Dion Charles is aiming high – and, after a strong start to the season, the striker believes he can hit his 20-goal target.
The 25-year-old scored nine goals in last season’s Covid affected campaign where he chalked up 40 appearances in his first season with the Reds after signing from Southport.
So far in this campaign he has three goals – two in the four Sky Bet League One games he has played.
A controversial red card against Oxford hindered his start with a three-game ban but he feels he is back on track now, returning for Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over Fleetwood.
“It’s the first time I have been sent off in my life and it was horrendous. The referee said I stamped on their goalkeeper but I didn’t.
“I am not that type of player, if I get bookings it’s for dissent, very rarely a bad tackle.
“I was gobsmacked when he showed me the red card and it was so hard sitting out the games when I hadn’t done anything wrong.
“You do wonder if you will get your place back in the team so it was a relief to be starting against Fleetwood on Tuesday.
“When you get your chance you have to make an impact and thankfully I scored. It was special for me as they are my former club and it shows football is all about opinions.
“18 months ago, they didn’t think I was good enough so it was nice for me to score the winner against them.”
Dion now needs to keep hitting the target if he is to achieve his goals.
“I got nine goals last year. I missed the opening game against Lincoln as I signed after that and then I played up until November, I missed a few games but then I came back until Covid.
“I have three goals so far and my target is 20 and I believe it’s doable – I would set it higher if I was on penalties!
“I am enjoying playing here. I think me and Colby Bishop complement each other up front and the loan players from the higher league clubs, you can tell they are really well educated in football, they know the game and they have helped us so far.”
The Reds welcome ninth-placed Bristol Rovers to the Wham Stadium on Saturday – they are just a point behind seventh-placed Stanley and have won three of their last four league games.
“To be honest, I don’t really look at the form of other teams, it’s all about concentrating on ourselves and what we can do.”