David Moyes focused on the positives following Sunderland’s 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough.
Gooch started for the second consecutive game and he once again impressed working tirelessly throughout, with Pienaar replacing John O’Shea late in the first half as the skipper limped off to compound the Black Cats’ injury woes.
The duo, along with Jeremain Lens, led a second-half resurgence as the Lads looked to claw back a two-goal deficit following Christian Stuani’s double, but despite Patrick van Aanholt netting in the 71st minute Boro held on for the points.
Speaking post-match, Moyes delivered his verdict.
"The fans were brilliant,” said the Sunderland manager. “I hope they understand it’s going to take time and we have some problems at the moment that we’re trying to make better.
“The players who came in today because of injuries did a really good job.”
He continued: “In the second half I thought [Lynden] Gooch was terrific and Steven Pienaar did brilliantly after coming on; everyone stuck to it.
“I thought we didn’t deserve to be 2-0 down at half time; there was some poor defending on some occasions and their first goal was really good, however, before then Middlesbrough had barely been up the park.
“Before the goal I thought we were the better team, we lost our way 10 minutes before half time when we lost John O’Shea to injury; that didn’t help and we had to change it quickly.
“The second goal was poor and there are things we need to work on, we’re giving people games at centre back who’ve not been here long and we were short of midfield players today too.
We struggled to find a real balance with the team today.”
