CHRIS Brass called on his players to take their share of the critcism as York City supporters turned against the underfire boss during Saturday's 3-1 home defeat against Forest Green Rovers.

Chants of 'Brass Out' were belted out at regular intervals and the player-manager was also booed at times when in possession.

Afterwards, he said: "The flak is not nice and I have asked the players how they would feel if they had to go out there and take it. I fight tooth and nail for them and that's why it frustrates me so much when I get a performance like that.

"I take a lot of crap, including all that shouting, and I still feel it's worth it but now I have to think about what's right for York City and what's right for Chris Brass because, sometimes, that has not been what's been happening.

"I keep telling the players I will step forward and take the brunt of criticism and I keep taking the hits but there comes a time when you have got to get a bit back. I put myself in the firing line week in, week out and hear whatever gets thrown at me.

"It's not nice that everything gets labelled against me and I have told the players that in no uncertain terms. They know how hard I fight for them and it's up to the players if they want it all labelled at me.

"The boys know I defend them to the hilt and I usually keep criticism in the dressing room. I don't slag players off but I have told them I can't defend them after that.

"Forest Green were a poor side and they were not good goals that we conceded to put it mildly without swearing. It frustrates the hell out of me because everybody knows how proud a man I am and how much I think about this football club.

"There are times I bite my tongue and there are things that have happened at this club that I'm not happy about and I don't agree with but I have to get on with it."

Centre-backs Sean Davies and Gary Pearson were culpable for all three Forest Green goals on Saturday.

Brass put Pearson's display down to a lack of match fitness after his shoulder injury but was disappointed by Davies, saying: "Sean had a wobble at Carlisle but I told him everyone has a bad game.

"I was looking for a reaction but, without singling people out, it was not good enough."

Updated: 10:50 Monday, November 08, 2004