Manager Lee Johnson and Callum O’Dowda have reflected on Bristol City’s Severnside derby success over Cardiff City this weekend.
Hosting Neil Warnock’s side at Ashton Gate for the game, goals from Callum O’Dowda and Aden Flint gave us all three points in a two one victory but we did have to take the lead twice after the visitors levelled the scores just ahead of the half time break.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the press following the game, a delighted Johnson felt we had deserved the win after fighting ‘fire with fire’ against a resilient opposition.
We now go into the November international break on a four game unbeaten run.
‘I thought it was a brilliant game, full of energy, quality and I really enjoyed it. Obviously we won so I’m delighted with that. It’s been a really difficult period of six/seven games on the spin so to get three wins out of the last week and top it off with a derby win is nothing short of outstanding. This is only worth three points but there’s pride at stake and it’s my first managerial win over Neil Warnock and that’s important because it shows that we are progressing, it shows the team can win a game in different way.’
Johnson went on to say.
‘Sometimes, against Cardiff sides and Neil Warnock sides, you have to fight fire with fire and we did that today. Both teams showed their quality at times and I thought it was a good game. I’m pleased because we have a lot of injuries. We obviously have the unfortunate situation with Bailey Wright and yet we’ve come from picking a team on Friday at 3pm to a win and the lads have taken in everything that I asked of them tactically. That is where we won the game today, through the players completely sticking to the gameplan. Everything they had for us we countered with something different and we deserved our win.’
With a fortnight without a game now, it was time to rest and recover ahead of the Sheffield Wednesday clash.
‘The international break comes at a good time. We need the rest to recover players like Jamie Paterson, get a bit of work into Milan Djuric and Matty Taylor because they are catching up a little bit and we will give a bit of rest as well because they need it. It’s a chance to regroup, reflect, look at what we did well, how we can improve and assess the next six-week period where there are some unbelievable games. It’s a really exciting time to be a Bristol City player and fan and long may it continue.’
With O’Dowda finding the net, Johnson went on to joke.
‘I did say in my interview ‘you watch, he’ll probably go on and affect the games now’. To get three assists in the last few games, two goals as well, is brilliant for him and you can see him growing in confidence. He’s always been athletic, powerful and is a pest to play against. I’m delighted for him and we continue to work with him to improve him.’
With assistant gaffer Jamie McAllister confirming before kick off that Eros Pisano was now out for around four months, Johnson went on to say.
‘It’s a big blow for Eros. It’s an unfortunate part of the job but we feel for the team as well. Eros is a big part of our team as a personality and as a player. We’ve just got him back fit and unfortunately he gets this bad hamstring tear. We’ll do everything we can to support him and he has a baby on the way! His wife is due to give birth in the next few weeks. He’s got to enjoy different part of Bristol and different parts of life so we’ll do everything we can to give him the correct rehabilitation to come back fit and ready for the last couple of months of the season.’
As for O’Dowda in his interviews, he explained.
‘When Joe picked it up I was trying to run in behind, as I was most of the game, but it wasn’t on so I received the ball short and I was just about getting beyond my man and getting a shot off quickly. I’m happy my shot has gone in. Somebody said to me they come like buses now but it’s what I want. I’ve been wanting to get goals and assists and helping the team out so I’m happy and for Flinty as well. We’ve been working on those long throws and set pieces so I’m also happy that we scored from a set piece.’
He went on to say.
‘There was a lot of noise and you could hear that around the stadium. You have to focus on your own game, we know they way they play; they are very physical and we knew we had to match that. So we had to do our jobs and I think we came out on top. It does change the game when they get a man sent off so I think towards the end we were confident we were going to win the game.’
Adding about the sending off.
‘It did look quite high on Marlon – you could see marks on his shin pads – and I think Bogle knew it was a bad challenge. It happens in a game when the adrenaline is high and so you never know, it could happen to any of us. But that’s the passion the boys showed in the games from both teams. It was a really good atmosphere. I know you focus on your own game but you can still hear the crowd. It felt really good to be out there and they acted like the 12th man for us. I’m really happy and it’s good to go into the international break now.’
