Left kicking his heels on the sidelines for much of the season, Bristol City winger Ivan Sproule perhaps has more reason than most to feel hard done by.

Some would even say he had a point to prove at Leicester in midweek after being reinstated to the starting line-up for the first time since September 15.

But the man himself sees things somewhat differently and, having scored a contender for Championship goal of the season at the Walkers Stadium, he launched a staunch defence of manager Gary Johnson's selection and tactics.

City's boss has come under fire from disgruntled supporters for not deploying wingers, and that criticism reached a crescendo following a run of five games without a win which saw the Robins drop out of the play-off places.

But Sproule was having none of it when he met the media to discuss the revitalising upturn in fortunes achieved in the east Midlands on Tuesday.

He admitted: "We know ourselves we have not been up to scratch and there were a few words spoken in the dressing room after the game against Ipswich last Saturday.

"The lads don't shy away when they've done well and it's important we take on board criticism from the press and the supporters when it's due. The lads have to accept that.

"Having all the big names doesn't mean we have a right to be up there challenging – we have to go out onto the pitch and perform. We have a strong squad now, but that means nothing if we don't deliver."

Responding to the critics who questioned the manager's methods, the Irishman argued: "You think you can manage the team, I think I can manage the team and so do the supporters.

"But I'm sure if you had the job for a few weeks you might realise it's a bit more difficult than you might think. The gaffer is doing a fine job and we believe in what he is doing. I might have been a bit worried at the start of the season that others seemed to have a position in the team and I wasn't playing, but he took me aside and promised me I would be involved and that we would play with width when the time was right.

"He reassured me and proved as good as his word by picking me to play the other night. He is a cleverer man than me and you and we have to trust him."

Having started just three games all season, Sproule is now hoping the wonder goal he scored to set up victory at the Walkers Stadium will earn him an extended run in the team, starting with tomorrow's game against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.

He revealed: "It's been a frustrating season for me, but I've not thrown my toys out of the pram. I've knuckled down, trained hard and just bided my time, because I'm enjoying being in Bristol with this group of players.

"If I didn't feel as though I had a lot to give to the team I might have been away, but I believe this is the right place, the right team and the right manager for me.

"I may not have played a lot of games, but I've been doing well in training and feeling quite sharp. I always had the belief that, when I came back into the side, I could do well and it was nice to get that goal.

"Saying that, I know I cannot afford to let my standards drop and I have to keep putting in performances like the one the other night if I want to stay in the team."

Asked if his midweek goal rates as the best he has scored during his career, Sproule insisted it was the one which meant the most. Having experienced the personal tragedy of seeing his wife lose the couple's second child just six weeks earlier, he explained: "That goal was special and one I will always remember.

"There was a lot of emotion when the ball hit the back of the net and I think that showed in the celebration afterwards.

"Since I've had my troubles, the supporters have been fantastic and it was nice to be able to give something back and put a smile on their faces. This is a good family club and I'm just glad to be a part of it. So many people have shown support for me and my family. I just wanted to show my appreciation of that."