ROKER ROUNDUP: Former Sunderland left-back gives a timely reminder of why they should have kept him

Robson shows Sunderland what they are missing

Despite relegation to League One being confirmed at the weekend, this season wasn’t entirely without positives - mainly due to the first team emergence of academy products George Honeyman and Lynden Gooch, with both players showing the type of commitment, heart and skill that, if replicated throughout the rest of the team, would have given us a much better chance of avoiding relegation.

Their successes this season makes the case of Tommy Robson all the more peculiar. Robson, who has been a revelation for Falkirk since signing for the Scottish Championship side, scored a screamer this weekend as his team ran out 5-2 winners at Dumbarton.

The 22-year-old left-back, who has already caught the eye of various scouts, was frozen out at Sunderland and left on a free transfer despite being under contract.

It was a baffling decision considering how many players we have shoe-horned into the left-back this season during Bryan Oviedo’s many absences, and doubly baffling when you consider he could have just been loaned out and re-assessed in the summer once we knew exactly what our fate was going to be.

Robson was quick to send his thoughts towards his former club via Twitter after our ignominious defeat to Burton Albion confirmed relegation to League One, cheekily giving a timely reminder to his former club about how well he’s doing away from Wearside.

Although the Scottish Championship may not be at the same level as the English equivalent, is there any reason to think another local lad may not have made grade in a League One campaign?

Loan Roundup

It was a quiet weekend for the Sunderland players out on loan, with only Papy Djilobodji, Fabio Borini and Whabi Khazri featuring for their respective clubs.

Tom Beadling missed out due to injury for Dunfermline Athletic, whilst Josh Robson was an unused substitute for Notodden FK.

Italy international Borini started but played only 49 minutes as AC Milan suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to struggling Benevento - the visitors, who won despite having Cheick Diabate sent off, celebrated their first Serie A away win and postponed their relegation for another week.

Rennes drew 1-1 away to local rival Nantes, with Khazri playing the full 90 minutes. The Tunisian may also have won it but for a fine stop from Nantes’ Romanian goalkeeper Ciprian Tătărușanu.

Finally, Lyon ran out comfortable 5-2 winners at Djilobodji’s Dijon. Lyon could have won even more comprehensively were it not for a fine display from home goalkeeper Baptiste Reynet.

Icon Sport via Getty Images

Non-league Chairman discusses potential investment

Our final bit of news surrounds the owner of National League side Eastleigh FC, who gave an interview to BBC Radio Solent regarding a potential involvement in a takeover bid at the Stadium of Light.

He says it would have to take an ‘absolutely sensational deal’ to tear him away from Eastleigh but admitted there are ‘quite a few people interested in Sunderland at this time’.

You can listen to the interview below.

Possibly one to keep an eye on ahead of next season.