TWENTY FOR TOM
Walsall’s Bradshaw wants to repeat his goalscoring feats next term
WITH just 17 career goals to his name before joining Walsall last summer, Tom Bradshaw’s pre-season declaration he would find the net at least 15 times this season may have raised a few eyebrows.
Yet having surpassed that target with ease to score 20 in all competitions, the 22-year-old is confident he can repeat the feat in seasons to come.
The former Wales youth international left boyhood club Shrewsbury following their relegation to League Two last term to join the Saddlers on a two-year contract.
In an erratic season that saw Walsall reach their first Wembley final, flirt with the relegation zone and then rally to finish 14th, Bradshaw’s goals were the one constant, despite the striker battling a recurrent hamstring issue.
And after having to wait until the penultimate game of the season to bring up the 20-goal tally with a double against Oldham, Bradshaw admits he is determined to surpass his expectations once again with an injury-free campaign next time round.
“With the injury I missed quite a few games so to get there was brilliant and 20 goals is a great benchmark for any striker,” he said.
“After coming back I had six games to score four goals so it was a bit tight but from my record this season I knew it was achievable.
“My goalscoring is down to the regular games I’ve been given – in my career I’ve never been given a long spell in a team before but Dean Smith gave me that this year and I’ve backed myself to deliver.
“You’re obviously going to play better once you know you’re going to be a regular starter so I’ve got to thank the boss.
“I try not to think about how many goals I’d have got if I’d been fit for the whole year as I’ve still done well but now I’ve got to get to that level on a regular basis.”
No regrets
Having matched his previous career tally in league games alone this year, it is perhaps unsurprising that Bradshaw has no regrets about leaving a Shrewsbury side he had represented for five years.
With Micky Mellon’s outfit making an immediate return to League One, the Shrewsbury-born striker is relishing the chance to face his former team again, having scored twice against them in the FA Cup last November.
And while contract extension talks are still ongoing between players and the club, Bradshaw expects the Saddlers to challenge for a play-off spot next season.
“I was at Shrewsbury for a long time but the timing was right for both parties and it’s worked out for both of us with them getting promoted and me getting 20 goals,” he added.
“I always check out their results as I still have a lot of friends there and I’m over the moon to be playing against them next year, which should be another great experience.
“In the FA Cup match I got a bit of stick but dealt with it in the right way by scoring two goals and I’m sure there is mutual respect between us.
“There are always going to be rumours about you leaving when you score 20 goals but I’m still under contract here for at least another year.
“We’ve got a great team and did well in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, although it was disappointing to lose the final, and we certainly don’t think we’re too small a club to get into the Championship next year.”
Determined
Having been denied a chance to make his Wales debut due to injury this season, Bradshaw, who grew up in Tywyn, is determined to make his international bow sooner rather than later.
“I don’t think there’s much more I can do to get into the Wales side so it’s up to Chris Coleman now if he says I’m ready for the squad,” he said. “Even though I got in via growing up there, it wasn’t a tough decision to play for Wales as I knew I wanted to ever since I was little.
“It’s an exciting time for Welsh football as we’ve got a good side and great players, with the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.”