Ross County defender Akil Wright looking to make final third impact with goal target set after strong start to life in Dingwall
Akil Wright has set a goal target for the first time in his career after finding the net twice already for Ross County this season.
The summer signing from Stockport County scored twice in as many games against St Johnstone and Dundee last month, showing he can be an aerial threat going forward as well as solid at the back.
His most prolific campaign to date saw Wright score six goals, so this season he wants to at least get close to that tally having hit the ground running in Dingwall.
“Having goals all over the pitch definitely will be a big thing for us,” he stressed.
“I probably should have scored more. In the last two seasons it has been two, so I’m already on that.
“Hopefully I can get a lot more than that this season. The highest I’ve got is six, so I’m definitely hoping to get a few more.
“I never had a target until now! I’ll probably aim for five – that’s probably realistic.”
Wright’s goal return has been just one piece of evidence of the early form that has already made him a fan favourite among the Staggies faithful.
By his own standards, though, there is more to come – which will be music to the ears of County fans.
“For me personally, I probably wasn’t quite at it in the first two games, certainly not as I know I can be,” Wright explained.
“As time progresses, I’ll show more of what I can do and there’s still more to come – I definitely believe that.
“I feel I have good attributes, physically and technically to play in this league and I know I have to play to my strengths, but at the same time I need to ensure I’m doing the basics well as a defender.
“There’s no easing in, if you like, in this league. Everyone can beat everyone, it seems. There’s not one team you go up against thinking ‘that’s three points’.
“Everyone is capable of winning a game and the margins are so small. It is definitely different from what I have been used to, in that sense.”
Wright has practically been ever-present in the Ross County starting 11 since signing for the club, only missing the League Cup second round defeat away at Spartans.
As a result, he is starting to build those crucial partnerships at the back with the likes of Kacper Lopata and Ryan Leak, who more often than not have lined up beside him in defence.
He feels that each man having a slightly different style of play can only be a good thing, and he is certainly enjoying his experiences so far.
“Kacper is very commanding,” Wright added.
“He’s only 23, so he has years on me, but he has come in straight away and stamped his game on the back three, and really impressed.
“He’s confident and very vocal, and that does help the lads. He helps me and Ryan Leak a lot with our communication.
“To an extent, that takes pressure off me as the most experienced defender, but at the same time I’ve got to use my experience as well to show them at certain times how to manage a game.”
