Jermain Defoe claims Sunderland have 'gone backwards' this season
Friday 21 October 2016 06:49, UK
Jermain Defoe believes Sunderland have "gone backwards" under David Moyes and is at a loss to explain the Black Cats' poor start to the season.
Sunderland find themselves bottom of the Premier League table after claiming just two points from their opening eight league games.
The Black Cats are the only top-flight club yet to secure a victory in the league this season and Defoe admits he is baffled by the club's recent form.
"From where we were towards the end of last season, I feel like we've gone backwards a little bit," he said.
"I don't know why, I can't put a finger on it. We've not hit the levels that we reached towards the end of last season.
"We're coming into November and you don't want to be getting into a situation at the bottom of the league like we have every year."
Moyes is already facing mounting pressure less than four months after taking charge of the club following Sam Allardyce's departure to England.
The former Everton and Manchester United boss is likely to be given time to turn the club's fortunes around, having been awarded a four-year contract earlier this summer.
Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain confirmed that the Scotman's job is not under immediate threat.
"He understands the need to win, first and foremost, but in parallel, he understands that the job he has come here to do, and the job I have come here to do, is to build, to rebuild really," Bain said.
"We can certainly change the future. From both our perspectives it's about rebuilding, let's do the basics right. That's the biggest message I want to get across, we want to get back to basics."
Moyes will be hoping his side can kick-start their Premier League campaign when they travel to West Ham on Saturday.
