Gooch is like a very poor man's Hazard. Like, budget League One sub level version. Used his stocky frame and big behind well to help kill off the last 20 minutes. Spent most of him time bodying defenders and shielding the ball in the corner and played that role well. Whatever, doesn't matter when you win. On to Wembley!
On the bench: Today's team news is in, in association with @aphrodite1994...Unchanged from our second leg at Portsmouth, with @MaxStryjek and Aiden McGeady named on the bench. #NotDoneYet #SAFC pic.twitter.com/d9CJ0FArSd— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 26, 2019
League 1 again next season for Sunderland. Charlton scored the winner with seconds left in injury time. Gooch never got off the bench.
Watched a few games toward the end of the season and both playoff games leading up to this. He hadn't offered much tbh, and wasn't much better/worse than the other guys. Gutted he couldn't have contributed in the final, but from recent form, he wouldn't have had much of an impact either. Think he's found his level sadly, League One lets him use his energy and physicality while also not requiring him to beat guys on the dribble or deliver consistently dangerous balls from the wing
This could or could not be a reason for the drop in form but Gooch and his GF had a baby in Feb. He’s young and if it took the same kind of toll on him as it did me (and I was 30) it’s natural for your professional life to take a little hit as you adjust to your first child. Like I said, this could or couldn’t be a reason for his subpar 2nd half but it’s certainly plausible.
On preseason tour: 🛫🇵🇹 Ahead of tomorrow's departure, check out our 25-man travelling squad for our tour of Portugal, sponsored by @UKASL. 🗞️ https://t.co/3RGVXmazcD#SAFC #OneClubOurClub pic.twitter.com/GO356NZE40— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 16, 2019
Starts against Benfica B: Tonight's team news, in partnership with @UKASL...Here's our starting XI for our pre-season friendly in Portugal 🆚 @slbenfica_en B 👇#SAFC— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 18, 2019
On the bench: Tonight's team news, in association with @UKASL...Here's how the Lads start off this evening 🆚 @BelenensesOs 👇#SAFC— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 20, 2019 * CHANCE *@elliot_embo has a pop!That's proved to be his last involvement as he's taken off with Leadbitter, McGeouch and Hume. Maguire, Power, Gooch and Sammut come on in their place. pic.twitter.com/3bLeueXYU8— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 20, 2019
Started today vs Heerenveen. 0-0, second half underway. 🚨TEAM NEWS 🚨🆚 @scHeerenveen, in association with @aphrodite1994...#SAFC— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 27, 2019
Starts v. Oxford United in the League One opener. 🚨 Our first XI of the season, in association with @aphrodite1994... ▫️ Jon McLaughlin captains the Lads.▫️ @J2Willis, @georgedobson97 and @sparkymcnulty handed debuts. ▫️ Aiden McGeady named on the bench.#SAFC— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 3, 2019
And scores: GOOOOOAAALL!!Game on. @LyndenGooch no mistake from 12 yards.COME ON!!#SAFC 1-1 #OUFC pic.twitter.com/evS24adgZz— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 3, 2019
Earned the penalty, as well. Played right wing back in what was in theory a 3-4-3, but it was a bit lopsided and he had somewhat less defensive responsibility than the wingback on the left.
Which of the two goals against was disallowed? I would have hoped the first one for the offside player interfering with the defender, but in the highlights the don't show either called back... but final 1:1.
The second one, Oxford player was grabbing the goalkeeper's shirt as he tried to come out for the ball. Good point about the first one, hadn't really noticed that watching it live, was too preoccupied with the bad giveaway.
Starts: SUNDERLAND: McLaughlin, C McLaughlin, Willis, Flanagan, O'Nien, Hume, McGeouch, Dobson, McGeady, Gooch, McNulty. Substitutes: Burge, Ozturk, Power, Maguire, Embleton, Grigg, Leadbitter.
Who gets your vote in @UKASL's Player of the Match poll?#SAFC— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 10, 2019 Two in two for @LyndenGooch! 🙌🏼#SAFC pic.twitter.com/LYwdd38FpC— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 10, 2019 All over at Portman Road.@LyndenGooch strikes for the second week running to earn #SAFC a point. pic.twitter.com/kaDganagyC— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 10, 2019
Starts at England's largest tax firm, Accrington Stanley, in the League Cup. Tonight's team news 🆚 @ASFCofficial, in association with @aphrodite1994...6⃣ changes: Burge, Ozturk, Maguire, Power, Leadbitter and Grigg start.#SAFC— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 13, 2019
@LyndenGooch asks last nights ref about his thoughts on a challenge #SAFC pic.twitter.com/vMqBwxYx5H— ian horrocks (@horrocksphoto) August 14, 2019 Yikes!
Gooch is in the starting line up for a home match against Portsmouth. Sunderland are down 1-0 in the 22nd minute. The game is on ESPN+. Higlights from their 3-1 League Cup win on Tuesday. The video starts off with a Gooch shot right at the keeper. During 2018/2019 Gooch played 2,746 minutes in League One (39 games, 31 starts) registering 5 goals, 8 assists, and 8 yellow cards. He added 91 minutes in the League One semifinals (2 games, 1 start) and was an unused sub as Sunderland lost the promotion playoff final. Gooch picked up 156 minutes (2 starts) in the FA Cup scoring a goal in the process as well as 29 minutes in a League Cup substitute appearance. Finally, Gooch saw 121 minutes of action in the EFL Trophy (3 substitute appearances) with a stat line of 1 goal and 1 assist in the competition. Sunderland made it to the final where they lost 7-6 on penalties (it was 2-2 after additional extra time) to Portsmouth. Gooch came on in the 73rd minute of the final and converted a penalty in the shootout.