---
title: "Sunderland: Aiden O’Brien backs himself to score regularly for Black Cats"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-aiden-obrien-confident-goals/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-08-24T16:30:45Z"
modified: "2020-08-24T16:30:45Z"
---

# Sunderland: Aiden O’Brien backs himself to score regularly for Black Cats

**New Sunderland attacker Aiden O’Brien has [revealed](https://t.co/PqY5NQa6vW?amp=1) his targets ahead of the 2020/2021 season after making his first appearance for the club in a pre-season friendly with Gateshead.**

O’Brien, who was [released](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53517749) by Championship side Millwall at the end of last season, appeared [18 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aiden-obrien/profil/spieler/148908) in the league last term, netting [three goals.](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aiden-obrien/profil/spieler/148908) By signing for [Sunderland](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53578913) earlier this summer, the 26-year-old has added an extra attacking option to Phil Parkinson’s attack ahead of the new season.

Parkinson saw the likes of [Charlie Wyke](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/charlie-wyke/profil/spieler/163535) and [Will Grigg](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/will-grigg/profil/spieler/106676) struggle for consistent form last term, and O’Brien’s arrival offers a welcome alternative.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Appearing for the first time in Sunderland’s colours in a friendly with Gateshead at the weekend, the winger produced a 6/10 performance according to fan website [Roker Report](https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2020/8/22/21376970/player-ratings-gateshead-1-3-sunderland-parkinsons-men-record-comfortable-victory-away-to-gateshead), who analysed the performances of the each player.

Following the 3-1 win which saw Grigg, Chris Maguire and Josh Scowen find the back of the net, O’Brien has now set himself some targets ahead of next term.

When asked by the [Sunderland Echo](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/aiden-obrien-reveals-his-goalscoring-aims-and-what-phil-parkinson-has-told-him-about-where-he-will-play-2950359) if he could consistently deliver in front of goal, he said: *“Of course.*

*“I back myself to score all the time. These games, it’s nice to score in them but these are for getting fit and literally running around like a fly to get as many minutes in your legs as possible.*

*“Then when it comes to the crunch time, you can start thinking of the serious stuff.”*

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

This is exactly the type of message that Parkinson will likely want to hear from O’Brien, with Sunderland having [struggled to find a consistently reliable scorer](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/16/Archive/England-Sunderland) last term.

With the season fast approaching, the 3-1 win over Gateshead acts as a good starting point for Parkinson and his team.

***Do you think O’Brien can provide a consistent amount of goals and assists for Sunderland? Let us know your views in the comments section below…***