Colin Todd today called on every City player to be "mentally strong" in the battle against relegation.

The man who had managerial stints at Middlesbrough, Bolton, Swindon and Derby, believes City can win enough points to stay in Division One.

But the players must want the ball, said Todd.

On Saturday, City are at home again, taking on a Crystal Palace side who have hammered in eight goals in their last two away

outings.

"I hope there are no little fears when we play at home," said Todd. "The players should take the responsibility of wanting the ball. Players have got to be mentally strong."

Todd singled out City's goal-shy strikers, who he claims have created chances but not put them away.

"We've got Danny Cadamarteri back, Andy Gray, Alun Armstrong, Michael Branch. When the opportunities do come, they have got to start believing in themselves

and hit the net - or at least the target.

"They haven't anticipated well enough to get on to the end of the ball going into the box. Confidence is a factor but I wouldn't put it all down to that. People talk about luck but it is more than luck. What we need to do is to get our noses in front in games.

"We didn't create a lot of chances against Cardiff but we never really looked as though we were going to lose the game."

Todd, who played under Brian Clough when Derby won the title in the 70s, said: "When Bryan Robson and myself took over we felt it was going to be very, very difficult. We knew it was going to be as hard as any job we have had.

"I think the disappointing factor is we have not had as many wins as we anticipated. At times we have played extremely well but got nothing out of games.

"We have created chances and not put those chances away."

Meanwhile, Frazer McHugh, who was released by City earlier this month, has signed a one-month contract with Gary Mills' Notts County.

The 22-year-old midfielder played for Mills during his spell at Tamworth.

l Season ticket-holders are reminded to use Voucher 19 for Saturday's re-arranged match.