Decoding the Sunderland goalkeeping dilemma

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If Sunderland are engaging in something of a ‘reverse rebuild’ this summer — gradually getting the attack and midfield sorted before turning their attentions to the defence and goalkeeper — perhaps we aren’t a million miles away from getting an answer to a question that may go some way to determining whether we can compete reasonably well next season.

That question, of course, concerns Anthony Patterson and his ability to make the step up into the Premier League and turn that undoubted potential into game-changing

ability at the highest level.

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As one of a handful of players who’ve been on the journey since the League One days, nobody could claim that he hasn’t earned the right — along with Luke O’Nien, Patrick Roberts, Trai Hume and Dennis Cirkin — to call himself a Premier League footballer, but on the other hand, getting there and establishing yourself is a different kind of challenge entirely.

It’s been apparent for a number of weeks that Sunderland have zeroed in on the goalkeeping position as an area for potential improvement, but with deals for Polish stopper Marcin Bulka and Chelsea’s Djordje Petrović failing to materialise, as well as names such as Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone and Senne Lammens also linked, a bit of clarity wouldn’t go amiss.

One thing, however, is absolutely certain: whoever stakes the strongest claim for the gloves ahead of next season needs to have broad shoulders, a strong mentality and perhaps most crucially, an ability to handle scrutiny.

It would be wonderful to think that Patterson could be that man, but given that things have undoubtedly kicked into a higher gear this summer, there are few positions at which you could look and say “This player is absolutely secure” — and rightly so.

As of right now, with the Lads making camp in Portugal for the next stage of pre-season, there’s no sign of the club’s faith in Patterson wavering and I’m glad about that, because for all of his critics and detractors, he’s a talented young stopper who, with an elite standard of coaching to guide him, could certainly establish himself at the highest level.

Keeping goal in two playoff finals and producing commanding performances in both — along with a save for the ages against Sheffield United — clearly counts for something in eyes of the Sunderland coaching team, and if they can coax a more commanding on-field demeanour out of Patterson, as well as helping to improve his distribution, why can’t he prove the doubters wrong, especially if we bring in further defensive reinforcements?

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Like every other Sunderland fan, I’m well aware of Patterson’s shortcomings as a goalkeeper and I’m not blindly defending him in the face of stories linking us with potential alternatives.

However, I’m also a big believer in his potential for further improvement. The prospect of being a Premier League number one should sharpen his concentration and ensure that he continues to work hard on all aspects of his game, but he’s the only one who can seize the opportunity and ensure it doesn’t pass him by.

I have to be honest and say that the possibility of either Ramsdale or Johnstone challenging for the #1 position doesn’t appeal a great deal.

Despite his spell as Arsenal’s number one, Ramsdale has also experienced relegation on three separate occasions and doesn’t strike me as a significant upgrade on Patterson. Johnstone, meanwhile, has been a fringe figure at Wolves and whether he could go from that to the pressure of a possible relegation fight on Wearside is a fifty-fifty call at best.

Lammens seemingly has a good reputation in Belgium, ranks highly on various metrics according to Roker Report’s statistical enthusiasts and of course, our last goalkeeping import from the Low Countries didn’t do too badly, but with rumours abound that we’d face competition for his signature, it might not be the easiest deal to cut.

Regardless of who Régis Le Bris places his faith in for the season opener against West Ham, it’s essential that they’re given his full backing, are as sharp and game-ready as possible, and that the back four is as strong as it can possibly be.

Patterson could certainly be that man and to a large extent, I’m really hoping he will be.

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