JOHAN Elmander only needs a goal or two and his Reebok career will take off.

That was all that was missing from his performance against Fulham on Saturday when he worked his socks off, turned in a terrific performance for the team and earned his ovation when he left the field just befre the end, having given everything he had.

He is playing for a contract, but for my money, his approach and his attitude is no different than it has been from day one.

In his two seasons here I have never seen him shirk once. Even when things have been going badly for him, when his confidence must have been at rock bottom, he’s never given anything less than 100 per cent.

He’s a good professional and Owen Coyle knows that and, although the manager will be disappointed not to have banked all three points on Saturday, he would have been encouraged to have seen his performance and the way he linked up with Kevin Davies.

Johan deserved a goal – no one can argue with that – and he might even have had a hat-trick if the Fulham keeper hadn’t been in such terrific form. The fact that he was man of the match tells you all you need know about the game.

That bit of skill Johan produced when he let the ball run past the full-back before getting in a shot that was saved, was worth a goal in itself.

All he needs is a bit of luck, a goal or two to get the ball rolling and his confidence will go sky high. And the rest of the lads will respond because he’s a real team player. You could see that when he came off and gave Ivan Klasnic a few words of encouragement.

He’s not selfish and players appreciate that. It all helps team spirit which, I must say, is looking very good under Owen Coyle.

I found it encouraging all round on Saturday. There was no goal but the clean sheet at the other end was well-deserved with Jussi Jaaskelainen and the back four working very well.

Zat Knight was many people’s man of the match for us, but you could have picked any one of the back four. They provided a solid foundation for the rest of the team to build on and the supporters responded magnificently.

The manager has talked about creating a fortress at the Reebok and I know he was delighted to hear the fans rally behind the team during that 25-minute spell in the second half when his players controlled the game and Stuart Holden hit the post.

The two of us played in that team of Bruce Rioch’s in the Nineties when the Burnden Park crowd really were our 12th man. We appreciated it then and the same can apply these days at the Reebok.

Don’t ever underestimate that.