Hot-shot Bradshaw can't wait to come up against former club...
TOM BRADSHAW is loving life at the moment. With four goals in his last five games, including the winner in our last two matches, the likeable front-man now has an FA Cup tie against his former club, Shrewsbury Town, to look forward to at the weekend.“I watched the draw at home and was hoping that we would get drawn against Shrewsbury,” he said. “We came out of the hat pretty early and when we were paired with Shrewsbury, for the second year in a row, I couldn’t believe it!
“There were various calls and messages coming in from family and friends and I have been really looking forward to the game ever since.”
Shrewsbury-born Bradshaw was also involved in last year’s encounter, but lining up for the opposition, it was a bad day for him and his team-mates as they were sent packing on the wrong end of a pretty convincing 3-0 defeat.
“My memories of last year’s game are not fond ones,” he admitted. “We just couldn’t get a foot-hold in the game and Walsall were worthy winners in the end.
“It was not the best of days for me, but I’m a Walsall player now and hopefully I can play my part in our progression into the next round.
“I’m really pleased with the way in which I have settled in here. It’s been quality from day one and I know it has been said many times, but this really is a great environment to work and develop in.
“We have a lot of faith and confidence put into us by the management and it’s nice to be repaying them now with some positive results.
“To have eight or nine injuries as we did at the start of the season means that it was always going to be tough, but now we have a fully fit squad, we know that we can be more than a match for anyone at this level.
“I’ve played in League One for a few years now; it has always been a good standard but we will back ourselves against any team.
“From a personal point of view I always target ten goals before Christmas, so to be on seven at this stage is a huge positive.
“It looks as though things are starting to turn the corner for us in terms of results, so hopefully I can continue to contribute goals. I set myself a target of 15 for the season during the summer, and I will stick to that; anything over that will be a bonus.”
There will be plenty of family and friends here to cheer Tom on this afternoon as he looks to add to his impressive goal tally.
“I can’t wait,” he said with a broad smile. “It’s going to be a tough game for us, though. I watched Shrewsbury take on Chelsea and they looked a good side. They are also flying high in League Two, so they have that winning mentality.
“That Chelsea game showed what a Cup run can do to raise the atmosphere and interest in a club and town, plus there are the financial rewards, so we will be doing all that we can to ensure our name is in the second round draw.”