Sunderland manager Lee Johnson has paid tribute to the efforts of Lynden Gooch, Jordan Willis and Aiden O’Brien after they returned from injury ahead of schedule during Tuesday’s clash with AFC Wimbledon, while speaking to the Chronicle.
After a remarkable 4-0 thrashing of promotion-chasing Lincoln on Saturday afternoon, the latest in a long line of 1-1 draws must have felt like a major step backwards for the Black Cats.
But, in such testing circumstances, a point at home to mid-table Wimbledon at the Stadium of Light represents a more than credible result.
Sunderland had eight first-team players unavailable due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the camp, meaning O’Brien, Gooch and Willis were forced to return earlier than expected despite recent injury problems.
Reserve players Ollie Younger, Brandon Taylor and Anthony Patterson also featured on the bench while Mitchell Curry made his debut, weeks after joining from Middlesbrough.
“There was a lot of effort and endeavour. A lot of players showed a great attitude and put their head above the parapet when often players won’t in that kind of circumstance,” Johnson said at full-time.
“That’s the bit I’m so proud of. At least it means something to these guys, because they should have been nowhere near this game. The likes of Willis, Gooch and O’Brien.
“They performed very, very well considering the circumstances.”
O’Brien started on Tuesday while Willis and Gooch came off the bench as Bailey Wright’s thumping volley cancelled out Joe Pigott’s first-half penalty.
Sunderland are ninth in the table but just six points off the top heading into a hectic Christmas fixture schedule.
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