Roker Roundup: Former Sunderland left back reveals frustrations under David Moyes

Robson’s loan frustrations

Academy product Tommy Robson has been carving a career out for himself up in Scotland with Championship side Falkirk since leaving Sunderland - initially on loan - back in December 2017.

The left-back made his Premier League debut for the club in the final game of the season against Watford at the end of the 2015-16 season under Sam Allardyce but then never featured for the club again, and was then frustrated in his efforts to go out on loan.

In an upcoming interview with Roker Report, Robson was asked how frustrating it was that the then Sunderland manager David Moyes blocked loan interest in him from Barnsley:

Yeah, my agent Barnsley and Peterborough were interested in a loan deal. This conversation I had with David Moyes was two days before the transfer window shut as well.

I had basically played 100+ under-23 games and I just wanted to get involved in league football, test myself against experience professionals. I wanted to go out and play football at league level, because I youth team/under-23 football is just not the same.

Some players can get comfortable playing youth team football and stay in the team for years. I didn’t want that, I wanted to get out and get games if I wasn’t going to get a chance at Sunderland.

David Moyes was the first manager where I just knew I wasn’t going to get a chance, and I told my agent as much. Even if Patrick got injured, I’m pretty certain he would have played a center-back out of position or something. I just wasn’t going to get into his plans, so I don’t know why I couldn’t just go out on loan.

Thankfully, I did get out on loan eventually and went to Ireland (for Limerick) and that improved me so much just going over there and getting first-team football. I’m really pleased I had that opportunity to go there.

You can read the revealing interview with Robson when it is released on RokerReport.com tomorrow, in which he expands on his loan frustrations, discusses his Sunderland first-team debut under Big Sam and much more!

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Getty Images

Nelson told to make a name for himself

Another academy product playing who recently made the switch to Scotland, Andrew Nelson, recently picked up a slight injury after celebrating his latest goal for Dundee - an equaliser in a game that his side went on to win 2-1.

Although it is not enough to keep him out of the next game, Nelson said he just can’t contain himself when he scores and the he is out to make a name for himself, something he was told to do when he signed for the club:

I aggravated an injury going for the header and then made it even worse with the celebration!

I shouldn’t have jumped that high but it’s hard to stop yourself in the heat of the moment after scoring a goal. I landed funnily on my heels.

You always want to get off to a good start when you join a new club.

I got told to come here and make a name for myself. That’s precisely what I’m trying to do.

It’s always been a dream of mine to be a professional footballer and make a living in the game. This is only the beginning.

That’s why you celebrate a goal. It feels so overwhelming to make a contribution after being held back by injuries and missing out on certain opportunities.

There’s no better feeling. It’s magical. I can’t contain myself when I score.

SNS Group

Ustari set for Romanian move

Romanian side FC Voluntari are set to sign former Sunderland goalkeeper Oscar Ustari according to Romanian outlet Telekom Sport.

The Argentinan played three times for Sunderland during the 2013-14 season, all in the FA Cup and was an unused substitute in the Capital One Cup Semi-Final penalty win at Old Trafford over Manchester United and during the Final against their neighbours Manchester City.

After leaving Sunderland in the summer of 2014, Ustari signed for Newell’s Old Boys and is currently on the books of Liga MX side Club Atlas.

Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images