Walsall striker Caolan Lavery says forwards should 'embrace' pressure

The four strikers at the club, Lavery, Josh Gordon, Elijah Adebayo and Rory Gaffney have struggled in front of goal for most of the season.

But Lavery’s return from a hamstring injury allowed a new partnership with Gordon to blossom.

The pair have put in impressive performances as the team has gone five matches unbeaten.

And the 27-year-old believes the only pressure on them should be from within.

“I think as a striker you should embrace that pressure, it’s what you’re in the team to do,” Lavery said.

“There’s nothing better than scoring a goal so I wouldn’t say there’s pressure to score goals.

“It’s a self pressure because you’re a centre forward.

“We all know we’re not in a great position, we’ve not done what we all want to do and we haven’t scored enough goals between the four of us up front.

“So we have to take that on our chest and we’re going to.”

Gordon’s first goal of the season came in mid-October in the 2-1 home loss to Cheltenham.

But four in his last two games has been the product of the new partnership with Lavery and the 24-year-old is keen to keep his place in the team.

“I always try and keep my confidence up, even when I wasn’t getting goals,” Gordon said.

“I try and do my basics right, keep my confidence up and do the right things.”

“And when these times come, embrace it and build on it.

“I work hard and do everything for the team.

“You have to believe its going to come, get yourself in the right areas.

“I’ve missed out on two games after I came off injured against Mansfield.

“When you get an opportunity, you’ve got to try and take it but the main thing is that the team is performing well.

“Take that team performance into the next game.”

Before his two impressive displays against Forest Green Rovers and Cambridge, Gordon was an unused substitute for the two games prior.

He says it left him frustrated, but that he’s now ready to take his chance.

“It’s frustrating but that’s football isn’t it,” he added.

“When I came off (against Mansfield) Elijah (Adebayo) took his chance and scored.

“It’s just one of them, you have to keep your head and watch what your teammates do on the pitch and try to learn while you’re on the bench.

“Try to get yourself better and when your opportunity comes try and take it.”