Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Expectations will rise at City, insists Preston boss
PRESTON North End boss Alex Neil says there will be a level of expectation on Bristol City this season after a summer of spending.
The Robins make the trip to Deepdale today with both sides having started well in the Championship as Preston lie third and City sit seventh, just one point behind.
Over the summer, City broke their transfer record to sign Tomas Kalas before spending more money on Han-Noah Massengo, Adam Nagy and Jay Dasilva.
Neil is predicting a tough test, but says the money spent puts pressure on the Robins.
“They are a strong team,” he told Preston’s official website. “They have been in and around the play-off positions for the last few seasons and, like ourselves, have just fallen a bit short. I am sure they will want to go one better this year. They have started the season well and are a difficult side to play against.
“They have spent a lot of money and with that comes an expectation of doing well, and they are a good side. As their form suggests, it will be a really tough match for us. They will come here full of confidence and we need to go and try and play as well as we possibly can.”
The Robins lost on-loan Benik Afobe last week following an ACL injury that will likely keep him out for the season, and Neil says he can sympathise with opposite number Lee Johnson.
“I think it’s is a big blow for them and I am sure Lee will be feeling the same way,” he said. “He is a very effective player. He can take the ball in, he can run beyond it, and that will be very frustrating for them, but they do have good numbers at the top end of the pitch.
“They have options there with however they choose to play, but I am sure they will be disappointed they have lost him.”
Neil has noted City’s recent change to 3-5-2, but says his side must concentrate on their own game.
He said: We just need to focus on how we are going to play.”