PETER Coyne believes there is still more to come from striker Steve Howson after the powerful striker notched his 30th goal of the season in Monday's 4-3 defeat at home to Newcastle Blue Star.
Howson has been a real positive in a sometimes torrid season for basement club Radcliffe Borough, but director of football Coyne is determined not to let the 22-year-old rest on his laurels.
Coyne knows there are aspects of Howson's game that can be improved - and former Manchester United forward is hoping to help his protégé do just that.
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"He has done brilliantly to score 30 goals before the end of March," said Coyne. "We never thought for one minute that he would get as many as he has done, and that we would create as many chances as we have.
"Steve has put a good ratio of his chances away and he has done really well, but he still has a hell of a lot to improve on. We don't want to get carried away with Steve .
"He has got to step up a few levels yet. First and foremost he can score goals, but he can use his brain more, work on his awareness and his touch can be improved."
Howson is one of the hardest workers on the pitch for Boro and he leads the line with real gusto. And it is the ex-Prestwich Heys man's work ethic that excites Coyne.
"This is only Steve's first season at this level but the good thing is that he is a great listener and a good worker," he said. "He needs to get fitter and has to look after his body, but so far he has taken all of our advice on board.
"We have not done as much work with him in training as we wanted to recently but we are planning some one-on-one sessions with him and the other strikers soon."
It is turning into a busy end of season for Boro. The Stainton Park outfit visit Clitheroe on Saturday before cramming 11 games - including two cup finals - into April.
Radcliffe play FC United in the final of the UniBond Presidents Cup on Thursday, April 17 at the Tameside Stadium, home of Curzon Ashton.
Then, on Monday, April 28, Coyne's men will take on Conference North side Hyde United in the final of the Manchester Senior Cup at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park home.
It is a daunting schedule of games that has left Coyne anxious about picking up injuries.
"We have a very small squad and a few injuries mean we are down to the bare bones," said Coyne. "However, there is no use in moaning about it. We just have to get on with it.
"We might be bottom of the league, but we fought back from 3-0 down to make it 3-3 on Monday and that shows we won't be throwing the towel in."
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