BLUES boss Jim Magilton has called on his players to show a better desire to win when they take on Bristol City today. Magilton told his players they need to look in the mirror after the 3-1 beating by Doncaster Rovers and warned he was prepared to make changes.

Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton has called on his players to show a better desire to win when they take on Bristol City today.

Magilton told his players they need to look in the mirror after the 3-1 beating by Doncaster Rovers and warned he was prepared to make changes.

Having already handed 16-year-old Connor Wickham his debut Magilton said more might follow.

He said: “We need a reaction, the fans need a reaction. I hope we go out and do better than we did Saturday.

“Any more performances like that and there could be a lot more changes.

“Reggie Lambe is another who is fast emerging and he may be given a try.

“Tommy Smith has progressed really well and he may get a sniff before the end of the season.”

After just one win in eight games, Town are looking to turn things around and claw their way into the top ten with City sitting in ninth just three points ahead but with a worse goal difference.

Former Newmarket Town manager Gary Johnson is seeking revenge after losing at Portman Road again.

Magilton said: “Bristol City have a very good manager and a good squad of players. They had the heartache of losing in the play-off final but stuck together and kept going.

“They have players I like. Bradley Orr, Dele Adebola and Nicky Maynard in particular and they have real energy.”

Magilton tried to buy all three players at one stage and was not particularly happy with his current squad after losing in the manner they did against Rovers.

City will be without Jamie McAllister who was red carded in their 3-2 loss at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Lewis Carey remains a doubt with a rib injury while Liam Fontaine was forced out at Forest with concussion and Ivan Sproule limped away from the ground with a badly bruised shin.