Striker Ashley Nadesan has made himself a huge hit with the United faithful with a haul of three goals from his six appearances for the club so far.
We spoke to him about what was a fantastic finish shortly after full-time at St James Park on Saturday afternoon.
“It felt amazing [to score], and it’s nice to get my third goal,” he said. “There was still a bit to think about once I’d been played through, so I just touched it and hit it. Luckily it went in.
“Obviously it was great to do it in front of the away fans. Even just to be involved in the game is unreal, so getting assists or goals just tops things up.
“It was one where I pressed the defender and I managed to get on the end of it. The manager had told me to sit on the last man and pick up on any second balls that Richie [Bennett] or any of the other players flicked on. Luckily the chance came my way.”
“I think I’ve always had an eye for goal,” he added. “I do have a turn of pace in those situations and that can kill defenders sometimes. Coming on to the pitch when you’re behind is difficult but it’s nice to change the game like that.
“The win keeps the unbeaten run going and it pushes us towards the play-offs. That’s the aim we have and we’re working hard to achieve it. It was a big gap at the end of January and now it’s only two points. That’s a huge credit to the lads because we’ve put in a real shift through these last five games.”
“The mood in the camp is unbelievable and my own confidence is blistering,” he commented. “Even when you’re left out of the team, you know you’re a part of it. Coming on and showing people what I can do feels really good.
“Being on this run has brought the confidence and it’s helped us all to find the extra 10% you sometimes need in games. The lads and the manager are making me feel right at home. It’s a great club.
“If the gaffer chooses not to start me for a game I know he has his reasons. The main thing every week is the three points.”
And with the team now breathing down the necks of the top seven, he told us: “When I first got to the club the mood was good, but it felt like were a mid-table team who wasn’t fighting for anything. We’ve changed it round and we’re playing for something now.
“We know we could be the team that arrives late to get in the play-offs. If we keep the run going you just never know. We have a team full of players with experience and I think that will help us as well.
“Being honest, we were the team pushing for the win at Exeter and it made it feel like a loss in the changing room. That’s when you have to stop and think about it.
“They’re a team who have been up there all season so leaving with a point isn’t too bad. We have two big home games coming up now, and we’ll be looking to pick up six points from them.”
Click HERE to watch an interview with Ashley Nadesan on iFollow United now.
