Interim Sunderland manager Mike Dodds has urged winger Patrick Roberts to come back better next season, in an article by Chronicle Live.
Dodds was speaking to the media as he prepares his side for today’s visit to West Bromwich Albion. Roberts provided his team with 12 goal involvements last season but has so far managed only two assists this campaign.
This has led to Dodds and the winger having an honest conversation with the stand-in boss insisting ‘the penny must drop for him’.
“He’s refocused, we’ve had an honest conversation after the Blackburn game in terms of where I think he’s at. It’s important we get him on to the pitch going into the summer.”
Roberts has been challenged by the former Birmingham City Academy coach to come back firing next season.
“Pat has got to have a big summer, we’ve had that conversation, he’s got to come back really fit and really strong.”
“Patrick Roberts should be the first name on our team sheet, he should be the pillar for this football club to get back to the Premier League because his ability is completely undoubted.”
“Unfortunately for Pat, he will have been at a lot of football clubs where people will have had that conversation, and at some point, the penny has got to drop for him.”
Roberts, a big-money signing by Manchester City at just 18 years of age, had multiple loans, including a spell in Spain with Girona, before finding a permanent home at the Stadium of Light.
He helped the club back to the Championship before enjoying a fine season under Tony Mowbray as the Black Cats suffered defeat in the playoffs. This term has been a frustrating one for the 27-year-old, failing to find the net and missing a month due to a hamstring injury.
Writer’s View
It was a little surprising to see that Roberts is 27- years old and heading into his prime footballing years.
He produced on the pitch last season, playing consistently in a side pushing at the top of the division and in a settled environment.
This season has been the total opposite. Three managers have held the Sunderland hot seat this season and large parts of his season have been disrupted by injury, hampering his consistency.
It seems harsh to put the blame totally at the player’s feet but the former Celtic loanee faces a vital season for his career next term. He will be hoping the club provide stability and a manager who supports him.
