Lynden Gooch making an impression at Sunderland

Since his Premier League debut this season against Manchester City, Sunderland utility man and U.S. U-20 International Lynden Gooch is showing Black Cats boss David Moyes that he belongs. The California native is a product of Sunderland’s Academy system where he signed a scholarship deal as a 16 year-old.

That opening night match was a confidence booster and was a chance to show Sunderland boss David Moyes that he deserved his place in the starting XI. Gooch had no doubt about his abilities.

“Since the first game I played for him he has given me the belief that I can play on the big stage,” California-born Gooch told the Echo. “I firmly believe that I can now compete at that level and play in this team.”

“Since the first game I have believed I can do that.”

- Lynden Gooch; Source: Sunderland Echo.

He also knows that to keep his place in the XI he’s going to have to put in the hard work that David Moyes wants of his players.

“He wants us to work hard for the team, he wants us all to put a shift in and that’s what the manager wants too.”

Gooch signed a shiny new three year deal earlier this year, showing Sunderland’s faith in the 20 year-old. He didn’t start last Saturday against Spurs which they lost 1-0. He was back in the starting XI for a EFL Cup match-up with Queens Park Rangers. Where things didn’t go his way, even though Sunderland won.

“It’s positive I am involved, he could have taken me out. I think I can still do a lot better,” added Gooch. “I gave the ball away a bit too much at QPR, so I was not as good as I can be. A win is a win, though. “

“You want to play every game, but sometimes you probably do need taking out from time to time; even more so for youngsters sometimes because everything is played at 100 miles per hour.

He knows that he can’t play every minute of every game, but to make the most of the minutes he does get. And to keeping doing what he does best.

“You want to impress. We all want to play every minute of every game because we have had a taste of it, but obviously that can’t be the case.”

“The manager has said to work hard, to do what you do best and play it simple.

Gooch is also looking to work his way back into the USMNT U-20 squad, where he was omitted from last years Under 20 World Cup.

He’ll be looking to get back to the starting line-up Saturday as Sunderland host Crystal Palace at the Stadium of Light.