Gary Johnson has issued a rallying call to Bristol City supporters ahead of tonight's West Country derby against Plymouth Argyle.

City's manager and his team came under fire from some fans in the wake of Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Peterborough at Ashton Gate.

While acknowledging that winning matches is the surest method of silencing the critics, Johnson argues that success in the Championship can only be achieved if the fans continue to back the players.

Afraid that continued criticism will dent confidence, Johnson said: "If the fans are right behind us, then there is always the chance of a better game and a better result. If that coincides with the players feeling more confident and their best game coming out, then we can be formidable as a club.

"On occasions, we get to that level and it is great. But on other occasions, such as last Saturday, it can be a little bit quiet around the ground. We needed Delia Smith to come and say 'let's be having you' but she wasn't available and the atmosphere and the game were flat."

He added: "It's one of those chicken and egg situations. Do the players have to do something to get the supporters going, or do the supporters have to lift the players?"

Bradley Orr took matters into his own hands after receiving verbal criticism from a disgruntled supporter at the end of the Peterborough game, making an impassioned defence of his team-mates in the media.

Johnson said: "We accept some supporters are going to be disappointed and that they will show it in different ways. But it's not very nice when some of them go over the top. People who are as passionate as Brad are not willing to put up with some of the stuff that goes on.

"I know people have their opinions and we all respect that. We are a group who do respect what our supporters think and we all felt the same straight after the game, because we'd conceded a goal in the 90th minute again.

"Sometimes supporters leave the ground after we've let a goal in that late and are desperate to have a moan at somebody or something.

"The only way we can alleviate that is by winning, and that is what we are trying to do. This group give everything to try and win.

"People have to remember that this is still a relatively new level of football to us. This is only our third season in the Championship and we are still learning about ourselves.

"What I have learned is that we are not far away from being where we want to be. People have to remember that we were bottom of the third division four years ago and that some of these lads have helped take the club into the top half of the Championship.

"What happened against Peterborough was more annoying because we're only a few points off being in a very good position. A win against Plymouth could easily put us back in the play-off positions."

Plymouth are struggling near the foot of the table, while Bristol City are ninth, just one point off the top six.

Johnson said: "No-one wants to be below that line in the relegation zone and Plymouth are having a hard time of it at the moment.

"It's all doom and gloom down there, but we must not be like that up here. We know we need a result, but for very different reasons from Plymouth.

"They are always spirited whenever they come here and always put up a fight.

"We have to be prepared for that."