Tony Mowbray has heaped praise on ‘wonderful’ Lynden Gooch ahead of Sunderland’s visit to Stoke City this afternoon.
Speaking ahead of the match, the Sunderland manager admitted that Alex Neil now has a ‘very valuable’ player on his hands.
Lynden Gooch spent eleven years on Wearside after leaving the United States as a teenager to pursue his football dream.
The 27-year-old went onto make 247 appearances for Sunderland before reuniting with Alex Neil at the bet365 Stadium in the summer.
After making five appearances for Stoke this season, Gooch could now be in line to start against his former side today.
While Mowbray is hoping Gooch won’t impress in the Midlands this afternoon, he has praised the ‘wonderful’ player.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via Chronicle Live), Mowbray said: “Lynden has a wonderful personality, he’s very driven.
“He wanted to play in every game, he wanted to win every five-a-side, and he was very involved and wrapped up in every training session, never mind every game. He’s a very valuable footballer.
“The decision was made between himself and the football club that he was going to move on and he has gone to play for one of his former [Sunderland] managers who will know all about him and he is an asset to their football club. Since he has gone there, when he’s been fit he has played.
“I like Goochy, everyone at this club likes Goochy, and we will wish him well after this weekend.”
Was Lynden Gooch ever good enough for Sunderland?
Lynden Gooch certainly wasn’t the most talented footballer we have seen at Sunderland, but he may well be the hardest worker.
The American’s determination and dedication to this club was admirable, and was a huge reason as to why he spent so long on Wearside and was a regular in various different positions for the Black Cats.
It was a huge shame when he left, but Sunderland are far past the days of having to rely on players like Gooch. The full-back’s exit brought a turbulent era to an end, with none of Sunderland’s remaining players featuring for the club prior to their relegation from the Premier League.