Manchester City's Bermudian striker Shaun Goater is down to `just' a goal a game after failing to find the net against Sheffield United on Tuesday night, City's third straight league game without a home win.

The 31-year-old Goater, who was scoring at better than a goal every game, now has 14 goals in 14 games as City's indifferent form continued with their first 0-0 draw in 56 league games. Previously unstoppable at home, City have struggled lately in league matches at Maine Road and will now hope their away game to Preston North End on Sunday will bring better results.

"We are either very, very good or very bad," said City Manager Kevin Keegan of the team's season so far.

But there will be little time to dwell on two more dropped points, as City are set for another tough match on the weekend.

"We've let ourselves down in games we were expected to win and didn't win and ended up getting beaten by a fair amount of goals," said Goater, no doubt referring to the 4-0 home defeat to Wimbledon that knocked them off their stride.

"You can say in the opening four or five games it was down to players still getting to know each other but once you are at the stage where we are now there is no excuse. The players understand one another and we shouldn't be giving away points like that."

City have been involved in 63 goals - scoring or conceding - in their 13 league and cup games before the United match so a scoreless draw was unexpected.

A good result at Deepdale on Sunday is vital if City are to stay among the lead pack in the division.

"The games come so thick and fast, it' so easy to lose form totally," said Goater.

"There is a saying `you are only as good as your last game' and because our games come Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Wednesday once you recover from one game you're into the next game.

"You can't really reflect on the last game and say `okay, what did I do in that game that I can improve on' because the games come so fast. The only time you don't want games coming fast is when you're injured."

Added Goater: "For me to work on my game, break it down like `when balls get knocked into in to me, how many am I getting a hold of' and then say `okay, that's what I need to work on'.

"But you don't have that time because you go into training for the next game and the game is only about two or three days away. The coach has certain sessions that he puts on and you don't want to be burning yourself out doing extra so that you're fresh for the next game."

Goater admitted a 30-goal season was well within his reach, which would beat the 29-goal haul he had in the First Division two years ago when his goals took City back into the Premiership. However, his reputation is spreading fast and teams are taking notice, which is not necessarily a good thing for City's top scorer. He is already carrying a big burden without his injured strike partner Paulo Wanchope.

"I know it's going to be difficult because I'm perhaps the player on everyone's lips in the First Division - `make sure you mark him' - so my chances come few and far between," Goater stated.

"So, if I go through a game and get three opportunities I'm happy. I'd like to think I'll come away with a goal."

City's game against 16th-placed Preston is being televised on Sunday. Preston are the team that almost signed PHC's Stephen Astwood last season before a failure to obtain a work permit dashed that player's dreams of a professional career.