Get Behind The Players - Adams Urges

Last updated : 18 August 2006 By Covsupport

Micky Adams has urged City supporters to get behind the players tonight when City take on Leicester in the M69 derby. Speaking to the CET,The Sky Blues boss said: "We're not a one-man team," he insisted, "and if people think that, it's up to us to show them we're not.

"We've won games with Gary McSheffrey and we'll win games without him. This football team will be here long after Gary McSheffrey has gone, after Micky Adams has gone, so we've got to get on with it.

"Our aims have not changed - we still want to be a Premiership club in the next three years. Whether it's going to be harder or easier we don't know - we won't know, at least until the end of the season.

"People will have to be patient and decide at a later stage. If I don't improve the team before the transfer window closes then I would think the fans will be very, very disappointed."

On the sale of Gary McSheffery, Adams diplomatically said: "Before a board of directors sell one of your players, you're part of the discussion process. "The bid comes in, the board of directors discuss it and if they decide that it's a price they're happy with, then ultimately it's their decision.

"I stated all along that every player has his price. I was never going to say 'he's not for sale' or 'he's not going anywhere' because all that happens is you look stupid. If you look at transfers between Championship clubs, there's not many of £4million. "We've lost a good player, a key player, and I am not happy about it. I don't think anybody at the club is happy about it but I feel I have done my job.

"My job is twofold - getting results and developing players. When I came here Gary was worth £100,000 and now he's gone for £4 million, so I think I've brought him along as I should have done."

"I always suspected this might happen because I first got a call from Steve Bruce inquiring about Gary when we were in America and these things have a way of unwinding for various reasons."

When asked if he had considered resigning over the sale, Adams firmly said: "No way - why should I? Gary McSheffrey is one part of a group of players. My focus has not changed. "I know a lot of people are disappointed about this and I can understand that, but I don't want that to distract from what's a very important game.

"I'm sure there will be a cracking atmosphere and I would appeal to our fans to get behind the players."