Coventry City's attacking midfielder Carl Baker is determined to end his goal drought as soon as the new season starts.
Baker didn't manage a single goal for the Sky Blues after moving from Stockport last January, this after hitting 13 goals for his old club in the first part of the season.
Baker is hoping to start tonight's friendly at Nuneaton (Kick off at 7:30 pm) after he had to leave the field early last Saturday because of a cut to his forehead sustained in a clash of heads with the SV Gaflenz goalkeeper.
The 27 year old attacking midfielder wants to get into double figures for the Sky Blues in the forthcoming campaign and he has a theory as to why his goal scoring dried up as soon as he arrived at The Ricoh.
Baker explained to the CT: "I think I started off quite well at Coventry and got myself in the team and played 90 minutes 11 times, so I was happy with the time I was getting on the pitch and then I just tired towards the end."
"I had played a lot of games for Stockport, missing just one game from August to January, so I was tired. No disrespect to Stockport or Morecambe, or wherever I have been, the professionalism with the fitness work and analysis is going to help me. Even down to the food I am eating and times I am sleeping and training."
"We worked hard at Stockport and it was enjoyable but they really look at the finer details here. We obviously never went away to places like Austria or trained three times a day but doing all this, there is only one way I can go and I think it will make a big difference to me next season because this is the first proper pre-season I have had really at a massive club, and I am feeling the benefit of it already to be honest."
Speaking about his hopes for the coming season, Baker insisted, "I want to chip in with the goals and get in double figures and get as many games as possible."
"I obviously want to be in the starting team against Portsmouth and it is up to me to get myself there. The gaffer seems like a top man and he expects the lads to work, so as long as I put a shift in for 90 minutes hopefully I can stay in the team and chip in with a few goals."
"I think I know that I am technically good enough and have got the ability but the thing I have been I have been struggling with is being at the peak of my fitness over the last couple of years. So that's hopefully the one thing that the gaffer can give me now and if I can be really fit throughout the season, hopefully my quality and technical side to my game will shine through."
During the Coleman era, Baker was asked to play wide on the wings, but he says he doesn't mind where he is asked to play, he just wants to be in the team.
He said, "I enjoy playing wide on either side or in the hole but you have got to be flexible in today's game and I don't care what position I am in as long as I play. We haven't done a great deal of work on the shape so far but the friendly games have started now so I will know a bit more where the gaffer wants me to play."
"So far in training he has mixed things up and I have played in defence, in midfield and in attack so I think he is keeping everyone on their toes and thinking, and I think that is the best way because you don't want to be settled in one position. "