Express & Star

Swindon v Walsall: Tom ready to inflict more pain on Town

Published
Last updated

Tom Bradshaw wants Walsall to inflict more misery on struggling Swindon Town at the County Ground tonight.

more

The Robins, managed by former Saddlers scout Martin Ling, were thrashed 5-1 at Fleetwood on Saturday and currently occupy a spot in the League One relegation zone.

Dean Smith's side also enter the game with something to prove after taking just a point off Sheffield United on Saturday – despite one of their best performances of the season.

Bradshaw, though, is expecting a response from Swindon who he feels will be looking to restore their professional pride.

[breakout title="Likely line-ups" align="right"]

Dean Smith is hoping for a win

Swindon (3-5-2): Vigouroux; Branco, El-Abd, Turnbull; Barry, Kasim, Traoré, Gladwin, Ormonde-Ottewill; Ajose, Thomas

Subs: Robert, Brophy, Obika, Hylton, Rogers, Ojamaa, Belford (gk)

Walsall (4-2-3-1): Etheridge; Demetriou, Downing, O'Connor, Henry; Chambers, Evans; Morris, Lalkovic, Sawyers; Bradshaw

Subs: Taylor, Baxendale, Forde, Preston, Flanagan, Cook, MacGillivray (gk)

[/breakout]

"Home or away we go into every game expecting to win," the striker said.

"But teams that get beat 5-1, 6-1, they can be dangerous.

"They will be looking to bounce back and restore some pride.

"But we will be looking to heap on the pain."

[video_expander]

Bradshaw netted his 10th goal of the season in the 1-1 draw with the Blades having just returned from senior international duty with Wales.

And while the prolific frontman was an unused substitute as Chris Coleman's side fell to a 3-2 defeat against the Netherlands, Bradshaw admitted the experience gave him a huge confidence boost.

"It was an invaluable experience for me – learning off the best," the 23-year-old said.

"It was a great week. I loved it. I scored a few goals in training. The first one went in and I thought 'Jesus, I can score against these guys!'

[related_posts title="More Saddlers stories"]

"The lads were great with me and it was a brilliant experience to be training with lads of that calibre.

"Even though I didn't play, I took a lot from the experience.

"I just tried to soak up everything that was being said and now I want to go on and apply it to my game.

"Having a taste of that experience encourages me to keep scoring goals, keep playing well and keep putting my name in the door."

Now focused on tonight's game, Bradshaw has called on his team to replicate their performance against Sheffield United – believing a similar display will result in victory.

[comments_cta]

"Saturday was one of our best performances of the season in terms of dominating the game," he said.

"I can't remember them having much of a sniff until the very end. We were totally dominant and unlucky not to win.

"If we play like that we will win a lot more games than we lose and this year we have improved our consistency.

"Whether it's the big teams, or the small teams, We've gone into every game with the expectation of winning."

George Evans wilhas been in fine form for Walsall

Walsall are also today expected to confirm George Evans has extended his loan from Manchester City.

The midfielder has scored three goals in five games for the Saddlers and Bradshaw is delighted to see Evans' deal extended to January 9.

"Evans has done brilliantly," the forward said.

"I think his arrival was needed with Sam Mantom going out injured.

[interruptor]

"He was an integral part for us before getting injured so for George to step into those shoes and to get three goals has been a big boost.

"Adding a player of his quality to our squad can only be good. All the boys and everyone at the club is happy to have him on board for a further spell."