Sunderland caretaker boss Kevin Ball is working hard to keep up the confidence levels of Jozy Altidore.
Ball says it is important that Altidore, whose only goal in red and white came in the Capital One Cup second round victory over MK Dons, is not mentally distracted by his barren run.
"I think from Jozy's point of view he wants to score goals," Ball told the Sunderland Echo.
"What's important is that we don't allow him to get frustrated like that. I think it's important he understands his role within the team is to predominantly score us goals, but also to help others score goals.
"There's parts of his game that I looked at on Sunday and thought 'yeah I'd have liked to have seen him turn and shoot himself there'.
"I think at times he could do that. We're not asking him to be more selfish or anything, but pick times when he can do that.
"That's something we'll sit down and talk to him about."
