Forward targeting a top two finish...
Striker Jordan Cook says the Saddlers are targeting automatic promotion from League One, rather than a place in the play-offs.The 25-year-old came off the bench to score a second-half brace in Walsall’s 2-0 victory over Port Vale in Sean O’Driscoll’s first match as head coach.
The result lifted Walsall up to second in League One, just three points behind leaders Burton, with a game in hand.
And Cook, who has now netted three goals this term, wants to stay in the top two.
“We want to get promoted automatically,” he admitted.
“We’ve got to keep pushing and keep picking up points – we don’t want to be in the play-offs.
“We set ourselves targets on how many points to get and we’re hard to beat, which is a massive thing.
“I think we’ve surprised a lot of people this season and we’ve got momentum.
“We just need to keep it going now.”
Cook made an instant impact in our last outing against Port Vale, scoring just four minutes after coming on as a substitute.
The ex-Sunderland forward then grabbed his second of the afternoon with a clinical finish, seven minutes from time.
“Goals have been a long time coming for me,” he admitted.
“I started the season quite slowly but I know I can do it in this league. I just needed that little bit of luck with the ball falling in the right spot and me getting in the right place.
“I wouldn’t have cared if that first goal had gone in off my bum, just as long as it went in!
“I just want to score goals.”
And Cook is pleased that his hard work on the training ground is now paying off in matches.
“I never stop trying and I think that’s why the coaches like me and keep giving me chances,” said Cook, who also scored in our 3-1 victory at Shrewsbury earlier this month.
“Goals speak volumes as a striker and for me, it’s about getting in the positions and getting the chances.
“Hopefully I can continue this little goal run.”