I'll get the goals, says Le Tallec

Le Tallec made only his fifth start of the season last weekend and, while he was unable to find the target in the 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, he remains Sunderland's joint leading scorer.

His form on the international stage has been even better, with the Frenchman grabbing four goals in three games as his country's Under-21 side edged out England to reach the European Championship finals.

McCarthy has tried innumerable attacking combinations this season in an attempt to lift his side from the foot of the Premiership table.

And, with the likes of Jon Stead and Andy Gray struggling to find their form, Le Tallec has insisted that he is the right man to the lead the line when fellow strugglers Birmingham visit the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

"I'm here to score goals," said the 21-year-old, who moved to Wearside on a season-long loan from Liverpool in the summer. "I hope to stay in the team for the Birmingham game because it is such a vital match.

"It's difficult for the strikers at the moment because we have only won one game. It might be our fault, I don't know, but, speaking for myself, I have confidence in my ability to score goals at this level.

"I've scored two goals for Sunderland and ten goals for France (Under-21s). I know I can score a lot more goals for Sunderland, but I need a run of games in the side.

"I need to find the rhythm of my team-mates. If I can get a run in the side, I am happy to take the burden of scoring the goals to keep Sunderland in the Premiership on my shoulders."

Le Tallec joined Liverpool in 2002 but, after making a handful of appearances for the Anfield side, spent 18 months in France with both Le Havre and St Etienne.

Those loan spells helped him grow accustomed to regular first-team football, but did nothing to aid his acclimatisation to the English game.

This season has already proved to be something of an eye-opener, with McCarthy's demand for maximum effort and endeavour contrasting sharply with Le Tallec's more artistic temperament.

The Frenchman has had to adapt his game, with tackling and tracking back taking precedence over the flicks and tricks for which he was initially known.

"In France, strikers are different," he explained. "In England, strikers like to tackle, but we are not brought up that way.

"I know I have to work hard though, if I am going to be a success at Sunderland. The manager has asked me to develop that side of my game and I've tried to do that as best I can."

McCarthy's problem, though, is that Le Tallec's naivety is mirrored in a number of his team-mates.

The likes of Nyron Nosworthy, Justin Hoyte and Dean Whitehead all began the season with little or no experience of life in the Premiership, yet the trio have made 32 starts between them as Sunderland have struggled to adapt to life at a higher level.

The squad's inexperience has undoubtedly played a part in the Black Cats' early-season strife, but Le Tallec insists that a lack of top-flight know-how can no longer be used as an excuse.

The youngster feels he has matured greatly this season, and accepts his team-mates will have to mirror his development if they are to avoid a rapid return to the Championship.

"I have had to grow up since I came to Sunderland," said Le Tallec. "If I was going to help Sunderland stay up, I had to mature as a player and learn new things.

"I'm 21 and this is a new experience for me so I have had to learn again.

"People keep saying I'm a young player and there are a lot of young players in the team, but we can't keep using that as an excuse. We also have experienced players in the side like Gary Breen and Alan Stubbs.

"We are going to have to grow up quickly if we are going to stay in the Premier League. We have to mature as a team and as players."

* Sunderland have extended Joe Murphy's loan deal at Walsall for another two months.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper, who has made four appearances for the League One side, will remain at the Bescot Stadium until January 21.

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