Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik says he felt he was not doing his job well enough before ending his – and the team’s – long goal drought at Oxford.
The Slovenia international ended Swansea’s 563-minute run without scoring by netting in the first half of Saturday’s 2-1 win, his first goal since 17 August.
Florian Bianchini then grabbed his first goal for the club, before Oxford pulled one back to make Swansea work hard for their first win in seven games.
“First of all, I was so happy for the team – we really deserved the win,” said Vipotnik.
“The fans were amazing. We heard them almost all the game. From the first minute to the 95th.
“And I was thankful I scored. Of course, I was feeling pressure. As a striker, it’s not easy when the team doesn’t score and I don’t. It’s mentally tough.”
The Swans’ goals at the Kassam Stadium were the first they had scored since their 1-1 home draw with Bristol City on 29 September.
And the barren run ended just one game short of a club-record-equalling six successive league matches.
“We train every day to score goals [but] they were not here,” added Vipotnik.
“It’s tough for me. I know my teammates want to give me the ball to score goals. I’m here for that. I didn’t do my job well, and I hope this goal will help the team and me also.”
Vipotnik says he has found it tough adjusting to life in the Championship after his summer move to Swansea.
The 22-year-old joined the Welsh club on a four-year deal following the mutual termination of his contract with French side Bordeaux.
Saturday’s goal was only his second for the club, ending a run of 11 league and cup appearances without finding the net.
Vipotnik hopes he can now go on a goalscoring run, starting with Tuesday’s home game against Watford, as he settles into life in Swansea.
“At the beginning it’s always difficult when you move from one country to another, as football’s not the same in every country,” he said.
“At the moment I feel really good. I’ve been training well, and I hope the goal will help me to settle more. I hope to [continue] with this form.
“My family are happy here. We love it here – being near the sea and the beaches – even though the rain and wind is tough.”
He is also learning some of the fans’ stadium songs, although not the Welsh ones like Hymns and Arias.
“Welsh is too hard for me – I will do the English ones,” he added.