Cotterill demands more of Robins
STEVE Cotterill saw Bristol City go eight points clear at the top of League One and insisted the Robins will have to be even more determined to stay at the summit.
The City manager will allow no let-up in the efforts to claim a title many – Rochdale boss Keith Hill included – already believe is bound for Ashton Gate.
After seeing Aaron Wilbraham’s 15th goal of the season, a powerful header from Luke Freeman’s 14th minute corner, sink impressive opponents, Cotterill has no intention of resting on any laurels.
He said: “What we need to do now is make sure that every time our rivals look at our results they see that we are showing no signs of letting things slip.
“They will have looked at this victory and our win at Doncaster in midweek. It’s a time for even greater efforts from all concerned.
“I knew this would be a tough game, as it was up at Rochdale earlier in the season. Keith Hill is doing a fantastic job, just as he did in his first spell there and during his time at Barnsley.
“We were very aware of not allowing ourselves to be caught on the counter-attack, particularly in the light of our recent home defeat by Sheffield United.
“It meant we couldn’t afford to be as expansive going forward as usual. The players had to show different attributes and I am delighted with every one of them.”
Peter Vincenti will be wondering how he didn’t earn at least a point from three gilt-edged chances. The best came on 25 minutes when he fired badly over after Frank Fielding had parried a Jamie Allen shot.
It was the same story after the break, Vincenti, who had hit the bar with a 30-yard free kick early on, forcing a flying save from Fielding with a header and volleying too close to the City keeper. Hill said: “It was probably the best losing performance I have ever been associated with.
“Bristol City are a juggernaut in our division this season and heading for the Championship. To create such glorious opportunities, two of which at least we should have tucked away, was very pleasing.
“We deserved to take something from the game and, knowing Steve Cotterill as I do, I am sure he wouldn’t dispute that.
“The margin between ourselves and City over 46 games, season after season, is massive. But over 90 minutes today it was tiny and I was delighted with everything apart from the result.”
Cotterill resisted the temptation to throw on Matt Smith at the end of a loan spell from Fulham that yielded 13 goals, but led the applause for the big striker at full time.