Matty Fryatt's fifth goal in five games ensured Walsall claimed a point at Nottingham Forest on Saturday to leave them entrenched in mid-table. It was the England Under 19 international's 13th goal of the campaign and his hot streak has already won him plenty of admirers in higher divisions. A hat-trick in the UEFA Under 19 European Championships last summer shot Fryatt to prominence and his goalscoring prowess has continued ever since.However, like most teenagers, his form took a dip earlier in the campaign, but he has bounced back arguably better than ever, as Walsall try to steer their promotion bandwagon back on course. Ian Clarkson caught up with Fryatt to ask him about the importance of a strong mental attitude and the continuing transfer speculation.
Q:YOU ARE A DEEP THINKER – CAN THAT WORK AGAINST YOU IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR OWN FORM?
A:Sometimes you lose your own game a little bit because you are thinking about it so much. You can end up worrying about every time you lose the ball or your touch isn't right rather than just moving on. You can think about football too much. Even after training, I will go home and think I didn't do this or that blah, blah, blah.
Q:HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR OWN WAY OF DEALING WITH THAT?
A:Before you know it, you are going stupid. What you should do is go home and think that it doesn't really matter, as it is one of those days; you should let it pass you by and imagine the next day will be better. Sometimes, because I am such a thinker, it gets the better of me, but that is the character I am and I have to deal with it rather than just forgetting about it.
Q:IT WAS A GOOD AWAY POINT AT NOTTINGHAM FOREST BUT PAUL MERSON HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF THE TEAM'S FORM ON YOUR TRAVELS THIS SEASON PRIOR TO THAT GAME HASN'T HE?
A:As a team, we sometimes go into away games with a bit of fear thinking 'we shouldn't do that and what if we do this?' whereas at home if we lose the ball we are okay as we know they aren't going to score and we can survive periods of pressure. But on the road, if we give the ball away or if we haven't scored in ten minutes, it gets into your mind.
Q:HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM?
A:Like we showed against Nottingham Forest, we have to get into that habit of hard work, grafting and setting our stall out to say we aren't losing. You just have to get on with it and be mentally strong away from home.
Q:WHAT IS THE SITUATION WITH YOURSELF AND THE CONSTANT TRANSFER SPECULATION SURROUNDING YOUR FUTURE?
A:The situation is that I have brought a brand new home in the area and I am settled at Walsall. I have never brought up the subject myself and it isn't as though I have asked to leave, or have been saying 'if I get X amount of goals or play well, I am going to be off'. If you are doing a reasonable job on the pitch, then it brings it on itself. If I am here until the end of the season or see out my contract, then that is fine by me. If something comes along I will look at it. However, if nothing comes along, I will just play ny football and not even worry about it. It is a plus point at my age to be playing regular first team football anyway.
