ADI Yussuf says he is “living the dream” at Burton Albion despite injury and the form of his fellow strikers having limited his chances in his first season at the Pirelli Stadium.
The 19-year-old striker bagged his second Football League goal in the 84th minute to earn the Brewers a vital point in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bradford City having come on as a substitute just after the hour mark.
His goal at the Coral Windows Stadium certainly announced Yussuf’s return to action as, prior to him being recalled to the squad for the 2-1 defeat at Plymouth Argyle, he had missed eight games because of a sprained ankle.
The timing of the injury, picked up in training, was unfortunate to say the least as he had just scored his first goal for the club — again after coming on as a substitute — in the 6-3 victory at Barnet on October 29.
His appearance at Underhill was only his eighth — all as substitutes — of the season and he would have been hoping for it to have provided a springboard to earning more pitch time.
He is now looking to make up for lost time having again proved to manager Paul Peschisolido that he knows where the net is.
Speaking about his injury, the Zanzibar born striker said: “It’s just one of them things in football, you’ve just got to take it and try and come back strong.
“Thankfully, the gaffer’s given me another chance back in the team and I’m hoping that I’ve taken the chance, so hopefully he’ll give me another one.” Yussuf came through the same Leicester City Academy as team-mate Billy Kee and spent a spell on loan at Blue Square Bet side Tamworth last season alongside current Brewers goalkeeper Ross Atkins, scoring twice in six starts.
After being released by the Foxes, Yussuf impressed Peschisolido in pre-season enough to earn himself a one-year deal, and he is determined to make the most of his opportunity.
There was some doubt as to who scored at Bradford, but Yussuf was adamant he got a touch to fellow substitute Chris Palmer’s wicked cross and he hopes his key contribution, which helped halt a run of three straight league defeats, will lead to more opportunities. more this season had the form of fellow strikers Billy Kee, Justin Richards and Calvin Zola not been so impressive, but with Kee currently ruled out by a groin problem and Richards battling to rediscover his early-season form, there could be a chance for the teenager.
He said: “All the three strikers are, in my Yussuf would probably have featured more this season had the form of fellow strikers Billy Kee, Justin Richards and Calvin Zola not been so impressive, but with Kee currently ruled out by a groin problem and Richards battling to rediscover his early-season form, there could be a chance for the teenager.
He said: “All the three strikers are, in my opinion, some of the best in the league, so it puts me in a difficult position, but I just want to work hard and just play my own game.
“They are quality strikers and I admire them, so I just try to take tips off them.
“I’m just living the dream at the moment. Every time I’ve come on and scored it’s just a dream come true.
“The next step is a start, but that’s up to the gaffer — that’s the gaffer’s decision — but the other three strikers are doing well, so we’ll see what happens.
“Every goal just gives me a bit more confidence.
The gaffer’s given me a chance and I just want to prove to him that I can play at this level.” While claiming the goal at the Coral Windows Stadium, Yussuf was quick to praise Palmer for the delivery and said it was vital for the team that they got something from the game.
“Yeah, I definitely got a little touch on it,” he said.
“It was probably hard to tell from up here (the press box), but I did.
“It was a great cross from Chris Palmer. His technique is unreal with both feet — his left foot’s as good as his right and his right’s as good as his left — and with his deliveries it’s easy to score.”
With the run of defeats having dropped the Brewers out of the League Two playoff places for the first time since November, the importance of the draw was not lost on Yussuf, who still believes Albion are capable of winning promotion.
He said: “It’s good to get a point here and we just need to get back up and start winning again.
“The result is a big boost because obviously we’ve come back from three defeats, so hopefully now we can try and kick on and get in the play-offs, and stay in the play-offs, or even automatic promotion — you never know.
“It was a good thing we got a draw today. That’s a start. At least we didn’t lose and hopefully it’s uphill from here.
“The longer a losing run goes on, the harder it is to stop it, so it was good we got something out of the game.
“Obviously it’s a team game, but when the goal came we got a bit more confidence. Any goal, it just gives the team a bit of a lift.”
The Brewers embark on a run of 10 straight games against sides in the top 13 of the League Two table at home to Oxford United on Sunday which could make or break their promotion chances and Yussuf is chomping at the bit waiting for another chance to make an impact.
And Peschisolido hinted earlier this week that chance could come sooner rather than later when he said: “He’s a raw talent who has got a lot to learn, but he’s got some good qualities and he’s already shown he can make an impact on games.
“Adi has got to keep working hard on improving his game, but he’s pushing the other boys hard
“You want that competition for places within your squad and I have no doubt that Adi’s patience will be rewarded with a place in the starting line-up eventually.
“He’s going to get his chance sooner rather than later the way he’s going.”
