Pelle savours memorable week

19 October 2014 10:16

Graziano Pelle continued a memorable seven days as he helped put Sunderland to the sword with a brace in the 8-0 thrashing on Saturday.

The Southampton striker has made an impressive start to life in the Barclays Premier League and his two goals in this mauling means he now has six in the league this season, with only Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa able to boast more.

Signed from Feyenoord in the summer having worked previously with new Saints boss Ronald Koeman, Pelle was expected to fill the boots of St Mary's favourite Rickie Lambert, bu t with Jay Rodriguez still out with a serious knee injury he has had to take on even more goalscoring responsibilities.

But the 29-year-old has taken it all in his stride and, having already picked up the player of the month award and scoring on a match-winning debut for Italy, Pelle topped it off with an impressive display against the unwitting Black Cats.

"It was the best week of my career," he said.

"What an amazing week. It's not all about the performance because today I didn't play so well. I made some mistakes. Maybe I am a perfectionist; I always like to do something more. It's amazing about the goals, winning, the performance.

"I had great moments in the past. I was happy in many situations. But this is something I am doing in a higher league, the best competition in the world. I believe in myself, I believe in the team. I just want to keep going, it's just the beginning.

"We are in October. It will be really bad to stop now, because it doesn't have meaning. If we stop now, at the end of the season nobody will remember."

Pelle has made an instant connection with winger Dusan Tadic, who was also brought in by Koeman over the summer to address the exodus of high-profile players.

The Serbia international scored his maiden league goal in Saturday's rout but he has been on hand to provide plenty of ammunition for Pelle, who admits the former FC Twente man is someone he has admired for some time.

"When I was in Holland, I had a question: which player would you like to play with and I said, 'Dusan'.

"It looks easy on my assist that he gave me. But it's not. Many number 10s are always a bit selfish. Not Dusan. He always wants to be dangerous.

"He gave me the right ball. If he waits one second, I was with a man. He gave me the ball in the right way. It looks easy but it's not so big thanks to him."

Tadic went into the game having endured a much trickier week than Pelle as he was involved in the unsavoury clash between Serbia and Albania players in Belgrade which led to their European Championship qualifier being abandoned.

The 25-year-old did not want to dwell on the incident, however, and was keen to continue his good form for Southampton on his return.

"It was a hard week but we are professionals and need to be focused on our things," he said.

"That is it now, Southampton is most important and now the next game against Stoke is important.

"Sometimes you win like this, sometimes it is hard. Every game is hard and you just need to be focused and sharp."

Asked about his understanding with Pelle, Tadic was equally enthused by how the pair have hit the ground running on the south coast.

"Yes, we understand each other really well," he added.

"He is a good player and it is a pleasure to play with him but we just do our jobs and as time goes on I think we will play better and better.

"We are a little bit surprised but it is also because of the coach. He has shown us how to play and it is easy for us, they explain what they want each player to do."

Source: PA