🎧 'I'm sick of Patterson criticism' - Gabbiadini
- Published
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says he is "sick of" criticism of Black Cats keeper Anthony Patterson.
The England Under-21's international has come under scrutiny after recent errors led to the teams's first back-to-back defeats of the season, conceding an own goal against relegation-threatened Hull City after playing a part in Leeds' late winning goal in the previous match.
"What's been wrong with his performances?" Gabbiadini said on BBC Radio Newcastle.
"The second goal at Leeds, maybe he's made a mistake there. But look, he's made some fantastic saves in these games."
Gabbiadini believes Sunderland's lack of aerial presence is a more significant problem.
"Teams put the ball in the mixer because we don't have the aerial power," he explained.
"They are putting it in there because we've got somebody like Patrick Roberts at the near post. For me, you might as well send him up the field.
"People want Patterson to come and dominate the box and catch everything. The trouble with that is what happened on Saturday
"He came a long way off his line and the ball is put past in the back of the net from behind him."
You can listen to Gabbiadini's full thoughts and more on the Total Sport podcast.
