Patrick Roberts believes his 'positivity' is paying off after admitting the first month of the season proved tough when he found himself on the fringes at Sunderland. Roberts did not start a league game until September, with his appearances limited to a handful of run-outs as a substitute.
When new boss Tony Mowbray has said he found it difficult to understand how a talent such as Roberts found himself on the outside looking in. But all that changed when an injury to top scorer Ross Stewart in the warm-up ahead of the Black Cats' game at Middlesbrough meant the ex-Manchester City forward was promoted from the bench minutes before kick-off.
He retained his place in the starting XI for the next two games, and scored twice in the 3-0 win at Reading and then contributed the assist for Jewison Bennette's late equaliser which earned a point at Watford heading into the international break. Roberts, who signed a new two-year contract in the summer after helping the club win promotion last term after joining on a short-term deal in January, said: "It's a team sport and I've come here and wanted to be here.
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"It's a great club and we had so much success last year. Coming into this season it was tough, it's difficult when you’re not playing but you've got to keep that same morale and positivity because things change like this in football and suddenly you are starting games and have to step up to the mark.
"That comes from the manager giving that belief in the squad and we have to step up when we are needed."
Roberts' emergence has come at a time when Sunderland had no fit centre-forwards, with Stewart's injury followed by on-loan Everton man Ellis Simms then picking up a toe problem in the game at Reading. That lack of options meant that Mowbray has had to readjust, with Alex Pritchard operating as a false nine supported by Roberts and Elliot Embleton.
Stewart's thigh injury is likely to keep him out for another month at least, but Simms is expected to be back much sooner than that. He could even be in contention for Saturday's home game against Preston North End, although no decision will be take until later in the week.
Mowbray said: "“Ellis is progressing and will hopefully be a bit closer – we'll have to wait and see."
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