Liam Boyce says a few more pre-season games can help Burton Albion discover their clinical touch for the League One campaign.
Boyce was among several Brewers who came close to finding the net during a positive first-half performance in Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
He almost turned home crosses from Matty Lund and Reece Hutchinson, Lucas Akins lifted over from a good position and trialist Elliott Hodge was denied from the edge of the box after a tidy move.
The killer instinct to find the net, though, was lacking.
That same instinct was shown by Villa in a dominant display after the break from Steve Bruce's side, who did not allow Albion much chance to get into the final third as the game wore on.
Boyce - who partnered Akins up front in a 4-4-2 formation - believes a little more game time can help Burton's goal-getters to "sharpen up" at the crucial moment.
"Compared to the games we've been playing, it was a lot better from us personally," said Boyce.
"In the first half, we created a lot of chances, and it was just that final third where we didn't take our chances.
"Those are the sort of things that can come with more games, when you sharpen up.
Burton Albion catch-up
"You can tell in the second half that they kept the quality going and we probably tired a bit.
"So it was good for us to keep trying to get the physical side, even when they were playing well, chasing and doing the right things.
"They've got great players, and it's good to judge yourself against players like that.
"I think Lucas and I up front did well.
"It was just the final pass, or setting someone up was a bit hard and they had to scuff the shot instead of sticking it in the corner."
Boyce's first season in English football was marred by the ACL injury suffered last July, which prevented him from featuring until February, after which he managed three goals in 17 appearances.
The Northern Ireland international will be the crucial focal point of Albion's attack in League One and will be keen to rediscover the goalscoring touch that saw him finish the 2016-17 season as the Scottish Premiership's top scorer.
So is there a magic number he will be aiming for in the upcoming campaign?
"Usually, and I've always done it, if you can get to 10 goals, it's see how quickly you can get to that," he added.
"And then anything after that is sort of a bonus.
"So I'll just be aiming for that and try to see how far I can go."
