PAUL Hayes is loving life as Wanderers' main man up front in his second spell at the club, saying the hard-working philosophy of manager Gareth Ainsworth justifies his decision to make the switch.

The 30-year-old frontman, who proved a hit with the Adams Park faithful with six goals in as many games on loan in 2012 , has got off to a flying start with three since returning on a permanent deal this summer.

Playing a central role in Ainsworth’s attacking line-up, Hayes bagged the man off the match champagne for his role in Saturday's victory over Mansfield Town, where he scored a penalty and set up the winner.

Goals have been a problem for Blues in recent months, but the number nine says he is relishing the chance to be a key part of a renewed front line carving out far more chances than this time last year.

He said: "It’s hard to know what went wrong last year or the year before, but if I’m honest it’s the manager, he’s learned from his mistakes and he’s brought the right personnel in.

"The way he wants us to play suits the way we want to play as players. The philosophy is the harder you work the more results you’re going to get and we’re not a team of individuals, we’re a team, we’re a collective. It shows in our celebrations when we win.

"We’ve got a great team spirit off the pitch as well as on the pitch. We look forward to going into every game. I can only say that started from the gaffer from day one.

"The people around me, the staff, the people off the pitch that look after me and made me and my family feel welcome. If you feel loved and wanted off the pitch you’re going to want to do well on the pitch.

"It was an easy decision for me to come here and I want to play for the club and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Over the summer, the manager wanted me in and I wanted to come here, and so far so good it’s working and I’m looking forward to playing on for the club."

Saturday’s game against Mansfield saw Blues put an end to a mini-goal drought, having drawn a blank in five of their previous seven outings in all competitions.

Hayes’ arrival has played a pivotal part in rejuvenating a forward line up which at times struggled to even create chances last for much of last season.

Partnered with Steven Craig, Matt McClure and Aaron Holloway so far, the journeyman striker said Ainsworth has plenty of options to play with up front for different situations.

And with creativity and energy driving forward from midfield through the likes of free-scoring Peter Murphy, Hayes believes it’s only a matter of time before the squad hits all the right gears, whoever is on the pitch.

He said: "The forwards we’ve got here all have different attributes and the gaffer’s done well, he’s not brought in the same people to do the same jobs.

"He’s gone with Aaron Holloway today who’s a big target man, but can also link up well. The only thing stopping him at the moment is fitness.

"You’ve got Matt McClure who’s a goalscorer and he’s always in and around the box. He’s a strong lad to come in.

"And I think Murph needs to change position - he’s not a midfielder, he’s more of a second striker - but he’s a threat, he is always getting in the box causing problems."