Organisation the key for Bristol City head coach Sean O'Driscoll
Sean O'Driscoll has explained Bristol City's recent performances and results in terms of improved organisation.
Since replacing the sacked Derek McInnes a few weeks ago, the new head coach has overseen a dramatic turnaround in fortunes, helping the Robins achieve back-to-back wins over Ipswich and Watford to move off the foot of the Championship table.
The former Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth boss has sought to keep things simple, deploying players in their best positions and doing his utmost to field a settled side.
Although there is little resemblance between the team trounced 4-0 at home by Leicester on January 12 and the one that beat Watford 2-0 on Tuesday night, O'Driscoll insists he has not made sweeping changes.
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He said: "I've just organised them really.
"I saw the game when they lost 4-0 to Leicester and there was not a lot to choose between the teams other than the goals.
"You have to be in a position in the Championship that, when you lose the ball, you are in a position to win it back as quickly as you can. If you are not in a position to win it back, then you have to be in a position not to concede a goal.
"I just felt they were not in a position to do either. There was no lack of effort or commitment, just things that needed tweaking.
"I've not come in and ****ged off everything that has gone on before, because there have been some good things and there is a really good group of players here who are showing a willingness to try and do well.
"The players can talk about it, but they have to do it and their behaviour will make the difference. Their behaviour has been first class.
"All I have had to do is tweak things, which you can do quickly, and pay attention to the boring things.
O'Driscoll's tactics paid off handsomely against a Watford side that arrived at Ashton Gate as the Championship's form team.
He elected to concede territory and possession and relied on swiftly-launched counter-attacks, encouraging his players to beat the Hornets at their own game.
"As a manager and as a coach you have to have a game-plan and the players have to believe in it," confided O'Driscoll.
"We had a game-plan that was a bit different against Watford and it paid off for us.
"That was important for the players, because they have got a result out of something we have tried to do and, the next time we try and change things, they will have a little bit of trust and confidence in what we are trying to do."
4 Comments
by piledriver
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 5:43PM
“@Marksy:
My point, in agreeing with SOD, was not everything was wrong or right.For me the players are getting off very lightly in all this.It's early days but there are more promising signs surrounding effort, organisation & commitment.
If we can add some quality signings to our squad which, due to injuries, consists of only 20 players inc the kids, we may be OK but there's a long way to go and, like SD, I'm not going overboard, just yet.”
by Marksy
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 5:11PM
“by piledriver
You might look for the good in McInnes reign but i look at the table. If that bloke knew what he was doing why did he leave us at the bottom of the championship. Yes we all remember the games you mentioned as well as Blackburn,Burnley,Wolves and Leicester. Embarrassing and predictable performances from my point of view.”
by piledriver
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 1:36PM
“@westywardy:
Del made mistakes and one was tinkering to much when something worked, however he wasn't tactically inept when we did the double over Soton, played well in our last eight games of last season to survive and this season when we beat Cardiff, Palace & Boro.
As SOD himself says, it wasn't all bad and there were lots of good things-Very sensible approach and I hope the owner supports his efforts in the loan market because four players have left the field injured in those two home wins.”
by westywardy
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 11:33AM
“SOD got the tactics spot on last night. I actually liked Del but he was tactically inept. 2 goals conceded in 3 games says it all.”