BOWYER: WE ARE TOO GOOD FOR THE DROP
Assombalonga Wells Paterson
ROBINS aren’t exactly renowned for thriving at the height of summer.
But caretaker-boss Dean Holden has Bristol City feeling all chirpy again after masterminding back-to-back wins to revive their promotion hopes.
Holden will probably have to secure a top-six finish – and the odds are still stacked against him – and win the play-offs to secure the manager’s job permanently.
Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Christoph Daum has already thrown his hat into the ring with Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Chris Hughton also contenders.
But after an alarming slump which cost Lee Johnson his job, owner Jon Lansdown may be regretting not turning to Holden earlier.
The turnaround in the past week has been stark and the attacking football on display at the Riverside was a throwback to earlier this season when the Robins’ were battling it out at the top of the table.
“The players are enjoying their football again,” said Holden. “I told them to go out and play the best version of themselves and that’s what they’re doing.
“It sounds boring but it’s all about full focus on our own performance and everything else will take care of itself.”
If City can maintain the cutting edge they showed against Middlesbrough, there’s every chance they win their remaining three games and maybe squeeze into the play-offs.
Nahki Wells (celebrating, below right) made it 20 for the season with expertly-taken goals in either half but they were eclipsed by Jamie Paterson’s belter (right) and subsequent celebration.
He held a shin pad to his ear, pointing towards City kitman Scott Murray who had forgotten to pack the items, forcing the visitors to borrow from Boro.
That wasn’t the last time Boro would prove generous hosts. Though Britt Assombalonga scored a late consolation, they were badly beaten and remain in danger of relegation to the third tier for the first time in 35 years.
Neil Warnock (above) admits he’s still getting to know his players but knows they’re short on confidence, particularly on Teesside where they haven’t won since Boxing Day.
He said: “I know one thing, they are trying their hardest and no one can tell me they don’t care.
“I feel sorry for them because they keep shooting themselves in the foot so they’re bound to feel down.”
Ref: Darren England BORO:
BRISTOL CITY:
MOTM ANDREAS WEIMANN (BRISTOL CITY)
CHARLTON
READING
LEE BOWYER is convinced his Charlton squad is good enough to remain in the Championship despite this damaging defeat.
George Puscas’s third-minute penalty (celebrating, above) for Reading proved to be the only goal of the game.
But Addicks’ boss Bowyer was furious referee Darren Bond and his linesmen after two big decision went against them.
Chuks Aneke had a first-half goal flagged for offside when he had looked on, while late on Bowyer felt Charlton should have had a penalty when Jake ForsterCaskey went over in the area.
Forster-Caskey, who had come on as a substitute a minute earlier, was booked for diving.
Charlton are a point above the drop zone but Bowyer says he is not disappointed with his team’s form, despite three successive defeats ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Birmingham City.
“Every single game we have played well, but we have to be more clinical, that is what is hurting us,” he said.
“There is not a group I would swap them for. They are fighting for everything. They know the situation, they know what is at stake, I don’t need to tell them.”
Reading were under the cosh for the whole second half but manager Mark Bowen said his side showed the fighting spirit they will need if they are to move up the league next season.
“I said to the guys, going into the future and we’ve got to be a team which can battle and not always play free flowing football,” Bowen said.
CHARLTON:
READING:
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