Patrick Roberts key to Sunderland success this season – Don Goodman
Don Goodman has claimed that Patrick Roberts is a key part of the Sunderland team despite the winger failing to contribute in the final third.
Roberts is a player with immense talent, capable of getting you off your seat but a lack of end product has been worrying.
Supporters have become growingly frustrated with his lack of contributions and have earmarked the January transfer window as an opportunity to add depth in that area but Goodman exclusively told Mackem News that he still has a part to play.
“It’s a difficult one because if you ask any fullback that faces Patrick Roberts you’ll get an answer from them saying he’s a good player and he’s given me a hard time,” Goodman said. “You don’t know what he’s going to do and again it’s a little bit like the West Bromwich Albion scenario in that as an attacking force they’re just not quite not being ruthless.
“If they repeat those performance levels that they did against Sheffield United I don’t have any issue that they will certainly stay in the top six and Patrick Roberts has been a key part of that.
“When Wolves bought me for a lot of money from Sunderland all those years ago I hadn’t scored for 18 games but I’d actually played well but without scoring. I had lots of assists and things like that so ultimately you can play well without the numbers suggesting that you’re playing well as a forward player and I think Patrick Roberts definitely has a part to play.
Patrick Roberts needs to improve his end product for Sunderland
There is no doubting the ability Roberts has. He’s arguably the best technical player at the club and one of the best in the Championship.
His ability to weave in and out of defenders is breathtaking at times but what comes after that is usually disappointing.
A missed penalty in the encounter against Sheffield United on 29 November epitomized his lack of cutting edge and could see him dropped when they host Stoke on Saturday.
Echoing the sentiments of Goodman, Roberts still has a key role to play for the Black Cats this season but things must improve in the final third.
In other Sunderland news, Manchester United are eyeing another Black Cats star.
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