Former Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts has claimed that Sunderland are not allowing Jermain Defoe to help them avoid relegation due to shambolic defending.
Sunderland remain in last position on the Premier League table after their 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodisan Park and look increasingly destined for relegation.
The defeat meant that they have now conceded 48 goals from the 26 Premier League matches they have played thus far.
Roberts said during BBC’s Final Score program that the Black Cats are lucky to have a player of the caliber of Defoe but are not doing enough to provide assistance to him.
He said, “I said Sunderland are lucky to have Jermain Defoe and I didn’t mean that disparagingly to Sunderland.
“The issue now is they can’t keep clean sheets to give them an opportunity to make sure he gets that chance that’s three points as opposed to a draw.”
Defoe has scored 36 goals for the Black Cats since arriving at the club in 2015.
