Kristjaan Speakman has been informed there is one thing he can do at Sunderland this summer to help Anthony Patterson.
Anthony Patterson’s position between the sticks has been reasonably stable since he became Sunderland’s first-choice goalkeeper in the 2021-22 season.
The goalkeeper has mainly been superb in the Championship, and his outstanding performance has piqued the eye of Liverpool.
While he has made a number of crucial saves to keep the Black Cats in games this season, he has also been criticism for his errors and poor delivery.
Patterson’s faults, however, go mostly unpunished, as his backup Nathan Bishop appears to be far from a permanent berth on the roster. The 24-year-old joined Sunderland from Manchester United last summer, but has only appeared once in the Carabao Cup since.
According to the Roker Report, some fans want to see Bishop replace Patterson after another controversial goal was surrendered against Southampton.
However, Sunderland Echo columnist James Copley believes the team should continue to trust Patterson, and he has suggested what could actually help him.
Not for me. Think his levels have remained good (not perfect). He's suffering from playing in a team out of form and shipping goals.
I do think he could do with an older/experienced goalkeeper within the set-up for Patto to bounce/learn off at times.#SAFC https://t.co/VoSQKmqz2s
— James Copley (@JamesCopley_) March 11, 2024
Copley wrote on X, “This is not for me.” I believe his levels have remained good (not perfect). He’s struggling from playing for an out-of-form team and missing goals. I believe he could benefit from having an older/experienced goalie in the lineup for Patto to bounce/learn off at times.
What does Kristjaan Speakman need to do now?
Anthony Patterson has hardly had a more seasoned goalkeeper to look up to at Sunderland.
When he made his way into the first-team lineup, he was ranked behind Ron-Thorben Hoffman, who was only a year older and had no senior experience.
Lee Burge was on the roster at the time, but his fairly dismal stint on Wearside resulted in his permanent departure upon promotion.
Since then, the Black Cats have had Alex Bass and Nathan Bishop below Anthony Patterson, neither of whom is a role model for the 23-year-old.
Patterson, like many of the younger players on Sunderland’s roster, needs someone to look up to. Even if he is a third-choice shot-stopper, he would benefit from being around someone with extensive EFL experience who can coach him through difficult moments.
