Irish League's top scorer aware 'you need to have other strings to your bow'
Matthew Shevlin sits top of the Premiership scoring charts but maintains his prime still stands “ahead of me” – with growth gains beyond goals his priority.
Having hit nine goals in six games to wrap up last season, Shevlin is leading the current Golden Boot race with eight spots on the scoresheet from 12 league games before Coleraine visit Crusaders on Saturday.
“I knew coming into this season if I started well it would be a good return, thankfully, I have started well so long may it continue,” said Shevlin. “The team has been playing really well from the split last season right through to now...I'm just thankful to my team-mates for creating so many chances for me and I've been able to put some of them away.
"My goalscoring record before the Gaffer (Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins) came in was good as well so, thankfully, I've been consistent during my time at Coleraine and, hopefully, keep going and finish the season well.
"It's hard to say I'm in my prime as I constantly feel I can get better...I'll not say I'm in my prime yet, hopefully still ahead of me.”
But, outside of such individual excellence, Shevlin views collective strengths crucial to Bannsiders progress.
"The coaching staff here have definitely helped me, my all-round game has improved over the last year and I've added different parts to my game rather than just goalscoring,” said Shevlin. "It's very important...you can't just be a goalscorer in a team like this, you need to have other strings to your bow.
"The defensive side I kind of enjoy, that sort of physicality and getting back to help the boys out at corners and free-kicks and stuff.
"There's a great bunch of lads in the changing room, we're with each other every day and we're just constantly spending time together.
"That's only going to translate well on to the pitch, we're going to work hard for each other, dig each other out...you've seen on numerous occasions throughout last season and especially the start of this season.
"Big wins when we've needed to step up...it's been different players at different times.
"Everyone's a big character and everybody's a strong character.
“We can't keep looking back and thinking we're happy with our start, we need to keep going.”