YORK CITY boss Martin Foyle is calling for fans to help Richard Brodie feel wanted.

The talismanic striker, who netted 37 times last season to top the club’s and Blue Square Bet Premier scoring charts, is yet to get off the mark this term and his profligacy in front of goal has attracted the ire of some supporters.

Foyle insists the former Newcastle Benfield forward, who has struck 71 times for the Minstermen since joining the club in January 2007, “just needs one” to get back into the groove and reckons, following a summer of transfer speculation, that Brodie “probably doesn’t feel wanted”.

“He has got himself in (scoring) positions,” Foyle said. “People are talking about getting Richard Brodie back to his best. He is always willing and always honest.

“At the moment, he probably doesn’t feel wanted. We will put an arm around him and try and work him. Of course Richard wants to be here. We love him to bits.

“When you get that negativity and people making up rumours and stories (about proposed transfer moves) it makes it very hard.

“Maybe his head has been turned a little and we will get him back down to basics.”

Turning to Altrincham at Bootham Crescent tomorrow, where City again look to pick up their first victory of the season, Foyle is convinced the Lancashire outfit will mimic midweek visitors Barrow in looking for a draw.

And he says the Minstermen must break them down.

“They will come for the draw, will drop off deep and we have got to break it down,” he added.

“They will come to frustrate us and we have to have that finish.

“The lads are buoyant.

“They know they have played well and I am the first to be telling them.

“The last three games they have worked hard for me.

“It (the victory) is going to come. If you play well, it is going to come.”

He continued: “There is a fair bit of negativity around.

“From my point of view, the last three games we have done very well.

“If we had scored in the 85th minute (against Barrow) no-one would be saying anything.

“It’s a fine line, but that’s football. We do have to be more ruthless.”