Goal Shy Gower Feeling The Pressure

Swansea winger Mark Gower has admitted his wait for a first goal in Swansea colours is putting added pressure on him when he takes to the pitch.

Gower has turned in some impressive perfomances in his 25 outings in a Swans shirt, and set up the clinching goal for Jason Scotland at Burnley.

But despite some near misses, the former Spurs and Southend man is still waiting to get his name on the score sheet.

He told the Western Mail:

"It is strange. I have never gone this long in my career without getting a goal," said Gower.

"It is something I am not used to and it is something I do not like at all.'

"I can`t wait to score. I can`t wait to get off the mark for Swansea.'

"It has been well-documented that I have not scored yet, but I have had a chat with the manager and his assistant and they are not putting any pressure on me.'

"The only pressure I`ve got on my shoulders is the pressure I am putting on myself. It has become a little bit of a mental thing to be honest, you keep wondering if it is ever going to happen.'

"I`ve had so any near misses as well, it`s incredible. I`ve had a goal disallowed, hit the post, the crossbar, had keepers pulling of great saves.'

"I think my general all-round play has been good. I am creating chances for the team, keeping the ball and getting involved in things.'

"It is just the fact I have not scored and that obviously becomes more of a factor when we are not getting the results."

"The way we play, the way we pass the ball and the chances we create during games, we get enough scoring opportunities to win them, simple as that.'

"It is frustrating, but when you are not creating chances that is the time to start really worrying."

The arrival of Nathan Dyer has put more pressure on Gower's place in the side, but if the competition for places spurs the wide man on to even better perfomances, then surely a first goal won't be much longer in coming.

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