SUNDERLAND LEGEND Niall Quinn has backed Jermain Defoe to prove his doubters wrong when he completes his anticipated transfer from Toronto FC.
The England international striker is expected to seal his switch to the Stadium of Light imminently, with Jozy Altidore thought to be heading in the opposite direction.
And Quinn, who partnered fellow Wearside hero Kevin Phillips in attack for much of his time with the club, believes Defoe can have a similar impact to another former Sunderland forward in the form of Darren Bent, who he signed during his stint as chairman.
“This signing has put Sunderland on the front foot again,” he told reporters in the north east. “Whenever the club has been successful, it’s because they’ve had someone up front banging in the goals on a regular basis.
“Kevin did it when I was there and then Darren hit the ground running when he arrived from Tottenham.
“I see particular comparisons between the Bent deal and this one. Darren arrived feeling he had something to prove because he didn’t get the rub of the green at Tottenham.
“Jermain will have heard all the whispers about his age [he is 32] and that after a year in Toronto, he may have lost his edge but he’ll love that and see it as a challenge. He’ll ignite the place. It’s a great deal.”
Bent scored 32 goals in 58 appearances for Sunderland before leaving to join Aston Villa in 2011.
Out with the old, in with the new. Great chance for Conor. Pretty much guarantees him the Munster no 9 shirt too.
O gara shud be out half for his territorial kicking alone
Where’s Leo??
Savin’ him for the Aussies
Eh…Leo? You can’t seriously be insinuating that he should start ahead of the mighty duo from Munster?
well at the very least he’s head and shoulders above Ryan on the bench!
Ryan can play both lock and blindside flank, where as Leo is exclusively a lock. Not to prejudice Leo, his record peaks for itself, but Ryan is a rising talent and the utility element is hard to ignore for any coach.
I don’t know what a blindside flank is! I’ve just leapt onto the rugby bandwagon! Come on you boys in green come on you boys in green come on you boys come on you boys in green! What’s a scrum half?
Ryan can cover both back row and lock, that’s why he’s there.
dont worry about the yanks………italy will be after our scalp big time, they owe us one from the six nations!!!
I would expect that once the Italy game comes around both teams will be probably Won 2 lost 1 with progression hanging on the outcome of it. don’t expect it to be pretty!
I’ve heard several pundits/experts say that Ferris should play in 2nd row with O Connell against Aussies, with Jennings,Heaslip & O Brien in the back row. Think it would be a good move which would add extra dynamism to the pack.
This looks very much like the team with one or two possible exceptions (Healy for Court) and maybe some tinkering with the backrow that is going to be used for the 1st two games at least.