Players Under The Microscope / Mike Norman / 18 December 2008 /

"Mystical" Mike Norman looks into his crystal ball to predict what Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe can achieve in the Premiership, UEFA Cup and on the international stage this season.

It's quite typical of Jermain Defoe to be having the sort of season he is having right now. It started brilliantly, with the Portsmouth striker scoring five Premiership goals in just seven appearances, netting on his first outing in this season's UEFA Cup, and scoring a goal for England in a World Cup Qualifier.

Defoe's fine early season form even prompted speculation that he might be in line for a sensational return to White Hart Lane to be re-united with new Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp. However, though that move may still be a possibility in the January transfer window, Defoe's recent form hasn't been so prolific. He has managed just three goals for club and country in his last 12 appearances, and he has gone from being the outstanding favourite in the Premiership Top English Goalscorer market to being just one of half a dozen serious contenders.

Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor currently leads the way with nine Premiership goals this season and he can be backed at [4.5] to be the Top English Goalscorer. Defoe, Michael Owen, Darren Bent and Peter Crouch have each scored seven league goals and are available to back at [5.1], [6.6], [7.6] and [11.5] respectively. Also available at [11.5] is Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, though he trails the others by some distance having scored just four Premiership goals this term.

So why is it that Jermain Defoe is regarded as a top quality natural goalscorer, arguably the best England has, yet he never reaches 20 league goals a season or isn't consistent for long enough to earn a sustained run in the national team?

Perhaps the answer lies in his physique. He is small and slightly built and can be easily knocked off the ball by a strong and powerful defender. He does possess an abundance of speed however, is quick thinking, and has a terrific eye for goal. In games where he can run full speed at defenders, utilise space behind them, or get the ball at his feet in the box he will be seen at his best. But it's the games in which a physical battle is needed or he gets very little time or space on the ball that he will struggle in.

Of course, Defoe still has plenty of time to improve parts of his game. Despite what seems like he has been around for a lifetime, he is only 26 and his best years are undoubtedly ahead of him. He is maturing rapidly and we are now seeing far less of the petty remarks that he often came out with when things weren't going his way. As I mentioned, transfer speculation still surrounds him, but at least now it isn't being incited by Defoe himself as was often the case when he was at West Ham and Spurs.

In Betfair's special 'To Stay' markets, Defoe can be backed at [1.14] to remain a Portsmouth player once the January transfer window is over - he is available to back at [2.1] not to stay.

Jermain Defoe has scored goals wherever he has played, including a record equaling spell on loan at Bournemouth as an 18-year-old (he scored in ten consecutive games for the south coast club). At West Ham and Spurs he had a goal record of better than a goal every three games, whilst in his short time at Portsmouth he is averaging around a goal every two games. He needs to maintain this ratio for the remainder of the season, or once again football fans will be asking if Defoe really is a top class striker, or one that promises so much but falls a little short (no pun intended).

Don't expect Defoe to figure too much tonight in Portsmouth's dead rubber game against Dutch side Heerenveen at Fratton Park. A lot of Pompey's fringe players are expected to participate, though with professional pride at stake I still think the home side will win.

The Match Odds market has Portsmouth available to back at [1.84], The Draw at [3.8] and Heerenveen at [5.0]. A 2-0 scoreline is my prediction, available to back here at Betfair at a tasty [13.5].

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