SHAUN Harrad says he is hungry to end his 'goal drought' for Cheltenham Town at AFC Wimbledon this afternoon.
The Bury loan striker has scored five times in nine League Two starts this term, but so high are his standards he considers his recent form to be barren.
He missed the 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers with a calf injury and started last Saturday's 2-2 draw with Fleetwood Town on the bench, going on at half-time.
Harrad then completed 80 minutes in Tuesday's 4-2 Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat by Oxford United.
"I didn't manage to get a shot away on Tuesday and that's almost a swear word to me," Harrad said.
"It feels like a while since I've scored, even though it's only been a game and a half, so come Saturday I want to rectify that and get back on track."
Harrad's most recent goal was a long-range cracker against Oxford United at home on September 18.
But he said that poacher's efforts inside the penalty area give him more satisfaction.
He has been advising winger Jermaine McGlashan on where and when he wants the ball, and hopes the pair can link up as he makes his first appearance at Kingsmeadow.
"Jermaine is still a young lad who is still learning," Harrad said. "I keep taking him to one side after training and trying to give him advice about how to provide me with a few opportunities.
"He has great ability and so does Mo (Kaid Mohamed), and it's a pleasure to be working with such hungry players.
"Sometimes they have a half a yard and they can put it into the right area and I've got a tap-in."
Although he would not reveal the exact details, Harrad has made a bet with midfielder Darren Carter about goalscoring.
Carter is second in the Robins' charts with three, having scored Cheltenham's other goal in their 2-1 success against Oxford and both in the 2-0 home victory over Morecambe.
"We have made a little bet, but we'll keep it between ourselves," he said.
"Darren is a good lad and he's been up at the top level.
"I'm still on course for my own personal target, but we have a bet which will be decided come the end of his deal in January."
Cheltenham go into the Wimbledon game with an unbeaten away record and Harrad knows they are a danger on the break.
"Performances have been better away from home and we've played more freely and attacked with more threat," he said. "We have pace in the side and down the wings and if we can get a result at Wimbledon and then one at Bradford next week everyone will be happy."
