I'm so pleased for the fans, says Bristol City boss Derek McInnes after win against Peterborough
DELIGHTED Bristol City manager Derek McInnes was keen to accentuate the positives after watching his side win at home for the first time in four months.
Under pressure following a dismal return of two points from nine Championship games at Ashton Gate since the start of September, the Scot derived immense encouragement from Saturday's 4-2 victory over fellow strugglers Peterborough United.
-
Although City remain in the relegation zone, they are now off the foot of the table and enter the New Year just three points adrift of fourth-from-bottom Sheffield Wednesday and safety.
Having sent the home fans home happy for the first time since Cardiff were beaten 4-2 on August 25, McInnes spoke of his optimism for a brighter future in 2013.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
He said: "That was a positive performance and I think the home crowd needed to see their team play in that manner.
"We need to be more positive with one another. I'm just pleased for a lot of people.
"We've left the home support a bit dejected and disappointed in recent weeks, especially after the last couple of home games. But this was a much better performance, we played some brilliant stuff and I hope everyone is encouraged by that. We certainly are.
"There is no pride in being where we are at the moment and we have a lot of work still to do. But I have every confidence we will get the job done over the course of the campaign.
"With performances like the one we had against Peterborough, we will prove our worth and get ourselves up the table. We just have to make sure there is a consistency to us, a confidence and a belief to help us get away from the bottom of the table."
Although Peterborough were handicapped by the sending off of striker Lee Tomlin after 11 minutes, there was no arguing with the emphatic nature of City's performance.
The Robins scored four goals, missed a host of other chances and were, by far, the better team.
McInnes said: "The three points was the most important thing, but to get that level of performance was very pleasing.
"While it was 11 versus 11, we were the better team and, when it was 11 against ten, we were the better team.
"Obviously, having a man sent off made things more difficult for Peterborough, but we've passed up loads of chances and hit the woodwork a couple of times.
"Some of our play was really slick and incisive and there was a real pace and energy about us. We stretched them, played the ball from side to side and our front two and our movement caused them problems.
"I felt we knocked the stuffing out of Peterborough by keeping the ball and playing at a tempo. We won the game comfortably and have to be pleased with that.
"The goals we gave away were disappointing but, let's not kid ourselves, over the piece we were the better side and we have to be encouraged by that."
City travel to south London to take on play-off contenders Millwall tomorrow and McInnes called upon his team to demonstrate greater consistency during the second half of the campaign.
He said: "We have to make sure there is a consistency now, a confidence and a belief. Hopefully, we can now go on the kind of run that will help us get away from the bottom. One win will not help us do that and we need a consecutive run of results."
City's majority shareholder, Steve Lansdown, pictured, took to the field at half-time to thank City's fans for the support they had given the team over the past 12 months, adding that he would do everything in his power to keep City in the Championship.
Comments
by piledriver
Monday, December 31 2012, 12:16PM
“For me, it's about getting your better players on the field and the only thing I'd disagree with Del is in playing Cunningham at LCB instead of his best position LWB.I certainly want to see him there at Millwall.
Three players can make a huge difference to a team and Cunningham, Skuse & Stead did just that.
Baldock like every striker relies on service and he got it-Not the ball pumped at him three feet over his head and you wonder why a manager would allow that.
Three quality players can make the difference between relegation & promotion and if you don't think so imagaine if we signed Rooney, Lampard & Terry tomorrow!!! I know it's fantasy but it illustrates the point”
by Vonner
Monday, December 31 2012, 11:47AM
“I'm sure we all think the same Old B - it certainly helps to have Cunningham back and a supply line for Baldock in Anderson.
The one thing that worries me is that this is where we came in last season - if McInnes gets us out of it is a hero again or should we not be down here in the first place? He is just about doing enough to have survived the chop and will now get January to bring in personnel. I think how we perform between Jan 31st and our final game will ultimately decide if he stays or goes next year, regardless of relegation or escape...”
by Red_Emerson
Monday, December 31 2012, 11:25AM
“We said this last year and are now in a worst position, twelve months on!”
by oldbristolian
Monday, December 31 2012, 10:46AM
“The `Gaffer` has come in for some stick from his recent postings, I think what DM has said here is spot on!
The players didn't appear so fragile it was a good start to the game, but positivity was there to be seen by all.
We are in a real fight for survival and from now until the end of April as supporters, we need put to one side unnecessary discussions regarding formations and focus on performance and commitment.
As true fans and as committed players together we will get through this.
When this season is finished then let the discussions begin, but for now we need to unite and get behind the whole team at AG.
It`s time to Believe again,
Clap your hands and stop biting your nails......COYR...”
by AnotherOther
Monday, December 31 2012, 8:41AM
“Only three home wins this season, in each of which City have scored 4 goals and two of those wins were against teams in the top six. It's a funny old game.”