One key statistic acquired by Anthony Patterson shows that Kirstjaan Speakman got one key decision correct.
Defensively, Sunderland have been incredibly effective under new French boss Regis Le Bris, with several of the players performing exceptionally well.
Everyone in the back-line has been immense, from the brilliant and consistent showings by Dennis Cirkin, who has been statistically proven to be the best player in the Championship, to Trai Hume on the other side.
The centre-back partnership of Chris Mepham and Luke O’Nien has also been very good ever since the untimely injury handed to Dan Ballard, and it now looks like it will be difficult for the Northern Irish defender to come straight back into the side.
However, behind the backline is Anthony Patterson, who has been in the side for all but three games, and one Championship ranking involving the shot-stopper makes one thing clear.
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Anthony Patterson ranking proves that Kristjaan Speakman made one correct Sunderland decision
There is no doubt that Patterson has been crucial when playing in-between the sticks for Le Bris’ side, and it is now statistically proven that he has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship.
Per George Massey on X, Patterson has been revealed to have prevented the 2nd most goals in the Championship, however just over half of the shots faced are deemed as ‘low quality’. The only goalkeeper ahead of the Black Cats man is Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson.
This proves that he has been integral in the side, and that Kristjaan Speakman made the correct call to not budge when Premier League interest came their way for the Sunderland goalkeeper, otherwise the Black Cats could have been handed a shot-stopper that may not be able to deal with the shots peppered at the goal.
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Anthony Patterson ambitions will have to be met by Sunderland if he is to stay
It is clear that Patterson is one of the top performing goalkeepers in the second tier, and there is every likelihood that he would be able to replicate this for a side in the Premier League.
There is no doubt that the Sunderland shot-stopper will see himself in the top tier in the coming years, and the Black Cats will have to match that ambition if they are to face any likelihood of Patterson continuing his stay in Wearside on a long term basis.
It is also the same with the likes of Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, whose futures at the club will also be thrown up until the plan for next season is clear, and that puts so much more weight on Sunderland.