Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson has praised the side for showing ‘character and courage’ in difficult conditions against Burton Albion at the weekend.
Heading to the Pirelli Stadium for the game against Nigel Clough’s relegation threatened side, arguably the hosts had the better of the game as they battled for their lives and clearly Johnson wanted three points for our promotion hopes, but with a point gained he felt there were plenty of positives he could take.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media following the scoreless tie, he explained.
‘It was a difficult game. We have to respect that Burton are fighting for their lives. The pitch was cutting up all over the place so it was difficult to get our footing. It`s our third game in a week and the boys have shown character and courage in the second half. In the first half I don`t think we got going. Burton pressed us and we played into their hands. Our strikers weren`t getting on the ball enough and I had to change something. It was my choice to replace Nathan Baker because I was fed up seeing someone playing at 70-80 per cent fit, I brought Maggy (Hordur Magnusson) on and he did well. It was good to get Milan Djuric back and it was an excellent performance from Lloyd Kelly too.’
Johnson went on to say that he did have to concede we were lucky to reach the half time break still at nil nil, but whilst it wasn’t a ‘classic’ it was a hell of an effort given the ‘tired legs’ out on show.
Having already commented about welcoming players back for the game, Johnson went on to speak in more depth about them in particular.
With Djuric getting around 25 minutes, the gaffer explained.
‘I`m pleased to have him back. He gives us a different option, a platform too play from which we didn`t do in the first half. I could only get a maximum half an hour out of him today but we have arranged a game on Tuesday that he can play in and get more minutes under his belt.’
Eros Pisano made his second appearance of 2018 following his hamstring issue, but Liam Kelly even caught Clough’s eye for his efforts.
‘Eros is coming back still and Kelly is a young player who we believe in for the long term and he showed that today. Nigel Clough came up to me and asked how old he is. He`s watching a young, Englishman with a lot of talent. We`re still nursing Eros through his injury a little bit but needs must. We don`t have anyone else in that position and Joe Bryan and Aden Flint are still suspended.’
Adding.
‘This is difficult to take because we wanted to come here and win but it’s important that we look at the positives at this stage. There will be a lot of topsy turvy results so we need to make sure we keep ourselves in a position to go again and try and go on a run.’
