BLUES boss Jim Magilton wants to use the negativity following Town's home draw with Sheffield United to galvanise fans and players ahead of tomorrow night's game at FA Cup giant-killers Barnsley.

Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton wants to use the negativity following Town's home draw with Sheffield United to galvanise fans and players ahead of tomorrow night's game at FA Cup giant-killers Barnsley.

Magilton said: “I think there has been a lot of negativity after Sheffield United, who were a Premiership club last year and 90 minutes from staying there and they have £12m worth of firepower.

“Expectation levels here have been raised. We have been very good at home - we know we were far from playing at our very best but in saying that we are still in the mix.

“There was a lot of despondency in leaving the ground and we've got to use that negativity to our advantage.”

Magilton is convinced Town are still serious promotion contenders and wants everyone to pull together for the big run in.

He said: “With 10 games to go we've got so much to play for. We still believe in ourselves and there is a lot of optimism around the players.

“That may not be the impression given out by recent performances but we beat Blackpool here and played very well.

“We have played two very good sides after that.

“We need people to give us a lift. We need support. It's so easy to criticise - the natural instinct is to be critical.

“What we all need now is support to give people confidence. We recognise that we have got a wonderful opportunity.”

Defender Sito Castro is a doubt for the trip to Barnsley after turning his ankle in the reserves, while Gary Roberts is having treatment on an inflamed Achilles and a return on loan to Crewe will be decided later in the week when he is fit.

Dean Bowditch has come back from Brighton with a groin strain.

The Town manager also dismissed reports linking him with Jason Scotland and Tommy Spurr.

He said: “There is nothing in it.”