With the Lads currently occupying a Sky Bet Championship Play-Off spot, Patrick Roberts is hopeful of building on what has already been a solid start to the season with a return to the top-flight being the ultimate goal.
Tony Mowbray’s men were 3-1 winners over Birmingham City in their final game before the international break supplanting them in sixth place in the league table.
The Lads finished in the very same position at the end of last season but that taste of the play-offs is only giving Patrick a hunger to achieve more.
“This is what big clubs do, they have to strive for the very best” said the 26-year-old. “Our aim is to get promoted whether it be this season, next season or the season after. The players feel the same, the board feel the same, the manager feels the same so it is all something we strive to do everyday.
“We’ve got to take it step-by-step and game-by-game but with new additions and keeping that same ethos throughout the club is important. Hopefully we can get there in the end.”
As aforementioned, Sunderland’s aim to attack the division has not let up from last season. After overcoming a recent sticky patch, the Lads are currently on a run of three games without defeat and will be looking to maintain that run of form when they make the visit to Plymouth Argyle, the longest journey in the EFL.
Patrick has continued to play a crucial role in the side this season starting 11 games in the league adding to his total of 79 appearances on Wearside.
But reflecting on the current season so far, Roberts acknowledges that there is room for improvement. “I think we have done well. We have had some good games and we have had some bad games but with a young team, that is going to be what you get” he said.
“As long as you pick up as many points as you can in the long run and you can see where you are at the end. We all know that we can do a lot better. That’s what the manager sets out to do and as players, we want to prove that we can do that. What want to get the best of the game as much as possible and the fans turn up every week and hope for the same.
“It’s been a solid start. We can do a lot more but that is because we have high expectations.”
The fanbase rejoiced at the new last week that the winger had committed his future to the club with a new deal until the summer of 2026.
It’s been quite the journey for Roberts who joined the club almost two years ago. One promotion, back-to-back play-off finishes and moments to savour in his career at a club he has gone on to call his home.
But after putting pen-to-paper on a fresh contract, there is only one direction that Patrick is looking towards.
“It’s just nice to have that at the back of my mind now” he added. “I know where I am going to be for the next couple of years so I can kick on. Help the team to get back to where they belong and that is what I am here to do.”