SIMON GRAYSON believes less tension will bring improved results and a rise up the Championship.
Town remain 17th, eight points above the drop zone, after Adam Hammill’s spectacular stoppage-time goal averted defeat at the hands of Lee Clark’s Birmingham, who stay 20th but would have gone above Grayson’s side had they won.
It’s now 11 league games without a win for Town, who head to sixth-placed Watford (2-1 winners at Middlesbrough) this Saturday.
“Adam Hammill came up with a bit of magic and it was a hard-earned point,” said the manager, whose side trailed to Callum Reilly’s opener in first-half stoppage time.
“We are only four points off getting back into the top half of the table, which is the direction we’re looking.
“I thought we started well, passed the ball with purpose and created some good opportunities, but lacked that little bit of cutting edge and quality in the final third.
“Sean Scannell was a threat throughout and he brought a great save from Jack Butland in the first half.
Click on the link below to view a gallery of match action pictures - including Hammill's last minute goal
“We showed good desire, attitude and workrate. The midfield did quite well in the early stages and in the first half, there wasn’t much in the game.
“I thought we looked the more likely to score, so to go a goal down when we did was a real blow.
“At half-time, we told the players not to let it affect them.
“But as the game went on, some anxiety crept in, and we started to rush things and do things we wouldn’t do if we were winning games.
“These players are the same ones who did so well earlier in the season and had a lot of belief and confidence in themselves.
“We will work extremely hard with the players on the training ground and try to instil some extra confidence. A victory will kick us on.”
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Grayson accepts supporters are worried about Town being dragged into a relegation fight, adding: “They are entitled to voice their concerns, and I understand their nervousness.
“But I have a genuine, honest bunch of players. They are not making mistakes deliberately. Anxiety among supporters can spread onto the pitch and it helps if everybody sticks together.
“But the players have to lead the way by being strong mentally and sticking at it when things aren’t going well in order to give the fans something to get excited about.”
