Hot-shot Langstaff targeting more goals - despite ‘not expecting’ to top EFL scoring charts
MACAULAY HAS NETTED 24 TIMES DURING DEBUT SEASON IN FOOTBALL LEAGUE - BUT IS STILL LOOKING TO IMPROVE
MACAULAY Langstaff said he remains focused on continued improvement as a striker as he reflected on his time at Notts County and the goalscoring milestones he has reached.
The 27-year-old has netted 65 league goals in two seasons with the Magpies, with the second yet to reach its conclusion. Of those, 24 have come in the current campaign, which sees him lead the way for league goals out of all EFL players this term.
His goal rate has slowed slightly in recent weeks, coinciding with the team’s overall struggles since the turn of the year, but to have got the return he had with seven games still to play is impressive, with it being his first season outside of non-league in his career.
On his goal return, Langstaff said: “I always backed my goalscoring abilities, but to have had that kind of return at Notts is not something that I expected to be able to do. That’s not me being pessimistic – I think as a striker, I was just being realistic in stepping up to the National League at first and now League Two.
“To have got to the figure I have done at this stage is something that I’m really happy about, but hopefully I can keep pushing on and improving.
“The personal milestones are great, and to do that at a club like Notts County is something I am so proud to do because it is a huge club.
“Like I said, before I came here, I probably didn’t think I would ever be able to do what I’m doing now so every record that I break or milestone I pass is an incredibly proud moment for myself.”
With the goalscoring form Langstaff has been in over the last couple of seasons while moving up divisions, it would be easy for the player to believe in his own hype and not think that he can still improve as a striker.
Coming from where he has been in his footballing career, Langstaff has never allowed himself to settle or get too ahead of himself. That attitude has served him well during his Notts stint, and he is never likely to change in that aspect.
He explained: “You’ve got to try and humble yourself with each game that comes no matter how many goals you’re scoring and approach each game as a fresh challenge. I go into training every day looking to learn something new and never think that I’m the finished article.
“I almost come in like I’m a beginner each day and I want the coaches to tell me what they need from me or what they think I need to improve on because I want to go through the levels and score as many as I can.
“By ever being content with my goal return, I’m not going to get to where I want to be so I’ve got to start fresh every single game and look to improve which is what I’ve done throughout.”
The personal milestones are great, and to do that at a club like Notts County is something I am so proud to do