Heerenveen midfield ace Michael Bradley says he's having a grand ol' time during a red-hot run of play, both personally and from a team perspective.

The US international bagged his first Eredivisie hat trick in a weekend win over arch rivals FC Groningen, bringing his season strike total across all competitions to 10 as the Frisians banked their seventh win in eight league tries.

When pressed about the occasion of his last three-goal haul, Bradley admitted that it far enough in the past to slip his mind.

"I don't remember exactly," he told American Soccer Daily. "It's been a long while."

"The best thing was, on an important day for my team, I was able to get some goals and we were able to get three points."

Having failed to open his Dutch account prior to the start of the current season, many observers are surprised to see the 20-year old hitting the back of the net so frequently.

While possessed with a somewhat dangerous distant shot, most of his goals - including all three against Groningen - have come after smart runs into the area to pounce on rebounds or redirect low crosses. To Bradley, it's just a matter of 'reading and timing' his advances to end up in the right place at the right time.

"The coaches here have seen in me a two-way ability," he said. "They've encouraged me get forward and take chances."

With his star on the rise, murmurs have begun to grow about a winter glamour move. As always, the New Jersey native refuses to be drawn into the discussion, opting instead to focus on the next Heerenveen test.

"I think that would be foolish to say," says Bradley, who lists AC Milan as his dream destination, when asked if he can pledge an Abe Lenstra stay until the end of the season. "We all know how football works."

"We're on a good run, with 21 points from our last eight games. We're up to fourth and pushing the top three - I'm enjoying that."

"Having said that, it's football, so you never know," he conceded. "I just go to training, make myself better and look to the weekend to help the team. That's what I'm focused on right now."

Next up for the Blue White Vikings is a trip way down south to face NAC Breda. With the match coming on one of the Eredivisie's scheduled "Super Sundays" ( first place Ajax hosts lead chasers PSV Eindhoven and #3 Feyenoord faces a tricky visit from 2006/07 runners up AZ Alkmaar), Bradley knows it will be a great opportunity close the gap.

"There's going to be big teams that drop points," he noted. "We go to NAC Breda, which is not going to be easy, but we have a chance to make some ground on the top three."

Last season, the northerners firmly held onto their preseason camp goal of finishing fifth and accomplished it. This term, the ambition has grown - depending on who you ask.

"The people at the club would probably tell you its the same (as last season)," explained Bradley. "But if you ask the players, with the form we've had, we are confident (of a higher finish)."

Heading into the Eredivisie's winter break, Heerenveen will face only tall tasks. After playing the three teams directly below them in the table (NAC Breda, FC Twente and Roda JC, each currently within two points), the Frisians will close their 2007 slate by hosting the club whose heels they are nipping, Feyenoord.

"If we can play these four games and take points, we can put ourselves in a good spot," said Bradley. "But it's a long season, we're not getting ahead of ourselves."

Of course, every hot streak brings raised expectations. Ever the gamer, Bradley wouldn't have it any other way.

"The closer you get to the top of the table, the bigger the pressure to win becomes," he admitted.

"No sooner do you beat Groningen that another game comes along where you have to get three points - I think that's fun."