Lynden Gooch believes Sunderland's momentum going into the play-offs will make all the difference and prevent a repeat of their past disappointments. The Black Cats will take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday on Monday, with Ross Stewart's goal handing them the advantage in last night's clash at the Stadium of Light.
This is the third time in four years that Sunderland have made the play-offs but in 2019, when they lost to Charlton Athletic in the final, and last year, when they lost over two legs in the semi-final against Lincoln City, they had stumbled in the latter stages of the season. This time they entered the play-offs on the back of a 13-game unbeaten run, with the win against Wednesday extending it to 14 matches.
"I've said this over the past few weeks that we've come into the play-offs with momentum where we haven't in the past," said Gooch, who is a veteran of both the 2019 and 2021 play-off campaigns.
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"We have missed out on the top two in recent seasons and then kind of petered out towards the play-offs, whereas this time we have been on a really good run. Hopefully we can keep that going."
Sunderland deserved their first leg lead, and could have added to it in the second half with Alex Pritchard hitting the bar and later seeing a shot tipped over, while Dennis Cirkin headed an excellent chance over the top. Gooch, who played at right-back, said: "We knew it was going to be a difficult game, they are a top team with a lot of experience and it was a tough game but the main thing is taking a lead to Hillsborough.
"I think being at home in the first leg is important that we use that advantage and take something there. Keeping the clean sheet was obviously massive for us and I thought we defended our box really well. Patto [Anthony Patterson] was brilliant coming out for crosses.
"It was important that we kept a clean sheet, would have liked a second goal but I though we controlled the game really well. We pride ourselves on clean sheets at the minute, since the gaffer has come in."
More than 44,700 fans were at the Stadium of Light for the first leg - a record play-off semi-final attendance - and Gooch said the 'electric' atmosphere was an incredible experience, particularly for the younger players who have not seen it before. He said: "It was outstanding. We knew it was going to be electric.
"I have been here a long time and seen that atmosphere plenty of times so it was great for the lads to experience that. It's massive. We know how much of an impact the fans can have and we've seen it many times. It was a fantastic atmosphere."
The fans chanted Gooch's name, and he smiled: "I've been here a long time. It's special, this is my club and I've been here ten years as a pro. It's amazing and hopefully I can help achieve the promotion we all want."
First Sunderland will have to complete the job in the second leg at Sheffield Wednesday to earn a place in the Wembley final against either Wycombe or MK Dons. Gooch said: "We know it's going to be a hostile environment for us down there [at Hillsborough], just like it was for them here but we're confident that we are 1-0 up and hopefully we can get the job done."
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