Former Sunderland man Don Goodman has jumped to the defence of one under fire Black Cats star.
As individuals and as a team, Sunderland are coming under some scrutiny right now, with the Black Cats’ impressive Championship form having certainly died off.
Regis Le Bris’ side are now winless in six. Last time out, Sunderland lost 1-0 at Sheffield United and now find themselves in 4th place of the Championship table, despite having had a five-point lead at the top at one point.
And one player who’s come under the spotlight in recent weeks is Patrick Roberts. Roberts was poor for Sunderland in 2023/24 but looked to have turned a corner following the summer appointment of Le Bris.
The 27-year-old has so far scored once in 17 Championship appearances this season, with three assists to his name as well.
Sunderland fans want to see Roberts benched against Stoke City on Saturday, but with the likes of Romaine Mundle injured, Roberts may keep his spot for the time being.
Don Goodman defends Patrick Roberts’ form at Sunderland
Speaking to Mackem News, former Sunderland man and Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman gave his verdict on Roberts’ season so far.
Goodman started: “It’s a difficult one because if you ask any full-back that faces Patrick Roberts you’ll get an answer from them saying he’s a good player and he’s given me a hard time.
“You don’t know what he’s going to do and again it’s a little bit like the West Bromwich Albion scenario in that as an attacking force they’re just not quite not being ruthless.”
Goodman then recalled his 1994 move from Sunderland to Wolves, highlighting that he wasn’t exactly prolific at the time, but still playing well.
“When Wolves bought me for a lot of money from Sunderland all those years ago, I hadn’t scored for 18 games, but I’d actually played well but without scoring,” Goodman explained.
“I had lots of assists and things like that so ultimately you can play well without the numbers suggesting that you’re playing well as a forward player and I think Patrick Roberts definitely has a part to play.”
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Patrick Roberts told to ‘produce more’ for Sunderland this season
Roberts has certainly shown glimpses of his old self this season. But like many fans will say, he’s just not scoring or assisting enough goals right now, with Sunderland as a unit proving goal-shy of late.
The Black Cats have scored just three goals in their last six now. And Roberts being someone with a proven goal record with Sunderland in the Championship is someone who needs to step up right now.
That’s the verdict of SAFC Live pundit and former Sunderland man Danny Collins, who spoke about Roberts earlier in the season.
Collins urged Roberts to ‘produce more’ for Sunderland in the Championship, saying: “On his day, Patrick is excellent, a joy to watch, but his numbers aren’t stacking up, he’s got to produce more.”
Sunderland return to action against Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.