David Cuffley City boss Bryan Gunn today admitted he was “disappointed” with skipper Mark Fotheringham's reaction when he was substituted in the closing stages of Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Coventry.

David Cuffley

City boss Bryan Gunn today admitted he was “disappointed” with skipper Mark Fotheringham's reaction when he was substituted in the closing stages of Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Coventry.

Fotheringham went straight down the tunnel 11 minutes from time after being replaced by Darel Russell. His exit was greeted by cheers from some sections of the Carrow Road crowd.

“It's difficult for players in front of 25,000 people when things aren't going well and you can hear the moans and groans because they come at certain times,” said Gunn.

“So I can understand his frustrations, but as captain of the club, I was disappointed with his reaction as well. Sometimes you've got to be big enough and brave enough to take these knocks on the chin.

“It happens at football clubs. There is always somebody that the crowd will have issues with on their style of play or their particular achievements in that individual game or whether it's more long-standing than that, but that's something you expect experienced professionals to be able to cope with.”

Gunn would not say whether Fotheringham's reactions would influence his team selection for tomorrow night's Championship trip to Queens Park Rangers (8pm).

He said: “Fozzy's included in the squad and I'll have a sit-down and chat with certain individuals, make sure their frame of mind - that mindset - is correct and see that the commitment and everything we need at this particular moment in time is right.”

But he said Fotheringham would still lead the side if selected.

“He's club captain, so if he does start he will be captain,” he said.

Gunn confirmed he was planning to make changes after defeat by Coventry made it seven games without a win.

He said: “Yes, I am, because I think we need people on the pitch that believe we can get out of this situation. We need people that are confident about getting out of the situation and confident in their own ability to go out on the pitch and perform. I keep using the word passion - we need that passion as well.

“I need to look people in the eye and know that's what I'm going to get from them. There is a lot of doom and gloom out there, a lot of negativity. I certainly only want the people at Colney in the training centre that believe we can do it.

“All I read, all I hear is that people think we're relegated and I don't think we are.

“There has been a lot of boxing this weekend - Jon Thaxton's been fighting. You take your hits, you get knocked down and you've got to get back up again.

“I was at a Lads' Club boxing club do on Saturday night - I'm a vice-president - and I saw exactly the same commitment from amateur boxers, young kids fighting against big boys and showing no fear, and that's exactly what we've got to do now.”

Defender Jason Shackell and striker Carl Cort missed training today but are both expected to be fit to face Rangers.

Shackell took a knock on his ankle against Coventry, while Cort, who suffered a foot injury in the 1-0 defeat at Preston, has a fresh injury problem.

Said Gunn: “We thought it was a broken metatarsal when he came off at Preston, but it was something to do with a fat pad, which he's had injections on to make sure he gets through the game. On Thursday after training he came off with a separate injury.

“You have to give Corty a lot of credit. He passed another fitness test on Saturday to get himself on the pitch and he gave us 90 minutes. And he will be fit for the game tomorrow night, and that's the type of attitude and commitment we need from players, from everybody at this particular time.

“Carl certainly wants to play and I commend that attitude.”