Sunderland will rediscover their scoring touch so long as they continue to create chances, according to Lynden Gooch. The Black Cats' midweek draw against Blackpool was their second goalless game on home soil in the space of three days, following on from last Saturday's stalemate against Preston North End.
And with centre-forwards Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms still on the injury list, it meant Sunderland's lack of specialist strikers was again the talking point. But Sunderland did carve out more than enough chances against Blackpool, hitting the woodwork through Elliot Embleton while Jack Clarke was denied by a couple of fine saves from Chris Maxwell.
It meant that Sunderland ended up with just two points from their two home games when they could have picked up at least four - and possibly six - had they had more of a cutting edge in front of goal. However, Sunderland had scored five goals in their previous two games at Reading and Watford without Stewart and Simms, and Gooch is convinced they can recapture that goalscoring form.
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"Obviously we are disappointed [to have only picked up two points], I think most of us wanted six points out of six and after Saturday's draw we desperately wanted to win," said Gooch. "That's just how it's gone with two nil-nil draws and I think if we keep creating the chances the goals will come.
"It's about being ruthless and taking those opportunities when we get them."
Sunderland did have the ball in the back of the net against Blackpool, but Embleton's 'goal' did not count as referee Jeremy Simpson had already blown his whistle for a foul on Patrick Roberts, a decision which infuriated boss Tony Mowbray who felt the official should have played the advantage. Gooch said: "Obviously we're frustrated and I think first half was probably some of our best football.
"We are disappointed, we created chances to win the game and I think in that second half the referee knows he made a mistake [by failing to play the advantage]. Obviously it's really frustrating when the officials don’t get things right but I think we did enough in the game to win it."
Sunderland were by far the better team in the first half but Blackpool caused them problems in the second. Gooch, who has operated at right-back in recent games, said: "I think they adjusted in the second half and went a bit more aggressive on us playing out so it was a bit more difficult.
"They played three centre-forwards, effectively, so we knew it was going to be a tough battle but we defended really well again and we kept another clean sheet which is really positive. I think we are defending well, keeping clean sheets and obviously when you are doing that as a back four it's a positive for the forward players to have that platform."
Despite the lack of goals, Sunderland fans have backed their team and have appreciated the performances even if the results could have been better. "I think it's a sign that we’re all in it together and the way that we're performing, even if we may not be giving them three points, our performances are there," said Gooch.
"We're playing well and dominating most of the games we're playing so that's a really good sign."
Sunderland are back on the road this weekend when they travel to South Wales to take on Swansea City.
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