Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Johnson demands ‘heart and spirit’ from his team
BRISTOL City head coach Lee Johnson has called on his players to demonstrate their “heart and spirit” in their Sky Bet Championship game at Birmingham this afternoon.
Johnson believes it was that kind of display which helped them overcome lowly Ipswich Town in their last away game.
The City chief strongly believes his side can get the three points at St Andrew’s this afternoon.
“Our away performances have been decent,” Johnson told the official Bristol City website. “The Ipswich game was full of heart and spirit and it will need to be a similar effort in this one to get the three points. We’re always bright, we love the challenge of the Championship. We thrive off that, it’s four points from two games, and we want that to be seven from three.”
Gary Monk’s side have not lost at home all season, but City are setting themselves up to change all that.
“They have won a couple and lost a couple,” said Johnson, reflecting on the Blues’ recent form. “They were on the back of a good run and there isn’t a lot of expectation on them this year, but they have a strong side, looking at the individuals and the money spent.
“They have kept consistency with team selection and that has proved strong for them.
“They haven’t picked up many injuries, their home record is good and it’s a challenge for us to go and disrupt that.
“We’ll go there to play our game and it will be another good, competitive Championship game full of physical challenges from two teams who can play as well.”
City, meanwhile, look set to have to deal with the threat of Spanish winger Jota this afternoon.
Reports suggest the winger, who has already scored five goals this season, is available for the clash with the Robins.
If Jota does play, it will be his first appearance in three weeks after picking up a groin/pelvic injury.
Monk said: “Jota has been back out training this week and will be ready and available for selection.”