Adebayo Akinfenwa says it is wrong to judge strikers on goals alone after opening his account for Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night.

Wycombe’s big summer signing headed the early opener against Accrington Stanley at Adams Park to mark his first League Two start for the club with a goal.

While the 34-year-old admits it is a relief to get up and running for his new club, he insists he will always assess his performance on more than goals.

“Strikers are always judged on goals, so it is always nice to score as early as possible for a new club. Anybody who knows me knows I try not to fixate on goals because I know they will come,” he explained.

“I have been in this game for a fair bit, but it is always nice to get that little monkey off your back and get your first official goal.

“I always say getting as many points on the board as we can is the most important thing. If I play well and don’t score again this season [it’s fine]. It is all about performances.”

Dayle Southwell’s start to the season provides compelling evidence for Akinfenwa’s argument.

The 22-year-old, who signed from Boston United this summer, has arguably been Wycombe’s most consistent striker this season.

His energetic efforts have yet to yield a goal though, and he cut a frustrated figure at times on Tuesday.

Akinfenwa praised the stocky striker’s work rate and believes Southwell will soon rediscover the form which made him prolific over two years in the National League.

“Dayle does so much work for the team and that doesn’t go unnoticed. He wants that goal because he is used to scoring goals,” he said.

“He has 54 goals in two season and the net doesn’t change, so trust me Dayle is going to score goals.

“I will tell you now, Dayle will be our top scorer. He has nothing to worry about and we see time and time again in training that he knows where the back of the net is.”