Following today’s clash between Cardiff City and Bristol City, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Cardiff City hosted Bristol City at the Cardiff City Stadium for a 12pm kick off on Sunday February 25, with the hosts taking a late victory in the Sevenside through a Kenneth Zohore strike eight minutes from the full time whistle.
Teams:
Cardiff:
Etheridge, Connolly, Ecuele Manga, Bamba, Bennett, Paterson, 5Halford, Ralls, Feeney (Harris 73), Madine (Zohore 45), Hoilett.
Substitutes:
Pilkington, Damour, Bryson, Grujic, Murphy.
Bristol City:
Fielding, Wright, Flint, Baker (Kent 85), Magnusson, Brownhill, Reid, Smith, Bryan, Diedhiou (Walsh 85), Diony (Paterson 69).
Substitutes:
Steele, Eliasson, Kelly, O’Neil.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Paul Tierney blew the final whistle, Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock explained.
‘It was never going to be pretty. The pitch was terrible, the wind was bad, it was the coldest day of the year, the ball was lively and it was a derby. We said at half-time it would be a sloppy goal, make sure we don’t make a mistake because it’s a mistake which will cost the game. We’re delighted to come out of it with three points. I thought we shaded it. I thought we had the better opportunities but it was always going to be close. And it was great to come out with another clean sheet – that was our target we set at the start of the season, 16 clean sheets. It’s a great achievement.’
Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson in his comparative interview explained.
‘It was a horrible game, let’s be honest. I got in for free and I still want my money back. I’m disappointed. It was the game we expected it to be, scruffy and scrappy, conditions not ideal, pretty much a 0-0 game. I was pleased with the way we stood up to the physicality of the Cardiff side but I thought we were mediocre on the ball, which was the bit which bugged me more than anything. We set up with a side which was good in physical duels but we didn’t particularly play our game and get the ball down enough and show that bravery. We’ve got to be a bit better. It’s a bit of a dilemma because your little ones are your good footballers, naturally a bit braver on the ball, and the taller ones are a bit more physical and sometimes revert to type.’
