Our #SAFC player ratings, with @lyndengooch46 getting our first MOTM award of the season! https://t.co/6fsAxSlOqE— Read Sunderland (@ReadSunderland) August 13, 2016 LYNDEN GOOCH - 7.5 (MAN OF THE MATCH) Very, very impressed. Gooch was not phased at all by the occasion on his premier league debut. His work ethic was outstanding and he also got the opportunity to show his flair and creativity at times too.
Nice debut. He didn't seem fazed by the occasion. He was very calm on the ball and wasn't afraid to take people on, even though it didn't always come off. He didn't read everything well, but his instincts seem good. Defensively, he was quick to react to runs, rotate with other defenders, anticipated second balls, and got a good tactical yellow. Not surprised by the tweets posted... His work rate was outstanding, and this is Sunderland. It's hard to see him not getting many more looks on a team like this. It was hard to assess his offensive capabilities in this game as they were so out matched, but had some bright spots. I didn't notice much from the guy who replaced him, but Januzaj had some bright moments on the right, but no where near the defensive effort. I can Klinsmann liking him... and might even give him a run out at left back.
He was decent. I wasn't overly high on the performance in isolation though. He had a super high work-rate, but was reacting instead of anticipating a high majority of the time, and his dribbling + speed were good, but a lot of times he was running into defenders or passing to nobody. There seems to be a tunnel vision there. I think this was the scouting report from Doncaster fans too. Works hard, gets in some good positions, but not enough end product. At Doncaster, there was the excuse that there was little for options because the team's shape was overly defensive and they didn't have much way to play out. And I thought that was the case today too, with Moyes employing a 4-5-1, and having no targets up top. However, when Januzaj came on, you saw more poise, quality, and vision on the ball. That's what the goal came out of. And they got a little better build-up, possession on the ball, and controlled creation with him. I expect Januzaj will be a starter on one side, Borini on the other, as it should be. And I think Gooch will fall into a super sub role (somewhat reminiscent of Watmore), replacing one of them, where his energy could really play in short bursts against tired legs, both trailing or with a lead. And he'll get the occasional start to rotate, as he showed he can be passably in that role. That's considerably bigger usage than we expected before the season, but I think the MOTM type assessments stems from such low expectations for him coming in, as well as being a debutante.
The whole Januzaj diatribe doesn't really play, as he replaced Watmore, who was very mediocre and non-existent in the game. Kazri (the player who came on for Gooch) wasn't very influential either, and he's a much more experienced player. I think Gooch was definitely their most dangerous player in the first half, and should have had at least one assist. When he's on the wing, he can beat his man pretty easily, and that was against one of the better right backs in the Premiership. He did lose the ball once or twice, but most of the time he held up the ball well and made a good pass. He was much better than Watmore on the other side, and given it was his first appearance in the Premier League, I think he has a very bright future.
Also, Januzaj has been brought in to play centrally, as that is his best position. The front three behind Defoe will be a mix of Januzaj, Kazri, Borini, with Gooch, Watmore, and Lens rotating with them.
That's not his best position. It's wing. He struggled with Dortmund because they tried to use him centrally, as a second striker. He's at his best when he's on the wing, cutting in off the dribble, and linking up with his teammates. Gooch was occupying the wing most of the time in this game, although roaming to the middle as well. He is an attacking wing or ss/a-mid by trade himself. Yes, he is then competing with Januzaj and Borini, as well as Watmore, at Sunderland. There was no diatribe about Januzaj or anyone else. A diatribe is a "forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something". If you thought I did that to Gooch either, by claiming he did OK and projects to be a super sub this season, after a so-so performance in League One last season, you need to relax. That would be a HUGE improvement, actually. I get it, you really get geeked off tiny samples from young players in Europe where they show a little promise, and then get hyper-protective of them.
Just saw quick Russian language highlights - the announcer was saying something about "American reinforcements" but the audio was cut off when the video moved onto the next clip.
Didn't mean to use diatribe, had a bit of a brainfart. However, the rest of your post I don't agree with. He didn't have so-so performances last year, and probably would've done better if not hampered by injuries. I've watched him play over the last two seasons with the U-21's, and he's performed at a high level consistently. I'm not stating that Gooch will be a starter over players like Januzaj, I was simply stating that your assertion that Gooch was not very good in this game was off base. It has nothing to do with being protectice, I just think your assessment of this performance isn't correct.
I only saw the first half, but I think Gooch's play was better than so-so, especially in the context of playing against Man City on an undermanned Sunderland side. Gooch put in two good crosses in the first half that created the most dangerous chances of the half. Without those crosses, Sunderland had almost no offense, although Love did have a dangerous ball into the box. Gooch also beat players off the dribble several times, although it did not lead to anything too dangerous. I have no idea how this projects forward, but he did not look out of place and I think his MOTM laurels are well deserved. I don't understand why it is unreasonable to be a bit excited about this performance. He started against Man City in a league match and did pretty damn well. He won't be a starter once Sunderland is at full strength, but he showed he can play in the EPL. That's really good. Not too many other Americans starting in the EPL this weekend.
***Comes home from work and listens to wife talk, just waiting till she falls asleep so you can turn on recording of Young Gucci***
Gotti here go twelve bars. Gucci mane got 9cars. We don't call em dimes no more 09' we call em 5 stars
Watched it. Well he looked fine. Worked hard, didn't he? Responsible for Sagna, and having to deal with Sterling and de Bruyne. Technically he was not out of place. Clear mind, aggressive, couple of nice crosses. Not wasteful when he did get on the ball. He's no left winger (drifted so far centrally he was challenging David Silva when he cut in) but you know what, he put in a shift. Congratulations Young Gucci. Santa Cruz stand up!