When you factor in the fact that Jake Young is just one goal away from his best ever comeback in just six games of the season, it’s safe to assume he’s enjoying his start as a Swindon player.
He’s already provided three assists too, in case you weren’t aware of his very fruitful start.
But when he netted the first of his seven goals so far less than two minutes into his league debut against Crewe on 12 August, the overwhelming feelings he felt were relieved.
Young joined the Robins just 10 days ago, having been frozen out at Bradford. Last summer, he signed a three-year contract with Vale Parade, then started just three times in the league before spending the second half of the season on loan at Barrow.
In different circumstances, he would have lined up for the Bantams in their Saturday lunchtime game against Grimsby, which is broadcast live on Sky Sports Football 12:30 pm.
Saturday, September 9 at 12 noon
Departure at 12:30 pm
“It was a relief and a little bit of reassurance for myself because I still have that and I’m still a good player,” said the 22-year-old. Sky Sports. “What followed showed how that little bit of confidence brought out the player I knew in me and was just waiting for him to show up.
“He. She [scoring four against Crawley] It was a crazy feeling. I’ve had two braces in my career – even the week before I scored one against Wrexham.
“I was more disappointed about the result and not getting the three points, but there was a little bit of disappointment that I didn’t get the hat-trick. I had my chance and I really couldn’t sleep that night, wondering when I’ll get a hat-trick.” That chance again, and seven days later, I got one!
“Going into that second game against Crawley, I just wanted to score a hat-trick. Of course, let’s keep a clean sheet and not make the same mistakes we made last week, but in the back of my head I thought maybe you wouldn’t get a better chance of getting a hat-trick.
“It was a great feeling when he scored the third goal and the fourth was the cherry on top. It felt like everything I touched in that game was going into the back-netting. As a striker, there is no better feeling.
“It feels good, but it’s not the time to get complacent; I’ve had a good month, but there’s nine more months this season, so another nine like that will be fine!”
From the way Young talks about his time at Bradford, it’s quite clear he won’t take anything for granted.
However, he is mature enough to understand that this will not be the only time he has struggled throughout his career.
“It wasn’t a nice feeling,” he says. “That’s where I wanted to be when I left Forest Green a year ago. I’m from there, it’s a big club and I wanted to play for it as a young lad. Signing a three-year contract there – and after that season I did – was shrinking.
“For a number of reasons, it didn’t quite work out. It did. Everyone who’s had a good career has had failures, so it’s just a matter of taking a lot of it.” [as I can]Annoying as it was.
“I’m sure there will be points where I won’t be favored again. It’s the same here; yes it’s a good start, but I wasn’t perfect and there’s still a lot to learn. I’m still young and I accept everything from every club I go to. “I’m really happy to be here and put last season behind me.”
Young was part of the Forest Green side that won League Two in 2021/22
At the County Ground, he found the confidence he needed to thrive in Swindon manager Michael Flynn – ironically, he was Bradford’s own player from 2009 to 2012.
Welshman Young has started up front, alongside veteran striker Charlie Austin, in each of the Robins’ last four League Two matches, and has been rewarded with six goals and three assists – despite picking up just five points after a 5-5 draw with Wrexham, The aforementioned 6-0 win over Crawley, and last weekend’s goalless draw with Doncaster.
He continues: “He was great. He made me feel like a good player from the moment I walked in the door and even before I touched the football. He made me feel like I belonged here. Hopefully I can return some of the favor.” Faith.
“Everyone is confident, so to have that trust and belief in you is huge. That’s everything you want in a manager and staff. 90 per cent of the game is in your head, so being in a good place out there carries over to the pitch and allows me to play football that I love.” I know I can play it.”
So was the sole purpose of his move to Wiltshire a point-proof exercise?
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Swindon striker Jake Young on whether he has a point to prove after leaving Bradford on loan this summer.
“I’m definitely here to prove a point, of course I am,” Young adds. “I have to be confident and believe that I can play for any team in this league, and it didn’t work out at Bradford, so of course there is a point to be made.”
“It’s not something I think about when I get on the pitch; I’m here to help Swindon – it’s not about proving people wrong.
“With the trophies and the goals and assists, that will be mentioned and it’s a nice feeling, but it’s not necessarily to prove people wrong, it’s to prove that I’m right and I know I’m a good player.
