Phil Parkinson wants City to copy John Terry’s example and learn to think like winners.

Parkinson is chasing his first victory at the fifth attempt against AFC Wimbledon at Valley Parade tomorrow.

He will be joined by new number two Steve Parkin for the first time and hopes the home side will reward their new managerial duo with a performance that goes the distance.

After seeing City play well in parts of the last two games but finish with nothing, Parkinson is trying to instil the mental strength in them to see the job right through – and he cites the England skipper as the perfect lead to follow.

Parkinson said: “Steve’s been impressed with what he’s seen in training and there’s no question we’ve got the core of a decent side.

“But we’ve got to get a mentality into the team now that it’s not just about performing for 45 minutes but doing it for 90 or 94.

“I remember speaking to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at Charlton towards the end of his career and having a chat about John Terry.

“We had a centre back called Talal El-Karkouri who was big, strong and quick. He had everything.

“I asked Jimmy what the difference was between Tal and Terry. Jimmy said that Tal was bigger, quicker and better in the air but John Terry had the stronger mentality.

“Terry would always play to the last minute of every game and he demanded those same standards out of other people.

“That’s what we’ve got to instil into these players. They need that mentality and an understanding of how hard it is to get results.”