Midfielder Cole Skuse has underlined that Town’s aim this season is to finish in the top two and seal automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Skuse, 29, said: “I believe it is achievable. We have additional firepower. We brought in Pits [Brett Pitman] and we were at Bristol City together.

“For me he’s probably the best finisher I’ve played with. Searsy is on fire and we’ve still got Murph and Didz.

“In wider areas there’s Ryan, Ainsley and Larsen. Any one of those players brings a threat to the side.

“I’d love to play in the Premier League but time is ticking. I’m not getting any younger and the miles are clocking up on my legs so I’d like to have one hoorah in the Premier League before I hang up my rusty boots.”

Asked how he felt the current campaign was shaping up Skuse responded: “We’ve had a good start to the season, taking aside the 5-1 slapping by Reading.

“We also lost 3-2 at home to Brighton and maybe on the day Brighton deserved to nick it. We got back to 2-2 and we thought we could have had a draw but in the end maybe they were the better side and came out on top.

“Other than that it has been a steady start and we’re looking more of a threat. Our four strikers are arguably the best in the league and after planning to be in the mix we’re fifth at this early stage of the season.

“There isn’t a massive gap between us and the top two so we’ll get on with the business and see how it goes.

“Reading was a bit of a shock for everyone, I think. None of us, nor those watching the game, would have seen a 5-1 scoreline.

“It was our own doing — it just wasn’t us as a whole on the evening and I don’t think I will be seeing too many 5-1s again.

“It was just one of those nights when everything they touched turned to goals and every mistake we made was a goal against.

“It was just one of those freak occasions that happen in football, even to the best of teams. But we bounced back well, going to Leeds and stamping our authority on the game.

“I thought we got on top from the offset and against Birmingham I thought we could have pinched it at the end when we had some good chances.”

Skuse has been ever-present in the Championship this season and is fast closing in on a century of first team appearances, having scored once in his 96 outings since his free transfer move from Bristol City in the summer of 2013.

He added: “How have I done this season? I think I’ve done okay but I never like to answer that question. It’s a tough one but if the manager is happy with me and he puts me in the team I’m obviously doing something right.

“In terms of the partnership with Dougie [Jonathan Douglas] I don’t think he will like me saying this but he’s an older head and he’s been around the block a few times. He’s an established player, a very good player, very technical, assured and calm.

“It was a shame Kevin Bru got injured in the first game of the season because he had a great game that day. Now he’s fit again he’ll be looking to get back in the side.

“Then there’s Teddy Bishop, Luke Hyam when he’s fit and Giles Coke — there are a lot of options for the manager.

“Kevin is a very good player and he has become a real fans’ favourite as well. He’s back now and I don’t think Bish is a million miles away, so for us to have them available again will be a massive bonus.”

Skuse agreed there are benefits to playing with a regular pairing in midfield, adding: “It helps because you get a bit of a rhythm and consistency going.

“Dougie is obviously new this season and he’s still trying to suss things out, like the other players’ games, and the more we play together the more we’ll get to grips with things like his runs, where he likes to drop, where he likes to run forward etc. It’s gone well so far and I think the manager is happy with the partnership.”

Photo: Action Images

BotesdaleBlue added 07:09 - Sep 25 Douglas has done ok in the middle so far for me, nothing more. I'm hoping that Bru can re-establish himself in that central role as soon as possible as we need his additional energy and forward thinking passes. As for Skuse, I think he is still stuggling to find his best form this season but I'm hopeful he will improve as the season unfolds, like he did last season.

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footyblue added 07:27 - Sep 25 the 5-1 could easily have happened at home to brighton they should have been out of sight by half time, yes we have a stronger squad and would love us to go up but its a big ask when lots of clubs have big money to spend Derby Middlesbrough Hull Burnly QPR
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blueherts added 07:50 - Sep 25 Our two more creative CM players Bru and Bish have been badly missed - Skuse has to be the DM and not him and Douglas or Coke - strange - if you think they are both DMs and never move across the half way line and yet we seem so open when we play them yes we CAN finish top two BUT we need to be more clinical in opposition box and same in our own box - too many defensive hiccups We need our defence to start producing again - which I am sure MM will get 3 points tommorow - esp after Weds team selection - is a must

