Holden: Keeping Bright quiet in second half was key to win
BRISTOL City boss Dean Holden felt a half-time change made all the difference for his side in Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory at QPR.
Jay Dasilva was given a torrid time by QPR winger Bright OsayiSamuel and was replaced by Tommy Rowe, who fared better at left-back.
“We got too stretched in the first half and it can become frustrating when you don’t get as much of the ball as you’d like,” said head coach Holden.
“In the second half it was just about making sure you have more of a solid block so the gaps aren’t as big.
“Bright I thought was outstanding. I’ve watched him for a number of years now and he’s a top player in this division.
“I think Bright was getting the ball a bit too easily and he’s a very good player in this division when he gets the ball at his feet.
“It was also about stopping the supply into him. We did that more in the second half and he was then relatively quiet.
“The boys have put their bodies on the line. You don’t want to concede that second goal because you know that then the game can get away from you.”
QPR manager Mark Warburton admitted he was lost for words in the dressing room after his side lost despite dominating much of the game.
Rob Dickie headed Rangers ahead and it was becoming a totally one-sided match before Nahki Wells equalised five minutes before half-time.
Adam Nagy put the Robins ahead early in the second half and they held on despite more sustained pressure from the hosts.
“For the first time as a manager in many years, I didn’t know what to say to the players,” said Warburton.
“You can’t rollock them because they were so good for such a long period of the game against a very good Bristol City team.
“We’ve got a lot of young players. What do you say to them after that? They were so, so good for long periods - and right to the death.”
» Former Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson has been linked with the vacant managerial position at Sunderland.
The Football Insider account reports Johnson is a ‘leading contender’ to take over at the Stadium of Light with Phil Parkinson having left the job at the weekend.
The Black Cats decided to part ways with former Bolton Wanderers boss Parkinson on Sunday after a run of five matches without a win, and the 53-year-old exits having spent just over a year in charge of the League One club.
Johnson has been out of work since losing 1-0 to Cardiff City towards the end of last season.
❝ It was also about stopping the supply into him. We did that more in the second half and he was then relatively quiet