Exclusive:'Correct decision' - Kevin Phillips backs Sunderland judgement on 'very tough' transfer call
Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson left the club on loan during the January transfer window.
Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has claimed that the Black Cats made the “right decision” by allowing Anthony Patterson to leave the club during the January transfer window.
A promotion-winning hero last term, the goalkeeper found himself ousted from Regis Le Bris’ starting XI by Dutch international Robin Roefs during the first half of the current Premier League campaign, and was consequently loaned out to Championship play-off hopefuls Millwall shortly before the winter market closed.
But while Phillips has conceded Patterson’s departure is “very tough” on the player, he has also expressed his belief that it was the right call for all parties involved.
What has Kevin Phillips said about Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson?
Speaking exclusively to The Echo, courtesy of BestBettingSites, the Wearside icon said: “I think it was the right decision. Very tough on Anthony. He did fantastically well over the last few years and was right at the very heart of their promotion campaign.
“Le Bris decided to make a tough decision and bring in Robin Roefs, who has been exceptional. Credit to Anthony Patterson, he hasn’t spat his dummy out. The club has decided to let him move on, which I think is the right thing to do. He needs to go and play football for his own career, and it helps Sunderland as well. It was the correct decision.”
What has been said about Anthony Patterson’s role at Sunderland?
Patterson’s loan to Millwall was one of several Sunderland exits this January, with the Black Cats bringing in three new signings - Nilson Angulo, Melker Ellborg, and Jocelin Ta Bi - too.
And in a discussion on BBC Radio Newcastle’s Total Sport, former midfielder Lee Cattermole suggested that a relatively modest recruitment drive may ultimately come to benefit Regis Le Bris’ side during the second half of the campaign.
He said: “This Sunderland team now doesn't need it. So don't panic, keep going, because you can end up hindering the squad by bringing people in... Getting them up to speed, characters, this, that, the other.
“For Sunderland, I'm quite interested in knowing, you've let your captain go, Dan Neil, you let Patterson go. These are lads who've known the club and been great servants and kept that real atmosphere of a winning mentality around it. So, you know, they need to be valued as well. But ultimately, the January window is going to reflect injuries, results and then league position.”
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Weighing in on Patterson’s situation specifically, commentator Nick Barnes responded: “Patterson is very much still in the picture here. I think what they're trying to build, what Florent Ghisolfi wants, I understand, is to establish a sort of goalkeeping school of excellence here. They want this club to be recognised for the quality of the goalkeepers they're bringing in. To that end, Robin Roefs, of course, but also Melker Ellborg is very, very highly thought of. And they think very, very highly of Patterson. It's just that Roefs is keeping him out.
“And on top of that, of course, you've got Matty Young at Salford - another very young keeper who's highly regarded. And I think they want to try and nurture a reputation that I think Sunderland have got anyway over the years for having quality goalkeepers. But I think it's something they want to try and nurture at the football club going forwards.”
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