Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb praises former Tottenham Hotspur, Peterborough United and Barnet striker Shaq Coulthirst after National League win at Rochdale

Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb was delighted with striker Shaq Coulthirst’s opening-day display - but admitted there’s even more to come.

The 28-year-old led the line for Kutrieb’s men in their 1-0 National League win at Rochdale last Saturday in the absence of the injured Rakish Bingham and suspended Dominic Poleon.

He thrived on the responsibility with an excellent display in attack, and the Fleet boss was keen to stress the striker’s upbringing through Tottenham’s youth system and subsequent spells at Peterborough and Barnet underline his ability.

“We have to give Shaq credit,” admitted Kutrieb. “He’s one of not many players who get a bit of negative noise where people think he should do better and should be better.

“As I’ve always said, his work-rate is outstanding. Yes, he hasn’t scored a lot of goals but he works hard, he’s an honest guy and has a great character.

“He has a very good pedigree by the way, he hasn’t come from nowhere and is making an impact, his pedigree is outstanding. I think that’s something you shouldn’t forget and on top of that I’ve known him a long time now.

“I know his character, I know how he works, I know how desperate he is to play well for me, for himself and the team. I would be stupid if I didn’t see that and for fans or media, it’s sometimes easy to judge on a performance on a daily basis but for me there’s much more to it.

“I think Saturday was a reward for him, that people could see he is able to deliver something obvious for the team, let’s put it that way.

“From that point of view I’m happy, but I still think there’s more to come as he’s a striker and he should score goals. He could have scored two goals on Saturday, if he scores one then we go away and say ‘well done’ but at