Having netted just once in his 136 Town appearances to date you might be forgiven for thinking Cole Skuse is a bit concerned about the lack of goals, but the experienced midfielder is anything but.
In fact he is at his self-deprecating best when the talk turns to goals — or rather, as in case, the lack of them.
He came close to his second Town goal in last week’s 0-0 home stalemate against Aston Villa, having a netbound effort cleared off the line in stoppage time by the visitors’ substitute, Aly Cissokho.
But Skuse, whose only goal so far came in the 3-1 home defeat of Cardiff in April last year, laughed: "He could probably have chested it down then volleyed it away but he did me a favour and made it look better than it was. It was as close as I’ve come in about 18 months though.
"I know my capabilities as a player. I know I’m not going to go out and suddenly replace a Teddy Bishop or a Ryan Fraser. I’m not going to get 20 goals a season or create 20 goals a season.
"I know what I’m capable of and what I’m being asked to do. You don’t want your creative players to get injured — that happened last season — because it puts more of a strain on the more defensive minded players. But we all have our parts to play.
"The fans have been brilliant with me because they realise what I’m about and what I can do.
"I’ve never scored lots of goals at any stage of my career. It’s not as if I came here from Bristol City with a reputation as a goalscoring midfielder because I did the same job there as I’m trying to do here.
"The frustration from the fans might have been because the likes of Bish and Didzy were injured last season and we were lacking that bit of creativity.”
Skuse dismissed the thought that he might not like to see team-mates getting the main plaudits and declared himself delighted that his recent partner in midfield, 34-year-old Jonathan Douglas, was attracting so many positive comments from supporters more aware of what he contributes to the cause.
He added: "Since day one I’ve said Dougie hasn’t had the career he has had for no reason. He’s played at some top clubs and played a lot of games.
"You know what you’re going to get from Dougie — he’s a very honest boy and a great lad — and we’ve seen how he can perform day in, day out, at training. I’m glad he’s getting his praise at the moment.
"I can’t speak on behalf of Dougie but for my part it doesn’t bother me one iota if I’m not getting plaudits.
"The fans are entitled to their opinions and if other players get the plaudits I’m more than happy because they probably deserve them anyway. We’re just doing the job we’re asked to do and trying to do our bit to help the team.”