Write to the fans: “Is it time for Sunderland to give Nathan Bishop his chance?”

Dear Roker Report,

Anthony Patterson is letting in too many goals, and we’re just nine points away from the drop zone, therefore we should give Nathan Bishop a shot to stem the damage.

Our backline is receiving too many yellow cards, which is compromising our defence, and other teams are playing alongside us.

Bill C

Ed’s Note [Phil]:Hello, Bill. Thank you for your letter.

Personally, I don’t believe dropping Patterson is the correct choice at this point.

It’s true that he makes mistakes from time to time, and parrying shots back into the danger zone is something he needs to work on, but I still consider him our first choice goalkeeper by a long shot, and playing behind a frequently reshuffled defence hasn’t been easy for him either.

Please stick with him for me.

Dear Roker report,

I’m sure this may irritate some, but perhaps now is the time to try something fresh in the back?

We recruited Nathan Bishop from Manchester United to fight Anthony Patterson, so let’s see what he has to give. Patto has been struggling for weeks, so what do we have to lose by giving Bishop a chance?

Perhaps we might also consider Timothée Pembélé on the right and Trai Hume at left back. As much as I’d want to see Luke O’Nien play defensive midfield, Jenson Seelt appears too uncertain at centre back right now.

Finally, perhaps we could play a right footed on the right flank and a left footer on the left, with crosses for Hemir and Nazariy Rusyn.

Just a few observations from an elderly man who watches this trash every week.

SAFC4Life

Ed’s Note [Phil]:Hi. Thank you for getting in contact.

As previously said, I believe Patterson’s job is safe. He’s not a perfect goalie by any means, but when he’s on his game, he’s a valuable asset, and he simply needs to keep trying to improve his deficiencies.

In terms of defence, Mike Dodds faces some serious concerns ahead of QPR, with Luke O’Nien banned and Dan Ballard appearing to be injured.

I believe Pembélé must enter the equation, with Leo Hjelde shifting to what appears to be his more natural position following his recent problems at left back. Jenson Seelt will most likely keep his job, despite not looking very convincing on Saturday.

It’s at moments like these that the absences of Aji Alese and Dennis Cirkin are most noticeable, since both of those players would stroll onto our defence when healthy.

Dear Roker report,

Mason Burstow should have scored in the opening minute against Southampton, but instead pushed it out for a goal kick when there were two men in the box! I would not put him on my Subbuteo squad if he had three legs.

Is Jobe now a Southampton player? He provided a valuable assist when he might have done otherwise, and conceding the goal was a mistake. Then Chris Rigg made an atrocious challenge, resulting in a penalty for Southampton. The penalty was terrible, but they still scored.

We eventually came back into the game but lost 4-2. Why were Burstow and Abdoullah Ba on the pitch? They accomplished virtually little, so why not start Adil Aouchiche and Nazariy Rusyn?

It’s now six consecutive defeats, which is quite awful. I’ve been following this squad since 1967, and they’re so sluggish that I could play better at sixty-six.

Finally, callum styles? Do not bother.

I’m not sure where we go from here.

Philip

Ed’s Note [Phil]:Hello, Phil. Thank you for your letter.

Saturday was another game in which we got ourselves into a promising position in the second half, only to squander it due to poor game management after tying the score at 2-2.

I was startled to see Burstow start the game because he is out of form, and his miss in the first half was expensive. If he had squared it for Rigg, it would have been the perfect start, but he didn’t, and the opportunity was lost.

In general, our striker selection policy is unclear. Nobody appears to be getting a steady run, and I felt sad for Rusyn, who would have deserved to start against St Mary’s.

As for where we go from here, all we can do is attempt to recuperate before facing QPR on Saturday.

It’s not a game I look forward to, and the pressure will be on, but we need to win, regardless of how we do it. We’re on a bad run that has to be stopped quickly.

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Dear Roker report,

It’s time to send Mason Burstow back to Chelsea and save money on his salary.

I also believe that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus should put his thinking cap on and fire Kristjaan Speakman because the players he has brought in are plainly not good enough.

It’s time to let managers manage the way they used to before we return to League One, since we won’t be ready for Premier League football for a long time.

Ian Frame

Ed’s Note [Phil]:Hello, Ian. Thank you for getting in contact.

As bizarre as it seems, and despite his bad performance, I do not detest Burstow as a player.

I believe he wants to perform well for us, but he isn’t making the effect we expected.

Whatever happens once he returns to Chelsea will be intriguing, because I believe he could make an impact for a League One club if they decide to loan him out again next season.

Maybe it’s a confidence issue, or maybe the Championship is above his level, but it’s just not working, and I’m amazed we didn’t send him back to Chelsea in January.

Photo: Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Dear Roker report,

A buddy recently had some German visitors and decided to treat them to a game at the Stadium of Light, so he went down with the aim of purchasing six tickets to the QPR match.

After waiting in the sun for more than an hour, the office closed just as he approached the sales window. If the club can afford to toss away what would have cost £180, then good for them.

Since the’southerners’ took over the club, there have been alarming concerns with ticket sales.

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has to have this resolved, since a club of Sunderland’s stature and reputation should be able to sell tickets.

Popeye Pop

Ed’s Note [Phil]:Thank you for your letter.

It’s unfortunate that you had such tremendous trouble while attempting to purchase match tickets, since it demonstrates that these remaining difficulties have not been resolved.

With the season ticket renewal time approaching, the club must quickly regain control and demonstrate to fans that they are learning from previous seasons’ mistakes. There are enough issues at the club right now without supporters being unable to purchase tickets to games.

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