HE’S confident that only part of the unkind nickname will stick.

Ipswich Town new boy David McGoldrick was dubbed ‘Mc-Goaldrought’ by a section of Nottingham Forest fans after scoring just nine goals for his hometown club, even though more than half of his 71 appearances came off the bench.

The 25-year-old was yesterday named League One player of the month for December though after bagging 17 goals in 25 appearances during a six-month loan spell at Coventry City.

And the front man – who grew up playing alongside the likes of Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale in Southampton’s academy before sealing a £1m move to the City Ground – is confident he can finally start hitting the net on a regular basis in English football’s second tier.

“I definitely want to prove myself as a Championship player,” said McGoldrick, who made his Blues debut as a substitute in the FA Cup at Aston Villa last weekend and looks set to feature at some point in today’s league match at table-toppers Cardiff City.

“I know DJ Campbell scored a lot of goals when he was here recently (10 in 17) and I’d love to replicate that.

“Strikers have got to score – and I think the goals will come for me if I get a chance.

“I’ve scored a few this season so I won’t be snapping at them. In my head I feel like I know where the back of the net is.

“I like the ball to feet, I can run in behind as well. I’m not electric quick, but I’m not slow. I like to think I can finish with calmness if given the chance too.

“I work on my all-round play.”

With new Forest boss Alex McLeish deciding to cash in on the striker this month, McGoldrick was not short of Championship suitors. Coventry boss Mark Robins – a former Norwich player – recommended he joined Town though, while Blues boss Mick McCarthy proved a huge draw.

“It was a great move to go to my hometown club, but when I went there we had six strikers – six good strikers as well – and it was hard to get in the team at times,” said McGoldrick, who has initially joined on loan but will sign a two-year contract in the summer.

“I know there are a lot of good strikers on the books here, but when I went to Forest I was 21 – I’m 25 now and more mature.

“You read certain things in the game and I feel I can take that into my Ipswich Town career now.”

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