Express & Star

Josh Gordon thriving as Saddlers’ main man

Josh Gordon says he has grown in confidence since stepping up to become Walsall’s central striker.

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The 24-year-old, who was snapped up from Leicester in the summer, has been deployed in a number of different roles for the Saddlers this season.

As well as playing in a front two, Gordon has also featured out wide and at the tip of a diamond.

But after top scorer Andy Cook was sent off in the victory over Bradford, Gordon has stepped up and seized his chance as a centre forward.

The ex-Stafford Rangers man netted twice in that win over the Bantams.

He also scored with a clever flick in the defeat at Sunderland. And Gordon admits he is enjoying being the focal point of Dean Keates’ side.

“Since the Bradford game I have been playing in a more central role up front and I feel that is my position,” he said. “Obviously the manager has asked me to do different roles and I will always try and do a job for the team. But playing centrally is where I would like to play. There is a bit of a free role in that position as a striker because I can play with the ball to feet or I can offer going long.

“When I got that first goal against Bradford, it has been all about confidence. I know I am able to do it and I have fortunately carried it on since that game.”

Gordon’s goal at the Stadium of Light came after he won a free-kick on the edge of the box.

The forward then improvised to flick George Dobson’s delivery past Jon McLaughlin and into the net.

That strike means Walsall’s last six goals have come from set-plays. And Gordon revealed that is something they are working hard on in training.

“We practice set-pieces a lot on the training ground and obviously it has been working well in the last few weeks,” he continued.

“At Sunderland, I think Lee Cattermole was marking me and I went early and George didn’t take it so I have gone back.

“I’ve spotted that he wasn’t paying attention so I looked to get in ahead of him and that early movement has paid off and I managed to get my goal.

“We’ve been really working on set-pieces of late and we have got some big lads in the team so we should be looking to capitalise on that advantage.”

Meanwhile, Barnsley have confirmed they will play this Saturday’s game with the Saddlers even if they get a third international call-up.

Keeper Adam Davies and midfielder Ryan Hedges have both been selected by Wales while defender Ben Williams is under consideration for Wales Under-21s. But with the Tykes in the race for automatic promotion, manager Daniel Stendel wants the game to go ahead.

First-team coach Dale Tonge said: “There is a likelihood of other players being on international duty but the gaffer has made it clear that we will play no matter what. It is an opportunity to go further ahead of Sunderland and we don’t want to miss it.”