Johl Powell says that he’s had to edit his own pre-season targets following his good start to the season, speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah ahead of this weekend’s National League showdown against table-toppers Boreham Wood, Powell reflected on a whirlwind few months that have seen him transition seamlessly to life two divisions higher.
“At the beginning, I wasn’t playing as much, and it was pretty difficult,” Powell admitted. “Stepping up two leagues and never playing at this level before… once I got into the team and I started getting into the rhythm of playing games, I kind of found my feet. Once you get the first couple of goals, like you feel like your confidence is sky high, really. Luckily they just started flying in
“I actually kind of relish the challenges, really. Coming up against better defenders sort of brings probably the best out of me,” he said.
Attention now turns to Saturday and a Boreham Wood side that arrives at Huish Park boasting an unbeaten record and sitting comfortably at the top of the table.
“They’re a really good team, still unbeaten, so hopefully that changes at the weekend,” Powell said. “Being at home, you always want to play that way, get the fans off their seats, and hopefully we can get three points.”
“I think we’ve got two home games coming up now. This Saturday and then next Saturday at home to Forest Green. I think, if we can pick up maximum points in that, we’ll be in a great place. Like you say, going into Christmas, [the] playoffs is where you want to be. We want to be pushing as high up the table as we can and obviously ultimately getting the club out of the league”
Having already smashed past initial expectations with a flurry of goals and assists this autumn, Powell confessed that his internal targets for the campaign have naturally had to rise.
“I always sort of set myself a target,” Powell smiled. “To say that I’m on nine now… I didn’t expect that. So I think I’ve had to up the target!” “I think [the targets have] gone up a little bit. But I always, during the season, kind of set myself a target, of goals and assists, so just goal contributions overall and, I think I’m on the way there!