Le Bliss could unlock answer to Defoe in Sunderland’s ‘goal machine’

Sunderland fans have been waiting for a very long time to see their beloved team face Newcastle United again at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League.

In fact, it’s been 10 years since the Black Cats last faced the Magpies on their own turf in the league in the Tyne-Wear derby, with the Wearside hosts narrowly winning 1-0.

Regis Le Bris, along with Jermain Defoe, the hero of the day, pulled Sunderland out of the relegation battle with a vital strike.

In memory of Defoe’s Derby Day heroics

Of course, Sunderland will be disappointed to fall short against their arch-rivals Tyneside, but it won’t be as bad as the wins and losses in recent memory between these two fierce rivals.

With six league wins already this season, Le Bris & Company are far from the bottom three in this difficult division. But back in April 2015, the Black Cats just popped their heads above water when they faced John Carver’s Toon.

Thankfully, Defoe was prepared for a tense game and this superb volley ultimately sealed the deal, giving Sunderland their first win in nine league games and firmly placing the former Tottenham Hotspur striker in the running for the Stadium of Light.

Remarkably, the diminutive centre-forward never faltered in Sunderland’s red and white against Newcastle, scoring another memorable 3-0 win in 2016, but scoring another goal in a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park in an eventful derby.

It has been further noted that Defoe likes the burden of scoring goals to keep the team afloat, and it will be interesting to see now whether Le Blis will have a star player who can withstand high-pressure clashes.

One of the attackers, once described as a “goal machine” by scout Jacek Kulig, could be itching to get a start to prove himself in this regard.

Le Bris is the “goal machine” that can answer Defoe

Amazingly, Dick Advocaat had occupied the Stadium of Light dugout for just two games when Defoe produced that magical moment.

Le Bliss also enters unknown territory later today, but he has never overseen such a fierce and competitive showdown and will likely need a Defoe-esque figure to overcome Eddie Howe’s tricky visitor in Brian Brobbey.

After all, the Dutchman has already scored a memorable goal for Wearside, with an emphatic victory over David Raya in late November to give his new side a deserved share of the points against leaders Arsenal.

He is expected to score more goals and provide more assists despite starting just one Premier League game this season, and with main striker option Wilson Isidor having been in limbo in front of goal for six games in the league, it could be just what the doctor ordered for Sunderland to worry about Howe and Coe after that.

So dropping Isidore and bringing Brobbie up top could well be an exciting switch, with the 23-year-old exposed to more game time, perhaps helping him reach Defoe’s impressive Premier League numbers.

To date, Brobby has already scored an impressive 144 goals for Ajax at senior and youth level, while showing glimpses of brilliance in England, while Defoe ended his long-standing Premier League career with a blistering 163 goals in the top flight.

Blobby, who has been further identified by Krig as a “natural killer” in front of goal, will munch on the bits thrown his way as he prepares to make his second Premier League start this season.

A blue shot from the Amsterdam-born threat, he could instantly be rated as highly as Defoe before him.