Paul Simpson is backing Luke Plange to be a goalscorer for Carlisle United – once he breaks his duck.
The Crystal Palace loanee is awaiting his first strike for the Cumbrians, who take on Port Vale today (Vale Park, 3pm).
The Blues have been short of goals in general in the early weeks of the League One season.
But manager Simpson says that the picture can soon change for individuals and the team.
“A goal makes everything look a bit different for players,” said the United manager.
“The reason we’ve brought Luke in is because he is a goalscorer – that’s what I like about him.
“I like the way he can run with and, without the ball, his work ethic.
“In training his finishing has been outstanding. Whether it be in small-sided games, in bigger pitch games, in finishing drills, his finishing is really calm, really cool.
“I don’t really think he’s had many opportunities so far. He’s got a bit frustrated [so] that we’ve had two games where he’s trying shots from 25-30 yards, which are a little bit hopeful.
“We need to get him opportunities inside that 18-yard box, and I do believe that he'll score goals.
“I think as soon as he gets one, and if we can keep creating them as a team, he’ll score goals for us.”
Plange and the Blues are seeking their first win of the league season at the fifth attempt today.
Simpson could include new loan frontman Terry Ablade in his squad for the first time as United face Andy Crosby’s Valiants.
Carlisle will be backed by a strong travelling support in Burslem and Simpson wants to reward the Blue Army with a positive showing.
“We have to remember that it’s about us,” he added.
“That was out thought process all last season and that hasn’t changed.
“We do look at the opposition, but it really is about what we do. It’s about us performing to the levels we know we can in all sides of the game.
“I expect us to absolutely work our socks off, like we have done so far, and maybe even give us a little bit more.
“I also expect us to play the football that we’re capable of playing, I want us to create opportunities, which I thought we did better last Saturday, and we now need to add being a bit more clinical to that.”
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