21-year-old striker Connor Wickham thinks he can repay his expensive price tag after netting twice in Sunderland's 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

Wickham who was signed in the summer of 2011 for an eyebrow raising £8 million from Ipswich scored his first Premier League goals since October 2011 at the Etihad last night as Sunderland earned a suprising point against title chasing Manchester City. The England under 21 international has struggled to get a good run of games for the Black Cats since his arrival three years ago, however Gus Poyet, with a combination of injuries and simply poor form from other strikers, has been forced into showing faith in Wickham who is keen to make an impact.

The Uruguayan manager seemed not to rate Wickham like his predecessors in the fact that he sent him out on loan twice this season to Championship sides Leeds and Sheffield Wenesday. He did well at Hilsborough and was recalled in February only to be sent back to Yorkshire after making a sub appearence in an FA Cup tie. The two time Sheffield Wenesday loanee has talked about these experinces and scoring last night saying: "It was a massive relief for me to score and I think for the team." He added: "I guess I had a point to prove, I mean I've been out on loan a couple of times but that's football."

It would be fair to say that the tall striker has been under a lot of pressure being one of the most expensive teenagers in football when signed at the age of 17 to go and play at the highest level, however Wickham says he's never felt this pressure answering this type of question like this: "It wasn't easy playing in the premier league at 17 but I've never felt pressured to do what I do." 

As far as the Black Cats struggle to hang onto their Premier League status Wickham in his post match interviews was keen to focus on the positives of the game against City and also keen to highlight that Sunderland aren't down yet. The Wearsiders are still six points from safety with five games to go but Wickham has said: "The equaliser was definitley a killer blow but there are still five games left, it's not impossible." He added: "If we perform on Saturday like we did at City then I don't see why we wouldon't have a chance."

Although relegation looks likely for Sunderland it would not be the worst thing in the world for them and striker Connor Wickham as the Wearsiders have a great record of coming straight back up and Wickham should get a full season leading their line something that will propell his young career. 

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About the author
Jamie Joslyn
20 year old sports journalism at Sunderland University, huge Sunderland fan