Gooch is ready to grow with the ‘club he loves’
ROSS REMAINS IMPRESSED
JACK Ross says Lynden Gooch wants to “grow” with the club which has won his heart.
The American international has scored five league goals this season, and is the club’s leading assistmaker with seven, but manager Ross says his contribution goes way beyond that. It is why the Black Cats are so keen to extend a contract which ends in the summer.
The 22-year-old has been training with the academy since he was ten, and with Stewart Donald saying this week he hoped to have positive news on new contracts before Christmas, there looks to be a good chance he will stay longer still.
“The dialogue with Lynden as a club has been pretty good,” said Ross. “I would hope there would be positive news in that respect soon. That was probably the one Stewart was alluding to.
“There’s nothing concrete as yet.” While his numbers show he has been heavily involved in the glamour side of the game since scoring the dramatic late winner in Ross’ first competitive game in charge, he has uncomplainingly done all manner of jobs for the team, playing at right wing, right wingback, centre-forward and recently in central midfield.
Handed his debut by Dick Advocaat, Gooch has started more league games this season than in the rest of his career to date. “Lynden has been terrific for me this season,” commented Ross. “He genuinely loves this club and he has a real affinity with the club and area. He wants to grow with us, so I will be hopeful that in the near future there will be positive news on him.
“His commitment and his approach, not just his contribution in terms of goals and assists, which has been very good, but his overall levels have been very good and his desire to do well for the club is very evident.” Top-scorer Josh Maja, left-back Denver Hume and goalkeeper Max Stryjek – currently on loan at Eastleigh – are also out of contract at the end of the season, and the Black Cats are keen to tie all of them up.
Gooch was in and out of favour under Chris Coleman, but this is his first spell as a first-team regular.
“He is an interesting one because (sports scientist) Paul Walsh gave me some minutes comparing this season and last to look at what we are loading on the players,” Ross said. “The two that have played in significantly more minutes this season are Josh and Lynden.
“Lynden is the one who has surprised me a little, I don’t know if he had injuries last season or through a lack of selection [it was mainly the latter]. The number of minutes he has played at this stage of the two season is way above, that’s testament to his performance levels.”
Gooch missed Tuesday’s FA Cup replay defeat to Walsall with a minor injury, but is expected to return for tomorrow’s game against Bristol Rovers.
He genuinely loves this club and he has a real affinity with the club and area.