Striker insists squad are feeling positive...
Top scorer Tom Bradshaw says Walsall are full of confidence heading into the two-legged play-off semi-final against Barnsley.We ended the League One campaign with a flourish, winning five of our final seven matches – including our last three.
Port Vale were vanquished 5-0 in our last outing – and although that result wasn’t enough to secure second place, Bradshaw believes we have gathered important momentum.
“It was always a long shot (to secure automatic promotion), with us needing Doncaster to beat Burton,” said Bradshaw, who scored his 20th goal of the season at Vale Park.
“We also needed a three-goal swing but, as it worked out, we had a great game, scoring five goals. Unfortunately, Doncaster couldn’t quite do the job for us.
“But we came out of the game feeling very positive. The manner of the win has given us confidence going into the play-offs.
“We’ve won five of our last seven games so we’re in great form. Quite often, the team with the best form going into the play-offs comes out on top.
“On our day we can beat anyone and we’ll take that belief into the play-offs and hopefully we can go up through that route.”
Bradshaw has plundered 20 goals in each of his two seasons with the Saddlers since signing from his hometown club Shrewsbury in June 2014.
And the 23-year-old, who finished eighth in the 2015/16 League One scoring charts, feel he is a better player now than he was last season.
“I enjoyed last year because it was my first full season and I scored 20 goals,” he said. “It was stop-start in terms of injuries but I’ve played a lot more this year.
“It’s taken me slightly more games to score the 20 goals this year but I feel my general play has improved.
“I feel I’m a better player now and hopefully I can continue to improve.”