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Cape Town - Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe says manager David Moyes needs time and patience from the fans to stamp his authority and tactical style on the English Premier League side.
Sunderland have been embroiled in four consecutive relegation scraps since the 2012/13 season and despite successfully surviving these scares, they are expected to face a similar battle this season under the experienced Moyes.
Defoe, who is entering his 19th season in the English top flight, says the international break came at the perfect time, as the former Everton boss looks to work with his new squad.
"For a manager, especially one who has just come into a club, the international break is perfect," he told the Sunderland Echo website. "It gives him the time to work with the team for two weeks on the training ground.
"It is not easy, to be honest, to come into a football club and change everything overnight, that never happens. It doesn't matter how good the players are.
"Different ideas, different managers, different ways of playing - it gives him time to work with the team."
The 33-year-old Defoe has scored 146 goals in 434 Premier League games.
Sunderland have been embroiled in four consecutive relegation scraps since the 2012/13 season and despite successfully surviving these scares, they are expected to face a similar battle this season under the experienced Moyes.
Defoe, who is entering his 19th season in the English top flight, says the international break came at the perfect time, as the former Everton boss looks to work with his new squad.
"For a manager, especially one who has just come into a club, the international break is perfect," he told the Sunderland Echo website. "It gives him the time to work with the team for two weeks on the training ground.
"It is not easy, to be honest, to come into a football club and change everything overnight, that never happens. It doesn't matter how good the players are.
"Different ideas, different managers, different ways of playing - it gives him time to work with the team."
The 33-year-old Defoe has scored 146 goals in 434 Premier League games.
