Walsall's Cook believes he’s yet to come to boil
He has scored five goals in 16 games so far this season – but Walsall striker Andy Cook believes – yet again – he has made a slow start to the campaign.
The forward, who celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday, was snapped up by the Saddlers in the summer after scoring goals for fun in the National League.
Cook netted 28 times for Tranmere last season as they clinched promotion back into the Football League.
The year before he scored 23 times for Micky Mellon’s side.
But his start to each of those campaigns was remarkably similar to what he has done this year.
At the beginning of the 2017/18 campaign, Cook scored five times in his first 16 outings – exactly the same as this season.
The year before he started marginally better with six goals in 14 outings. And he believes that shows he is still on course to net 20 goals in his debut campaign with the Saddlers.
“I’ve got five goals but it should be more,” said Cook who scored a 20-yard screamer in the Checkatrade Trophy win over Middlesbrough last week.
“I have come in with a record of scoring goals. But over the last few years, I have started slow.
“Because of that I know the goals are going to come – it’s just about taking my chances.
“The one against Middlesbrough, I felt as though I needed that after a couple of games not scoring.
“But last year I scored a similar amount to what I have now. And I did the same the year before.
“Obviously it’s no excuse. But hopefully, I will pick up now and start scoring more regularly.”
While Cook has scored five times, the striker has been unfortunate not to have more. He hit the inside of the post in the opening day win over Plymouth.
He also hit the underside of the bar in the draw at Scunthorpe.
The forward also saw Rochdale keeper Magnus Norman save a strike with his face at Spotland.
“The one that frustrated me the most was the chance at Scunthorpe,” Cook continued.
“It was a cross into the box, I’ve met it but I think I might have caught it too sweet.
“Those chances are my bread and butter. Me, myself, I was so disappointed I didn’t put that in.
“I know I should have scored that. They are the chances I thrive off.”
Walsall travel to take on Luton tomorrow with the Hatters having the best home record in League One.
“They have got a good record at home but we are going there to win the game,” Cook added.
“That’s our aim in every game. And we aren’t going to go there and change our mindset just because they are doing well.”
