Sunderland will need to renew the deals of some players at the end of the season and Ethan Robson will hope to be one of them – regardless of relegation.
It is safe to say Ethan Robson’s promising start to life in the Sunderland team was short-lived.
Black Cats fans were full of praise for the local boy after his full Championship debut in which Chris Coleman’s men secured a crucial three points against relegation rivals Hull City at the Stadium of Light.
But Sunderland have taken just one point from their other six matches in which Robson has played, losing on each of his further three starts.
The 21-year-old was hooked at half-time of Saturday’s defeat to Brentford after a woeful display in which he was at fault for the second goal, making two awful errors before the ball hit the net.
With his contract up at the end of the season, time looks to be running out for Robson.
The midfielder is just one of a number of players who are waiting on a contract renewal on Wearside, and Sunderland will have to keep some members of their squad for next season.
Robson may have looked out of place in the Championship, but the Black Cats could well be plying their trade in League One next season.
Relegation could actually hand Robson another chance in red and white.
Of course, he would much rather help keep Sunderland up and earn a new deal the hard way, by proving his worth in the second tier.
But Robson’s modest wages and apparent League One level would make him a rather obvious first signing ahead of next season if the worst were to happen.
Robson must show his application in training and prove to Coleman that, even if he cannot affect the club’s fate in the coming weeks and months, he deserves another opportunity to earn a long-term future at the Stadium of Light.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
