Assistant head coach Jamie McAllister believes that home advantage will be crucial for Bristol City this weekend as we host Ipswich Town in the final action ahead of the March international break.
Welcoming the Tractor Boys to Ashton Gate this Saturday, our focus is clearly on pushing hard for that Play Off spot as it continues to remain within reach, and having put four past Sheffield Wednesday last time we took to our own turf, McAllister was very upbeat as he spoke to the Official Site believing it would give us an edge this weekend.
‘I thought it was a good point against Burton Albion. They are a team fighting for their lives and we knew it wouldn’t be easy because all games are difficult. We went there and came back with a point after not playing so well in the final third. The final pass and decision making in the final third of the pitch wasn’t as it has been. There was also a clean sheet so there are positives to take and we go into the last nine games, with five at home and four away.’
On the topic of now returning home after away days.
‘It’s a great opportunity, a great chance for us and we look forward to being back at home on Saturday. They are a good side with a very good, experienced manager in Mick McCarthy. His sides are always very organised, they work hard so we have to match that. Being the home side we can take the game to them and we have to show how effective ad how good we are on the ball, like we did against Sheffield Wednesday.’
McAllister also spoke about the number of Academy graduates that had been given a shot so far this season, and whilst he had praise for all, Lloyd Kelly stood out for him as proving to the youngsters at the club that there is a pathway into the first team if they deserve and warrant it.
‘Kelly has been training well in the last few weeks, He wanted to play last weekend and we agreed. He put in a great performance so it was good to see. He cramped up in the last ten minutes but he handled himself and put in a very accomplished performance. He looks a Championship player and by that I mean he defended well, got forward, put balls in the box and he showed good composure on the ball which was great to see.’
Asked if there were likely to be more opportunities for the youngsters as the season draws to a close, he couldn’t see why not.
‘Yes, why not? The gaffer has shown in the past that the pathway is there so it’s up to the players to progress. A few of the boys did okay against Cheltenham Town so the option is there for them. There have been a lot of debuts this year, for example Connor Evans, Opi Edwards, Lloyd has played a few more games, Freddie (Hinds) too.’
