Canary striker Chris Martin is keeping a goals target close to his chest, after netting his first two of the season in Tuesday night’s Carling Cup romp.
City ran out 4-1 winners against League Two Gillingham and both Martin and Grant Holt grabbed a brace. But the Beccles-born forward looked particularly sharp and it would take a brave man to bet against him getting near the 20-goal mark once again.
“I do have a personal target which I keep to myself,” he said, speaking after the midweek triumph over the Kent club.
“I really just want to get as many as possible. I know that sounds boring but it is true, I think we will get goals if I play in a team like this that creates chances.
“We will just work on a few things that we have done during last two games, but I think we have the makings of a top side.”
It was certainly a pleasant sight to see Martin reunited with his partner in crime from last season, with Holt making his first start since the end of 2009/10 – ironically, against the same opposition.
The skipper has battled ankle and thigh injuries in the meantime but the pair picked up from where they left off against the Gills, and Simeon Jackson certainly faces a fight to get his place back for the weekend trip to Scunthorpe.
“He is a massive player for us, you only have to look at his 30 goals from last year and I am sure he will be as massive this year,” Martin continued.
“I have no idea what combination the manager will go with but Grant showed his quality with that great little through-ball for my first goal.
“And then he goes and gets himself on the scoresheet again which he does best. You know from Holty you will get 100% work rate and goals as well which is important to the team.
“If we can both keep scoring goals then we know we’re doing something right in the Championship, with how tough this league is. So we will keep spurring each other on to score a goal and that can only be a positive for the team.
“We know as a team that we have goals that come from midfield and Jackson can score a few as well – that takes the pressure off us and we can go and do our jobs.”
Tuesday’s 4-1 success was the best possible way to bounce back after the opening day defeat to Malky Mackay’s Watford in front of the Sky TV cameras.
And Martin hopes that the comfortable victory will stand them in good stead – after all, getting that first win on the board is always a psychological boost.
“I think we showed that we are willing to work our way back. I think we were a bit sloppy in giving away the first goal but we showed what we are all about by getting the result as a team.
“I think we always show that we can bounce back well as a team, the lads showed great work rate [against Gillingham] and that’s what you want to see here.
“The expectation levels at this football club are very high and we need to deliver in every single game – we know that and we know what our jobs are.
“We know what the gaffer wants from us and we are aware of what the fans expect from us. Their expectation levels will be high after last season and we know what we want to achieve this year.
“The lads will keep plugging away to get points this season; it will be a tough league but it is a challenge we can rise to.”
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