Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson revealed his teammates’ ambition for the Championship campaign after he achieved an impressive club milestone on Saturday.
Sunderland beat West Brom 1-0 over the weekend with Trai Hume’s stunning free kick being the decisive goal in the Championship affair.
Former boss Tony Mowbray praised Sunderland’s defensive work, which saw the Black Cats weather the storm at The Hawthorns as goalkeeper Anthony Patterson was called into action on many occasions to help ensure the victory.
Patterson also hailed ex-boss Mowbray after the victory, with the Academy of Light graduate being a persistent starter under Mowbray’s 65-game Sunderland tenure.
The goalkeeper has now revealed Sunderland’s ambition for the rest of the regular campaign after achieving an impressive milestone for the Black Cats.
Anthony Patterson achieves Sunderland milestone
Patterson was imperative to Sunderland’s win over West Brom, making two crucial saves to keep the Black Cats ahead as play-off hopefuls West Brom searched for an equaliser.
The 24-year-old’s outing on Saturday earned him his 50th clean sheet for Sunderland, and he admitted after the game that the record is just as much a team accolade, as a personal one for the shot-stopper.
Patterson told SAFC.com: “It’s important that we keep the momentum going towards the end of the season and see where we end up.
“I pride myself on clean sheets – but it’s always a collective effort. The team spirit and everyone defending together is great to see.”
Patterson also singled out his defensive colleagues for praise after their resolute display at the weekend. “Browney (Alan Browne) came in at right back and has been great,” added Patterson.
“We know what Trai’s (Hume) quality is like – they’ve been excellent, as have Luke (O’Nien) and Meps (Chris Mepham) at centre-back.
“As a goalkeeper, it’s perfect when the lads are putting their bodies on the line and making blocks.”
Anthony Patterson looks back to his best form
Patterson’s form this season for Sunderland has been a cause for concern throughout the campaign, with head coach Regis Le Bris admitting that the goalkeeper made a crucial “error” against Cardiff. Weeks before that 2-1 victory, some supporters called for Patterson to be dropped following his howler against Hull which played a massive part in the Black Cats’ disappointing defeat.
Following the international break, Patterson has kept two shutouts from two outings, making four crucial saves in the process to protect the Sunderland goal. The goalkeeper has faced harsh criticism this season, but now appears to be back to his best ahead of an upcoming test against a “good team” at Carrow Road.
| Key Championship statistic | Anthony Patterson so far during 24-25 season |
| Games played | 36 |
| Goals conceded | 35 |
| Clean sheets | 13 |
| Penalties saved | 1/5 |
On Tuesday’s opponents, Patterson added: “It’s always good to take on good teams and it gives us a chance to show what we can do. It’s another game we’re really looking forward to and hopefully we can come away with the three points.”
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Despite his shaky displays at times this season, Patterson still ranks as the Championship’s fourth-best goalkeeper in terms of most clean sheets, with 13 kept this season alone in 36 appearances. Patterson is also amongst the league’s best for lowest goals conceded per 90 minutes with an average of 1.
The break seems to have served the Academy of Light graduate well, and as his stellar rate of 50 clean sheets in just 159 appearances in red and white continues, the shot-stopper’s return to top form will be pivotal in the Championship run-in.