Sunderland will emerge from their play-off disappointment stronger when they regroup for next season, according to Lynden Gooch. The Black Cats won promotion from League One 12 months ago and enjoyed a fine first season back in the Championship, exceeding all expectations by finishing sixth and bagging a play-off spot.
But they lost 3-2 in the two-legged semi-final against Luton Town, despite winning the first game 2-1 on Wearside, which meant they missed out on another Wembley appearance and a chance of completing back-to-back promotions and earning a place in the Premier League. Sunderland had the youngest team in the Championship and many of them had never before experienced the heartbreak of play-off defeat but Gooch, the club's longest-serving player at the age of 27, was part of the side that lost out to Lincoln City in the League One play-off semi-final two years ago.
"We were all devastated," he said of the defeat at Luton. "We gave everything all season just to get in [to the play-offs] and we were really disappointed [to lose] after winning the first leg.
