View: 33% Sunderland ace will surely be dropped after poor showing v Sheffield United

Patrick Roberts was once again a frustrating figure for Sunderland having missed a penalty and failed to contribute elsewhere against Sheffield Utd.

Roberts has had an extremely frustrating season so far, having failed to score from open play yet. In fact, his last goal from open play was 18 months ago.

His only goal of the current campaign arrived from the penalty spot but his failure to add to that against Sheffield Utd proved crucial as the Black Cats continued their winless run with a cruel 1-0 defeat.

Patrick Roberts must be dropped at Sunderland

Very few players have been as consistent a starter as Roberts has throughout his time on Wearside but his lack of ability in the final third has proved costly on countless occasions and it was no different against the Blades.

According to FotMob, Roberts mustered an xG (expected goals) of 0.8, most of which came as a result of his penalty miss.

The right-sided winger failed to attempt a single dribble all night and was guilty of playing it safe far too often in fear of losing the ball which, to his credit, he didn't do very often.

His 83 per cent pass accuracy looks good on paper but none of those passes led to any form of attacking threat.

Of the three ground duels he was involved in, he lost two and failed to offer any real defensive security.

With just one chance created, his night was ended when being hooked for Eliezer Mayenda in the final 15 minutes.

His performance just expresses the need for the Black Cats to strengthen their attacking options in January, with a lack of goalscoring threat evident in the absence of Romaine Mundle.

Wilson Isidor has been in fine form but he can only work with the service he receives and with performances like that of Roberts, it is few and far between.

In other Sunderland news, Ian Darke would be surprised if the Black Cats finished in the top two.

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