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Bristol City boss reveals tactics for Newcastle match

7 years ago
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After seeing his team booed off at half-time and full-time on Wednesday night, Bristol City boss Lee Johnson has made clear what he intends to try and do on Saturday.

Bristol City lost at home 2-0 to Fulham and this continues a dismal run for the club that started the season well.

After taking 23 points from the first 14 Championship matches, Lee Johnson and his players have taken just nine more points from the next 18 games.

In that run they have lost 13 and won only two, leaving them only one place and two points about the drop as they arrive to play Newcastle United.

Lee Johnson is in no doubt as to what is needed, after watching the Fulham match he says ‘It gives me a very simple team selection for Saturday because we need that bite in midfield’.

He accused his players of standing off Fulham and making it easy for them to play their football, so he wants his team ‘to find a way of getting in people’s faces’.

Newcastle fans have become used to seeing pretty much every team arrive at St James Park and sit deep, hoping to hit NUFC with the odd break. If Bristol City decide to try and press United then it could play into Rafa’s hands, with then gaps to play in if they can beat the visitors’ press.

City’s plight looks ever more difficult with top goalscorer (21 goals in all competitions) Tammy Abraham out injured, the loan player currently back at Chelsea having treatment.

Lee Johnson:

“It gives me a very simple team selection for Saturday because we need that bite in midfield.

“We were just too far off them, that was the bit that was frustrating.

We’ll go to Newcastle as the underdog and I’ll certainly pick a team full of energy.

“I’m up for the fight…I’ll never lose the belief. We’ve had a full and frank discussion in the dressing room and needed it.

“I apologise to everybody for the performance. I’ll never shirk it. I have to take it on the chin.

“You’ve got to run with heart at times. If you’re low in confidence then you have to do everything to make something happen.

“We played into their hands and we’ve got to learn – and quicker.

“The energy and bite was lacking tonight.

“I understand the fans’ frustrations. We’ve got to find a way of getting in people’s faces.

“We were just too far off them and we’ve allowed them to boss it in the end.”

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