BRISTOL CITY: I cannot ask any more of my players says Steve Cotterill
BRISTOL City manager Steve Cotterill watched his side slip back into the Championship relegation zone and admitted he could not ask any more of the players at his disposal.
Although the Robins deservedly took the lead against fellow strugglers Charlton Athletic in the Boxing Day basement battle at Ashton Gate, they were unable to add to their tally, despite creating numerous goalscoring opportunities.
When Harry Lennon snatched an injury-time equaliser against the run of play to earn the Addicks a point, it merely underlined City's urgent need for a proven goalscorer.
With the January transfer window set to open later this week and the campaign already at its halfway stage, it is imperative the club bolster their attacking resources if a prolonged fight against relegation is to be avoided in the new year.
With the notable exception of being able to put the ball in the back of the net, there was nothing wrong with a team performance that threatened to overwhelm Charlton at times. Cotterill afterwards insisted he is getting everything he can out of his players, but diplomatically stopped short of mentioning the transfer window.
He said: "We had some great opportunities, but nothing changes overly and we need to take more of them when they come along.
"There is not a lot I can work out from that. I think I'm getting everything I can out of the boys and they are giving me everything they can.
"But that is how it has been for us this season. We have been dominant in games and not put teams to the sword. We should have put Charlton to the sword.
"Had we won 5-0, people would have said 'what a fantastic performance by Bristol City'. But we are trying to bring through some young players here and they are finding it difficult (to adjust) all together.
"This team at this level at this moment in time is not blessed with goalscorers. Some of our football was outstanding and we could have played the same way and easily won 5-0. That last little bit is a real kick in the teeth."
Having drawn a game they were expected to win, Cotterill admitted the result felt more like a defeat for his players.
He said: "It is very difficult to find what to say to the players after that. We've drawn and it feels more like a defeat. I'm disappointed for the players after a performance like that. We were trying to win the game, they were trying not to lose it. I thought we drove the game, were by far the better team and were the team trying to win it. Then there is one ball in our box, we try and defend it, and we cannot prevent it from going in."
Cotterill refused to point the finger of blame at midfielder Marlon Pack, whose penalty miss midway through the second half proved a turning point.
He said: "You cannot blame anyone for missing a one-off chance like that. I thought he was outstanding today and we've had enough chances today that Marlon's penalty should not have mattered.
"It gave them a bit of a lift and dented us. I felt a bit of anxiety crept into our game after that, but we still had a lot of chances and should have put the game to bed."
City's players must now pick themselves up before taking on promotion-chasing Burnley at Turf Moor later today.
Cotterill said: "We have to rehabilitate in a short space of time because we don't have long before the next game.
"The players will be in the right frame of mind, but it's a matter of getting them up to Burnley, rested and fed and ready for Monday."
Striker Kieran Agard is not expected to recover from a calf injury in time to play and Cotterill may well name an unchanged side.
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/BRISTO...ve-Cotterill/story-28430224-detail/story.html
BRISTOL City manager Steve Cotterill watched his side slip back into the Championship relegation zone and admitted he could not ask any more of the players at his disposal.
Although the Robins deservedly took the lead against fellow strugglers Charlton Athletic in the Boxing Day basement battle at Ashton Gate, they were unable to add to their tally, despite creating numerous goalscoring opportunities.
When Harry Lennon snatched an injury-time equaliser against the run of play to earn the Addicks a point, it merely underlined City's urgent need for a proven goalscorer.
With the January transfer window set to open later this week and the campaign already at its halfway stage, it is imperative the club bolster their attacking resources if a prolonged fight against relegation is to be avoided in the new year.
With the notable exception of being able to put the ball in the back of the net, there was nothing wrong with a team performance that threatened to overwhelm Charlton at times. Cotterill afterwards insisted he is getting everything he can out of his players, but diplomatically stopped short of mentioning the transfer window.
He said: "We had some great opportunities, but nothing changes overly and we need to take more of them when they come along.
"There is not a lot I can work out from that. I think I'm getting everything I can out of the boys and they are giving me everything they can.
"But that is how it has been for us this season. We have been dominant in games and not put teams to the sword. We should have put Charlton to the sword.
"Had we won 5-0, people would have said 'what a fantastic performance by Bristol City'. But we are trying to bring through some young players here and they are finding it difficult (to adjust) all together.
"This team at this level at this moment in time is not blessed with goalscorers. Some of our football was outstanding and we could have played the same way and easily won 5-0. That last little bit is a real kick in the teeth."
Having drawn a game they were expected to win, Cotterill admitted the result felt more like a defeat for his players.
He said: "It is very difficult to find what to say to the players after that. We've drawn and it feels more like a defeat. I'm disappointed for the players after a performance like that. We were trying to win the game, they were trying not to lose it. I thought we drove the game, were by far the better team and were the team trying to win it. Then there is one ball in our box, we try and defend it, and we cannot prevent it from going in."
Cotterill refused to point the finger of blame at midfielder Marlon Pack, whose penalty miss midway through the second half proved a turning point.
He said: "You cannot blame anyone for missing a one-off chance like that. I thought he was outstanding today and we've had enough chances today that Marlon's penalty should not have mattered.
"It gave them a bit of a lift and dented us. I felt a bit of anxiety crept into our game after that, but we still had a lot of chances and should have put the game to bed."
City's players must now pick themselves up before taking on promotion-chasing Burnley at Turf Moor later today.
Cotterill said: "We have to rehabilitate in a short space of time because we don't have long before the next game.
"The players will be in the right frame of mind, but it's a matter of getting them up to Burnley, rested and fed and ready for Monday."
Striker Kieran Agard is not expected to recover from a calf injury in time to play and Cotterill may well name an unchanged side.
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/BRISTO...ve-Cotterill/story-28430224-detail/story.html
