Relieved Robbie Threlfall is so glad that he plays with Kyel Reid instead of against him.

City’s left back reckons there isn’t a defender in the league who’d want to face the winger when he hits his jet-propelled stride.

Threlfall, one of just two ever-presents this term, is under orders to give Reid the ball every chance he gets. And he’s more than happy to oblige.

He said: “The manager just tells me ‘give it to Reidy and let him play’. I back him up obviously but really I just let him do his own thing.

“He’s got that great pace and ability and I don’t think we’ve had that outlet in previous years. Reidy takes the pressure off the whole team and he’s certainly a good asset for us.

“I can’t think any full back in the Football League would like to play against Kyel with his pace.

“Any defender will tell you if the ball goes over your head or behind you, it’s the worst feeling in the world.

“You don’t mind the ball in front of you, it’s when you are turning towards your own goal against a guy with the pace that he’s got.”

Threlfall believes Reid and players like Craig Fagan are also benefiting from City’s attempts to get the ball down and pass.

He admits it’s more fun than being involved in a side with a more direct approach.

“I came here to play football and it was a bit too long (ball) when we started,” he said.

“The way we’re playing now, we can create more around the box. We never did that the way we were before (under Peter Taylor) – it was just the long ball wasn’t it?

“As it’s gone on, Peter Jackson, Colin Cooper and Phil Parkinson have all wanted us to play. It’s more enjoyable.

“The manager’s brought some quality players in and Craig Fagan has been doing brilliantly. But I think it also suits the players who were already here. It’s just getting that fear out of it and make people believe that we can be a good footballing team.

“If anyone looks at our team on paper, they can see we’re decent. We started a bit slow but once this team starts gelling, there’s no reason why we can’t get that winning mentality.”

Jackson called Threlfall in from the cold for City’s last trip to Macclesfield in April. It was his first full game in three months.

He returns to the Moss Rose tonight having started all 24 games since and the only player to have been on the pitch for every minute of the current campaign.

In doing so, Threlfall has convinced three different managers of his worth. An impressive record for someone who was nearly on his way in the summer as a cost-cutting measure.

“It’s pleasing to get that consistency in your game. It’s always nice to be in the manager’s plans, especially with the changes we’ve had.

“It builds on your confidence to play your own game knowing that the gaffer has that faith in you.”