Joe Mason admitted there was some relief in finding the net again in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest – and has targeted a final flourish against Sheffield Wednesday.
After scoring in his first two Wolves appearances it had been a considerable wait for the striker’s next entry in the scoring charts, courtesy of an impressive finish to break the deadlock at the City Ground.
“I thought the first half was quite flat from both teams, all in all,” he says.
“We came to life in the second half and were really on top and got the goal.
“The lads think that the free kick they got for the equaliser was a soft one but overall a draw was probably fair.
“The goal meant a lot to me because it has been a while.
“As a striker, every game you go without scoring you are even more determined to get that next goal.
“It was nice to see it go in, and a bit of a relief to be honest.
“It’s a big confidence boost going into the next game.
“I am full of confidence now and want to get another goal or two next week.”
Mason’s impressive goal came after getting himself into promising positions in recent weeks but being denied by some fine goalkeeping, against both Leeds and Rotherham.
“I am a person who will kick myself when I miss chances,” he says.
“Those chances I had been getting in recent weeks are my bread and butter whereas the goal I scored on Saturday isn’t one of my typical ones!
“I will definitely be shooting more often now!
“We are disappointed we didn’t go on and get the second goal when we were on top.
“We had a few chances, maybe nothing particularly clear-cut, but we are disappointed not to come away with the win.”
Wolves tweaked the formation at the weekend with James Henry playing as a ‘number 10’ in behind Mason, and at times the two linked up effectively.
Mason has also found himself as the main striker, a role he is keen to develop, with some work on his physique planned for the summer.
“I thought at times it worked quite well,” he says of the Henry link.
“It was the first time we had done it and I think there is some potential there.
“We had been doing alright in training and at times linked up well but it can also get better.
“I have usually played as the deeper striker in my career but playing as the forward one is something I am enjoying and I have been getting chances.
“I hadn’t been taken them of late but now I have got the goal hopefully I can kick on.
“I enjoy playing in both positions really and am happy with either.
“Physically I probably need to build myself up over the summer and come back as strongly as possible to play in that main forward role.
“Then I can try and cement my place in the team.”
First things first though and it’s that final game of the season, when play-off bound Sheffield Wednesday visit Molineux on Saturday (12.30pm).
“The four nil-nil draws at home have been well noted,” said Mason.
“But the fans have stuck with us and we would like to finish the season with a win at home.
“It will be tough because Sheffield Wednesday are flying high and are going into the play-offs.
“It will be a good game and we want to come away with a win.
“It was brilliant to see the fans sell out at Nottingham Forest – they kept going the whole game and kept behind us.
“We haven’t won enough games in recent weeks.
“The gaffer is on top of us all the time, and even when it was clear we could only finish in mid-table he wants us to finish as strongly as possible.
“He is always on to us about being professional and showing a good attitude and I think we did that on Saturday.”
