Fighting talk

DAVID CUFFLEY

City boss Peter Grant delivered more fighting talk in defence of his players as they prepared for the trip to Barnsley.

He said the midweek victory at Luton was reward for the way they had responded to what he described as “negative” reaction to previous results.

He said: “They've had a lot to put up with both in criticism and in moving the team about, people playing in different positions to help fill in because of the personnel that I have available.

“I was chuffed for them at the final whistle because it shows all the effort they've put in. But we've played better in other games and not had any rewards, and people have been very negative about it.

“We played the other evening and everybody's praiseworthy but it's trying to get that balance. We played against Wolves and I thought we were excellent. We never got anything from the game. People just go on the result. People have said about where we are in the league, but we've been four games behind some other teams. Nobody's ever said that.

“The spirit round about the camp has never been a problem. Saturday is about winning, Tuesday is about winning, but come the next day, win, lose or draw, we've got to get back into it again. We've got to have a vibrant place and I don't like people round about me who are negative. I don't like it at all because it brings everybody else down.

“I think up to the Coventry game, the performances have been good. The results haven't been there. They've got a fantastic work ethic but obviously when you win games of football, you're a lot happier. That's what we're here to do - win matches. We're here to entertain and we're here to win. If you can't entertain, you've got to win. There's obviously a better feeling in the dressing room when you win, but since I came here, the one thing they have always given me is 100 per cent.”

Grant said, however, he would not seek to protect his younger players, such as Chris Martin, from the public gaze.

He said: “I'm not their father, I'm the manager. I'm here to help them. I think you'll always make mistakes as a player. I made mistakes - that will come. It's how you handle the good and the bad because everybody's praising you. It's a typical British mentality by putting them up there so you can kick them in the backside.

“It's amazing Ryan Jarvis was getting absolutely hammered by everybody and now he's the king of the castle. That sums it up for me. All of a sudden he became world-class because he scored five goals for Leyton Orient.”