Former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe will be back in the North East next weekend as Woking face National League rivals Gateshead.
Former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe racked up his first win as a manager in fine fashion as his Woking side thrashed National League rivals Morecambe to condemn their opponents to relegation.
Defoe was named as new Cards boss last month and has made a solid start to life in the dugout with draws against Eastleigh and Braintree Town - but his wait for a first win came to a spectacular end on Saturday afternoon as Woking romped to a big win at their Laithwaite Community Stadium home. Defoe’s men seized control of the game inside the opening 40 minutes with goals from Harry Beautyman and Aaron Drewe - but they were pegged back before half-time by a Jack Nolan effort for their visitors.
However, Woking roared out of Oliver Sanderson scored twice inside the final quarter of an hour and Sam Ashford also found the net to ensure Morecambe have now suffered consecutive relegations and will spend next season in the National League North. Defoe’s focus will now turn towards a home game with Solihull Moors on Tuesday night before he makes a return to the North East next weekend as his side face a Gateshead side managed by former Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot.
Ahead of a hectic week, Defoe called on his players to enjoy their win and urged them to take belief from such an impressive performance as they look to extend their unbeaten start to life under the former Sunderland favourite.
Performances
Former Rangers striker Jermain Defoe began is managerial reign at Woking in dramatic fashion. Cr: Getty Images.placeholder image
Former Rangers striker Jermain Defoe began is managerial reign at Woking in dramatic fashion. Cr: Getty Images. | Getty Images
He told Woking’s official YouTube channel: “To be honest, in the three games I’ve had, there’s been so many great moments where you look at the team and you can see the quality. I think it’s just that belief really. All the players had to do was believe in themselves, believe how good they are, believe they can put in performances like this and win games like this convincingly and hopefully going forward, this will lift the boys in terms of confidence. Of course, you score five goals and play well you are going to be confident going into the next game. But on the bigger picture, I want these players to believe they are that good and they can improve even more.
“When you’re playing well and you’re winning games, you can’t wait for the next game. It doesn’t matter who you are playing against, you’re confident going into the next game. I think you have to enjoy these moments, enjoy scoring five goals, enjoy winning with your team-mates and doing it for the fans and everyone involved. There’s no better feeling. Obviously the next game is a short turnaround and it’s important that the players recover, do all of the things they need to do in terms of recovery, sleep, ice baths and what they eat and stuff - and hopefully, in the next game, we can get another three points and keep that good feeling around the place.”
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