Luis Hemir 'could have scored three or four goals' by now, says Sunderland boss

How has Tony Mowbray assessed the contribution so far of misfiring Sunderland striker Luis Hemir?

Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray admits he would have expected more goals from Luis Hemir given the opportunities he has had, although he believes they will come.

Hemir was one of four new striker arrivals in the summer that have all failed to register their first goal for the club.

The best opportunities have probably fallen to Hemir, who appears to be struggling for confidence. He retains the belief of his manager, though.

“Hemir could have scored three or four goals by the minutes he’s had on the pitch, he’s missed some pretty big chances when they’ve come along.

“The keeper might have saved them like at QPR he had a header in the six-yard box that the keeper saved, he’s put one or two over the bar, he’s had one cleared off the line in the last home game.

“They need something to fall for them that is almost like a tap in or a roll in that can’t miss that gets them off and running because when new strikers start chasing goals it can be a burden for them.”

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Sunderland striker woes

Nazariy Rusyn / IMAGO

Mowbray was, though, keen to make sure that Hemir was not scapegoated in any way despite pointing out his failure to convert chances.

Striker problems have been an ongoing concern for Sunderland this season, and you have to go all the way back to April to find a goal scored by one.

Mowbray believes he has talent at his disposal though in Hemir, Nazariy Rusyn, Mason Burstow and Eliezer Meyenda, and he remains confident that come May they will have contributed plenty.

“They have to work hard, they have to keep going, they have to work on the training ground

“Over the longer piece hopefully they score their first one and it becomes a knock on and they catch fire and we’re off and we’re scoring plenty of goals.

“I think the goalscoring hasn’t really been an issue for the team, we’ve scored plenty of goals this season.

“Just young attackers, when the opportunity comes along, you hope something comes off for them, whether it’s off their backside or a 25 yarder in the top corner, you hope that they get off and running and let’s hope this weekend one or two of our strikers can score.”

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