Sunderland full-back DeAndre Yedlin has said that he is aware that his starting position in Sam Allardyce’s side is under threat.

Position threatened

The American youngster who signed on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer has begun to emerge under Allardyce starting the last five matches and has performed well despite a mistake in the build-up in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle United.

Yedlin who is currently with American senior side ahead of their World Cup qualifier with Guatemala admits his confidence has grown but admits that he is wary of the challenge posed by Billy Jones and Emmanuel Eboue.

He told the Sunderland Echo that his “confidence is going up” but admitted that he can’t get “too comfortable” or “too relaxed” and with “one mistake” he could be “out of the line-up”.

Deandre Yedlin has gained a regular first-team place despite competition from Billy Jones and Emmanuel Eboue | photo: safc.com
Deandre Yedlin has gained a regular first-team place despite competition from Billy Jones and Emmanuel Eboue | photo: safc.com

Maturing game

It has been 14 months since Yedlin made the move across the Atlantic after coming through the ranks at MLS side Seattle Sounders before the move to White Hart Lane and believes his game has matured since the move.

He said that one of the reasons that he made the move to the European continent was to “mature” both “on the field” and “off the field” and believes he has “learned a lot” from his time in Europe, Seattle and the national team.

Need to be strong

Along with Yedlin, the team’s overall performances have improved immensely since Allardyce’s arrival but have stuttered in the last few matches as they have failed to pick up three points from winning positions in their matches with Crystal Palace, Southampton and Newcastle United.

Yedlin admitted that the Black Cats must improve their defence ahead of their next match with West Bromwich Albion if they are to pick up three points.

He told safc.com that draws are “positive” but his main and the rest of the defence’s job is to “keep clean sheets” and they will be “strong” and “motivated” and will head into the next match “with confidence”.  

Sunderland AFC will host West Bromwich Albion at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, April 2 with kick-off at 3pm BST.

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.