Dean Ashton could be forgiven for not wanting the season to end after making it three goals from his last six appearances at the weekend against Newcastle United.
Speaking to WHUTV, the 24-year-old striker was in upbeat mood after his superbly-taken strike against Newcastle United had looked like sealing all three points before a spirited fightback by the visitors meant it finished 2-2. "I feel like if I can have a run of games I am going to score goals," Ashton said. "I believe in myself like that and it has shown. I have played sort of five or six of the last seven and got myself a few goals so I am pleased with that."
Having missed out on last week's 2-1 win against Derby County with tonsillitis, Ashton was back in the starting lineup and partnered Bobby Zamora as United took the game to Newcastle from the off. Aside from his 23rd-minute goal, his ninth of the season, the No9 had other opportunities to add to his tally and also linked up well with his team-mates. He added: "That's more like what we are about with lots of chances and I had lots of shots myself. Really I felt I should have got a lot more goals and it should have been more comfortable."
Ashton will hope to keep his place for the trip to Manchester United, having missed last season's 1-0 win there on the final day but played in the previous campaign's 1-0 away reverse on 29 March 2006 - the only one of Saturday's starting eleven to be involved in the last defeat by Sir Alex Ferguson's side. Since then, United have won twice at home and once away. He said: "With our record against Man United, it is going to be a great game and we will be looking to get a result there but it will be extremely hard."
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As usual the travelling support will play their part and Ashton was happy that the fans had something to cheer at the Boleyn Ground at the weekend, even if it was the style of play and not the points in the end. He said: "It seemed like a full house and we are really pleased we have put on a better performance at least and probably should have won." He also had a word for substitute Luis Boa Morte - "he gives everything out there and all the lads know that".
Reflecting overall on the game itself, Ashton said: "Coming in at half-time, we were pretty disappointed to have conceded the two goals when we have dominated the game and probably played the best football we have played all season. For the first 40 minutes, I thought we were excellent, deserved our two-nil lead but at this level if you just sit off for a minute you can get punished."