Ferrier relishing every game with Walsall

But Morgan Ferrier is hungry for more after setting himself a 20-goal target for the season.

The striker has enjoyed a whirlwind spell since joining the Saddlers three weeks ago today.

Since signing, Ferrier has played in five matches, opened his account by scoring against Tranmere before then netting a stunner in the victory over Gillingham.

And he feels being thrown in at the deep end has helped him settle quickly in the West Midlands.

“It’s been a surreal few weeks but sometimes it’s good that you walk in the door and play,” Ferrier said.

“It can be difficult if you sign for a club and you have to spend a week or two on the bench, or the gaffer looks to integrate you slowly.

“He (Dean Keates) threw me straight in at the deep end so I knew what he expected of me. I knew what the club and the fans expected of me.

“That has benefitted me and now I am relishing every game.”

Ferrier first came to the attention of manager Keates while playing in the National League for Boreham Wood last season.

At the time, the Saddlers boss was in charge of Wrexham. And the striker believes it’s hugely beneficial his new boss knows him from non-league.

“The fact that he knows me – that is one of the best things,” the 23-year-old continued.

“He has given me massive motivation to be myself and play my game. That has helped me a lot.

“He speaks to me one-to-one, he is a brilliant man manager. And he has given me the confidence to go out and express myself and play.”

Walsall were widely tipped by pundits to struggle at the start of the campaign. But their breathtaking form has seen them defy expectations with the Saddlers having taken 10 points from their opening four matches in League One.

Ferrier though says the team has relished being classed as underdogs.

“It’s no secret, from the start of the season, we have been looked upon as underdogs, he said. “And we are taking that into every game, we are going into matches with a bit of a chip on our shoulder.

“We have started well but every day we come in and we have got the same mindset – we have all got a goal we want to achieve.

“It starts from the gaffer, he never lets us get complacent. And we are all determined to do the best we can for the fans and the club.”

Ferrier netted 15 goals for Boreham Wood last season but despite stepping up, he wants 20 this year.

“My target is normally 20,” he added. “I feel I would have got 20 if I took penalties but I wasn’t on them last year. Hopefully this year I can nick a few pens and get a few more goals.

“Overall though, my aim is to do the best I can every game. I feel if I do that, the goals will come.”