Sunderland will be aware that one Black Cats man is set to be targeted by Chris Wilder’s side.
Regis Le Bris’ side will face off against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, and it will be a real test for Sunderland against a side with five wins in their previous six.
The thread-bare options in attack will make it a real challenge for the Black Cats, with Romaine Mundle notably set to miss the game due to injury, meaning that Tommy Watson will likely notch yet another start.
It is expected that Wilson Isidor will start up top for Sunderland, and he could really have the opportunity to dictate play against the Blades’ centre-back partnership.
However, the one attacker that Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder will likely target is Black Cats right-winger Patrick Roberts, and that does not come as a surprise when dissecting his previous comments about the 27-year-old.
Chris Wilder comments about Patrick Roberts suggest he will be targeted for Sunderland
Blades boss Wilder has had some unsavoury previous games coming up against the Black Cats, notably last season, where Sunderland came back from a two-goal deficit to draw at the Stadium of Light, with Roberts bagging the decisive goal at the end.
It is certainly a goal that will live long in the memory of Wilder after he said, per The Northern Echo, following the game: “You can’t get away from the fact it was a fabulous finish by Roberts. A brilliant bit of individual skill and a goal worthy of getting something out of the game.”
Whilst this moment of brilliance fell during his short tenure at Watford, Wilder will still be very aware of Roberts’ abilities down the right-flank, and there is every chance that he has voiced the necessity of giving him no space to dictate the game.
Patrick Roberts will be crucial after recent Sunderland absences
There is no doubt that recent games have seen Sunderland lack a real edge in the final third, and a lot of that does simply come down to the absence of Mundle on the left-flank.
As a result, due to Watson being younger and less experienced, a lot of the responsibility of proving that attacking threat will fall on Roberts’ shoulders, and he is certainly set to play a key role because of this.
He may be targeted, however he should fancy his chances coming up against either Harrison Burrows or Sam McCallum at left-back, who he could both have for pace and trickery.
It is undoubtedly Sunderland’s biggest game of the season so far in terms of importance, and at times like this, Roberts really does have to come through and show his quality.