Top scorer Dave Hibbert is confident the goals will start to flow again soon now he’s got the experienced Jamie Cureton alongside him spearheading Shrewsbury Town’s attack.
Hibbert goes into Saturday’s trip to struggling Grimsby without a goal in his last seven games, having previously found the net in five successive matches.
But the 14-goal hitman insists the team doing well is much more important than any individual glory and insisted he has been happy with his all-round contribution in helping to keep Town’s automatic promotion hopes alive with a dozen games remaining.
“I feel my performances have been good and I just need a goal,” said Hibbert. “I went on a run of five goals in five games before so that’s how it goes for a striker.
“I don’t seem to be having a lot of luck in front of goal at the moment, but I’m sure things will change. I’m sure if I get one, they’ll start flowing again.
“I feel I’m contributing to the team and putting a good shift in which is what it’s all about. It’s not about me, it’s about the team, so as long as we’re doing well I’m happy.”
Hibbert outlined his determination to play a part in Town’s push for glory by staying on despite sustaining a painful arm injury in the early stages of the second half against Bournemouth last weekend.
He shrugged off initial fears there might be a break by completing the 90 minutes and was then relieved to be given the all-clear to resume training earlier this week.
“At the time I thought it was a lot worse than it was,” he said. “It was extremely painful on Saturday night and also on Sunday, but it seems to be settling down now so it will be fine.”
Now Hibbert is looking forward to resuming his encouraging new strike partnership with on-loan Norwich man Cureton, the 24-year-old believing he can pick up plenty of tips from the penalty box predator.
“We’ve linked up well and I think we’ve been a threat,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll cause problems for defences. I’m still very much learning the game and it helps to have someone experienced alongside you who’s been there and done it to talk you through it.
“He’s scored a lot of goals, he’s had a fantastic career and he’s a great lad so I’m sure we can get a good partnership going.”
Hibbert now knows it’s important Town try and pick up another three points at a Grimsby side without a win in their last 25 league games at Blundell Park this weekend.
“They’re having a real bad time of it but we’ve got to make sure we’re right,” he said. “I think we’ve been playing well and long may it continue. It’s very tight at the top. All we can do is carry on winning games.”
Hibbert added he was relishing having a key role to play in Town’s push for promotion after being on the fringes for much of last year.
“Everyone knows I had problems last season but I’ve dealt with them and come back stronger,” said the striker. “The gaffer said the other day we feel this group of players is tighter than last year’s group, and when you’ve got everyone pulling in the same direction you’re going to get rewards on the pitch and that’s what we’ve been getting.”
By Stuart Dunn