Anthony Patterson's breakthrough season at Sunderland has given youngster Jacob Carney something to aim for, according to U23 coach Michael Proctor. Academy graduate Patterson has graduated from the club's U23 ranks to the senior side this term, making his league debut for the Black Cats back in August before joining National League Notts County on loan.
The 21-year-old was then recalled at the beginning of January and had a short spell in the side when both Thorben Hoffmann and Lee Burge were both suffering from Covid. With Burge still absent, Hoffmann then reclaimed the shirt briefly before falling ill which let Patterson back in.
And Patterson has kept his place in the side ever since, despite on-loan Bayern Munich man Hoffmann returning to fitness, with head coach Alex Neil stating recently that the youngster is in the side on merit. Patterson's progress has delighted academy coaching staff such as Proctor and goalkeeping coach Mark Prudhoe, and his success offers hope for Carney who has become the regular U23 keeper since joining last summer having left Manchester United.
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"It's fantastic for Patto [Patterson]," said Proctor.
"He's been really patient over the last few years, he's been with us a long time and Mark Prudhoe has worked really hard with him to get him to where he is now - I'm sure Patto would be the first person to say that.
"We're all thrilled with Anthony's progress this season and to see him in the first team and performing really well.
"For players like Jacob, it's a real plus for them to see someone else doing well and I'm sure he will want to follow in Anthony's footsteps.
"He'll see it as an opportunity because this manager [Neil] isn't afraid to chuck young players in."
Carney has turned in some fine performances for the U23s this season, and none better than in this week's Premier League 2 game against Stoke City U23 at Eppleton.
The Potters ended up comfortable 3-0 victors, but Carney produced a string of saves to keep the scoreline respectable on a night when Sunderland as a team were poor and could easily have been embarrassed.
And Proctor says it is a further sign that Carney can handle U23 football, and the next step for him next season could be a loan move to a club where he could get first-team experience in the same way that Patterson did at Notts County.
"Jacob was excellent," said Proctor, following the game on Monday.
"If it wasn't for him, the scoreline would have been a lot worse.
"He made some important saves and he is becoming really comfortable at this level - he probably needs that push to get onto the next level now.
"I was really pleased with his performance but unfortunately a lot of the other lads didn't quite match his levels."
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