Lynden Gooch is using a midweek goal to fuel his fight for a regular spot at Huddersfield Town. The 30-year-old defender scored his first of the campaign in Tuesday's 5-0 EFL Trophy rout of Rochdale, a timely contribution as he pushes for more League One minutes.
Gooch has started only three times this season, twice coming off the bench late in league games. Speaking ahead of the weekend, he acknowledged the mental test of being out of the side but vowed to respond. "I'm not one to roll over and just accept defeat, so I'll work as hard as I can every single day to hopefully give the manager a problem," Gooch said.
New challenge for veteran
He admitted this season presents a fresh hurdle. "I think throughout my career, this is the first time I've not been playing most weeks, so it's a new challenge," the defender explained. Gooch stressed he is happy at the John Smith's Stadium and wants to prove he remains a valuable asset, ready to perform in whatever role manager Martin Drury asks. He added that the competition within the squad is intense but healthy, and he is focused on contributing whenever called upon.
The team's strong start to the season, sitting fourth in the standings with 16 points from nine games, makes competition fierce. Gooch's goal against Rochdale, coming in the 13th minute, was part of a dominant display that also saw J. Smith-Sway, Cameron Ashia, Samson Tovide and Jamie Spencer find the net. The defender's overall stats for the season now include that goal from his six appearances across all competitions.
His push for inclusion comes as Town prepare for a top-of-the-table clash away to league leaders Plymouth this Saturday, a key fixture in their fixtures list. The Terriers' form reads two wins, two draws and one defeat from their last five, a run that includes a 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday last time out. With the squad in good health and no new injuries reported, Drury has decisions to make, and Gooch intends to be at the forefront of his thinking. The defender's next chance to impress could come at Home Park, where he hopes to translate his cup form into a league opportunity.
This story first appeared at Yorkshire Live
