Shaun Goater should not be judged just by the number of goals he scores, according to Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan.

Goater, stuck on 29 goals, has drawn a blank in the last three matches - but City have won all of them, 4-2 at Coventry, 2-1 at Birmingham and 2-0 at Bradford on Friday night.

Chances have come thick and fast but the Bermudian has been unable to stick the ball in the back of the net, admitting last week that the tally is weighing heavy on his shoulders.

"It is not just running for Shaun at the moment," said Keegan. "But he keeps working and he keeps going. His character is excellent and he knows that after the last couple of games he could have been on the 35 mark by now and you wouldn't be surprised.

"One thing you know about Shaun Goater is that he will be there to miss the next chance or put it in. That is his biggest strength. He doesn't go hiding and thinking that he doesn't want a chance to come.

"He is always ready for the next chance and if he misses that one then he is ready for the chance after that. At the moment they are not going in, but you know they will."

The boss says that he cannot put his finger on the reason as to why the goals have dried up for the striker who has consistently topped the club's scoring list since his arrival at Maine Road over four years ago.

Ironically the goals may not be there, but Keegan feels the striker's all round play has never been better and points to his defensive work which often goes unheralded.

"I don't know whether it is a mental thing with Shaun or not," he said. "I think Shaun is playing better at holding the ball up than he was when he was scoring goals. Now he is not scoring, but when he puts both parts of the game together he will be happier.

"Shaun is a genuine player and defensively he does a great job for us, from set pieces and moves like that. Those are aspects of play which do not catch the eye, but they are important to winning matches."

City continue on their travels tonight with the short journey to struggling Crewe.