Football Holden delighted with the fighting spirit shown by the Robins
D❝ I was pleased with the performance, particularly in the first half
EAN Holden praised Bristol City for “moments of quality” and for “digging in” as the Robins beat Hull City 2-1 at Ashton Gate on Wednesday night.
Famara Diedhiou’s clinical finish and Jamie Paterson’s stunning free kick in off the bar from 25-yards gave City a two-goal advantage before the visitors replied through Jordy de Wijs’ header.
City’s first victory in 10 league games has boosted confidence ahead of tomorrow’s trip to relegation battlers Middlesbrough, now managed, of course, by Neil Warnock, and has kept the Robins in with a slim chance of making the play-offs.
Interim head coach Holden, in charge of the team for the first time since Lee Johnson was sacked last Saturday, told Robins TV: “You can’t guarantee a result but if you show moments of quality like we did with the ball and fight like they have been doing recently then they are good ingredients.
“The first half performance was the one we were looking for, in the second half we’ve had to dig in and fight and protect the box.
“There’s different ways to win a game and the most important thing was the three points but I was pleased with the performance, particularly in the first half.
“We scored two fantastic goals and then when Hull scored it got a little nervy because it’s been a while since we had a win. But they put their bodies on the line.
“It was a fantastic free-kick from Pato - he’s got that technique. Now we are looking for the next one. With the first goal (Diedhiou) in particular it’s dropped out of the sky and you’re thinking ‘is he going to hit this on the half-volley, is he going to rush it’ and, at the last minute, it was a really nice piece of composure to play it into Fam and a good finish from the big man.”
“I said to them beforehand just go out and play as if it was your first ever game of football, express yourselves. If things don’t go well for you keep working hard and stick together and, to a man, that is what they did.”
Holden added: “I got a lovely message off Lee today. I’ve spoken to him a few times over the last few days and he sent me a great message to pass on to the players.
“Saturday after the (Cardiff) game we said the next one is going to be a win because the lads have been fighting, so it was nice that we got the three points for everyone.”
City had to bring on Zak Vyner after Nathan Baker was injured in the first minute and then weather a nervy spell following de Wijs’ goal.
Holden said: “They produced tonight. I don’t think Filip Benkovicć missed a header. We didn’t get a clean sheet but it’s great that they can look around at each other in the dressing room knowing they have dug that win out.
“It’s not easy for Zak to come on in that scenario but I thought he handled himself well and even Nagy came on at the end and threw himself in front of something and goes down injured for it. That’s all we say to the players, leave everything on the pitch.
“Big Tom Eaves came on in the second half and gave us a problem but that’s the job of the defender – that’s what we expect of them.”
City now move on to play a Middlesbrough team that have won two and lost two of their four matches since former Cardiff boss
Warnock replaced the sacked Jonathan Woodgate as manager.
Wednesday’s 2-0 success at Millwall lifted Middlesbrough to 18th in the table, two points and four places clear of the drop-zone.