On This Day (9th Jan 2022): Wycombe Thriller — Sunderland's Grit Tested in a Johnson-Era Classic
Today at 01:00 AM
The 3-3 draw at Wycombe Wanderers in 2022 encapsulated the highs and lows of the Lee Johnson regime.
Sunderland's away match with Wycombe Wanderers in early 2022 typified the Lee Johnson regime. Almost every other game under Johnson's stewardship had sheer joy, passion, and heartbreak within ninety minutes.
Johnson's stubbornness to not compromise his principles was both his gift and his cross to bear. This game saw the return of Anthony Patterson to the Sunderland side, with the goalkeeper having spent the last few months on loan at Notts County after making some earlier league appearances.
Patterson — who was only playing alongside Josh Hawkes and Jack Diamond due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the camp — was thrust straight into the firing line in what was possibly the toughest game for a goalkeeper in League One.
Wycombe Wanderers' direct, agricultural, and physical style of play was in complete contrast to how Johnson set up his attacking, free-flowing Sunderland side. The clash of styles served up a thrilling encounter, which ended 3-3. Ross Stewart scored a hat-trick, although the first goal was one for the dubious goals committee.
Wycombe's approach made life difficult for Patterson, with crosses, corners, and shots peppering his goal. To make matters worse, players were consistently hanging off him at every set-piece opportunity.
In fairness to Patterson, he dealt with the challenge as well as any keeper could, but there was post-match debate over whether Johnson should have used the Covid-19 rules to call for a postponement, giving his side a break.
With two of Wycombe's three goals coming from set pieces, some fans expressed frustration at the pressure placed on Patterson, who was physically outmuscled when contesting crosses.
After the game, Johnson praised Patterson's performance in particular, defending his decision to proceed with the match despite the difficulties faced in the build-up:
We could have easily called it off — both goalkeepers had Covid. But we didn't want to; we wanted to compete.
It was good for the likes of Jack, Hawkes, and Patterson — who I thought was outstanding, by the way — to come back, and they look like they've been here for a long time.
It means the loans are good, it means they know the way we want to play, and that they can come in and affect a top-of-the-table League One clash.
It was a tough game for Patterson, but it demonstrated the faith Johnson had in him, leading to his retention for the rest of the season.
Following Johnson's departure, Alex Neil brought Patterson in as his number one, trusting him to start at Wembley the following May — against the same Wycombe side.
