produced a similar result last season. So can he make a comeback?</p>
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<p>It is unclear at this point. Sunderland certainly have the tools and the players to becoming a solid middle tier Premier League side. But remember: that late season change of form came from Sam Allardyce, a coach who prioritized defense and being highly organized. Moyes has always had more of an aggressive style, one aimed at playing more open and attack-minded. Sunderland really isn’t built for that type of system as it stands and it may take some time to put that system in. Time is not something that this club has.</p>
<p>Moyes is certainly a quality manager. But is he the right manager for Sunderland? Given his style and his torrid run of form recently it may not be the right fit for <em>The Black Cats. </em></p>
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