Sunderland youngster Lynden Gooch has expressed his delight at his loan-spell at Doncaster Rovers.
The midfielder joined the Rovers last month and has started three games for the League One side, playing 90-minutes against Walsall, Fleetwood Town and Port Vale.
Doncaster face Scunthorpe United next and Gooch is relishing his opportunity.
Learning curve
He said, “It has been a good experience; all the staff and players have been spot on so I’ve settled well."
The youngster added, "I was thrown straight in the team which was great and they’ve been pleased with my performances so it’s great to repay that faith."
He admitted it was a "new challenge" and that "there is a lot more pressure than under-21 football".
However, he "enjoy[s] the competition and "this environment" is where he wants to be.
Gooch happy to put in the hard work
“There is a lot of experience within the dressing room but there are also some younger players so there is a good balance," he added.
In his first game, Gooch believes he "played well, creating some good chances and forcing some good saves".
The American also emphasised his enjoyment at getting game time, "I also played shortly after on the Tuesday so it’s nice to be playing games regularly."
“There is a clear path for under-21 players at Sunderland who have played well, gone out on loan and returned to break into the first team," he said.
He hopes he can follow the trend and "take advantage of the opportunity [he has] with Doncaster", in order to "come back a better player".
Gathering experience
This is not Gooch’s first shot at first-team football, however. The USA under-20 international played a part in Sunderland’s 6-3 Capital One Cup win over Exeter City.
Gooch was a bright spark in which proved to be a very challenging game for Sunderland and impressed both sets of fans.
The American will be looking to follow in the steps of Jordan Pickford and Duncan Watmore who have recently starred in the first-team and being rewarded with new contracts after impressing during loan-spells. The pair both featured heavily for Sunderland under-21s and now enjoy playing in the Premier League.