Threat of axe spurs on Defoe
HAT-TRICK hero Jermain Defoe says the threat of losing his place in the Tottenham line-up has spurred on his storming start to the season.
Defoe followed up his brace for England against Holland last week with an impressive hat-trick in Spurs’ 5-1 Premier League victory at Hull on Wednesday night.
Strike partner Robbie Keane was also on target at the KC Stadium, and with Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko yet to get their chance under boss Harry Redknapp this season, Defoe is aware of what is required to keep his first-team place.
“Scoring gives me confidence and I just want to keep it going, keep working hard and hopefully I’ll get more,” the 26-year-old said.
“I’m playing in a good team so I know I’m going to get chances — it’s just down to me to take them.
“But there is no guarantee you are going to play as we have fantastic forwards. That keeps you on your toes and, when you get a chance, you’ve got to take it otherwise you might not be playing the next game.”
Defoe and Keane are likely to keep their places for Spurs in the London derby at West Ham on Sunday, and Redknapp is content knowing the options available to him. “We’re in good form and, when you look at the bench, we’ve got Crouchie who can’t even get in the team,” he said. “We’ve got Pavlyuchenko as well, so we’re very strong in that department.”