‘Hopefully I can bring goals and happiness’
CONNOR Wickham has pledged to ‘give everything for the shirt’ after completing a short-term move to Cardiff City this week.
The former Sunderland striker has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him in the capital until the end of the season, and made his debut off the bench for his new side in Tuesday night’s win over Birmingham City.
Goals have been a problem for Cardiff this season, and Wickham is confident he can help Sabri Lamouchi in his bid to haul the Bluebirds away from relegation danger.
“It was a move I was excited about,” he told Cardiff City TV before the clash at St Andrew’s. “It’s a big club and obviously we’re in a position where I can hopefully come in and make a difference. So it’s a good one.”
The 29-year-old arrives having enjoyed a hot run of form for previous club Forest Green Rovers, where he netted nine goals before the end of his short-term deal in January.
And he’s hoping to continue that momentum in the capital.
“That’s what it’s about,” he added. “Staying on that run [of goalscoring]. On a personal level it’s good to be back fit and playing and proving a few people wrong.
“Coming in here, if I can carry it on it will be great and hopefully it can help lift the team and we can start getting back up the table.”
Wickham has also endured a string of injury troubles in recent years, and his time on the treatment table has certainly had a negative impact on his career.
Nevertheless, he insists he has nothing to prove upon his return to the Championship.
“I feel like I’ve been in the game long enough,” he continued.
“There’s people who know exactly what I can do. That’s why I’m here and I spoke to the manager quite a bit.
“I know my own abilities and that’s all that matters to me so hopefully I can come in and show people exactly what that is.
“I’ve watched a couple of games. The latest ones, they create a lot of chances. It’s just that final product in the box and in the final third. If we keep playing how we are and we create a lot of chances, once one comes, the momentum will then carry on and we can keep scoring and scoring.
“I’m glad to be here and I’ll give everything to the shirt when I’m out there. Hopefully I can bring goals and bring some happiness.”