Lynden Gooch won’t be taking anything for granted this weekend when Sunderland entertain Birmingham City.
The USA international, who has featured in four of Chris Coleman’s matches, believes hard work and determination are two vital ingredients that must be evident in the lads' performances if they are to continue on the right path.
With back-to-back clean sheets in recent weeks, solidarity has been evident across the pitch as Coleman’s side have gathered four vital points in the process – including last Saturday’s slender win on home soil against Fulham.
And as the lads prepare for their final home match of 2017, Gooch has told safc.com nothing short of 10% is acceptable both in defensive and attacking areas.
“It was a massive three points and to get that first home win was massive,” he said.
“It was a big relief for everyone and as long as we are giving ourselves half a chance.
“As long as we keep a clean sheet we are giving ourselves half a chance, we have done that in recent weeks so hopefully we can keep doing that and hopefully score more goals.
“A lot of us have been knocking on the door for a long time, obviously there are a lot of us playing now so it is good for the club to see that the academy players are coming through and making a difference for the first team.
“We have got to take it one game at a time,” he continued.
“It is going to be another tough game on Saturday, so we have just got to do the basics like we have been doing, defend well, attack well and score some more goals hopefully.
“Especially at home, we want to be winning games and we want it to be a fortress so that was massive for everyone.
“You could see the relief around the place, everyone was buzzing so hopefully we can replicate that this weekend.”