JIM Magilton has issued a rally cry for Town supporters to get behind the team against Barnsley on Tuesday night.

Derek Davis

JIM Magilton has issued a rally cry for Town supporters to get behind the team against Barnsley on Tuesday night.

The Blues boss knows it is a bit of a chicken and egg situation and also expects his players to put on a show for the fans.

Magilton said: “It is always a bit of both.

“First and foremost if you are a supporter of a football club then you come to support the club. Once you are in the building that is what you are there for. Players have a responsibility to go out and produce.

“Fans expect value for money and at the minute Against Reading the crowd were excellent. They showed their appreciation and the players love that sort of response ringing in their ears.”

Magilton knows fans get frustrated but hopes they can show more patience as Town go through a transition period.

He said: “There is a fine line and balance and we know patience is not really a virtue in football. People want instant success and because we have made such a hue and cry about a new owner and the financial backing he ahs given us there is a view out there that it should happen right away.

“It takes time for players to settle in to a football club and players recognise the expectation levels.

“Fans expect to be entertained and if you are not winning games they very quickly air their opinions, that is life and players have to deal with that.”

Town supporters booed the side off after the 1-1 draw with palace, although it extended the run of unbeaten games to four and Magilton will take that on the chin.

He said: “I feel under pressure for the players to produce. I'm responsible for performances. After the break our performances got better. We weren't at our best against Palace. We didn't lose but we weren't at our best.

“Last season we were outstanding at home and results flowed. Because results have not been coming people get a little jittery.

“We have a collective responsibility to produce.”

Alan Quinn will return to the squad after being rested on Saturday.

Pim Balkestein has a groin problem and will have a scan on Tuesday morning to see the extent of the damage. Tommy Miller is a doubt with a dead leg, while Moritz Volz still has a hamstring problem.