safc.com caught up Jermain Defoe earlier today to talk Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and much more.
The striker led from the front on Tuesday evening as his former club were thwarted at the Stadium of Light, with a big game against Crystal Palace coming up this weekend.
Read the interview below to hear Defoe’s thoughts on the upcoming clash and a satisfying stalemate against Spurs.
Jermain, a point last night against Tottenham Hotspur and a very satisfying performance on the whole?
JD: “Yeah, of course. It was a difficult game because they’ve been fantastic this season and they have some very good players. We knew we wouldn’t see too much of the ball but we would have taken a point before the game.”
How much credit do the boys the deserve for the way they pressed – from start to finish – against a team who move the ball at speed?
JD: “We had to press because if you let them dictate and have time on the ball they’ll grind you down and score goals. Our energy levels were good and it’s an impressive feat that we stopped them from scoring because they have top players. The manager was happy with a point and we’ll move on to a massive game this weekend.
No errors tonight either, which is something the manager called for ahead of the game?
JD: “At the end of the day we knew we had to improve and that’s what training is all about. We wanted to be better – miles better – than our last performance and I think we did that. I can’t remember them having too many clear-cut chances which, as I said before, is impressive. When we have got the ball we need to be better, though, because goals win games and if you nick one, one point turns into three.”
Good to have Lamine and Didier back out there as well following their return from the Africa Cup of Nations?
JD: “Lamine is a beast and Didi brings so much energy to the team. They are two big players for us especially because of their physical nature which you real need in the Premier League. Wanyama and Dembele are so strong! But they did well and I think we enjoyed the game as a team. If we can’t win games we have to take something from it, and we did that so we’re happy.”
This weekend we’ll come against a few familiar faces and you said it yourself, it’s a massive game?
JD: “It’s a game I want to win, badly. It’s not just because Big Sam and Patrick have gone there, it’s because they won last night and we need to stay close and put pressure on the teams around us. If we can go there and pick up three points it will be a big result for us, but if we play like we did against Spurs we’ll get chances against the lesser teams – that’s no disrespect to Palace but Spurs are pushing for the title.”
And you’d like to think they’ll be more space and more chances falling your way this weekend, as oppose to last night where we needed to focus defensively and consolidate rather than attack?
JD: “I want to score goals and I only need one chance. We’ll be positive in our play, though, and we will cause Palace problems, so we can’t wait for the next game.”
