Town boss Joe Royle has spoken out at the recent criticism of his defence. Royle's backline has been widely slammed after conceding two late goals at Watford last Saturday.

Despite this, the Town manager feels the issue has been blow up out of all proportion: "Too much is made of that. If you read our local paper in the morning we are a shambles defensively.

"More to the point we have conceded from set-plays in four games from 15 which is a statistic that will tell you we ain't been that bad.

"Unfortunately it was two set-plays again, a corner and a freekick. Our keeper was blocked in for the corner but even so the scorer has got a free header."

Royle feels that with his side challenging at the top of the division, there ought to be more positivity: "I have to pinch myself sometimes. We are third and only three points off picking up two points a game, which is a guaranteed promotion total.

"Yet we still seem to have some negativity around us but we are staying positive and will try and win the game on Saturday."

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