IT’S taken four games for Sunderland to feel what defeat in the Championship is like. For Lynden Gooch, the club’s longest serving player, that’s not what he remembers of being in the second tier but has been relishing their start to the campaign and believes they are good enough to be at this level.

On Wednesday night, Sheffield United enacted the Black Cats first loss as the game finished 2-1 at Bramall Lane. For Gooch, he wore the captain’s armband in the absence of Corry Evans and pulled a goal back when they were down to ten men with an outstanding chip on the edge of the box.

Last time Sunderland were in the Championship, they spent one season there before relegation to League One in 2018 in what was a dismal year for the club. This time around, it’s not quite the same.

“It’s obviously a completely different feel” said Gooch.

“We have a great group who have achieved success and the last time we were in the division we were used to losing every week and not playing on the front foot. It’s completely different but I’m enjoying it, we’re playing some really good stuff.

“Obviously Saturday was tough to take, I thought we were brilliant, and even again tonight we lost but I thought we were outstanding.”

Riding on the coattails of last season, the loss to the Blades was their first league defeat since February this year which was a 2-1 defeat at home to MK Dons. It was early into Alex Neil’s tenure before he steadied the ship and lead them to promotion later that year.

Having started this season strongly, what are the noticeable differences Gooch has seen so far. “Obviously we know we have gone up a level and you can see the standard.” He replied. “It’s much more clinical than in League One where you might get away with a couple more things.”

A conversation with an opponent on the evening of the loss in Sheffield gave words of encouragement of their ability to cope with the Championship. Gooch continued: “I spoke to John Egan (Sheffield United defender). I lived with him while we were both at Sunderland and he said after the game ‘you are a really good side,’ and that’s coming from a team that was in the Premier League two years ago.”

“Even last season I said at times we are probably more suited to this league than we were in League One with the players that we’ve got. I think we have a really good side for this division and I think we are showing that.”

For the 26-year-old who signed a two-year contract in the summer, no one in the squad knows what it’s like to feel the ups and downs more than him. In the absence of the injured Corry Evans, there was not a more suitable candidate to lead the team out on Wednesday evening.

Gooch continued: “Immensely proud. To wear the armband was obviously a special moment for myself and something I’ll cherish for a long time.”

Having come through the academy and going on to become a double centurion, Gooch is one of the leading figureheads in the changing room with Alex Neil lauding his contribution to the team in recent months. If there was anyone who would be there to remind them of the mistakes of the 2017/18 season, it would be the American international.

“I’ve played over 200 games for the club and although I’m only 26 I think I’m one of the senior lads and can help the younger boys as much as I can. That’s kind of my role” he said.

“I think that’s just the way I am and I try to implement the standards that the gaffer wants everyday, the way we train. I think that has just been instilled in me from the academy and it’s just something the more you play you can help other players as well.”

Following their midweek defeat, Sunderland will return to action this weekend when they make the trip to Stoke City.

They will be without the suspended Dan Neil for the game who was sent off against Sheffield United while captain Corry Evans is doubtful for the game.