Dean Smith believes Sullay Kaikai’s match-saving two goals on Boxing Day will give him the confidence to make an even greater impact before the end of the season.
The 21-year-old, on loan from Crystal Palace, had only netted once for Brentford before his two-goal salvo against Cardiff City.
But he came on as a substitute for the 12th time and after drilling in a wonderful, dipping, angled drive, he headed home a second goal at the death to give his side a 2-2 draw.
“He’s thought of very highly at Crystal Palace and he’s done well for us,” said Bees boss Smith.
“He probably hasn’t had as many starts as he’d have probably liked, but it’s a big step up.
“I hope it will give him confidence. His only other goal so far came in the defeat at Wolves.
“He has so much potential. He scores goals regularly in training but he’s been more of an impact player for us.
“He came on against Aston Villa and did very well and now the potential is there for him to fulfil and I’m sure he will.
“Hopefully he will continue where he left off today and carry that on until the end of the season.”
Smith added that Kakai deserved his goals because he has worked so hard in training.
“He deserves them,” he said. “His first one, I expected him, as soon as he stepped inside, to finish it, because he does that in training every day. The header was a good header as well.
“I’ve got a lot of faith in Sull. I saw him at Shrewsbury and that was what attracted me.
“He’s really polite, he’s modest, but he’s a really determined young lad.”
This post was last modified on 26/12/2016