BOBBY HOWE runs out at Saltergate today hoping to produce more 'sexy football' for fans who would gladly have seen him playing for a pub team just a few weeks ago.

The 27-year-old Geordie has been at the heart of Town's impressive run with some quality passing displays.

Howe is delighted to suddenly have the weight of support behind him rather than pressing down on him.

He said: "I heard the chants of sexy football the other night and it made me smile.

"To be fair, the fans have given the team great backing everywhere we've gone so far this season."

Howe admits that the early season 'stick' directed at him was hurtful but he is not the sort of character to retreat into his shell and the fear of letting down his team mates was a strong motivating force.

He said: "There have been times when I've left the ground feeling down after games.

"No-one wants to hear their name being booed and it can get to the stage where the crowd are waiting for you to make a mistake."

The former Nottingham Forest man also said thoughts of trying his luck elsewhere had crossed his mind but the support of his team mates and the arrival of Roy Evans changed all that.

Howe said: "If you go out there afraid to play, it is not just yourself you're letting down. The other lads in the team then have to carry you if you don't give your all. They wouldn't accept that here and rightly so."

So what has sparked the Bobby Howe resurgence?

He said: "The new gaffer has come in and filled the lads with confidence.

"There are 11 players out there now who are hungry for the ball. I think the fans could see that at Port Vale.

"I think the difference now is that we are learning how to go out and win matches rather than just trying to avoid defeat."

But Howe is not entirely surprised that it has taken time for Town to adjust to life in Division Two.

He said: "We have a very young squad and the players who came in last summer have taken time to gel."