Parkinson knows win would lift City spirits

Sadly, the acres of newsprint and coverage on television have been for all the wrong reasons following the brawl that marred the end of Tuesday’s defeat to Crawley Town.

Andrew Davies, Luke Oliver and Jon McLaughlin were all red carded for their part in a pitched battle that seems certain to earn the club a substantial fine from the Football Association after footage of the melee was shown all over the world on sports news programmes.

City will also pay a price today for the indiscretions as all three are forced to sit out this afternoon’s vital trip to fellow strugglers Plymouth Argyle.

It has meant a hasty reshuffle for manager Phil Parkinson, who has recalled goalkeeper Matt Duke from a loan spell at Northampton Town to replace McLaughlin.

The City chief said: “The key is looking forward. What has gone has gone. We have to focus on our next match and look to draw a line under what has happened.

“Plymouth is another big game and one I am pleased is coming around quickly, bearing in mind what happened this week.

“The players were in on Wednesday and again over the last two days. They were understandably a bit quiet at first and a bit low after what happened on Tuesday.

“But I sat them down and said the best way to lift spirits is a win. There is no magic wand as such in football. You can’t banish what happened by making training light-hearted to cheer them up or anything like that.

“A win, though, will do everyone the world of good and that is what we hope to claim at Plymouth.”

Duke will be looking to make it a notable double against Plymouth after last week keeping a clean sheet against the south west club as Northampton ground out a goalless draw.

Parkinson added: “Matt has done really well at Northampton so comes back full of confidence. He is a good goalkeeper and was unlucky that Jon came in against Sheffield United and played well to hold on to the shirt.

“I am happy to say Matt has come back in good spirits and is ready to take on the challenge.”

Duke made nine appearances for the Cobblers, helping the club to five wins and two draws.