Gooch has featured prominently for the Black Cats so far this season.
Sunderland’s Lynden Gooch in action with Southampton’s Matt Targett
Sunderland winger Lynden Gooch has been given belief by manager David Moyes that he can play on the biggest stage, he’s quoted saying in the Shields Gazette.
Gooch has made six appearance so far this season and has admitted there are areas he can work on, and he admitted he didn’t have his best game in the EFL Cup win over Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday evening.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and Seamus Coleman in action with Sunderland’s Lynden Gooch
The 20-year-old is quoted in the Shields Gazette, saying: “Since the first game I played for him, he has given me the belief that I can play on the big stage.
“I firmly believe that I can now compete at that level and play in this team.
“It’s positive I am involved. He could have taken me out. I think I can still do a lot better.
“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.”
Sunderland manager David Moyes before the match
There is still plenty of learning for the 20-year-old to do, but it’s a big vote of confidence in him and his ability from the manager to have had this much game time already this season.
Now he’s getting some experience, Gooch will want to prove himself in terms of product by being the man who can chip in with goals and be a provider to his teammates.
As Gooch acknowledges, there will be times when he is taken out of the side, probably for his own good but having that belief from your manager that you can play at a high level is crucial, now he just needs to repay his faith over the course of the chances he will get in the first team.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
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