Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is determined to help Wanderers again show their powers of recovery as he aims to make his mark on the League One promotion race, writes Pete Oliver.
The Whites face Bristol Rovers at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Saturday on the back of a first loss in 12 games at league leaders Portsmouth on Monday night.
Ian Evatt’s men haven’t lost back-to-back games for more than 13 months and haven’t been beaten in successive league fixtures since early October, 2022.
And Bodvarsson is eager to extend that proud record by getting back amongst the points against the Pirates to keep the Whites second in the table and within touching distance of Pompey.
“Because of the occasion (at Portsmouth) it left a bit more of a bad taste in our mouths,” the striker told Wanderers TV. “It was really disappointing but it's gone now and we just need to focus on the next game.
“That's very important with us. When there's a disappointing result we want to bounce back and that's just the sign of a strong team. We want to show that come Saturday, not just with words, with action and that's on the pitch.
I think it speaks volumes for the standards of the club and the team that one loss for us feels like five and whenever that happens it's really disappointing and it hurts. But it's important not to feel sorry for ourselves and important to move on.
“It's a long season, so many games left, and this is hopefully one little blip that we will be getting over. It's just important to bounce back next game and I'm sure we will. The atmosphere at the stadium here is always fantastic. I love playing here so I'm really looking forward to it.”
Bodvarsson’ last home appearance saw him bag a hat-trick in Wanderers’ FA Cup win over Harrogate before me made his first league start since January at Fratton Park.
The performance of the Iceland international was one of the bright spots on a tough night and having regained full form and fitness he is aiming to add to the six goals he has scored for far this season in cup competitions.
“It (starting) meant a lot to me,” Bodvarsson admitted. “It's been a while and it felt great to get 90 minutes as well. Even though the result wasn't there, and we didn't maybe have our best of games, I personally felt quite good. The confidence is there. I am feeling free on the pitch and feeling like myself again properly.
“When you're a centre-forward you want to be scoring goals. You just think about numbers all the time - goals and assists and playing a lot of games. For me, it's also been a season realising that I'm in a really good squad of players and the team is doing really well.
“I feel like I'm part of something good here and that's been my main thing this season, staying focused with my own self and my own performance and helping out my teammates to reach a certain goal and that is hopefully to be up there at the end of the season.
“I'm always thinking about goals and, first and foremost, performing well when I'm playing for this club. For me it's like an obligation for myself and the fan base here to do well and we need to bounce back next game.”
Watch Jon Dadi's full pre-match interview on Wanderers TV HERE