STEPHEN Humphrys says his wondergoal at Cambridge United on Saturday was one of the best he’s ever scored but wants to start netting ‘poacher’s goals’ as well.
The 27-year-old forward has four goals for the Reds in ten league appearances, six from the start, after signing as a free agent on deadline day in the summer window.
He has scored in his last two games, firing home emphatically to seal a derby win over Rotherham as a substitute then running from within his own half to net in the draw at Cambridge.
Humphrys told the Chronicle: “My best goal was when I was at Hearts and scored from my own half with my left foot. But the Cambridge one is definitely up there. I am a weird player because I can score a goal like that but then I will miss an easier chance. It’s just about converting all my chances.
“When I was a kid I was a box-to-box number eight until about 16 then I realised it was a lot of running and moved forward. It doesn’t come naturally to me to be a goal-poacher but I am working on it.”
Humphrys left this weekend’s visitors Wigan, after a four-year spell, during the summer. He scored 18 goals in 98 appearances for the Latics.
Wigan are currently just a point above the relegation zone.
Humphrys said: “I am surprised with where they are in the table because I know how good a manager Shaun Maloney is. He’s brilliant and we’ll see him at a higher level.
“But I think he’s been let down by the recruitment. There was myself, Jordan Jones and Josh Magennis who wanted to stay and the manager was desperate for us to stay but he wasn’t backed.
“That’s kind of why they are in the situation they are in. He’s not been able to get his first choice or second choice players. If he did, they would definitely be at the other end of the table.”
As well as his goals, Humphrys has caught the eye for his celebrations.
He and Davis Keillor-Dunn pretended to swim towards the Charlton fans last month while he has recently been dancing with Georgie Gent after netting.
He drives in with Gent, who lives close to him, and plans celebrations such as the ‘griddy’ from the FIFA computer game and the Donald Trump dance which has been copied by sportspeople across the world.
Humphrys said: “It’s gone viral. I saw a video with Jon Jones (UFC fighter), Adin Ross (internet personality) then me and Georgie Gent. I said when I joined, I think football is a bit boring and I want to have some fun. I have some more celebrations planned but I won’t do it against Wigan because I have great memories playing for them.”
On the swimming celebration, Humphrys said: “There are these two brothers from Australia on TikTok who do funny celebrations.
“One of my best mates Callum Lang did it for Portsmouth. I agreed with Davis we would do it then he scored and he didn’t really want to. But I forced him onto my back.
“Stuff like that is what people remember, rather than it being robotic.”
