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Dean's Words

Discussion in 'Bristol City' started by wizered, Oct 4, 2020.

  1. wizered

    wizered Ol' Mucker
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    Every word from Dean Holden on Bristol City win over Nottingham Forest, transfer deadline day, more
    Full post-match press conference.

    Congratulations on a fine win. I saw you play at Stoke and thought you were well organised, hard to beat and with a threat as well, which was the same as here…
    Yes, we knew the threat Forest would pose us because of the start that they’ve had to the season. They have some top players right throughout the team, they’ve obviously not got the season going just yet. So we knew the threat that was coming for us. It was a couple of things – making sure that we got on top of them early and making sure we avoid any complacency because we’ve won a few games.

    So to go 2-0 up was pleasing; two very good goals again, two good finishes from Nahki Wells and Andi Weimann, a really clever assist again from Chris Martin…Two actually, I think he got the first for Andi Weimann so two assists for the big man. Then we switched off for a throw-in on the far side and they get down the side and we had time to get set.

    They got a big chance from it and then another big chance and the momentum of the game changed. The second half was going to be our biggest test mentally so far this season, because we knew the predicament Forest are in and we knew that it was going to be risk or reward for them. They went after the game, in fairness, and they got hold of it in the second half.

    Dan Bentley has been incredible for us, the goalkeeper; that’s his job, to make saves, but in fairness, he’s made some big saves. We’ve had countless counter-attacks in the second half, late in the game, to take the game to bed but we didn’t quite find that pass. Then you’re always at the mercy, of course, of a deflection or whatever.

    But I think that block at the end probably summed up our spirit in the second half. It was a real test; I’m really pleased that we’ve come under that because any successful season, you’re going to need to come under pressure and you’re going to need to stand up to it and fight together. The spirit that you build from performances like that is really important so really pleasing.

    Does it get harder, in a perverse kind of way, when you’re on a run like this because people suddenly chase you and want to beat you, or a bit of over-confidence?
    All the managers are ringing me and trying to give me advice and help; complacency is of course the biggest thing that you’ve got to make sure doesn’t…But that’s in training, that’s in standards on and off the pitch, that’s that they get nailed from within the dressing room or they get nailed by me and the staff. So there’s no question that that’s going to rear its head. The full focus tomorrow morning will be Barnsley in two weeks, simple as that. We’re on to the next one.

    We’ve always said that we’re just moving to the next one – everyone’s getting a little bit carried away. I hope our supporters are because it’s a tough old world that we’re living in at the moment and people are having a tough time so I hope they’re enjoying it. But at the same time, in-house, we’re clearly pleased and building a nice spirit.

    We’re a new group, in fairness. So I’m pleased but it’s just another game with a good result.

    That's four wins from the first four league games of the season - something not done since 1927...
    I don’t know the answer to that, I’m sorry. Is that right? Well, again, the only record or achievement that I’m interested in is what happens at the end of the season. It’s nice that we’ve had a good start, we needed it.

    Dan Bentley’s put in some display there; any particular favourites from the saves there? There were some crackers...
    There was, yes. That’s his job as a goalkeeper, isn’t it? But he’s made some big saves. He was probably called upon a lot more than we wanted him to be but not every game goes the way you want it to go and the second half proved that.

    I think the block at the end summed up the performance; two lads have thrown themselves in front of it and again, you’ve got to fight to win three points in this division.

    You’re never just going to be plain sailing, you’re never going to have the ball all the time and everything’s going to be nice. The conditions were terrible; the pitch is outstanding but obviously getting heavier with the water. That’s going to be bring its own problems. But a big part of our success up to now has been that little bit of adversity that kicks in and how we respond to it and we did that.

    In the second half, you knew they were going to come at you, didn’t you, and had to dig in a bit I guess?
    Yes; it’s always been our mentality to get on the front foot. We knew they were going to come out for risk or reward; they might as well try and get an equaliser as lose a third. That could’ve happened with the chances we’ve had on the counter-attack. We don’t like to sit in and sit deep and bring the pressure to your front door because you’re always at the mercy of a goal but sometimes, games just pan out like that. They’ve thrown attacking players – the management here have made bold changes. They’ve made it difficult for us, they’re a good team; just because they’ve had a few bad results before us doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy.

