DEREK McInnes has reaffirmed his iron resolve to keep Bristol City in the npower Championship.

Appointed manager back in October and given the job of steering the Robins clear of relegation, the Scot, pictured, inspired a mini-revival which saw City climb off the foot of the table and exit the bottom three in December.

But a meagre return of one point from the last five games has plunged City back into trouble and a dramatic improvement is needed if the club is to retain its status in the English second tier. City have failed to score a single goal on their travels in 2012 and Saturday’s embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Peterborough United has left McInnes and his players looking anxiously over their shoulders. Although City remain six points clear of the drop zone, recent performances and a mounting casualty list are hindering their attempts to move to safety.

With 14 games still to play, City’s fate remains very much in their own hands and manager McInnes says he is determined to see the job through and ensure the team is still in the Championship at the start of next season.

He said: “My determination to improve things has never been stronger.

“The poor performance and result at Peterborough have only made me more determined. We need to improve and do better and I’ll do everything within my power to make sure that happens.

“At the moment, the most important thing is for the team and the club to stay in the Championship and everyone must pull together to make sure we achieve our goal.

“I’ve made the players fully aware of the responsibility they have to get results and there are too many people relying on us for that not to happen. At this stage, it is not about team selection and tactics, but channelling all our effort and energy into getting points on the board.”‘

McInnes refuses to make excuses and insists his players should be doing better, despite a catalogue of injuries that have sidelined key players such as Cole Skuse, Louis Carey, pictured, and Lewin Nyatanga.

He said: “Things are transpiring against us at the moment, but the players have to persevere and keep that will to do well for the club. We know we’re not the perfect team and we know we’re not the best team in the world by any stretch of the imagination, but we can make up for that by working hard.

“I think our supporters will acknowledge that and it is up to the players to retain a determination to make things better.

“There is a lot of work still to be done but, if the players keep battling and show the spirit that got us a point against Crystal Palace, I’m sure we will get the results we need.

“As a manager, all you want is for your team to show determination, passion and commitment. The players cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves – they have to keep going and dig deep to find that spirit.”