Sunderland played blinder with Patterson

Sunderland ended their four-year stint within the third tier of English soccer as they beat Wycombe 2-0 within the League One play-off remaining final season.

The Black Cats had been caught under the Championship since their relegation within the 2017/18 marketing campaign and eventually made their manner again through the play-offs.

Lee Johnson failed to reach taking the membership as much as the second division throughout his time on the Stadium of Mild and Alex Neil arrived on Wearside earlier this 12 months to succeed the place his predecessor failed.

The Scottish coach, who was at Preston North Finish and Norwich beforehand, led Sunderland to glory by profitable the play-offs and securing Championship soccer for the 2022/23 marketing campaign.

In fact, he has since left the membership to hitch rivals Stoke Metropolis and been changed on the helm by ex-Blackburn Rovers supervisor Tony Mowbray.

Nonetheless, supporters can nonetheless respect what he did throughout his time with the Black Cats and one piece of administration that he deserves to be praised for is his determination to make Anthony Patterson his primary.

Ron-Thorben Hoffmann was the first-choice between the sticks as he began 23 League One matches underneath Johnson’s reign within the first-half of final season.

It may have been a straightforward name for Neil to stay with the on-loan Bayern Munich goalkeeper because the inexperienced Patterson had not played a single skilled league match above Nationwide League degree previous to the 2021/22 marketing campaign.

Sunderland have been pushing for promotion and the Scottish supervisor took a raffle by putting his religion within the teenager, who was valued at £270k by Transfermarkt.

He repaid the top coach by maintaining ten clear sheets and averaging a SofaScore rating of 6.88 in 23 League One begins to assist the membership seal their place within the Championship. This included him receiving a SofaScore rating of 7.5 at Wembley as he saved a shutout within the play-off remaining towards Wycombe.

The stopper retained his place because the primary heading into the present marketing campaign and was tasked with proving that he has the standard to play within the second tier.

Is Patterson Championship high quality?

Journalist Josh Bunting just lately claimed that the gem has made the grade at this degree, Tweeting: “Anthony Patterson our greatest participant tonight, he’s coming alongside very well. Some very nice saves all through the sport however he was commanding of his field most significantly. Was questioned at first of the season if he may deal with the step-up he completely can. Stable efficiency.”

His performances again up that declare as he has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.91 – maintaining three clear sheets – in ten appearances this time period. He ranks 8th within the squad by way of common rankings and is performing to the next customary than he was within the third tier, which exhibits that he has taken to the Championship like a duck to water.

On the time of writing (20/09/22), Transfermarkt values him at £720k. Because of this his worth has rocketed up by 167% in 2022, one thing that illustrates his meteoric rise to the primary group this 12 months.

Subsequently, Neil performed a blinder with the 22-year-old by bringing him via into the beginning XI and permitting him to flourish between the sticks, changing into an important member of the group.