Fletcher responds to critics by leading Sunderland to first league win

IT’S not easy being a striker when you’re not scoring goals. Just ask Steven Fletcher.

The Scotland international has had to endure his fair share of criticism on Wearside over the past 12 months having produced a paltry return of three goals in 31 appearances.

Those figures are in stark contrast to Fletcher’s first six months at the Stadium of Light when he found the back of the net ten times, but the 27-year-old has had to deal with a couple of serious injuries that meant he missed large spells and struggled to regain full fitness when he returned.

Fletcher knows his recent record isn’t just down to injuries and fitness, though, as he struggled to have an impact in front of goal when Sunderland needed it the most during last season’s relegation scrap.

After recovering from another injury he suffered towards the end of last season, there was excitement amongst Black Cats fans that the £12m buy from Wolves would be like a new signing when the campaign got underway in August, but the Scottish international started slowly.

Over the last year Fletcher’s performances – and misses – have drawn strong criticism from the stands, and after scoring twice on his return to the side in Saturday’s win over Stoke City, his decision to celebrate by holding his hands up to his ears in front of the home fans spoke volumes.

“You get a bit of stick don’t you, but I’m used to that now at 27 years old,” said Fletcher. “I’ve had stick all my life. If you don’t score goals you get stick. You want to let the fans know you are not just going to take the stick off them, but it was good and I’m glad I’ve got off the mark. It has been a long time coming.”

Prior to Saturday Fletcher hadn’t scored since the 2-2 draw at Cardiff last December, and his performances at the beginning of this campaign saw head coach Gus Poyet make the bold decision to leave the Scotsman out of three matchday squads.

However, with the Black Cats struggling in last weekend’s goalless draw with Swansea, the Uruguayan gave Fletcher another chance to impress and this time he duly delivered.

Connor Wickham, who was a constant thorn in the Potters’ side on the left, gave Sunderland a fourth minute lead when he headed home after good work by Fletcher to get the cross in from the right, but Charlie Adam equalised 11 minutes later.

The Scottish international looked like a man re-born and his hard work was rewarded when he headed the Black Cats back in front after Jordi Gomez had swung in from Seb Larsson’s short corner.

It didn’t stop there, either. After the break Mark Hughes’ side did everything they could to draw level again, but the Black Cats held firm with help from their £12m striker, who constantly worked back to put a tackle in.

After capitalising on Fletcher’s good work to put Sunderland ahead, Wickham turned provider and after a mazy run which saw him beat several Stoke players, the young forward crossed into the box where his team-mate was waiting to drill home in the 79th minute.

“It’s a relief to get a game, never mind score, but I’m happy with the win of course and getting a brace as well makes it special,” Fletcher admitted.

“It has been a frustrating time. I feel like I’ve been doing quite well in training so when you are not in the squad it is very frustrating but I’ve just had to keep my head down and take my chance when I got it and I did that today.

“It would be different if I was playing every week and missing lots of chances. But I haven’t been playing as I’ve not been fit enough. It is frustrating but I haven’t let it get me down.”

The striker also insisted there was never a desire to leave the Stadium of Light despite his struggles. Fletcher said: “It is obviously frustrating sitting in the stands but no, I didn’t want to go out on loan.

“I have got two years left here and I just want to play football. The gaffer has given me a chance today and I’ve taken it and hopefully I can do it in the next game.”

Fletcher is in the Scotland squad for their European Championship qualifiers next week and his goals mean Sunderland go into the international break on the back of their first Premier League win of the season.

Concerns were beginning to creep in that a repeat of last year’s relegation dogfight could be on the cards when Poyet’s men failed to win any of their first six games, but Fletcher is confident Saturday’s win can be the catalyst in their season.

“It’s massive that we are off the mark now,” he said. “We have been putting in good performances but the results haven’t been coming. Everything came together for us today and it is a huge relief to get the win.

“It is frustrating that we are going away now and there is a break but I’ve got two important games for Scotland and hopefully I can take this form into those games and hopefully we can take this performance and result into the Southampton game.”