Defenders 'afraid' of 'work in progress' Brobbey

Brian Brobbey needs to believe in himself more, says former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini. The Black Cats forward produced an impressive display in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Arsenal , but needs a stronger "striker's instinct" if he wants to help Sunderland get results. "Brobbey is such a character, isn't he? He's so strong and you can see defenders are afraid of him," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle. "They don't want to get into a tangle with him because he's too strong. The ball's going into him but there are a couple of times when I think he needs to believe a little bit more. "With the chance near the end [against Arsenal], I think he had a shout to let it go from [Nordi] Mukiele but, as a centre-forward, he could have just stuck out a leg and taken control of that ball, and that's when you get your shot away quickly. I think you saw the frustration after that happened - he was like: 'Ah, I should have taken that chance and not left it for someone else.' "But that's when the striker's instinct has really got to be strong. He needs a bit of belief and performances like that will bring that belief - but goals are the currency for strikers in his position. "The game has changed a little bit – he is a little bit of a throwback. He's a work in progress. He's still a young man and he's finding his way in the Premier League, but it's exciting to watch and there is real potential there." Listen to the full clip above or on BBC Sounds here And hit play below to hear from Gabbiadini on the penalty awarded to Sunderland on Saturday or on BBC Sounds here