Patterson has been Sunderland’s undisputed number one ever since he broke into the starting line-up under Alex Neil, with the 25-year-old having played a key role in last season’s promotion success, not least when making a couple of crucial stops in the play-off final at Wembley.
However, the arrival of Robin Roefs from NEC Nijmegen in the summer has transformed Sunderland’s goalkeeping options, with the Dutch youngster having started every league game so far this season as he has made a stellar start to life in English football.
Whereas outfield players who find themselves shuffled down the pecking order do, at least, have the opportunity to impress and press their case from the substitutes’ bench, number two goalkeepers generally find themselves frozen out of the matchday picture completely. Unless the first-choice keeper is injured or suspended, they are not going to play, with Sunderland’s early exit from the Carabao Cup having further diminished the likelihood of Patterson getting any game time.
Le Bris understands the difficulties this creates and has sympathy for the position in which Patterson currently finds himself.
“The goalkeeper’s position is a bit different to anywhere else on the pitch,” said the Black Cats boss. “It is a maybe a bit similar for the centre-halves as well, because you really need an injury to be able to come back into the game if you are not starting.
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“The same is probably true of a goalkeeper. In the other positions, you can sub easily, but that doesn’t really happen with a goalkeeper. If you are a striker, then you will probably get chances in games. The position for a number two goalkeeper is a bit different.”
Le Bris and the rest of his coaching staff have held regular conversations with Patterson, and the North-Easterner remains an established part of the first-team squad.
For now though, with Roefs being widely hailed as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League so far this season, he will have to bide his time, with his head coach urging him to make the most of the opportunities that are available to him on the training ground.
“For Anthony, I think the reality at the minute is really clear for him,” said Le Bris, whose side are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. “I think that is important because we all know the situation.
“He remains really positive. He played a lot last season and the season before that, so his role is a bit different now. But he can learn. That is what he has to do.”
And if Patterson does use the next few months to learn from Roefs and improve elements of his game, Le Bris is confident he will benefit from the experience in the future.
“The goalkeeper’s life is a bit longer than most other players – they tend to play until they are a bit older – so you have time. You can enjoy a new situation and learn behind a really strong goalkeeper, with different qualities. If Robin is better in one area, then maybe he can help Patto to become better in that part of his game. Then, later in his career – and maybe this season, because we don’t know what might happen – he can be ready to be competitive.”