Dave Challinor outlines goal targets for Hartlepool United and reflects on Ryan Johnson's prolific start to his career at the club

After coming off the bench to score the winner at Chesterfield last Tuesday, Johnson was handed his first start for the club at Maidenhead United on Saturday afternoon.

And the 24-year-old centre-back was at it again as he volleyed in Pools’ third during the 4-0 win at York Road.

With one start and one substitute appearance under his belt, Johnson has two goals to his name and currently has a strike any forward would be envious of with a goal every 76-minutes on the field.

After three matches, no team has scored more goals so far in the National League than Pools with eight.

And despite being critical of his side’s defending on Saturday, manager Dave Challinor is pleased with Johnson’s goalscoring contribution so far.

“I’ve been really pleased with our set-pieces so far this season,” he told The Mail.

"We’ve spoken about it and getting the delivery and movement right. In general play, the balls we’ve put into the box have been really good and we’re getting bodies in there.

"We scored two more today from set-pieces, one is an own goal and the other is a second ball which Ryan finishes."

Pools currently sit top of the National League table after three matches following their perfect start to the season.

And in terms of goals, Challinor knows his side will have to improve significantly on their 56 goals scored in 39 matches during the 2019-20 campaign. Yet he isn’t overly concerned that his forward players are yet to chip in so far.

“We know that over the course of the season we need to be scoring between 80 and 100 goals to be up there at the top of the table, who gets those goals isn’t important really,” he added.

"As a defender, with the balls we get into the box and our threat from set-pieces, I’d be hoping to see between five and 10 goals over the course of the season and Ryan isn’t too far away from that now and he’s only two games in – it’s a real positive.”

A message from the Editor:

Hi, our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club every single day, home and away, 365 days a year.

This depth of Pools coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at the Hartlepool Mail, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package.

You'll find all the details at www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/subscriptions/sports

Your support is much appreciated.