NEW coach Michael Collins has urged the Valley Parade faithful: Judge us on what we do.

Collins has become the youngest boss in the top four divisions at the age of 32.

His appointment, alongside fellow former age-group coach Martin Drury and Greg Abbott, has provoked an underwhelming reaction among City fans.

But the former Republic of Ireland under-21 international will meet any criticism head on as he relishes his first senior role.

Collins said: “That’s natural and something we discussed. But the main thing for us is we want to be judged on a daily basis and by the job we do.

“Everybody knows what will happen if you don’t do a good job. It’s football.

“But equally you know what can happen if we do it well. We’ve got full belief in what we can do.

“I’ll be judged on the job I do alongside Martin and Greg.

“All the negativity that might be around doesn’t really bother me. Ultimately in football you are judged on what you do.

“As long as we follow through on what we set in place, I think we’ll give ourselves the best possible chance of being a success. That’s all you can ever do.”

Chairman Edin Rahic interviewed over 10 candidates during the six weeks since Simon Grayson turned down the chance to stay.

Collins did not apply for the job – but Rahic was convinced by the way him and Drury spoke about the principles he wants at the club and made the decision over the weekend.

Abbott adds experience to the coaching team while retaining a say with recruitment, which Rahic stresses will be decided by the four of them.

The position with the rest of the existing backroom staff will be decided in the next couple of days.

Collins added: “I can’t stand here and say we’ll do this and that. There are a lot of outside factors that influence it.

“But I can guarantee we’ll be organised, prepared and attacking in the way we go about things on all fronts. The lads will know what’s expected and they will enjoy the environment we create.

“You can talk about systems and tactics but the main thing I’ve found in football is that if the culture and environment is not right you’ll be up against it.

“We know the DNA and dynamics of the club, we know the staff and it’s going to be a quick transition.

“Hopefully people get behind us but I’m confident that we’ll be judged on what we do.”

Former Huddersfield midfielder Collins only hung up his boots recently after combining his role at City with playing for home-town Halifax for the last year.

But he believes he can be a confident leader of a club facing a period of transition after falling away during the second half of last season.

“I was captain at clubs throughout my career,” he said. “It’s an area that I do relish and thrive in.

“I’m one of those happy to put myself out there and be judged.

“Leadership is not something that you’re born with, it develops.

“When you’re younger and going through experiences, you won’t be as forthright in your views.

“Experiences start to mould you and you start to learn how to control that enthusiasm.

“There’s still a little bit of time for us to do what we need. The boys come back on the 28th.

“The planning process is well ahead of where it would have been if they had appointed someone from the outside. We’re happy with that.

“We’ve identified targets and are well on the way with discussions with some of them.

“The one thing I must stress is how pleased I am with the players we currently have. I feel we’re building a strong squad and the foundations are already in place.

“I’m coming into my first job very confident that I’ve got the right team around me and have a group of players that are going to be able to achieve what we want.”