James Comley has been a revelation for St Albans City.

Last year the 22-year-old showed flashes of what he could do, scoring three goals in 21 appearances and setting up many more, after re-joining the club in December 2012 from Kettering Town.

Coming into the 2013/14 season big things were expected of the former Crystal Palace player, who was one of only a handful of players retained from last year’s squad, and he has duly delivered.

He is now, arguably, the best midfielder in the division – his performance against League Two side Mansfield Town in the FA Cup backs up that claim.

But, despite his individual plaudits – he was named as one of the top 14 non-league players to watch in 2014 – he credits his success to the players joint managers James Gray and Graham Golds have surrounded him with.

“The whole team is a lot stronger than last year,” he told the Herts Ad.

“You saw at the start of the year we were losing and drawing games but it takes time for a team to gel. We’re starting to understand each other – knowing what each other are going to do and where we’re going to pass – and once we click we’ll be hard to stop.”

The one criticism of Comley has been his lack of goals – he has four this season. Earlier this season, Golds said: “With his quality, he should be scoring 15 to 20 goals a season. He gets himself into great areas but he doesn’t pull the trigger. He’s got a good ping on him he just needs to [shoot] more often.”

It’s an area of his game Comley recognises that he needs to improve, but, at the same time, his main concern is helping the team win games.

“The gaffer wants me to get more goals but not about me, it’s about everyone getting goal and wining games,” he said.

“Sometimes [looking to set someone else up] can be my downfall. Hopefully I can add a few more goals before the end of the season and push into double figures but as long at the team is winning, that’ll do me.”

Comley sat out Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Arlesey Town with an ankle injury but he expects to be full fit and ready to go when Weymouth come to Clarence Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off).