GEORGE OAKLEY has told how a word in the ear from Les Ferdinand helped turn him into the player that defenders love to hate.
The Ayr United striker tore through January with seven goals in four games to be named Championship Player of the Month.
His sizzling form typifies that of Scott Brown’s side – and Oakley has told how a vital piece of advice in his younger years helped get him through a tougher spell at Somerset Park when he went two months without scoring.
The former Morton man said: “As a striker you can’t stop doing what you do. It’s a case of making the runs and having the trust that things will pay off for you – it’s one of the first things you get told as a kid.
“I remember playing against QPR when I was younger and Les Ferdinand came and spoke to me after the game. He obviously saw something in me, so it was nice of him to take the time and do that. He told me that as a striker you can make 40 runs in a game and not get the ball – but that one time you do get it is when you get your opportunity and make the most of it. That piece of advice has always stuck with me throughout my career because it’s so true. It’s about not being too down when the ball doesn’t come your way – you just need to keep your head up and keep trusting what you’re doing.”
Oakley and Ayr came through their sticky patch between September and November as the team adapted to life without Anton Dowds and ultimately went with a change in shape to spark a revival in form. They now top the Championship and head into Friday night’s Scottish Cup clash against Hibs with genuine belief that they can reach the last eight.
Oakley said: “The togetherness of this group is what sets us apart – there’s nobody that’s too ‘big time’ and all of the boys talk outside of football. We’re a very close group.
“If you ask any of the lads, they all look forward to coming in to work each day. Yes it’s hard and intense but we all grind away together and I think that’s why we’re getting the success. We’re not even looking at Friday night as us being underdogs – we’re going out to enjoy it and see where we are as a team. Can we go and compete with the best? I think we can. The confidence is there in us that we can go out and take the game to them.”