Ipswich Town striker George Hirst admits his goal return this season is starting to play on his mind as they push for a return to the Premier League.
The 26-year-old has netted six times in 28 appearances, with his last goal coming against Coventry City in December.
He scored five during their promotion-winning season in 2023-2024, and managed only three during their one-season stay in the top flight.
"Its something that's been playing on my mind a little bit, recently," Hirst told BBC Radio Suffolk. "I've had chats with the boss about it.
"As a striker you go through ebbs and flows throughout your career, it's never going to be plain sailing the whole way through. It's probably the first period like this I've had since I've been at Ipswich.
"I've probably found myself getting a bit too eager, and a bit too keen to get a goal and do something amazing, and all that stuff - get the fans onside."
"Speaking to the coaches, its just doing the basics, working hard, doing what I do for the team, and the goals will come.
"All I can do is keep working hard every day in training, and put in the work behind closed doors. If I do that, the rewards will come."
Ipswich are currently fourth in the Championship and their goals tally of 51 is the second highest in the division.
Recognised strikers Hirst, Ivan Azon and Chuba Akpom have, though, scored just 10 between them, with 21 coming from Jack Clarke (12) and Jaden Philogene (nine).
Hirst insisted, however, that criticism from fans doesn't affect him.
"It is what it is. I'm not really too bothered to be honest. Everyone's entitled to their opinion. When I'm scoring, it'll be good things said, and when I'm not scoring it'll be no so good things said. I just take it on the chin," he said.
"That's the ordinary life of a striker. It's not something I'm alien to. I've been around my dad [former Sheffield Wednesday legend David Hirst] walking through Sheffield when I was younger, and I've heard a lot of things that have conditioned me.
"He's been through it himself, when the confidence isn't flowing through your veins as much as it has done at (other) times."
Hirst added: "It's a cliche - like London buses, you get one and then you're off and running again. I wish I could score every week, but that's not the reality of it. All I can do is put myself in the right positions at the right time."
Having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Wrexham on Friday evening, Ipswich will take on the north Wales club again on Saturday as they focus on the league.