    Two good finishes from Nahki and Andi – you’re looking for that from them, aren't you?
    For sure, yes. The players are in good form. They’re making good chances in every game which is pleasing. Chris Martin had a couple of assists today, different in their own right – that little cutback was probably similar to the goal we scored against Coventry. Chris Martin’s knockdown was probably similar to last week and the one in Stoke. There’s different ways to win a game, I keep saying that. It’s not just about getting on the ball all the time, you’ve got to fight, you’ve got to stick in there, you’ve got to be smart with your positional play. Essentially, I’ll watch the game back and they’ve had the majority of the second half. But you’ve got to dig in and when you don’t play brilliantly, you’ve got to make sure that you find the result and we’ve done that.

    What’s the plan for the next few days? The transfer window closes on Monday – expecting anything to come in or go out?
    I’ve no expectations of anything coming in, no. We did our work early and we did good work early; I’m really grateful to the people at the club for that as it’s given us a real chance to start the season well as we’ve done.

    In terms of departures, there might be one or two before the end of the window.

    Just a word on Niclas Eliasson because he’s been a big part of this team and he left yesterday with a big move for him to France…
    Yes and I’m pleased for him that he’s got the move that he wanted. I’ve been in touch with him ever since I got the job; we had a good, honest conversation and promised each other that we’d be really straight and honest with each other.

    He’s a fantastic personality, a big smiling face that he’s got. He brought a lot to this football club with some incredible performances and he brought a lot of excitement to our supporters. He probably wasn’t going to sign a new contract so….This move came up, he came to see me, it was a move that he wanted to pursue. The club have got a transfer fee for him and we wish him well.

    How will you spend the international break, the next two weeks? Will you go away at all yourself?
    No, I won’t get a chance. It’ll be a mixture of a little bit of family time for the players. For myself and the staff, it’ll be about preparing for the Barnsley game. It gives us a little bit of a break to prepare for that and also to look back at these previous six games that we’ve had this season.

    It gives us a chance to take a step back without the pressure of a game in two days and analyse where we’re at. In every game, there’s a lot for us to improve on, there’s no doubt about that.
    https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/every-word-dean-holden-bristol-4573484
     
    #1
  2. wizered

    wizered Ol' Mucker
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    Here we go then, a combination of 10 games have been completed, comprising of 3 friendlies, 3 Carabao Cup matches and 4 Championship games, won 7, drawn 2 and lost 1, 5 new signings have been completed, a mixture of players sold, loaned out and moved on, a nice better, balance in the team is becoming apparent, teamwise all is looking settled, tactics and substututions are working, we have no fancy dans and all are working well together making a good team spirit.

    It's great to listen or read Deans comments, honest, forthright and straight to the point, no cliches or lame, blame comments, our new head coach is like having a headmaster instead of a head prefect, I'm off the fence, he is doing ok in my book.
     
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  3. RedorDead

    RedorDead Well-Known Member

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    Don’t forget he only lost once in the 5 caretaker role games.
     
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  4. Redprintt

    Redprintt Well-Known Member

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    I know it's 2 weeks away but I really hope he keeps the same side even if Kalas, Williams, Walsh and Morrell are available.
    The team that started yesterday and previous did little wrong and until they do then those players should keep the shirt.
    Some coaches can overthink things.
    I am and know it's old school but if it ain't broke don't fix it.
     
    #4
  5. remembergou

    remembergou Active Member

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    A very true statement, how would you integrate them back into contention?
     
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  6. Redprintt

    Redprintt Well-Known Member

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    When the incumbant loses form, injury or the team loses.
    Never understood changing a winning team.
    I understand I'm very much in the minority.
     
    #6
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  7. AshtonRed

    AshtonRed Well-Known Member

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    We’ve 7 games in quick succession once the international break is over, I’d keep an unchanged side to start, and then, gradually introduce others to keep the team fresh.
     
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  8. Red Alert

    Red Alert Well-Known Member

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    Nicked this is off the coach. Slowly if necessary by putting one player in across one down one or one up but not two or three by two or three changing the shape of a winning team
     
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