Last year was a frustrating season for Norwich City and their supporters, with the club finishing in 17th place in the Championship. Manager Glenn Roeder is looking for a much-improved campaign this time round and the former Newcastle boss will no doubt be hoping striker Jamie Cureton can hit the heights on the goalscoring front. The 32-year-old after arrived at Carrow Road from Colchester last summer and scored 14 goals in his first season back at the club, after netting 31 goals in 56 appearance for the U's. Indeed, as givemefootball's Mark Shail discovered, the forthcoming campaign is set to be a landmark season for Cureton as he is just two goals short of breaking the 200 barrier in all competitions.
Q:
YOU MUST BE LOOKING FORWARD TO JOINING THE 200-CLUB?
A:
I am hoping to get to the 200 mark straight away. I was brought in as a 20-goal a season striker and last season I fell six short – I don't need long to come up with half a dozen chances that I should have stuck away but I didn't. It was a matter of inches at times, a matter of luck at times – I know I haven't suddenly become a bad player.
Q:
DO YOU KEEP TRACK OF YOUR CAREER GOALS TALLY?
A:
I had them all written down but when I moved house it all got a bit mumbo-jumbo, but then I tried to work it out because someone told me that was on 199 and I didn't think I was on that. I worked it out again and came up with 198 -I would be disappointed if I didn't realise I was one away from 200.
Q:
DO YOU SET YOURSELF TARGETS FOR THE SEASON?
A:
I have mini-targets throughout the season, reach them and then move on. So the immediate target is to get two goals as quickly as possible. It is a massive landmark for me and I want to get it out of the way because these things can drag on and then everyone keeps bringing it up.
Q:
I SUPPOSE A FLYING START TO THE NEW SEASON WOULD BE IDEAL FOR YOU THEN?
A:
If I can get into the team and get it out of the way in the first week it would be great. It also means I have started well, and then I can start to aim for other targets that I set myself.
Q:
YOU WENT TEN GAMES WITHOUT SCORING LAST SEASON – HOW DOES IT FEEL WHEN A STRIKER GOES THROUGH A BARREN SPELL?
A:
I was more disappointed than anyone that I didn't get more goals last season and the chances that I missed. It's not nice when people knock you or doubt you, but that's part of football, that's what we deal with and I tend to turn it into a positive thing for me and prove people wrong. As long as I do that I'm happy. People always try to knock you but when you do well it makes it that bit sweeter. I just feel that after last year I owe it to myself to have a better season.
Q:
HOW IS THE SQUAD LOOKING AHEAD OF THE BIG KICK-OFF?
A:
We have a team that is looking good and a very good squad and I want to be part of that. Basically, I'm raring to go. I feel great but I have to carry that into the new season. Looking at what the manager is doing, and who he's bringing in, I think our squad is as strong as most – it's just down to us to perform.
