Lee gets the ‘perfect’ reaction from players
LEE Bowyer has relished his first full week working with his Birmingham City squad. The new head coach arrived a fortnight ago but had precious little time to prepare for matches with Reading and Watford.
Both produced improved displays, the first a win over the Royals, the second a loss at Vicarage Road.
However, last week’s international break allowed Blues’ players to refresh themselves then come back ready to work hard.
With attention now turning to Friday’s appointment with Swansea at St Andrew’s, Bowyer has been pleased with their efforts.
“To get some hard hours on the training pitch has been something I had not had time to do so to have these last three or four days has been really important,” he said.
“A good reaction from the players, they have been excellent, they have taken a lot on board.
“I believe we have got a bit of everything.
“It’s a squad that should be doing better, I think they would say that themselves.
“What I would say is they are working hard, taking everything in and trying to put things right.
“I think moving forward they know what is expected of them and I believe they are going to do everything they can in their power to turn it around.
“I think we have seen a bit of that in the first two games.
“The more games go on, the more you will see the type of side we will be.
“Before the Reading game, that quickly, we had a discussion (with senior players), went through some shape stuff and the players have said, ‘This is perfect, this is great, this is what we have needed, guidance, a structure, not complicated and easy to take on board’.
“I have had that feedback straight away and it will get better. I can’t just go crash, bang, wallop and tell them all too much too soon. That’s why these last few days have been a blessing.
“The most important thing is they understand that and what I expect and what they have to do to win games – and straight away they won a game.
“Moving forward it is positive.”
Both metaphorically and literally. Bowyer’s early work has been based on posing more of a goal threat.
He has started with two strikers in his first two games and has promised to try to get on the front foot in the final eight matches.
“It’s easy just to sit back and invite pressure but when you play against top sides if you just invite that pressure the law of averages is they are going to score more goals than you – so there’s no point turning up, you might as well give them the points,’’ said Bowyer.
“I believe every team you play against, you have a go, if you are going to lose, lose in a good way where you have given everything and tried everything.
“I think we did that against Watford. Chances created, we created more chances than them on their own patch.
“Okay, they got the result, they were more clinical than us in front of goal, but I have to credit the players because they went there, they fought and they gave everything.
“Unfortunately sometimes enough.”
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