'That's all you want' - Davis Keillor-Dunn reveals message from Sheffield Wednesday boss after Owls brace
Davis Keillor-Dunn scored two goals in Sheffield Wednesday’s 5-0 win over AFC Wimbledon at Hillsborough.
Sheffield Wednesday attacker Davis Keillor-Dunn has said manager Henrik Pedersen has given him the confidence to go out and enjoy his football again after he scored twice in Saturday’s 5-0 win over AFC Wimbledon at Hillsborough.
After making a positive impact off the bench against Huddersfield Town last weekend, the Wrexham loanee was restored to the starting line-up against Wimbledon, where he was deployed in his preferred No.10 position.
He marked the occasion by scoring either side of half-time to help Wednesday extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches in emphatic fashion. He netted Wednesday’s second goal shortly before half-time after capitalising on a Wimbledon defensive error to race clear and score. He then completed the scoring with a composed finish late on.
The 28-year-old moved to Hillsborough on loan last month after experiencing a frustrating spell at Wrexham, where he had been restricted to just nine substitute appearances since arriving from Barnsley in February.
“From the minute I met the manager here, it was just I've got a great connection with him,” Keillor-Dunn told The Star. “He's watched me before, and he knows what type of player I am.
“I think he also spoke to a few people who were here before, and they gave me a good reference, which was really good. I just came here, and he said, ‘Look, just go and play with confidence. You know you’re really good at this level, so just go and perform for us.’
“It was as simple as that. It was just dead straightforward, and once you get that arm around you from the gaffer, it’s just like half the battle. When somebody tells you to go and express yourself, it makes a real difference.
“That's all you want: just a bit of belief and confidence.”
Keillor-Dunn’s brace against Wimbledon means he has now scored 15 goals in his last 29 League One appearances for Wednesday and Barnsley combined. Having established himself as a reliable source of goals at this level, the former Mansfield Town man is keen to continue doing what he does best.
Asked if he believes he can deliver the goals Wednesday need to be competing at the top end of the table come the business end of the season, Keillor-Dunn added: “I'd like to think so.
“That's what was quite frustrating. You feel you could do it in the Championship, and for whatever reason, you don't get quite get that chance. It's just a little bit frustrating.
“But I’d like to think that, at this level, I always want to be up there, trying to win awards and stuff like that. I know I’m not an out-and-out No.9 at times, but I still want to be trying to win these awards as a No.10, as a No.9, whatever it is. I want to score as many as I can.”