VERSATILE Claret Graham Branch today paid tribute to manager Stan Ternent and his team-mates for the unstinting support they have shown him over the last couple of years.

And he admitted his impressive display at Hillsborough a week ago has given him a massive lift ahead of this afternoon's clash with Walsall.

Branch has been plagued by injury and he admits that has affected his form at times but he has still been hurt by the vocal criticism of fans at Turf Moor.

Ternent is at a loss to explain why he has been singled out and has noted that Branch plays better away from Turf Moor, away from the boo-boys.

"It is not nice and playing at left back you do hear it very clearly but there is nothing I can do about it," Branch said. "All I do is try my best and a lot of it is down to confidence. I don't think the fans understand that any criticism is counter productive.

"I understand that they pay their money and feel they have the right to have a go but it does not help any player. That is why it has been important to have the support from the dressing room.

"The spirit here is amazing, we are a close knit bunch and all the lads made a point of telling me well done after setting up the first goal against Wednesday."

He followed his run and cross for Gareth Taylor's opener with the long ball from a quick free-kick that set up Ian Moore's third and he confessed he went against his manager's instructions.

"The gaffer had told me to take my time but I saw Mooro's run and it paid off," he laughed. "That is why me and Cooky had a bit of a laugh with the gaffer. He has always been brilliant with me and had faith in me and he has been encouraging me to get forward and do what I did last weekend. He has told me to get back to playing like I used to play.

"He told me he was very happy with the way I played last week and the more confident I become the better I will play."

Branch has been used to playing further forward than left back and so he has been spending extra time on the training ground to improve his game and he paid tribute to coach Mick Docherty.

"He has done extra work with me and that has been really useful," he said.

Branch hopes his injuries will be behind him and he has changed his boots in order to halt the calf and Achilles' problems that have dogged him.

"I have got flat feet and that has been a problem and I have been very frustrated," he said. "Changing the insoles that I use should help and all I want is a long run free from injuries. I have never had a run like this before in my career."