Martyn Waghorn knows he and his team-mates must rediscover their clinical side and begin to put together winning runs if they are maintain any kind of play-off push.
The Blues dropped back to six points from the final play-off place following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bolton, with their free-scoring early season form replaced by a run of just four goals in seven games. Those games have featured an average of two shots on target.
But Waghorn, who came close to winning the Macron Stadium clash when his late effort thundered back off the post, believes his side have the quality to challenge as long as they can take their chances.
“You always need to try and build on good victories at home (such as the Leeds win) and come to places like Bolton and try to pick up the three points, but it’s one of those which could have gone either way,” Waghorn said.
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“We did have chances, we did have opportunities but we just need to be that little bit more clinical in these games, because sometimes as the away team you need to take the lead and let the home side come onto you.
“Definitely,” Waghorn continued when asked if the Blues can still make the play-offs. “We’ve got it in there and we’re only six points off the play-offs still.
“We’ve got a lot of good fixtures coming up – we play all the teams above us – and we need to get points off them.
“We’re very helpful, pleased with the squad and we need to capitalise on the quality we do have.”
The goals have dried up for leading-scorer Waghorn, too, given he is now on a run of nine games without finding the net, but the forward is not overly concerned by his tough run.
“Personally the goals have dried up a bit but for the team and for myself, the team winning is the most important thing,” he said.
“That’s what it’s all about. Obviously from a personal level I’d like to score more goals, every striker would admit that, but we’re still in with a shout and that’s the main thing.
“I’m really enjoying it here. The gaffer has put great belief in me and I’m enjoying my time here with a great set of lads.
“I’m all settled in and looking forward to ending the season well.”
Of his late effort which hit the woodwork, Waghorn said:
“I thought it had a chance of dipping in when I first hit it.
“It was one of those ones where you feel the connection and know you’ve hit quite sweet.
“I know Ben (Alnwick) quite well in net and I saw him waving at that one and, on another day it goes in.”
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