Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
O’DOWDA COULD NOT BE PROUDER
Callum aims to celebrate Robins’ 125th birthday by reviving Premier League bid
BRISTOL CITY midfielder Callum O’dowda wants to celebrate the club’s 125th birthday by reviving their Premier League dream.
City will wear a special commemorative kit when they entertain Fulham today to mark their anniversary celebrations.
O’dowda, whose side are without a win in four matches, said: “I’m expecting it will be a good crowd to celebrate the history of Ashton Gate and Bristol City as a club.
“Definitely, over the last few years, it has really come on since I’ve been here. Looking at what’s happening with the training ground, the stadium, it’s come on in leaps and bounds. And so have the players here – it’s an extremely strong squad.
“I think internally and externally, people do forget the position we’re in – two points off the play offs is a mad opportunity for us, and it’ll change our lives, if we get promotion to the Premier League.
“Imagine Bristol City in the Premier League. It would be fantastic. Promotion would really top it off. It will be a great occasion, but we need the three points, more importantly.”
The Robins’ worrying slump in form has seen them drop out of the Championship play-off places.
But 24-year-old O’dowda added: “As a team, we just know it’s not us. It’s not our identity, it’s not Lee Johnson’s philosophy coming out, and we know that as players. We all need to be better.
“It’s not just one of those things where it’s quiet – we speak, the manager speaks, we all speak. We all know, as players, it hasn’t been up to a high standard.
“We know playing
Fulham will be tough as well because they are up there challenging for promotion. But we are back at Ashton Gate, so will enjoy what we’re good at – playing total-attack football, exciting the fans, and it will be a good game.”