Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson has held his hands up for errors he made as the side blew a three nil lead over Sunderland and had to settle for a point at the weekend.
Hosting Chris Coleman’s struggling side at Ashton Gate for the game, an Aden Flint goal after five minutes set us on our way and Famara Diedhiou completed a brace of his own ahead of the half time break.
Inside of the final 20 minutes of the match though, Sunderland hit back hard with Josh Brownhill earning himself an own goal, Aiden McGeady setting pulses racing as he made it two before Marlon Pack earned himself an own goal in stoppage time.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media following the game, a disappointed gaffer knew there were few excuses and he knew tactical mismanagement had cost us.
‘I should have made better tactical decisions to keep the game. I think we got caught going for more goals, to improve our goal difference at 3-0. At 3-1 I should have put another midfielder on to kill the game off but its something I will learn from and I have to hold my hands up. It wasn`t good management.’
Reflecting on the first half he added.
‘It was a very good first half, although not a great opening 15/20 minutes where we didn`t do the basics well. We found ourselves in front with a good well-worked free kick and we had a good spell where we looked dangerous; Famara wasn`t able to get his studs on one to tip the ball over the line.’
Adding.
‘The chances we had today were very good, even in the second half we flashed one wide of the post but that isn`t an excuse against a side which were down there, like they are, who looked dead and buried. They are not going to just lay down and die. They have played for pride, upped their tempo when we dropped our tempo and we started to play a game that was not conducive to winning football. I should have recognised that earlier, not been greedy and I should have put another midfielder on.’
With Bobby Reid withdrawn at half time following a knock to his ankle, Johnson went on to say.
‘He was hobbling which you will see when you watch the game back but he wanted to continue. I felt at 3-0 putting on a strong substitute that would be enough to see the game through and potentially win the game by more so it was a case of precaution really for Bobby but in hindsight I should have probably left him on.’