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BlueMachines added 08:28 - Sep 25 No mention of Tommy Oar in the 'wider areas', Thought he had a few moments of quality against United. I think Bru's return to fitness will prove an important factor going forward. I like Douglas but think Bru has that bit more creativity.
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Kirbmeister added 08:34 - Sep 25 I think Douglas has been unfairly criticised, MM clearly has told Skuse and him to sit deep and not get forward as we have been set up 4-2-4. Another creative midfielder in place of one of them means we will be far too open to the counter. I think we need to play with one striker only with Skuse sitting and two out of McG Bishop or Bru in midfield along with the two wingers.

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gippeswyk added 09:41 - Sep 25 We keep hearing how our 4 strikers are arguably the best in the division and I agree to a point, but the proof is in the pudding and leaving aside the penalty against Birmingham, they have registered only 2 goals in the last 4 games (of which we have won only one). Let's hope they can bag a hatful against Bristol tomorrow and we can keep pace with the top 2.
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Guthrum added 10:03 - Sep 25 gippeswyk - and yet, despite that, only Boro and QPR have scored more than us in the League so far (by one goal). I agree that strikers should be scoring, but maybe the emphasis has shifted.
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Kirbmeister added 10:13 - Sep 25 The strikers haven't scored?? Murphy's hardly played and the others have scored 8 between them. Mind you I was never good at maths at school so maybe I'm missing something
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Kirbmeister added 10:15 - Sep 25 ...10 including the cup games.
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gippeswyk added 10:37 - Sep 25 Like I said, I agree we have 4 good strikers and we certainly got off to a flying start. I am Murphys biggest fan and know we wouldn't have made the play-offs without him being on top form last season. My point is that I have watched all of the last 5 games and our strikers have missed a lot of chances or even failed to test the keeper and it has been frustrating to watch. When you see how Brighton, Reading and Birmingham were clinical up front (I won't mention Man U in the same breath), but we huffed and puffed at the other end with little end product, we need to get back to the form we started the season with. I am sure we can and all teams have up and downs. I hope ours is short lived if we are to make the top 2 as Skuse suggests we can. There are some seriously good teams competing for promotion too.

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blueherts added 11:08 - Sep 25 I agree Gippeswyk - We have created chances but missed quite afew - The Reading game we had chances missed em - they took all of the ones they had ! - I like the look of Alabi as well and think he could add that 'Murphy' dimension - so make it 5 strikers ! With us having 'widemen' there is a danger they dont tuck in as much and that is when we get caught - Both Knudsen and Chambers need cover . Bru and Bish back and I am very optimistic

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BlueKush added 11:19 - Sep 25 We should have been allowed to take that corner at the end on Friday, great work by Skuse there.
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Surco72 added 11:21 - Sep 25 Personally I do not believe our defence / keeper or defensive midfielders are good enough for a top two finish as we continue to let in a lot of sloppy poor goals . The attack is proving itself as it is amongst the highest scorers in the league but the defence is relegation standard despite apparently playing 2 defensive midfielders . Good attitude to believe that it can be achieved but without proper investment on a good keeper and resolving the right back position I don't see it IMO as we have conceded more than double of our expected competitors after 8 games . Strikers win games , defences win leagues

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 12:16 - Sep 25 Let's not get carried away here. There are a lot of good teams around about our level in the Championship. It's going to be a long hard slog.
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muccletonjoe added 13:27 - Sep 25 We need to start with 3 points on Saturday. Anything less and I think questions need to be asked. Particularly in midfield where I have no doubt skuse will be partnered by Mr Douglas again
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TimmyH added 13:37 - Sep 25 A lot of other clubs are probably thinking the same thing as well Mr Skuse, this is after all the most competitive league in England. We'll need to play a lot more consistently than of late to achieve this - too many goals let in and Mick I feel hasn't got the balance right (yet) of some of the more 'deck playing' footballers in the team. Play-offs certainly achievable but the jury is certainly out if we are any better than this.

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blueblood66 added 15:27 - Sep 25 Bru and Skuse for me, the best two maybe bar a fit Bishop.
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