Jon Whitney: Andreas Makris' Walsall goal was emotional
Boss Jon Whitney admitted he was overcome with emotion after seeing Andreas Makris finally open his Walsall account.
The Saddlers striker, snapped up for a club record fee from Cypriot outfit Anorthosis Famagusta in the summer, netted a stunning half-volley in Saturday’s draw with Oxford.
That goal arrived in what was Makris 31st appearance for the club.
And after impressing in recent weeks, Whitney was delighted to see the striker’s hard work rewarded.
“That’s probably the most emotional I’ve been as a manager,” boss said.
“And it was a great goal, not just a tap-in. It was a really good goal.
“I kept telling him not to worry, to keep working for the team and it will come. He’d been getting closer and closer. He came very close at Bradford.
“But it was great when that goal finally came.
“He deserved it because he’s shown all the right characteristics. He’s worked really hard for the team.”
Whitney admitted it’s been tough for Makris to deal with the expectation of being Walsall’s record signing.
“The fact he’s our record signing, of course that put extra pressure on him,” the boss continued.
“But it’s on incentives. If he plays and scores a lot of goals, it will probably cost us a bit more.
“We will all get rewarded if he does well and that’s key for us.
“He’s somebody we see as having a real future because of his energy, he’s shown that in international games.
“He’s a young kid and he’s had to deal with a lot.
“But he’s come over from Cyprus and settled in really well. He is a really popular member of the group.”
Whitney believes it’s vital everyone connected with Walsall creates a positive environment so young players like Makris, Mitch Candlin and Tobias Hayles-Docherty can flourish.
“We’ve got a lot of young players in the group and, of course, they are always going to get better with positivity,” he added.
“Our fans are great and they own these players so let’s reward them and keep being positive with these kids and you’ll get massive rewards.
“Imagine the feelings these kids have got and the fans are massive for that.
“A positive approach is always best in life to move forward.”
