Express & Star

Walsall's Josh Gordon eager to keep progressing

Josh Gordon says he is pleased with the progress he is making at Walsall as he looks to retain his place for tomorrow’s trip to Fleetwood.

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The 24-year-old, a summer capture from Leicester, has started the Saddlers’ last three games and has impressed playing both up front and on the wing.

Just 18-months ago, Gordon was turning out for Stafford Rangers in the Northern Premier League.

But his impressive form for the Foxes in Premier League 2 earned him his move to the Banks’s.

And after waiting for his chance in the opening months of the campaign, he is now starting to force his way into Dean Keates’ starting line-up on a regular basis.

“I have had to be patient but now I am getting an opportunity and feel I am doing well,” Gordon said.

“I’m learning all the time because it’s very different playing first-team football to what I was playing at Leicester. The set-up is different when it comes to preparing for games – it’s not just about developing as a player.

“When I first arrived I understood I had to patient and learn from the players that were playing. I had to look at why they were doing well.

“And in training I’m learning from the older lads. Russell (Martin) coming in, he’s a big factor, he guides us in training. He wants to help me develop as a player.

“And the more I’m on that pitch, the more comfortable I get and the more I read the game better.

“It’s is going to take time but I feel I’m learning and improving.”

Walsall head to Highbury for tomorrow’s match having fallen to back-to-back defeats in League One.

But they returned to winning ways against Coventry in the FA Cup last weekend.

And Gordon admits that result has given everyone a boost.

“We’re looking forward to getting back out there in the league.” the forward continued.

“We have had a bit of a rocky spell. But we did well against Coventry. We got back to what we are good at, doing the basics well.

“It was a big result, the players needed it and the fans needed it as well. It meant a lot to all of us and now we want to get back to winning ways in the league.”

Tomorrow’s game has been moved to a noon kick-off so it can be shown live on television.

But while a few players have got haircuts, Gordon insists the result is the only thing that matters.

“I think a few lads got haircuts on Thursday,” he joked. “It’s nice to know it’s on TV. But the most important thing is the result.

“We can start to think about it being on TV afterwards when we watch back. Then we can see if our haircuts look good – but only if we have won the match. The only focus is the game and winning.”