Hot-shot gears up for Johnstone'S Paint Trophy showdown...
SADDLERS' striker, Tom Bradshaw, says he is determined to fulfil a lifelong dream of running out Wembley Stadium.Just 90 minutes stand in the way of our first-ever appearance at the home of English football, but Bradshaw’s focus lies solely on beating Preston North End at Banks's Stadium this evening.
“It’s so close now we’re all just looking forward to the game,” he said. “We’ve been preparing as if it’s a normal match, making sure everyone knows tactically where we need to be to get the job done."
Almost three weeks have passed since Dean Smith’s men travelled to Deepdale and despite returning with a two-goal lead, Bradshaw knows things can quickly change.
“They’re a massive club with some great players,” he added. “You only have to look at the standard of players who can’t get in the team to see they are a big threat.
“There’s been times when we’ve sat back this season and it hasn’t necessarily gone to plan. So as much as we have got a two-goal advantage, we approach this one with the mindset of a completely new game.
“You’ve seen it before with teams who have sat back and invited pressure on themselves from the outset so we’re going out there trying to win the game.
“Our preparation has been really good. We’ve done everything right over the past ten days so we feel like we’re as ready as we’ll ever be."
And although there’s still a second leg to negotiate, Bradshaw admits the prospect of running out at Wembley Stadium is something he can’t help but think about.
“It’s something you dream about as a kid,” he smiled. “When I set off on my career playing football, one of my ambitions was to play at Wembley. I know all of the lads in the dressing room are just as ambitious, so fingers crossed we can get there.
“The fans bring a great atmosphere and togetherness inside the stadium. It will be the first time I have experienced it completely full and hopefully we can give them something to cheer about come the final whistle."
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