TON-UP PAUL OUT IN THE FAST LANE
PAUL HAYES may have bagged his 100th League goal last weekend but the veteran Wycombe striker says he was oblivious to the achievement.
And the 31-year-old is equally nonplussed by the Chairboys’ tag as promotion contenders despite their blistering start to the League Two season.
Gareth Ainsworth’s side continued to surprise with a 1-0 victory over Cambridge United last Saturday, after Hayes prodded in from close range.
Within seconds the former Scunthorpe forward was mobbed by his team-mates, though he still had no idea of the personal significance of his strike.
But, having been informed of his milestone post-match, Hayes is planning to dine out on it for the rest of his career.
“I knew my 100th was coming up, but we’ve been playing games on Saturdays then Tuesdays, so I became a bit oblivious to it,” he explained.
“Obviosuly it means a lot to me. As a kid I wanted to play at the highest level and score as many goals as I could.
Massive
“I got to 100 all-in goals when I was at Charlton, which I was very proud of because you never know how long you’re going to stay in the game.
“So to then get 100 League goals is a massive achievement.
“We all go through good times and bad times, so remembering the good things you have done can be really important.
“Social media makes it easier to look back at the goals you’ve scored, though I’m quite good at remembering mine.”
Wycombe secured their Football League status by the skin of their teeth in May, while Hayes was enjoying Scunthorpe’s promotion party at the opposite end of League Two.
Days later, Hayes swapped Glanford Park for Adams Park and could not have foreseen being immediately involved in another push for promotion.
A five-match unbeaten run last month has Wycombe rubbing shoulders with Burton and Bury at the top of the table, yet Hayes simply sees their strong start as halfway to survival.
“It’s been a great achievement for a club with probably one of the smallest budgets in the League, so really we’re punching above our weight,” he added. “But we’re not going over the top about things.
“We know how hard it’s been to stay in the division over the last two years, so safety is still what we are thinking about.
“We know we’re not the biggest team in the league and we’re going to have a bad spell, but it’s how we bounce back from that that will show how good we are.”
Credit
Hayes’ goal tally was boosted by his previous stint at Wycombe in 2012. He struck six goals in six games, but was recalled prematurely by parent club Charlton.
One of his team-mates then was Ainsworth – now the Wycombe boss – whom Hayes believes deserves all the credit for their transformation.
“The start we’ve made is down to the gaffer,” added Hayes, who says Ainsworth has adopted a more expansive passing game coupled with vigorous pressing.
“He got a bit of flak last season when Wycombe were accused by some of underperforming.
“But he’s gone away, changed his philosophy and drummed it into the players. We’ve all bought into it and now you’re seeing the results.
“I played here before and had a good relationship with the fans, but the main reason I wanted to come back was because of the manager and how well I got along with him when he was player-coach.
“He made it clear how much he wanted me in the summer. He’s a good man, but also a very clever football man.
“I was only there for six games but he had a great authority in the dressing room, so for him to be the manager, rather than a player, isn’t something I’ve had to adapt to.”