Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson came under the spotlight after the 2-2 draw against Plymouth Argyle last time out. Could the Black Cats replace him before the February 3rd deadline?
Sunderland drew 2-2 with Plymouth Argyle in their last outing. It was a really disappointing result for the Black Cats who saw their promotion rivals also drop points over the weekend.
Bottom club Plymouth held their own at the Stadium of Light. After the game Anthony Paterson was a huge talking point supporters, with Sunderland fans blasting Patterson’s performance.
He didn’t look commanding at all in the game. For Plymouth’s late equaliser, Patterson failed to come and collect the loose ball which allowed the Green Army to get back in the game, and claim a deserved point.
Patterson has been linked away from Sunderland this season. It’s been claimed that Manchester United want to sign him as a back-up goalkeeper, but after performances like Plymouth, Patterson may be playing Championship football for a while longer yet.
Long-term Sunderland target Sam Tickle sees Preston bid rejected
Sunderland may have identified their long-term heir to Patterson long ago: Wigan Athletic and England U21 goalkeeper Sam Tickle. The 22-year-old has been turning heads in the last 18 months or so, currently boasting 11 clean sheets in 27 League One games this season (fourth-most in the division).
Last summer, Sunderland were tipped to move for Tickle. But the Black Cats signed Simon Moore and Blondy Nna Noukeu as back-up to Patterson. Now though, journalist Pete O’Rourke has revealed on X that Sunderland’s Championship rivals Preston have seen a bid rejected for Tickle.
Tickle has even been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United in the last couple of transfer windows. He remains under contract at Wigan until 2028.
Michael Graham defends Anthony Patterson after Plymouth criticism
Patterson’s performance against Plymouth certainly divided opinion. Some think he could’ve done more but others think Plymouth’s late equaliser wasn’t his fault at all.
Journalist Michael Graham falls into the latter category. Posting after the game, Graham defended Patterson’s performance for Sunderland, writing: “I think there were about three or four players who should’ve dealt with it before it even got to Patterson. Harsh to put it just on him.”
Whether or not Kristjaan Speakman is looking at goalkeeper options in the final week of the January window remains to be seen.
Patterson could still seal a Premier League move in 2025, especially if he finds form in the second half of the campaign, and Le Bris won’t want to go into next season with Moore as his main no.1, despite him being a capable goalkeeper.
The Black Cats would want a younger player to come in and establish himself. Tickle would be perfect but if Sunderland want him, they might have to move now.