Wycombe forward Ali Al-Hamadi believes his two goals in the recent practice match against Norwich City’s U21s will help him push forward in the first-team.
The former Tranmere Rovers and Swansea City youngster also played the entire match against the Canaries in what was the Chairboys’ 11th friendly this season.
Manager Gareth Ainsworth hopes to have more matches like this as the campaign continues to help helps players gain match time, fitness and confidence.
Take risks and prosper. pic.twitter.com/QENvkFNkzk
— Ali Al-Hamadi (@alikalhamadi) November 26, 2021
Al-Hamadi said: “It was good to get 90 minutes which is important for a young player and to get a couple of goals too, it’s nice.
“As a centre forward, you get judged on how many goals you get so my performances have to be good, as they will eventually lead to goals.
“Coming off the bench was my target but now it’s time to start chipping in with a few goals in the league, and as long as I keep training and working hard, it’ll eventually will come.”
Despite having some great chances to get his first league strike for the season, the 20-year-old revealed that he is learning ‘game by game’ and that the experienced players within the team are helping him improve.
Full-time at Adams Park, where a #Chairboys XI have defeated Norwich City under-21s thanks to @alikalhamadi's brace in a 2-1 win. pic.twitter.com/CPl7IkfY7A
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) September 26, 2022
He also revealed that working with strikers such as Sam Vokes and Brandon Hanlan are helping him improve his style.
Al-Hamadi continued: “I’m learning game by game.
“There have been a few games where I have come off the bench and have made a great impact, whilst others have been a bit of a whirlwind like at Sheffield Wednesday.
“As a 20-year-old coming on a sub in League One, it’s not easy, especially when you’re coming on for Sam Vokes or Anis Mehmeti who have been brilliant.
Assist: @AnisMehmeti
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) August 25, 2022
Goal: @alikalhamadi #Chairboys' young stars continue to shine!#WYCvBRC pic.twitter.com/6nUdqciq9t
“But I back myself to do that and hopefully I’ll get more experience and that league goal will come.
On working with Vokes, Al-Hamadi added: “He has brought a new dimension to my game.
“My strengths are running behind people and his are to hold it up, flick it on and I love learning from him.
“However, you must also bring your own personality to the game so I don’t want to be too much like Sam Vokes as Sam Vokes is Sam Vokes.
“But, I can take parts of his game and use it in mine, just like what I did with Bayo [Adebayo Akinfenwa] last season and even Brandon Hanlan.”
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