Stuart McCall has launched another defence of Omar Daley by claiming any League Two side would want the jet-paced winger in their ranks.
Daley will again be a major strike weapon for City when they aim to topple Wycombe in tomorrow’s promotion clash at Valley Parade.
But McCall feels there are still too many home fans who focus on the faults of the unpredictable match-winner.
He said: “It’s only natural that every player, no matter who you are, will get affected by negative comments. It’s human nature. Confidence is a big part of every player’s game and Omar is no different to that.
“I said this last season but it seems that people always look for the negatives in some players rather than the positives.
“Omar Daley is one of those people who can carry the ball from one 18-yard box to the other and create things out of nothing.
“I remember his run at Luton when he carried it the full length of the pitch and shot narrowly over the bar. And you go back to Lincoln when he cut inside and the goalie made a world-class save.
“He’s dipped slightly from his form of the first two or three months of the season but he’s still one of the most talked-about players in our team when I speak to other managers.
“Okay, there are certain aspects of his game that could be improved and he’s trying to do that. But there are other things he can give us that not many players in this league possess.”
The Jamaican, who hit his fourth goal of the season in last week’s win at Gillingham, was back in training today after his appearance as a substitute in the goalless international with Nigeria.
Daley has admitted that some supporters expect too much from him but McCall believes he brings so much to the table.
“There are so many positives with his pace and trickery and the way he can set up chances for other people,” said the City boss.
“He’s had some great efforts – and some woeful ones as well – but Omar’s got that match-winning quality, while his pace sets the opposition defenders back and puts a negative in their mind.
“When Nixy (Kyle Nix) plays out there on the left he brings different qualities to the side, like his all-round enthusiasm, but he isn’t going to be able to carry a ball 40 to 50 yards or run in behind the defence with his pace.
“I know the effect Omar has on other teams. They drop a little bit deeper and give us more room to play.
“As Omar said the other day, he can’t always beat four or five players. He can’t always shoot on target. If he could he’d be playing in the Premiership.
“But for this level he’s a massive threat. He’s an exciting player to watch and can be frustrating but we’d much rather have him on our side than against us.”
All Daley’s goals so far have been away from Valley Parade. He last scored at home against MK Dons in April and McCall feels that the jibes from some sections of the crowd do not help.
“I know everybody pays the money and has a right to air their views but to criticise is not going to make anyone play better,” he said.
“We know what we’ve got in Omar and the players appreciate him. Yes, there are things he could do better but we can say that about every player in the side. And when the opposition see he’s not playing, it gives them a big lift – simple as.”
Wycombe’s two-month reign at the top was ended on Tuesday when Brentford edged above them on goal difference.
Striker Matt Harrold said: “It’s annoying but we’ve still got two games in hand and need to make sure we go out and win them. It will only make us more determined to get a result at Bradford now.”
Wycombe, who have let out-of-favour Scott McGleish join Leyton Orient on loan, could give a debut to speedy frontman John-Paul Pittman.
He joined from Blue Square Premier outfit Crawley for an undisclosed fee, thought to be £25,000, after netting 33 goals in 78 appearances.
Towering 6ft 7in centre half Luke Oliver, another transfer-window capture from Taylor’s previous club Stevenage, is also in line to start.
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