Saddlers star Will Grigg must prove himself

Will Grigg today admitted he is feeling the heat and must perform to justify his new Walsall deal.

The striker has penned terms to keep him with the Saddlers until 2013 and knows he must repay boss Dean Smith's faith.

Smith wanted to tie down his young guns before the season is over and three-goal Grigg is wary of the extra pressure.

"Everyone knows I've got this new deal and it's up to me to prove I'm worthy of it," said the Northern Ireland Under-21 international.

"It doesn't take any pressure off me because you can't think 'I've got a new contract, I'll lie back' – that would be pointless. I've got to keep working hard.

"It's one more contract and – for however long it is – you have to think about what you're going to do afterwards.

"You want that contract and you're happy about it but you've got to keep thinking towards the future and getting the next one."

Winger Jamie Paterson also inked a new two-and-a-half-year deal last month as Smith kept his promise to change the Saddlers' contract policy.

The club regularly wait until the end of the season to offer new terms but Grigg hailed the manager's desire for change.

"It's the best thing for the club, when the gaffer came in he said he wanted to change things and it's good for the club and fans," said the 20-year-old, who extended his deal last month.

"The gaffer called me in and it's nice to be able to have my future with the club.

"It surprised me little bit but the boss put it out there and said players will be rewarded if they do well.

"It was a bit unexpected but I'm grateful. It's a great feeling having signed a new contract. I've had a few starts so it's good for my confidence."

And Grigg has now targeted a goal glut to help the Saddlers, who host leaders Charlton on Saturday, out of the League One drop zone.

"I've come a long way and think I've improved a lot, which the gaffer has said, but I need to keep working," said Grigg.

"I'm not happy with my three goals at the moment because I want to score more.

"I want to chip in over the Christmas period."