Derek McInnes confident Bristol City can turn fortunes around
BRISTOL City boss Derek McInnes insists the time has come for his stuttering team to translate decent performances into positive results.
Without a victory in five Championship games, the Robins are just one place and two points above the relegation zone after losing 3-2 against Bolton at the weekend.
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City led 2-0 thanks to a double strike from Steven Davies in the first 20 minutes, only for the defensive frailties that have dogged the visitors all season to resurface and hand Bolton a way out.
Back-to-back home games against Burnley tomorrow and Hull on Saturday offer a ready-made opportunity for McInnes and his players to put things right and the Scot admits the time for excuses is fast running out.
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He said: "There is a lot right about this team and we are going the right way. I genuinely believe that, but we need to back it up with results.
"We are aware of that and we need to keep focussed, have a belief in ourselves and keep trying to make this a better season than those we have had in the last couple of years.
"I have no doubts that we have the players and the ability to do that."
He added: "There is no pleasure in defeat and we are feeling sore right now. We have taken a great support with us and given them a lot to shout about. But they will be disappointed as we all are.
"We have come up against a very good team and, on another day, our performance would have been good enough to get a result in the Championship. But we have come away with nothing and we know we have to put points on the board.
"We have two games at Ashton Gate this week and it is important to have a good home record.
"We have not had a good result at home for a few games and we need to change that on Tuesday."
Although a revamped back four defended with greater conviction than in recent games, City's inability to defend as a team cost them dear at the Reebok Stadium.
Chris Eagles scored from a free-kick after 31 minutes to inspire the Bolton fightback and then had a hand in second-half goals from Jay Spearing and Martin Petrov as Bolton turned the tables.
McInnes said: "Ultimately, we are disappointed we have conceded two goals from midfield runs. That has killed us and we should be doing more to stop that.
"For all our hard work and good bits of play, we have come away with nothing other than the recognition that we are not far away. But I don't want to have to keep saying it. I don't want us to have to score three or four goals to win a game.
"I thought we did better in some of the areas in which we have been negligent recently and we defended with far more purpose and drive than of late. For the majority of the game, it was fine. But you have to do it for 90 minutes and not allow good players the kind of opportunities we allowed them towards the end."
Comments
by westonred
Monday, October 22 2012, 7:24AM
“Whilst the majority of City fans give McInnes their backing a few are starting to turn against him. I'm 100% behind him at the moment but i do question some of his descisions like playing Liam Fonatiane at left back on Saturday. DMc has been far too loyal to Fontaine who has been awful this season and has cost us many games with his poor performances. While i dont believe that Liam has become a bad player overnight i do believe that having the weight of responsibility of being City's Captain is upsetiing his game and should be stripped of the job and dropped from the first team for a short while.
C.T.I.D”
by westonred
Monday, October 22 2012, 7:24AM
“Whilst the majority of City fans give McInnes their backing a few are starting to turn against him. I'm 100% behind him at the moment but i do question some of his descisions like playing Liam Fonatiane at left back on Saturday. DMc has been far too loyal to Fontaine who has been awful this season and has cost us many games with his poor performances. While i dont believe that Liam has become a bad player overnight i do believe that having the weight of responsibility of being City's Captain is upsetiing his game and should be stripped of the job and dropped from the first team for a short while.”
by RedNemesis_1
Monday, October 22 2012, 7:05AM
“While the facts say that City are in no better position now than they were 12 months ago, I think the majority of supporters recognise the strides City are taking under Derek.
* We have a more balanced, stronger squad than a year ago.
* We have more potency in attack than a year ago.
* The football is more entertaining than a year ago.
* We have a squad of players who want to play for BCFC and are all pulling in the same direction
* We have a manager with a clear long term vision for the club
In Derek we trust. COYR!”