"Our weakest player is Patrick Roberts" - Sunderland AFC transfer claim made as January looms | OneFootball

We asked our Sunderland fan pundit where he'd like to see his side strength in the January transfer window

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sunderland have been told to add depth to the right-hand side of their squad when the transfer window opens, with Patrick Roberts cited as the weak link in their starting XI.

The Black Cats have made an excellent start to the season and are certainly in the promotion mix, so a good January transfer window could well make all the difference when it comes to securing a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.

Despite their promising start to the campaign, Sunderland and Regis Le Bris have been urged to add right-sided cover when the window opens, with Roberts deemed to be the weakest player in their current starting XI.

Sunderland's January transfer wishes outlined

We asked our Sunderland fan pundit, Jack Austwicke, what the club's number one priority should be when the January transfer window opens, and it's clear that he feels adding depth to the right-side of the squad will be crucial.

Speaking to Football League World, Jack said: "I’d still say cover on the right-hand side, whether that be full-back or winger.

“We definitely need the cover. Our weakest player is Patrick Roberts, maybe, it kills me to say it as he’s inconsistent at times despite being very good and a talented footballer."

However, while adding cover on the right-hand side is the priority, Jack also believes another striker could be a useful addition in the race for promotion.

He said: “Or just someone else to bolster the attack, maybe a striker. We could do with another one.”

Patrick Roberts has been inconsistent at times for Sunderland this season

As Jack alluded to, Patrick Roberts can be a quality player on his day, but he can be inconsistent at times, and that could cost Sunderland in their hunt for promotion.

The former Manchester City man has started 17 of the Black Cats' 22 Championship fixtures this season, showing that he's an important player, but Ian Poveda's recent injury woes mean that they lack depth behind him.

Sunderland need all bases covered in January to give themselves the best possible chance of winning promotion, and that means adding depth to the right-hand side of their squad.

With the likes of Naz Rusyn, Abdoullah Ba and Adil Aouchiche set to be allowed to leave next month, it means that there will be space in the squad and on the wage bill to add quality when the transfer window opens, and it's an opportunity that Le Bris must take to give his side the best chance of reaching the Premier League.