Burnley striker's in the goal routine

8:50am Friday 8th August 2008

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“HITTING the back of the net ... there won’t be a sweeter sound in football to be honest,” said Martin Paterson. “It’s the reason you play.”

Having scored three goals in nine pre-season appearances, Burnley’s new record signing is well-versed in the sensation of hearing leather nestling against string.

But for the ambitious yet unassuming 21-year-old, it is not enough.

“To start off scoring a few is good but, realistically, I have to do a lot more of that during the season,” said Paterson, imme-diately giving the impression that there is no danger of him settling for second best.

“If I can keep that ratio up I should be okay, but I’d like to score in as many games as I can.

“Goals come in runs. If you can get scoring and keep the run going, it’s just good for confidence.”

Neither does it harm his chances of staying ahead of an attacking pack, each of which has managed to get off the mark at least once in the friendlies.

“The competition is very high at the minute,” he noted. “It’s a strong squad and if other people come in, it’s going to step up another level, and that’s great for us.

“It’s good that we’ve all scored, especially for Jay (Rodriguez) and Macca (Alex MacDonald).

“It’s important to get the young lads scoring to give them confidence because you’ll need them to come on at some stage and save you a couple of points.”

At the opposite end of the age spectrum to the homegrown teenagers, Paterson was impressed to see that even boss Coyle’s eye for goal has not deserted him.

“The gaffer’s staking a bit of a claim to play at the start of the season with his toe-bungs,” smiled Paterson, referring to the late goal the Clarets boss added to round off a 5-0 win at Glentoran last week.

“It’s great that he comes on and plays.

“I’m loathe to say it but he has still got it.”

And Paterson is more than willing to learn.

Having been subst-ituted at the referee’s request for his show of dissent after scoring and claiming an assist in the win over St Johnstone, Coyle stressed there were aspects of Paterson’s game that need fine tuning.

“One of the reasons for bringing in Martin Paterson is that I think he can get better, and he can get better with us,” said the Burnley boss. “There are things we can work on, we know that.”

And the former Scunthorpe United hitman is not too proud to concur.

“I don’t lie, I’m not the greatest of players in the world, but if you haven’t got the greatest ability you have to work hard, and that’s one thing I guarantee – hard work,” he said.

“I work hard every day to better myself and to improve, and if I keep improving the way I have been, I think I’ll be very successful.”