‘A horrible day’ we will ‘never forget’

Bristol City boss Dean Holden demands a response from side after 6-0 thrashing

BRISTOL City manager Dean Holden branded his side’s performance unacceptable after their crushing 6-0 defeat at the hands of Watford at Vicarage Road.

Holden, pictured, who is demanding a big improvement when they face Reading at Ashton Gate tomorrow night, said: “It’s a horrible day for everyone connected. It’s a feeling that sits right in your gut. And to lose 6-0 is unacceptable.

“We were outclassed by a far better opponent today. We showed too many lapses in concentration to go 3-0 down early in the game. And then it’s a tough ask from there. Everybody is really on the floor and it’s a really bad day. And it’s a day as a player you’ll never forget. It’s the sort of result everybody will look at and we have questions to answer now.”

Holden added: “There is no doubt the Premier League teams from last season have huge depth in their squads. But that’s not the reason we lost 6-0 today. We weren’t at our best with the ball or without the ball.

“We are lucky we have a game very quickly on Tuesday and we have to show a response.”

Xisco Munoz’s Hornets side put aside their recent dip in form to register an emphatic win that moved the fourth-placed side to within six points of the Sky Bet Championship’s automatic promotion places. Ken Sema and Ismaila Sarr both scored twice, with Will Hughes and Philip Zinckernagel also on target. The victory was achieved without Troy Deeney, who remained on the bench, and Munoz insisted the win was a reflection of the depth of team spirit in his squad at the moment.