“It's hard enough when you play opposition when their fans are on your back, never mind when your own fans are singing songs about you where they're criticising you,” Zdrilic tells au.fourfourtwo.com.

“It doesn't help. I've always been a team man and given everything I've got. It's strange.

“There are times when you're playing as a lone striker and you're just working hard for the team upfront. Sometimes it's about doing a job for the side.

“Also, if you're being tightly marked it can give space to other players, so you have to see it sometimes in a team sense sometimes.”

Zdrilic, 33, has been regularly criticised for his lack of a goals return, with his miss against Urawa Red Diamonds in Saitama during a vital ACL match adding fuel to the criticism.

The former Socceroo has started 22 times for FC in two seasons of A-League football, scoring five goals. “I don't read the papers,” he adds. “But I can tell you I'm giving it everything I've got and I always do that - in training and when we play."

Zdrilic though is hoping the new season, his last under his present contract, will provide a return to form.

"Of course, every striker wants to score goals and that's what I hope to do this season if I get the chance."

There's speculation FC supremo Branko Culina is looking to bring in another Brazilian striker to beef up a forward line that's still light with the losses of both David Carney and Sasho Petrovski in the off-season.

Interestingly, the versatile Zdrilic has been tried as a defender this week last week in a trial match. The former Socceroo says he feels “comfortable” in the position. “But I'd only play there if it was really needed.”

Sydney plays its last trial match before its August 24 A-League kick off this Friday night against Pentrith Nepean United at the CUA stadium.