Nichols confident he can score 20 goals in a season

Tom Nichols is confident he can become the next 20-goals-a-season Posh striker. Nichols suffered a frustrating time at the ABAX Stadium following his January transfer from Exeter City.

He scored a winning goal on his debut at Chesterfield, but didn’t score again as he suffered from previous manager Graham Westley’s random selection policy as well as a knee injury which ended his season early.

But the 22 year-old is fighting fit again and desperate to prove himself at League One level.

The 20-goals-in-a-season prediction i s a bold one though. OnlyPoshgreatsBritt Assombalonga, CraigMackailSmith and Aaron Mclean have achieved it in a Football League campaign in the last decade.

“I believe 100 per cent I can score20goals,” Nicholsstated. “I can score goals in any team.

“I know I haven’t started banging them in here yet, but with enough game time I can do it. Obviously I have to play well enough to get in the team and then stay there.

“Last season was frustrating as I came here on the back of scoring plenty of goals for Exeter. I scored on my debut here, played in the next game and didn’t score, and then I was left out.

“It was disappointing, but I can blame myself for that as I obviously didn’t play well enoughtoimpressthemanager. AndthenofcourseIpicked upaninjurysoitwasabadfinish to the season.

“But I look at our squad now and I see an abundance of talent, and that makes me confidenttheteamandmyself can have a great season.

“We have some great technicians at the club and we will create lots of chances and therefore score loads of goals.

“Paul Taylor will be an amazingsigning. I couldn’tbelieve what I was watching on thefirstdayhetrainedwithus this summer.

“He is a great runner with the ball and goes past defenders so easily he can’t fail to openteamsupwhichwillhelp players like me.

“I’ve enjoyed the summer so far. I was still finding my fitness for the first couple of weeks, but I feel fully fit now and raring to go.

“I’ve beenworkinghardon improvingaspectsofmygame and there is still plenty of improvement to come, but I will get there.

“The new manager has been brilliant. Training has been really good and he has left us in no doubt how he expects us to play.

“He wants an all-action style with plenty of possession. He will also be ruthless enough to leave players out who don’t peform how he wants.

“I have a great feeling about this season. When you have unbelievable young talents like Leo Da Silva Lopes in your squad, you should be confident.

“I don’t think we should just aim for promotion. We should aim to become champions.

“Why not aim for first, rather than second or third?”