Steven Fletcher branded a 'goal machine'
Wolves hot-shot striker Steven Fletcher was today backed to break a 36-year club scoring record after being dubbed a "goal machine."
Wolves hot-shot striker Steven Fletcher was today backed to break a 36-year club scoring record after being dubbed a "goal machine."
Fletcher's tally of 10 Premier League goals last season put him fifth in the whole of Europe based on minutes on the pitch against goals, while his nine this term is level with Emmanuel Adebayor and more than Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe.
Now the £7m club-record signing has been backed to score 15 Premier League goals this season, after his strike in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Tottenham came in only his 16th appearance in 2011-12.
With 17 games left, winger Michael Kightly doesn't see why Fletcher can't reach 15 and become the first Wolves player to do so in the top flight since John Richards's 17 in 1975-76.
Kightly said: "He's a goal machine – I never doubted that it would drop to Fletcher to score on Saturday.
"Fifteen goals? Why not? He's a top striker so, hopefully, we can carry on creating chances for him because I've got no doubt he will put them away."
Last season, Fletcher also became the first since Richards to notch double figures for Wolves in the top flight with his 10 the highest since JR's 13 in 1980-81.
Kightly is aiming to follow fellow winger Matt Jarvis and supply the bullets for Fletcher.
He said: "I have been out for a long time so I want to play as much football as I can. Hopefully, I have shown I'm back to stay now.
"Going to Watford on loan made me really enjoy my football again.
"When I came back from the injury, I wasn't quite enjoying it as much as I wanted to do because I wasn't quite 'at it' with my timing.
"That was frustrating but now I feel 100 per cent and I'm looking forward to the games and, hopefully, I can help us climb the table."
Kightly is hoping he can be like a new signing after completing the full game at White Hart Lane.
He said: "It looks like that. I haven't played much football over the last few years and I'm keen to stay in the side and keep doing well."
The 25-year-old, who is out of contract in June 2013, insists thoughts of a new deal are not on his mind, at the moment.
He said: "I've still got 18 months left so I'm in no rush to get anything signed."