John Coleman has set his side mini-targets as they look to get their first win on the board in Sky Bet League One.
The Reds take on Shrewsbury Town tomorrow night at the Wham Stadium, hoping to chalk up their first three points of the campaign following their 1-1 draw at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
The Shrews won their opening league game, beating early pre-season favourites Portsmouth, but have lost their last two.
“We have had three games now and we haven’t taken the lead in any of them and that’s something that will interesting, if we can do that,” said the Reds boss.
“In those three game, we also haven’t got to half-time without conceding a goal so they are mini- targets we can set ourselves and see if we can get the win we are craving.
“The penny is dropping with the players of how we want to win the game, what is expected of them and hopefully we can kick on now.”
Coleman knows wins at the Wham Stadium will be all-important this season, with this their first league game at home in this campaign after losing to Sunderland in the Carabao Cup last Tuesday.
£350,000 was spent the playing surface over the summer and the Reds boss wants his players to thrive on it.
“We watched Shrewsbury and we have an idea how they play and they will know how we play.
“We have got to start making our home a fortress, we have got a pitch that we can play the football we have been craving on so there are no excuses.
“We have got to win a high proportion of our home games and we know Shrewsbury will be difficult but we have to use our home advantage to our advantage.”
The Reds will be without Zaine Angol-Francis who was sent off for two bookable offences at Wimbledon but they welcome back Offrande Zanzala, who has been missing after picking up a knock in pre-season.
“Offrande might be back in the frame so it’s a good boost,” added Coleman.
“It means we have four recognised forwards and it’s the healthiest set of forwards we have had at one go at the club. It would be great to see them push each other all the way.”