STEPHEN Humphrys is glad to be back in the goals and playing in a position he likes after admitting he struggled up front for Barnsley and could sometimes appear lazy.
The forward ended a 23-game goal drought since November by netting in the last two games against Exeter and Birmingham, playing in a wide role.
That took him to six league goals for the campaign in 34 appearances, often as a striker under previous boss Darrell Clarke who has been replaced by Conor Hourihane.
Humphrys told the Chronicle: “For the majority the season I haven’t shown what I am good at. My game is taking people on, driving forward and getting shots off, it’s not holding the ball up or winning headers. I’ll try my best at that.
“When I am in a position I am comfortable with, I find it easier to work harder or seem like it because you’re in the game all the time.
“But up front, if you are not sprinting flat out for every press, you seem lazy.
“That just didn’t come naturally come to me.
“I would see a centre-back 40 yards away and think ‘I will run over there and he will pass to the goalkeeper or kick it long and I’ve wasted energy.’
“When I am on the wing or number ten, I am in the game all the time and can win the ball back for the team.”
He added: “It was totally alien to me. I am not good with my back to goal, it just doesn’t click with me.
“When I first signed I was going to play just off a striker or on the wing.
“When that didn’t happen, it was a little bit frustrating. I wanted to be on the pitch so I will try to do the job best I can. Because of my size, people shove me up front. Until I was about 17, I was about five foot seven and I still play like I am that size.
“Conor has seen what I am good at.
“I feel I am in good form and training well so hopefully it continues.”
The Reds are now marooned in mid-table having not won in the last seven games.
Humphrys said: “It’s been tough.
“I came here with the hopes to personally do a lot better than I have done and for the team to do a lot better.
“There has been a lot of turmoil with the manager going and adapting to Conor’s way of playing. When someone has had the career he’s had, you take what he says as gospel.
“We are disappointed but we have to trust in what he says and I think we will start to pick up points and finish the season well.”
Humphrys signed a one-year deal last summer, which expires in June, but the club have an option to keep him for another season.
He said: “I am just focused on the next game, especially with it being Bolton.
“I have scored a couple of goals now. Thinking about contracts is not going to help me.”
The Reds host Bolton on Saturday. Humphrys said: “They have had a pretty decent season. They have good players.
“We beat them last time and I think we were the better team.
“They are a massive club.
“I came from a team (Wigan) that despises Bolton and they despised us. I am sure not many of their fans like me.”
Davis Keillor-Dunn, who Humphrys has played in attack alongside for most of the campaign, has 16 goals in all competitions for the Reds this season.
Humphrys said: “He’s a top player – clinical, never really loses the ball.
“He doesn’t look like a footballer but he’s so technical.
“I don’t think people realise how good his left foot is.
“He’s a game-changer and match-winner and, more importantly, a really good person. He’s one of my best friends here and deserves all the accolades I am sure he will get.”
While he scored in the last two games, Barnsley lost both and Humphrys did not appear to do any of his trademark unusual celebrations.
“I equalised against Exeter so there was no reason to celebrate an equaliser unless it’s to get a second leg of the FA Cup against a big team.
“It wasn’t a match-winning goal against Birmingham.
“It was just a case of getting the ball and getting back to business.”
