Phil Smith has dropped an early Sunderland team news prediction while speaking on The Roar podcast.
Sunderland are gearing up for the biggest game of their season in front of more than 45,000 Black Cats fans for their play-off final showdown at Wembley on Saturday, with the club potentially 90 minutes away from ending their four-season stay in League One.
Will Sunderland win on Saturday?
Yes!
No!
Alex Neil has recently revealed some hugely positive news ahead of Sunderland’s clash on Saturday against Wycombe Wanderers with the manager claiming his squad has a full bill of health, something he’s only experiencing for the first time.
Despite having so many options to choose from, Smith believes that a regular over the last few games, Lynden Gooch, will keep his place.
He said: “I think you have to say, really, that it’s a credit to Gooch that he’s earned the right to play out of position in a big Wembley final because his performances over the two legs were terrific, really. I’d be amazed if he didn’t play.”
TIF Thoughts on Gooch’s role for Sunderland…
Gooch has started the last five games for Sunderland playing different positions which will be a huge plus for Neil to have someone such as Gooch so willing to play anywhere for the team as long as the side are getting good results.
The American is clearly a valued member of the squad as under two separate permanent managers have handed him plenty of starts with 33 coming in the league, the third-most in the squad, so it really wouldn’t be a surprise to see him out at Wembley from the off on Saturday.
In other news: BBC man tells Alex Neil to drop influential Sunderland ace on Saturday