INTERVIEW: The confidence is unbelievable

Charlie Wyke on his goals against Luton and Crawley

We caught up with striker Charlie Wyke ahead of training on Tuesday morning following his goal against Luton and his double against Crawley last week.

"It's obviously been a good week for me," he told us. "We've got seven points from three hard games so we're pleased with that.

"Every striker wants to score as many goals as they can and I'm no different. It's a shame I didn't get the hat-trick on Saturday but it was great to get two, especially to get the first goal so quickly. It meant we could relax and play with confidence for the whole game.

"I had the chance where I was one-on-one with the keeper and he made a brilliant save. The hat-trick wasn't to be but I was still pleased with the two goals and three points. I haven't scored a hat-trick before, Sweens [Antony Sweeney] was telling me at half time they don't come around that often because he's only scored two!

"You get a new burst of energy when you score so to do it so early was good. Alex [Gilliead] loves running at defenders and setting goals up which is obviously great for me and Jabo [Ibehre] because we're getting on the end of them."

"At the start of the season we were giving teams a goal head start before we really started playing," he admitted. "The gaffer has been telling us we need to start games better. We definitely did that on Saturday.

"The confidence is unbelievable. We're going out every weekend thinking we're going to score goals and win games. It's a good place to be at the moment.

"The competition in the squad is keeping everyone on their toes. Derek [Asamoah] came on and changed the game by getting at defenders on Saturday so everyone, not just the strikers, has to be on their toes and play as well as they can."

"It's good for the strikers to have that healthy competition," he said. "Even if you score you aren't guaranteed to play the next game but everyone is happy and enjoying their football.

"We're all used to it now. It was a bit different at the start of the season because last year if you played well you knew you would probably be playing the next game. We've got players who can come in and make a difference now which is good for everyone."

"Myself and Jabo are having a good competition with goals," he continued. "I want to catch up with him but hopefully we'll both keep scoring. No matter who plays or which formation we play, everyone knows the system and the formation because the gaffer has worked hard in training to make sure we understand the tactics.

"Jabo is great to play alongside," he told us. "He's got everything really. He's a big lad who is good in the air, he can hold it up and he's fast as well. He creates a lot of space for everyone around him and he scores goals. It's a dream to play with him."

"To be in the play offs compared to the position we were in last season is great," he commented. "It's a happier place to be around. I think we were a bit disappointed when we drew against Portsmouth last week because we'd played well and we were in front for quite a lot of the game.

"Last season was difficult because we were down the bottom of the table but we've obviously started this season well and we're at the right end of the table. It's a good place to be around and the gaffer is putting confidence into us every day."

On the upcoming FA Cup fixture against Welling United, he said: "We're doing a lot of travelling in the cups but it's good to be progressing in them. Tom Miller has told us about Welling's ground because he played them last year, but we'll go there with the right attitude.

"We'll play our natural game and hopefully the result will come with it. We'll approach it in the same way we approached the Portsmouth game and make sure we show what we can do.

"I've played a few games in the FA Cup but nothing major. Welling play in a tough, physical league. I've heard it's not the best pitch so we've just got to go there with the right attitude.

"It would be nice to get a big team if we did make it into the third round. I missed out on the Liverpool game which was disappointing so it would be great to get one of the big teams."

On his own form since his return from injury, he said: "It took me a few weeks when I first came back but I think I'm almost there now. It's been frustrating, I think I've only played nine or ten games this season which has been difficult.

"I think 20 goals is still a realistic target so hopefully I can get there. I don't think I would say I'm 100% fit but I'm getting there. Hopefully I can play a few games in the next few weeks and I'll be there."