YORK City boss Terry Dolan has vowed to give his players the silent treatment in the wake of the Minstermen's dismal 2-0 defeat to Swansea City.

The City manager heaped praise on his players following Saturday's sparkling showing at Second Division Colchester United but last night's defeat and performance has forced a rethink.

"I think in future, every time we have a decent performance I am going to keep my mouth shut and not praise anybody," said Dolan.

"Every time I do that we follow it with a not so impressive performance."

With City playing before their lowest League crowd of the season - just 1,840 - Dolan conceded it was particularly disappointing that City's better performances, like that on Saturday, were coming away from home.

"It is annoying and I can understand the supporters' feelings. We had a good performance on Saturday and followed it up with a poor one.

"We have done it on several occasions this season and it is baffling to a certain degree.

"If I have got to stop praising them when they do well to make a difference then I will have to do that."

The City chief admitted defensive errors had cost City dear again but Dolan was just as critical of City's passing

"We knew that we would be coming up against a strong side because most of the players had seen them on television on Sunday night out-power QPR. It wasn't a case that they weren't expecting it," he said.

"But apart from the fact we let them overpower us to a certain degree, the most disappointing factor after that was our passing which was appalling, particularly from the back.

"In training every day we encourage them to pass and move which they do. But when it comes to playing here, in particular here and not so much away from home, they tend to be nervous."

In brighter news for City, Dolan confirmed on-loan Sunderland full-back Mark Maley's Bootham Crescent stay will be extended.

Maley's current loan agreement was due to end after Friday night's game at Mansfield Town but the City boss confirmed it will be extended for a third month.

However, Maley is suspended for the game at Field Mill and Dolan could also have fresh injury worries ahead of Friday night.

Central defender Gary Hobson was substituted during the second-half last night after picking up a knee injury and could be doubtful.

"He has twisted his knee so we will just have to wait and see," said Dolan.

Updated: 09:12 Wednesday, November 21, 2001