Sponsored by
GTF wants double figures
FOOTBALLERS are usually loathe to set themselves targets, or at least in public.
All strikers or attacking players, for example, have a goalscoring target in mind at the start of a season.
But most keep it to themselves, for obvious reasons – if they share it with the public and don't reach their target, then it only leads to criticism further down the line.
It's good to see that Gary Taylor-Fletcher has the confidence to set out his stall for the season in the most open of manners.
He wants at least 10 goals this campaign and he doesn't care who knows it.
Taylor-Fletcher has been buoyed by his recent form, which has seen him score in the last two away games, including a goal at QPR which is already hot favourite for goal of the season.
And the winger hopes there will be more to come. "I always set myself a target of double figures," said the 27-year-old.
"Last season was the first time I didn't reach that target for six years. I only scored six goals, not enough for my liking, and I was disappointed.
"But I have started off OK this season and I'm glad I've scored fairly early – once I start scoring, they seem to keep coming.
"The next thing is to get a goal in front of the home fans. I love scoring at Bloomfield Road, so it would be nice to get off the mark their soon, perhaps in our next home game against Derby. They would be a good team to score against."
You won't hear Simon Grayson disagreeing.
The manager's main worry this season was where the goals would come from.
There is no Kaspars Gorkss to chip in with eight and, aside from Taylor-Fletcher, none of the midfield has hit the target yet this term.
It means that Taylor-Fletcher – a player he signed for 70,000 from Huddersfield in summer 2007 – could become a key man.
"Hopefully he will get into double figures because we need goals from all over the pitch," said Grayson. "We don't want to rely on our two strikers.
"Fletch is a centre forward playing out wide and he has an eye for goal. He has got into some good positions this season. He did last year as well but didn't take some of those chances. He works hard down the right every game and he is a threat.
"Perhaps he should score more often but you can't forget he is coming in from off the wing and doesn't get into the six-yard box on a regular basis.
"But his goal at QPR was terrific and shows a good degree of quality. I expect him to keep doing that, though perhaps not score from 25 yards every week!"
Taylor-Fletcher is confident about the team's chances of success this year. "You look at the start we had and people were writing us off, but we are a good side and we can give anyone a game," he added.
"It's a very open division. Anyone can beat anyone as we showed at Birmingham.
"The lads were actually disappointed that we couldn't hold on and get three points at QPR. That says it all. Last year people would be happy with a draw there.
"I'm loving every minute. You always want to test yourself against the best and this is a good standard to be playing at. I don't think one of us looks out of place. We have a good bunch of lads and anything can happen if we get on a little run."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blackpool
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
