That was such a satisfying win, says Bristol City boss Derek McInnes
DEREK McInnes spoke of his sheer elation at the final whistle after seeing his Bristol City team come from behind to snatch a crucial 3-2 victory against fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
City twice fell behind, but came back on each occasion to level matters through two Sam Baldock penalties, before Albert Adomah netted a glorious late winner direct from a free-kick.
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Adomah's fifth goal of the season saw the Robins move out of the npower Championship relegation zone and heap pressure on Wednesday, who are now adrift at the wrong end of the table.
McInnes said: "Our job is to make people feel happy and proud of the team and there was a real sense of satisfaction at the end.
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"Although we're not the best team in the world, it is never dull. When the supporters make the effort to come up and you see what it means to them, it is just sheer elation to get all three points. All in all, it was a good day for us and a good three points for us."
Above all, this result and performance represented the perfect response to last week's humiliating 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Wolves, an outcome that led some supporters to question the commitment of the players.
McInnes said: "I can understand why supporters questioned the players after a 4-1 home defeat, but I have never questioned their commitment.
"We were still committed last week, but we did not have the strength of mind to come back after we fell behind.
"We were shell-shocked and did not react in the right manner. Commitment is a word that is thrown out there, but you can never accuse us of lacking that.
"What I think you can say is that there is sometimes a lack of strength on the mental side of things. But that was not the case today.
"Regardless of the outcome, what I thought we had was bundles of character. When we lost the first goal, we came straight back at them. When we lost the second goal, we came back straight away.
"It was more the attitude of the players than anything tactical I did. It was their sheer will not to accept the result.
"The players just got on with it and that shows what can be done."
City withstood a physical battering from opponents who adopted route one tactics in a bid to exploit a defence that has yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
Although the back-four looked shaky at times, McInnes was full of praise for the manner in which his players acquitted themselves amid potentially intimidating circumstances.
"We had to deal with a lot of traffic and the kind of football we don't normally see in the Championship anymore," added the Scot. "It was route one and it was absolute carnage at times. It was long throws from both sides, long balls played into the box and two big centre-backs going forward at every opportunity. We had to deal with a lot of that.
"If people thought that was a way of exploiting us – and I can see why they would if they'd watched us over the last few weeks – we've stood up to it.
"Hopefully, when teams look at that, they will think they have to try and beat Bristol City another way. We stood up to a lot of direct football and that was the pleasing thing for me.
"We picked a team to deal with that and, thankfully, we played enough football to win the game. I think the right team won."
Comments
by Vonner
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 9:16AM
“Oddly enough AussieGeorge I used to watch the cricket from Oz and see the very beginnings of the Barmy Army having fun in the sun - decided I could take no more, was lucky to accept voluntary redundancy in 1991 and used the payment for a 6 month trip to Oz to join them in 1992 for the cricket World Cup. Great memories...
Never forget the first day I walked into the MCG with my yellow/green Thorn Security City shirt on - the very first shirt I walked into was of course blue n white quarters! It is amazing how many of them you see at other England events all over the world yet so few at their own games - though understandable...”
by AussieGeorge
Monday, December 10 2012, 8:54PM
“Vonner - I meant to add this earlier.
Absolutely correct re the true fan, living in Oz i always admire "The Barmy Army" when they visit, they never give up their support either winning or losing. They've gained the respect of thousands down under.”
by AussieGeorge
Monday, December 10 2012, 8:49PM
“A win is a win and with valuable points who cares if it's ugly or lucky, Dmac is correct, COMMITMENT is the word, and I think that's what all the fans quite rightly expect.
Well done lads, give us a good Xmas.
COYR”
by DaveinSA
Monday, December 10 2012, 6:39PM
“Three more wins needed by the end of December.
KOYR”
by Vonner
Monday, December 10 2012, 2:56PM
“Nobody in their right mind is going to voice anything but abuse during and after that Wolves game Piledriver I understand that. People have paid good money and deserve to make their feelings felt. But why not save it for half time and full time? I've yet to see a team improve with abuse raining down during a game, and no matter how frustrated you are (and I've been there) you are only doing damage.
I just wonder if sometimes we get edgy a bit to early - there is the feeling of 'here we go again' if we concede the first goal. There is this stand off where the crowd want the players to do positive things to get them going, yet the players might argue they need the noise and encouragement from minute one to give them confidence. I've been at home games and felt like a lemon shouting 'Come On City' or some other utterence in total silence, not even necessarily when we are losing. I have nothing but respect for the guys that keep trying to produce some sort of good atmosphere, it is the sign of a true fan.”
by piledriver
Monday, December 10 2012, 1:48PM
“@ Vonner:
It would be very difficult to cheer performances like the ones v Wolves & Charlton to the rafters and it wouldn't happen at any ground in the country.
AG fans have been very patient over the last 3-4 seasons and managers have had an easy ride in comparison to yesteryear.
Home wins are needed as we attempt to gain 32 points from the 75 available.That's 43% and would equate to 60 over a season.
After a bright start at home we've become more negative and yet less solid at the back.We need 2-3 out & in starting with two centre backs.”
by Vonner
Monday, December 10 2012, 11:50AM
“Couple of things - I said this after the Boro game and will say again that so long as McInnes has a team still trying for him (skill is optional!) and not prepared to lie down and die we have a chance. The last two away wins have had a bit of the 'we always believe' about them - though I think Sheff Wed are at least as brittle as us when it comes to confidence at home.
And thats the second point - the fear factor of playing at home has to go. Anyone who follow City knows how brilliant the away support and atmosphere is, if only we could transfer it to home games (applies to any team I guess). Us fans have to try and keep that negativity off the pitch till the 90 mins are up - shout/mail what you want afterwards.”
by Frankclack
Monday, December 10 2012, 11:34AM
“Let's accept any small crumbs of comfort that come our way. We know that the road is going to be long and with many twists along the way. And it isn't going to be pretty to watch.
But don't let's lose sight of the fact that this was a City team with a patchwork back four hastily stitched together to do a job, and with an unfamiliar midfield.
It could have been a whole lot worse, because Wednesday were certainly not going to lie down and roll over.
So City had a bit of luck, God know's they need it!
And it was good to see that the team and the managerial staff are at least still as one.
Keep it up for a few matches ... PLEASE !”
by TheSpleen
Monday, December 10 2012, 10:51AM
“"Hopefully, when teams look at that, they will think they have to try and beat Bristol City another way. We stood up to a lot of direct football and that was the pleasing thing for me."
I seriously hope that McInnes is too intelligent and experienced a manager to actually believe this, because this is absolute nonsense. Wednesday scored two goals. If you concede two goals, you usually lose.
What other teams will be thinking is "All we have to do is get the ball in the box and not have Miguel Llera in our side, and we'll win".”
by westywardy
Monday, December 10 2012, 10:32AM
“It was a very timely result but for god sake LET'S BUILD ON THIS! And not have another home home fiasco like the Wolves game.”