Robbie’s so reliable, he won’t let people down

ADKINS’ PRAISE FOR ROOKIE DEFENDER THROWN IN AT DEEP END AGAINST BOLTON

Mckenzie, who has been on City’s books since the age of 10, had previously only played 40 minutes of Championship action, but a show of faith from Adkins was emphatically vindicated.

“He’s not a player that’s going to let you down,” said Adkins.

“That’s an important thing. You can trust him. I had every confidence in him starting the game and he did well.

“He’s reliable and you can put him wherever you want on the field.

“He’s got a great character as well. That’s one of the big things I look for in a young player.

“Robbie is another one, like Dan Batty, who has come up through the academy. He’s normally a right sided centre-half, a right-back, a right wing-back. We’ve played him left sided centre-half here.

“He was exceptional when we went to Kenya at the end of last season and he’s not missed a day since the first day of pre-season. He’s quick, he’s fit and he’s improving all the time.”

The Tigers had been facing a defensive crisis after losing both De Wijs and Burke in the midweek loss at Bristol City but they made light of their problems when offering David Marshall’s goal excellent protection.

Ondrej Mazuch, who had not played all season due to a knee injury, was introduced for the final half hour, helping City to hold Bolton’s limited attacking line at bay.

“Clayton Donaldson was starting to get the better of Robbie in the second half so I put on Ondrej Mazuch,” Adkins added. “Ondrej came on and he was exceptional.

“We shored it up with the three centre-backs there. Tommy Elphick alongside him was superb as well.”

A first win in eight Championship games did nothing to alter City’s position of 23rd in the table but it went some way to relieving the pressure on Adkins after seeing his side lose nine of the previous 14 games.

“There’s a belief about this group,” said Adkins, whose side will host West Brom next up on Saturday. “I’ve got belief in them. I’ve been in the game a long, long time. I know what it’s about.

“It’s football pressure and we all understand that. I can live with it. You realise it’s all there but you put it to one side and concentrate on what we can control.

“We have to keep a spirit about us and then go and win games of football. We’ve done that. The lads have shown they’re committed and there’s a spirit about us.

“We know it’s a results based industry and we’ve got a very good three points. A good goal and a clean sheet.”