Bradders' Reserves hat-trick boosts confidence
Tom Bradshaw, confidence high after a midweek hat-trick for the reserves, insists he has drawn inspiration from how well fellow youngsters Jon Taylor and Connor Goldson have performed for Shrewsbury Town this season.
Bradshaw, 20, has impressed off the bench in League One in recent weeks and was delighted to find the net three times for the reserves in Tuesday's 4-1 Central League win over Morecambe.
First team starts have been hard to come by for the 20-year-old but he admits he love to emulate what fellow former youth teamers Taylor, now Town's joint top scorer with six goals, and defender Goldson have achieved this season.
"When I see Jon and Connor starting every week at the moment and doing really well it makes me itching to get on to the pitch and play alongside them," said Bradshaw.
"Jon's done very, very well this season and he's probably been our best player. Connor's game has been very consistent as well so it's definitely an inspiration. I'm hoping I can do the same when I get my chance."
Bradshaw is feeling sharp at the moment having worked hard at his game in training and he's doing all he can to force his way into manager Graham Turner's first team plans.
His midweek hat-trick was a further boost to the Wales under-21 international.
"That's seven goals in seven games in the reserves this season and it just proves that given the time I'll score goals so hopefully I can replicate that in the first team," said Bradshaw.
"I'm trying to do the best that I can in training and I've been working a lot on my game, my touch and my finishing so when I get my chance I'm going to take it.
"My last goal for the first team was Accrington at home last season but I'm getting closer. I hit the bar against Hartlepool last Saturday and I thought it was in. I think given a run of games I'll score goals."
Much has been expected of Bradshaw, he acknowledged, since he burst on to the Town scene with two goals on his Football League debut at Crewe in April 2010.
"I think a lot of people forget I'm still a young lad," he said. "I've been around since the Crewe game when I was just only 17. I think people sometimes forget I'm still only 20 and I'm still working on my game. I'm still only a young lad trying to improve as a player."