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Sunderland boss Gus Poyet was the first man to take a punt on Argentine striker Leonardo Ulloa when he signed him for Brighton and Hove Albion to great success.
Now featuring in the Premier League for Leicester City, ex-Almeria star Ulloa made a fabulous start to the campaign following his £8million switch to the King Power Stadium, scoring five goals in as many games from the off.
However, the goals have dried up and Poyet is determined to keep it that way for a player he rates highly:
"I had no doubt that someone would buy him.
"If you looked at the Championship, he was the main man. I’m pleased he’s doing well.
“I went to see him in
and I was very pleased we were able to sign him. We helped each other at Spain Brighton , which is a nice feeling."I can give John and Wes more information about him than any other striker.
"But he’s a striker who, if he gets delivery, will have a chance and we need to cope with that."
That is the key for Ulloa, 28, who thrives upon delivery into the box from the wide areas.
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson has been working his players hard on the training ground in an effort to get the creation of chances flowing for his big target-man once again.
Pearson is confident his team can find the solution and get Ulloa back on the goal trail:
"Strikers need chances and he hasn’t been getting chances.
"I was asked a couple of weeks ago if was I concerned about his lack of goalscoring, but he still has five goals so far this season.
"His contribution to the side is still very good in all aspects.
"What we need to do is get him into positions where he is able to miss chances. At the moment we are not creating enough."
One thing is for sure; Wes Brown and John O'Shea will need to be at their very sharpest in the East Midlands this afternoon in order to keep the powerful forward under control.
