AS ONE of Sunderland’s elder players, Jermain Defoe understands that there is a responsibility on him to set an example to the more inexperienced heads in the changing room.

Their season has turned into yet another battle against relegation, and for the older generation at Sunderland it is more about managing the crushing lows than experiencing the highs.

The likes of DeAndre Yedlin and Duncan Watmore are making their first steps in the Premier League, and while Defoe accepts that he has a part to play in keeping the youngsters’ heads right, he believes his manager Sam Allardyce plays a key role.

“Me and the senior players look out for the younger ones but the manager’s good at doing that, to be honest. Team spirit here’s really good,” said the 33-year-old, ahead of today’s home game against Southampton.

“Obviously, myself, Wes (Brown), (John) O’Shea, who didn’t play, we speak to the younger lads. But I think everyone knows now.

“The manager’s good like that, he goes round and has a laugh with the players but when it comes to work, we work.

“And he makes it really simple. This is what we’ve got to do to win the game. Just go out and do it, just go out and enjoy it, express yourselves, be disciplined.”

At times, Sunderland’s defeat at Everton came down to mentality and not ability, as they lost their discipline and surged forward when a point, in hindsight, would have been a fine result.

Game management was an issue, and Defoe knows that if Sunderland are going to make a fist of evading relegation, getting into the right frame of mind is essential.

“You don’t have to win the game in the first minute, and if we are winning just manage the game,” he explained. “If we’re winning, do we need to score another goal, or can we just sit back? If you’re away from home what do you do? Drive forward and try and win it, or be sensible, realise you’re away from home and that a point in the PL away from home is good.

“On Sunday, at 2-2, I remember looking at (Romelu) Lukaku and he was (downbeat). I’m looking at body language and thinking that the fans are getting frustrated, so as a forward, I’m thinking ‘Yeah’.

“At the same time I know we have to be solid, because Everton are at home and they’re dangerous.

“Maybe the boys just felt like we could win it, but it was silly to be honest because you can do that as long as you’re solid and disciplined.

Full-backs don’t need to push on. You’ve got me, Fletch and Jonno. Let us try and get another goal or cause a threat.

If we score, great. If not, we get a point.

“So yeah, I suppose, I can’t imagine that happening again. If we’re away from home, and it’s 2-2, especially when you’re 2-0 down and come back, that’s when you’ve just got to shut the game off.”

One of the few success stories for Sunderland this season is the development of Watmore. The 21-year-old starred for England’s under-20 side in this summer’s Toulon Tournament and has gone on to become a regular in Gareth Southgate’s under-21 squad, earning his latest call-up to the squad this week alongside Black Cats’ on-loan goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

And Defoe feels the youngster is a breath of fresh air for Sunderland.

“To have someone like that to come on, with so much pace and so direct. Especially in the Premier League, especially when the intensity in games is so high,” he said.

“Players get fatigued, and to have someone like Duncan to come on and try and win the game, it’s a great weapon to have.

“He’s a confident lad, he’s a nice boy and he’s done really well. He works hard in training, and no defender wants to play against someone who’s going to get the ball and just drive forward every time.

“It’s good for us to have someone like that.

“He reminds me of Andros Townsend in a lot of ways.

“Andros is so direct. Every time he gets it he just goes forward. Play to your strengths, you know. If that’s what you’re good at, then do it. He’s got great energy, he’s a young lad who wants to do well.

“To have someone like that in the squad who can come on and during the course of the season hopefully win games for us is good.”