Anthony Patterson has calmed the worries amongst some fans as Sunderland look ahead to the play-offs.
Sunderland beat West Brom over the weekend, as Trai Hume bagged the decisive goal from a brilliantly hit free kick.
It was a well-worked victory by Regis Le Bris’ side, whom Tony Mowbray praised for their defensive work. Which saw Sunderland weathered the storm of a West Brom side that flashed 27 shots in total towards Anthony Patterson’s goal.
Sunderland goalkeeper Patterson praised former boss Mowbray following the game, suggesting that it was brilliant to see the ex-Black Cats gaffer back out on the touchline, amid the health concerns that he has suffered in recent times.
After his brilliant comments delivered towards Mowbray, Patterson was asked about the likely play-off campaign that Sunderland will have to endure at the end of the 2024/25 Championship campaign and if they are ready to face anyone.
Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson confirms the team aren’t ‘scared of anyone’ ahead of play-offs
With the play-off picture still undecided, apart from Sunderland’s near-banged-on likelihood of finishing 4th, the Black Cats are still far away from understanding their fate in regards to who they will face in the play-offs.
Currently, Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough find themselves in 5th, but Bristol City, Coventry and West Brom are all within three points of the Teesiders, showing that the landscape of the top six could still change drastically.
Nonetheless, Sunderland shot-stopper Patterson appears unfazed at the prospect of playing in the play-offs this season, and has no worries about the opposition they could potentially face.
Per Sunderland Echo, Patterson said: “Really pleased because we knew it was a hard-fought victory, and we just need to keep building that momentum like you keep saying and lead it into the next six games.
“I think as a collective we’re really confident and as we’ve shown today we can come up against the other teams in the play-offs or around the play-offs area and I don’t think we should be scared of anyone.”
This comes after Sunderland fans made it clear they would not want to face Coventry City in the play-offs, although, their three defeats in their last four has seen them drop down to 7th place.
Regis Le Bris’ side have already proven they can handle big ties
There is no doubt that the pressure that can be bestowed upon players in a play-off campaign is huge, but it is certainly still surmountable from Sunderland’s perspective, who are clearly feeling confident to play any side that comes their way in the dreaded lottery.
Sunderland have shown that, on their day, they can beat any side in the Championship, and that will bode well in the play-offs, when it is often make or break whether a side is up for the challenge, physically and mentally.
Having already overcome challenges this season, Sunderland are still within a chance of promotion to the Premier League, and for such a brilliant group that Le Bris has, that will certainly be the motivation needed to get the club back to where it belongs.