Bringing Patto back the smart move, says Ian
IAN Burchnall says it wouldn’t be “smart” to go through the rest of the season with two goalkeepers as he explained Anthony Patterson’s return to Notts County.
The Magpies sealed the signing of the Sunderland keeper for the rest of the season last week and he was put straight into the team which beat Wrexham 3-1 in the National League on Sunday.
Patterson produced an excellent performance against the big-spending Welsh club, saving a second-half penalty from Paul Mullin to stop Wrexham from making it 2-2.
Head coach Burchnall said the decision to put him straight into the team was vindicated after admitting the Covid situation had played a part in his decision to bring him back for a second time.
“It’s fair to say when Patto was here earlier in the season he was excellent,” he said.
“We are in a situation, for me, where we could lose on or two players from Covid.
“That could be a goalkeeper. I don’t think it’s smart to go through the rest of the season with two goalkeepers.
“We wanted to bring one back in. We’ve had a good dialogue with Sunderland and they were really happy with what he was doing here.
“They were quick to send him back and for me knowing how many long throws and crosses Wrexham put in, Patto has been so strong.
“It was a tough decision to put him in but it was the right one.”
Patterson is highly rated by Sunderland and Burchnall’s relationship with Black Cats goalkeeping coach David Preece was key.
The goalkeeper, who was excellent in his first spell earlier this season, says he has returned to help Notts achieve their aim of sealing promotion.
“I got recalled from my first spell when the goalkeeper at Sunderland got injured,” he said.
“I was there to add a bit of cover, but I am buzzing to be back and playing.
“I really enjoyed it here first time around.
“I really liked it and it was a case of once the Sunderland goalkeeper was back fit again it was get back here as quick as I could.
“The manager (Lee Johnson) at Sunderland said I needed to play 20 to 25 games this season and see how
I am after that.
“He likes to get them plenty of game time. I love it here. I just want to play games and get this team promoted into League Two.
“The spirit in the dressing room is really high. There are a great bunch of lads here.”
■ Notts County have rearranged two of their recently postponed National League away trips.
The Magpies’ match away to King’s Lynn Town, a late call-off because of a waterlogged pitch last month, will be played next Tuesday, January 11, with a 7.45pm kick-off.
The potentially key promotion clash away to Chesterfield, postponed last month because of a Covid outbreak in the Spireites camp, has been rearranged for Tuesday, March 1 (7.45pm).
All tickets purchased for the original fixtures are valid for the new dates.