John Frendo’s unselfish play has drawn praise from his manager.

Last season’s top scorer has found the net four times in 10 appearances so far this season – a smaller return than many were expecting from a striker who scored 86 goals over the past two season - but St Albans City joint manager James Gray explained it’s a product of the system.

All of City’s success this season has come with Frendo up front by himself and support from the wingers, resulting in him playing with his back to goal.

“The two wide boys, Sean Shields and Steve Wales, are playing really well but [the way we play] does take goals away from John because he’s not supported,” said Gray.

“But every time we’ve changed formation we’ve come unstuck so unfortunately John is having to do a lot of unselfish work. He put in another good shift [against Weston-Super-Mare] – he occupied the two centre halves and anything that came in stuck – and Sean and Steve are benefitting from that.

“John is not getting his goals but I don’t think it’s the be all and end all; a striker needs to contribute and that’s what he’s doing.”

He added: “It’s a collective team effort – I try to stress that. Everyone has to work for the same goal: winning three points.”