I was there when Baxter came,agree he was a wonderful player. I never saw Shack,but my Dad told me he was the most wonderful player he'd seen. As for Patrick Roberts, imo he has the potential to become one of our all time greats. His brilliant close control is a delight to watch,as is his eye to turn in and get a sight on goal.I think he's a player who was looking for a home and has found it. I don't agree with those who say he was in Amad's shadow last season....he was just as active and they were a great double team at times. They both read each other well and gave great opportunity to each other.
Is Patrick Roberts very good yes, imho he has more talent than Clarke. However since Clarke scores more goals he is more valuable. Roberts needs to add more goals to fulfill his obvious talent.
He’s my favourite player in a squad I have a lot of love for. I was excited when we were linked, I knew at some point he was gonna turn it on, was buzzing he signed and then over the moon he stayed on and got the 10 shirt. As has been alluded to I think without Amad he will become a massive player and we will see more from him. Having him and Clarke at this level is magnificent they are both quality footballers and just great to watch. I’ve always liked ‘low centre gravity players’ like him, and the aforementioned Sessegnon who on his day would make you gasp he was daft talented. mid we get the right ‘10’ with these two not many will be able to stop us.
Wouldn't disagree. If he adds more goals,he will be a superstar. We are indeed fortunate to have such talented lads on both wings. We could see something really special from them this coming season.
Yeh I think no Amad actually unleashes Patrick. We already have the best possible Amad replacement in the squad in Paddy. Keep Pritchard fit for the number 10 role, Clarke and Roberts for the wide roles, and I’m perfectly happy with our attacking midfielder first choice system. with emblem on as Pritchard’s back up, Lihadji as Patrick’s and Bennette as Clarke’s - plus Ba in the mix. I think we need to sign one more across that line, but they don’t need to necessarily replace Amad
The key to this whole puzzle is LND, if not him then the recruitment team need to find a CF who can bring all this attacking threat to a maximum, plus a back up striker in case of injuries of course.
Excellent, exciting player - proper winger - Roberts and Amad linked brilliantly and were a joy to watch, on the same wavelength totally and stretched the opposition across the width of the pitch leaving Clarke often 1 on 1 when we switched the play, which he exploited brilliantly. If we get Stewart fit and Pritchard in Amads place we will be equally as dangerous next season imo if Clarke stays.
Well this all sounds very positive in an attacking sense. Seems all we need is 4x7 foot defenders to make us tight at the back and were sorted ( only kidding) but love the positivity from fans at the moment.
I remember watching Baxter, he was a cut above normal footballers but it was a different game then and skilful players had more space to play in. I am sure that Baxter would have excelled in any era but it is difficult to compare todays players with those who played 50 years ago. Roberts is one of the most skilful players I have ever seen in a Sunderland team, and his on-field relationship with Amad was almost telepathic. Tin hat on, I have one reservation with him. I always get into the SOL early to watch them warm-up and the first stretches and shuttle runs are right in front of my seat. Roberts never takes them seriously and is always joking about, he seems to run at three quarter pace and only stretches half heartedly, the exact opposite to Danny Batth by the way. It’s probably completely unfair but he reminds me of Adnan Januzaj in that respect, obviously a gifted footballer but has had a pretty nomadic career for a reason.
Sess played more central however, I just remember a lot of weak shots from outside the box. He was still superb though! This will be a big season for Roberts
I agree on the whole but whilst everybody is talking about Amad, Clarke and Roberts please remember that Hume had a large impact on how Amad and Roberts played and his workrate afforded them the luxury to know that they could express themselves
Had a look at his wiki page out of interest and Sess had a great scoring record with us but everywhere else he went he was on par with what Roberts managed this season. Roberts had done **** all prior to joining us but is going from strength to strength and I reckon will end up scoring more for us than Sess did.
Remember when Sess first signed there was a video knocking about of him being booked or sent off because he'd broken another player's leg. Not because of a tackle, but he'd tied the lad in knots going past him that his legs buckled. Edit: might have been this one
Don’t get me wrong mate, Hume, insane growth and the injuries did us a favour there. Same as I know the value of Ballard, of the best captain since Bally in Batth. In Patto, in LON. Roberts just has that natural something g and that but if Hollywood and I love those players. Loved Sess. Edwards, Kenwyne. To a degree Richardson. We all like a player who can light up a game. Absolutely the real ballers are the bedrock. Sess is the most talented and gifted player we have had in my lifetime, for me without question. His actual ability was a jaw dropper. For context, my favourite player to don the shirt in my years is Bally. I know the value of the grafters and the lads getting it done.
