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Ricardo Santos is desperate to get off the mark for Wanderers - and even his wife is wondering when his first goal will come.
The defender has gone from strength to strength since joining the Whites but is now keen to contribute at the other end.
Santos scored a handful of goals during his time in non-league with Barnet and admits he will be “the happiest man ever” when he finally hits the net in League One.
“It’s just weird because before I came here, I think I’d scored nine career goals and I feel like I need to get a goal,” he told The Bolton News.
“I’ve been here nearly two years and for my size and build, I need to at least get one.
“It wasn’t really bugging me at the start because even last year we were winning games, so I wasn’t really bothered. I would rather keep a clean sheet.
“But now the boys are throwing little digs and stuff. Even the missus as well, before every game she asks if I’m going to score.
“It is bugging me a bit but I am trying. I probably should work on it a bit more and eventually it will come. You never know, maybe I can get a few.”
Santos is delighted with the progress Wanderers have made in recent weeks and is setting his sights high for the remainder of the campaign.
The Bolton skipper is determined to nail down a place in the top six but insists they will still be in good shape for next season should they fall short.
He added: “I’ve always believed in my ability. At previous clubs it probably didn’t work out for reasons I don’t know.
“But here the gaffer believes in me a lot and he gives me so much confidence to go out and show what I can do.
“I’m just enjoying my time here and I haven’t been happier, so I can’t wait to just keep going. I can’t wait for Saturday.
“Bolton Wanderers always want the best and rightly so. We are actually kind of a new team and we’ve got a lot of new players.
“I think we’re doing very well at the moment and we just want to finish as high as possible. If we don’t get in the play-offs this year, then next we are fighting to win the league.”
Santos has a close relationship with Gethin Jones and has been in regular contact with the Welshman following the death of his mother.
“Geth is like my brother,” said the Bolton skipper. “We don’t sit too far away from each other in the changing room.
“We are always talking and we go out for meals with his missus and my missus. I’ve been messaging him every day and just trying to keep his head up and just be there for him.”
It can often take new signings time to gel after switching clubs but Santos has been impressed with how quickly Wanderers’ new arrivals have settled in.
While the defender is keen to get points on the board from their upcoming fixtures, he also wants his teammates to enjoy their football.
He added: “We clicked straight away from the Ipswich game. It is surprising because usually that doesn’t happen.
“Last season it took us a while to get together but this time it has clicked rapidly. It’s good to see and it’s exciting to see what is next.
“We’ve just got to take each game as it is and not think too much ahead, and just play with no pressure and enjoy it really.”
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