Winger scored in Gills win...
Walsall winger Milan Lalkovic is determined to hold down a regular starting berth having now been let out of “the cage”.The 23-year-old starred in the Saddlers’ impressive midweek win at Gillingham, curling home a delightful opening goal and also hitting the bar with a free-kick.
The ex-Chelsea man, who has scored eight times in league and cup this season, was making his first start in seven matches against the Gills.
And Lalkovic admits he has been “angry” at a lack of game time in recent weeks – but hopes his performance against Gillingham will now lead to more involvement.
“In my goal celebration against Gillingham I was dusting myself off, because I’ve been in the cage for the last five weeks,” said Lalkovic.
“I was very happy. It was an important goal. People say I’m a player for big games and I was delighted to have scored in such a big game.
“I have been frustrated, I don’t know a player who wouldn’t be frustrated. It happens to wingers a lot but you have to keep going.
“Whits (Jon Whitney) said I was very upset when I didn’t start at Oldham and I was.
“He will tell you how angry I was. But I spoke to people. John Ward (coach) here really helps me. He spoke to me a lot.
“The way I played – I have been training like that for the past few weeks. It was just a case of waiting for my chance.”
Walsall entertain Phil Brown’s Southend tomorrow afternoon – and Lalkovic believes three points has to be the target.
"If we don't win the Gillingham victory will be for nothing," he added.
"We want to aim for automatic promotion - no-one really wants the play-offs - but it's out of our hands.
"We just need to keep doing what we're doing and if we can, I don't see why we can't do it."