Bristol City boss Derek McInnes: Let's prove the critics wrong
DEREK McInnes will challenge Bristol City's players to prove their critics wrong before sending them out to face Burnley at Ashton Gate tonight.
Widely touted as relegation candidates before the start of the season, City are four places off the foot of the npower Championship drop zone after taking just two points from their last five games.
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But City's recent slide means McInnes and his team are all the more determined to silence those pundits who are predicting another season of struggle for the Robins.
While recognising his players still have to prove themselves this term, McInnes came out fighting ahead of what many fans are billing as a potentially pivotal clash against the Clarets.
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He said: "We are where we are and it is where most people outside of the club expected us to be at the start of the season.
"It is certainly not where the players and I felt we would be, but we are here and we have work to do to get ourselves away from it.
"I have every confidence we will not finish where we are at the minute. I have every confidence we will finish higher than that. Privately, the players and myself believe we are better than where we are at the minute, but we have to prove that.
"A lot of people will be thinking 'here they are again – Bristol City down at the bottom' but I would like to think that it will be different this season.
"We will look forward to trying to prove people wrong and prove ourselves right by showing we are better than we are at the minute."
McInnes and his players are relishing a return to home comforts after testing away games against Leicester and Bolton.
And the Scot believes Ashton Gate regulars can play their part in inspiring a return to winning ways.
He said: "I think the supporters have to recognise that the players deserve all the backing in the world. They are working very hard.
"Yes, mistakes have been made, yes, there have been instances where we have not quite got what we deserved and there is a real sense of frustration from that.
"But for a majority of the season we have been very competitive and have been close to getting something from every game we have played.
"I think the supporters recognise we are not the best team in the world, but that we are certainly committed and hard working.
"We want to show them that on Tuesday night and our aim is to have a really spirited and committed performance and to let everyone see how much we care."
A City side that has yet to keep a clean sheet this season must find a way to stop 16-goal Burnley striker Charlie Austin if they are to register a first home win in four attempts dating back to August 25.
Responsibility for that will fall to Louis Carey among others and the veteran centre-back knows what to expect from the former Swindon Town marksman.
He said: "He is a goalscorer and he is in great form. We have to be aware of him and do everything we can to cut off the supply to him.
"He is one of those players who comes alive in and around the penalty area and, as a defender, you cannot afford to switch off, even for a second.
"Austin is one of those clever lads who has good movement and you have to concentrate all the time, even when you think you are in your position."
Comments
by Burwallian
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 9:49PM
“So the critics were right Derek and squad.
Another game without a clean sheet. Great fightback and then we still manage to lose a game we should have closed out as a draw as was the case with Blackburn.
Great in terms of action for a neutral spectator.
Rubbish result and a damning verdict again on the defence! Remember we conceded 4 goals this game at home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The defence should hang their heads in shame and pay back their pay for this week!”
by Burwallian
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 6:34PM
“Stats don't lie nor does the inability to end a game without conceding a goal!
COYRs to-night.
We need a great miracle to avoid dropping all 3 points or even 2 with our ill equipped defence! It would be easier if we had more action and fewer words from the Board and Management.
They have spectacularly failed so far to create a resolute defence fit for the Championship and our results prove that fact. Action not words from all in the team whoe are on a very good money and should look and see what Job Seeker's Allowance is that many have to live on.
Earn your money!”
by piledriver
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 4:27PM
“Talk's cheap and you can buy effort by the bucket load without acheiving success.
I want to see Quality all over the pitch.I want to see goals and a win.If Burnley "top corner" Heaton from 35 yards, fair enough, but mark,tackle and give them nothing for free.
Players are earning the thick end of £500kpa-No excuses.Perform.”
by BinRelegated
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 3:40PM
“Raymond,
Im glad you feel my support is so necessary to the cause that it can turn the tide. However, I have always been a positive fans and have not waged any "hate campaign" so please dont be so churlish.
I have criticsed Fontaine on a football basis. I have not made any comments about him or his character. I appreciate that years of spud picking in Marshfield has probably minced your brain but please try and understand the difference between "abuse" such as he likes of Nicky Hunt, Lee Johnson, Jamie Mc etc received and the "constructive criticism" as I post about Fontaine as they are two entirely different things.
In any event, I have been proved right, and you know it. So now, in desperation, you have resorted to child like humour and making up stories.
Sad man!”
by Pilkington
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 1:11PM
“BinRelegated Chris wrote:
"Lets be positive and get behind the team, whoever pulls on the red shirt, in a passionate and positive manner."
Ha ha ha - yet more complete folly from our resident clown.
It is YOU who needs to practise what you are trying to preach, after all, you are the pleb who has been waging a vile hate campaign against Liam Fontaine for the last three years.
I have repeatedly stressed the importance of you learning from your peers and I am delighted to see you have taken my sound advice onboard by conceding defeat.
Now Willis is pulling in the right direction there is a chance we might start to turn a corner.”
by BinRelegated
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 11:42AM
“I like Del's thinking!
Lets be positive and get behind the team, whoever pulls on the red shirt, in a passionate and positive manner. As Sir Alex said yesterday "a union is stronger than an indivdual" so lets play our part as supportes and help the team climb the table.
We have leadership at the back now so hopefully we can start being more organised.
Come on you Reds!”
by CiderheadNott
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 11:07AM
“Yeh, Stevie could sing the following... and who would the titles apply to? "Don't you worry 'bout a thing"; "You haven't done nothin'"; "For once in my life"; "Fingertips": and a Beatles song "We can work it out" which is what I'm hoping for!”
by DaveinSA
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 10:21AM
“linking with Ray Charles upfront...hahaha they would score a hatful!”
by foxxy_tom
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 9:58AM
“Let's be honest, Stevie Wonder could make a mockery of our defence at the moment, never mind Charlie Austin!”