Scores for the U21s against Tottenham: U21s: @SunderlandAFC open the scoring as we're punished for failing to clear our lines, Gooch drilling home from close range. 0-1, 5mins.— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 23, 2015
Sunderland match report: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/sunderland-u21-1-0-tottenham-9913879
Highlights from the U21 match. Goal sequence starts at about 1 minute mark (plus a CCV yellow card proceeding that). http://www.safc.com/news/academy-news/2015/august/highlights-u21-v-spurs
I hope he gets some time training with the first team and picks up a thing or two from Advocaat before he is fired/resigns in a couple of weeks.
Good to see him having a superb start to his season. I wonder whether being a u20 WC snub has motivated him more. The one thing I can say with Gooch is that he has a killer instinct around goal, and unlike most strikers his age, he's a great finisher. His athletic measurables (mostly height) may not be perfect, but you just have to look at the David Villas of the world to see that you don't necessarily need to be the tallest, or even fastest guy around to be a top level striker. He's played as an offensive mid a lot for the USA, but I think his skillset is much better as a striker than as a midfielder. It's worth noting that he has a good center of gravity, so I think he'll be adept with at least some level of holdup play even if he isn't an aerial threat in the traditional sense.
Don't be surprised if he ends up scoring more goals than Altidore did for the first team (which is 1 goal wtf) lol
Yes he's got a very Rooney-esque style to his play. Especially in the build and can play the same positions as him. Hopefully he gets minutes in their cup match
Duncan Watmore has moved up to the first team squad, so Gooch has become the focal point of the u21s and he seems to be thriving with the extra responsibility.
Nice to see that S'Land are not as shy about giving academy guys chances as some other Premier league teams. *cough* West Ham *cough*
Didn't know that. Thanks. I guess it really is just the big buying clubs that have alot of money to burn, and little time to waste to win titles.
I agree with your general premise that Lletget wasn't given a fair chance, but if you really are a top level superstar type of talent, you will get a chance. The "good, but not great" prospects usually are the one's that don't get a chance.
West Ham also have a new coach this year who has never coached in the EPL before (and is a bit crazy). I think during Lletget's entire tenure, West Ham was managed by Big Sam, the archetype of the EPL retread.
I've always wanted a short/fat guy on the team. He's going Gazza on us, and I like it. Loving the gooch right now.
Game starts at 3 CT/4 EST An academy quartet of Max Stryjek, Josh Robson, @lyndengooch11 and Duncan Watmore are expected to be on the bench. pic.twitter.com/x7ikKN8NFF— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 25, 2015 Just watched the highlights... he's a stocky dude.
Sunderland: Pantilimon, Mathews, PVA, O'Shea (c), Coates, Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell, M'Vila, Defoe, Graham. SUBS: Stryjek, Brown, Giaccherini, Fletcher, Watmore, Gooch, J Robson Gooch is on the bench. Hope he spells Graham at the 75th and bags a brace, while eating a cheeseburger.
Fletcher comes on at halftime, then subbed at the 54' minute but Watmore brought on. Defoe with 2 goals. 3-3 at the 60th.