Patterson's future No.1 challenge at Cats amid dilemma of loanees
While it remains unclear what division Sunderland will be competing in next season – the club will already be assessing their options ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Black Cats will have to makedecisionsonseveralplayers whose contracts are set to expire, while there are also a handful of loanees at the club.
With seven league games remaining this term, we’ve taken a closer look at some of the questions that should become clearer before the end of the campaign.
Will Sunderland need to sign a new goalkeeper?:
While Sunderland have kept four clean sheets in their last five games, goalkeeper Anthony Patterson has quietly gone about his business.
The 21-year-old has started everygamesinceAlexNeil’sappointment on Wearside, keeping his place despite Thorben Hoffmann’s return from illness.
While Sunderland’s improved defensive record has been helped by tactical alterations, Patterson has also made some important saves and beenmorecommandingwhen claiming crosses.
SocantheBlackCatsacademy graduate become the club’s No.1 for the years to come?
Patterson has clearly shown plenty of promise and impressed in recent months, yet we’ll find out more about his credentials as we arrive at a crucial part of the season.
Sunderlandalsohaveanoption to make Hoffmann’s loan
deal permanent, yet there now appears to be more faith in Patterson if the club are to give youth a chance.
Is Patrick Roberts a longterm asset?:
While it’s taken him a couple of weeks to get uptspeed,PatrickRobertsproducedhisbestSunderlandperformance to date at Lincoln.
The goalless draw at the LNER Stadium was just Roberts’ second Black Cats start,
yet he showed the skill and creativity which prompted Manchester City to spend £11million on the playmaker.
Since that move to the Etihad Stadium in 2015, the 25-year-old has been loaned out to six different clubs but hasn’t been able to settle.
Sunderland signed Roberts permanently in January on a short-term contract, and there is a club option to extend the deal.
The player has said he wantstostayonWearsideand, if he keeps performing like he did at Lincoln, it may seem like a no-brainer.
Still, Roberts will need to show his recent display wasn’t a one-off and that he can contribute consistently.
Which loan players will be available?: It’s unclear howmanyofSunderland’sloan playerstheclubwillwant–and be able to sign – next season.
Striker Nathan Broadhead is rated very highly on Wearside and will be out of contract at Everton this summer, yet he hasshownheisprobablyready for the Championship.
Similarly, Callum Doyle, whilehehasstruggledrecently, is someone who will probably want to test himself at a higher level next season, with parent club Manchester City keeping an eye on the teenager’s development.
Jack Clarke has a year left on his contract at Tottenham but is surplus to requirements in North London.
With competition for places in wide areas, Sunderland will have to decide if moves for Clarke and Leon Dajaku, on loan from Union Berlin, are worth pursuing.