Callum Guy’s first goal of the season was his first for the club, his first ever senior league strike (on his 175th career appearance – 146 of those in league competition) and, quite frankly, you won’t see many better this season.
Struck on the sweet spot, through the laces, right on the money – however you want to describe it – it brought a fitting end to a first half from which the Blues probably deserved to have the lead.
“I said to him at half time, is that your first goal, that one?” Paul Simpson joked. “He said ‘it is actually, yeah’. I thought oh wow, right, because I was only joking really.
“I’m delighted for him; it was a great goal. I was just really happy to see us hit the target. I’m sick to death of the amount of times we keep missing the target, so it’s brilliant for him.
“I keep telling them all to chance their arm, get round the edge of the box and you never know what might happen. It can fly into the top corner, it might come off the keeper, who knows, but get it on target and see what comes.
“It’s that old thing that if you don’t buy a ticket you won’t win the raffle. He’s bought his ticket, he’s had a go and it’s a great goal for him.
“I am asking them to have shots from the edge of the box but to test the goalkeeper, not put it over the bar when you just get an ‘ooh’ from the crowd. I want to test goalkeepers.
“I can’t even claim any credit and say we work on it because we don’t, he’s just decided to have a go. I’m really pleased for him. He’s been excellent this season for us. Taking the armband away from him has freed him up a bit and he’s playing really well, he gives us real solidity in that midfield.
“Hopefully that’s the first of many and I do always think the first is a hard one, and it’s amazing how many times the second comes really quickly. Hopefully for Callum the second does come quick and he goes on a bit of a roll.
“I was pleased with Gibbo because he let a few go as well. He’ll get a goal, I’ve been saying to Jordan, I think he’s got goals in him. Again, he just needs that first one.
“I thought it was a great strike at Mansfield that the keeper saves, and he’s had other opportunities, but he’s another player who’s done well for us this season and he’s got to keep going. Once he gets that first goal I’m hoping it will snowball and he’ll get a bagful for us.”
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