Former Sunderland forward Martin Smith believes they will stay in the Premier League

Former Sunderland forward Martin Smith believes his old club will 'get lucky' and remain in the Premier League this season.

But Smith, who scored 28 goals in 145 appearances during a seven-year spell on Wearside, feels they need to have more faith in their attacking ability as they bid to retain their top-flight status.

Sunderland are currently 16th in the table and go into Saturday's vital home game against Aston Villa four points off the drop.

Smith is confident Gus Poyet's side can beat the drop but wants to see them adopt a more adventurous playing style in their remaining 10 games.

“I think they might get lucky again and that it will be the teams that came up that all go back down,” Smith told Sky Sports.

“It might be the case that a low total will be enough to keep the team in the Premier League this season.

“They don't win enough games and it feels like they set themselves up not to lose and play for a draw rather than attacking teams.

“Obviously you're going to have to do that if you're playing sides in the top six but there needs to be a balance.

“They're playing against sides around them in the table and those sides are having more of the ball and more shots on target, which is a big concern.

“Jermain Defoe will score goals without question but I'm not sure they're creating enough chances for him at the moment.”

Poyet has been criticised by some Sunderland fans this season and the strain on the Uruguayan showed in the 1-1 draw at Hull City earlier this month in which he was involved in a touchline bust-up with Steve Bruce.

Smith feels Poyet is the right man to lead the club forward but thinks he needs to add some pace to his attack, especially with Adam Johnson suspended after being arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16.

“I think a lot will depend on whether they go down or not but they've done a lot of chopping and changing and there has to come a time when the club sticks with a manager,” said Smith, who was nicknamed 'son of Pele' by a Sunderland fanzine during his time as a player.

“He wants to get them to play out from the back and that's fine but I wonder if he has the players to do that at the club at the moment.

“They seem to have a lot of very similar players and there doesn't seem to be anyone with any pace who can go and attack teams.

“They've lost a player in that area (Johnson) and the defence is sound but they need a bit more invention up front.”