DH, Nagy, Rowe & 'City Ready for Rotherham’

1) 'He's in a good place' - Dean Holden hails Bristol City's Hungarian dynamo Adam Nagy
Robins central midfielder has hit rich vein of form in the last weeks.

A goal at QPR, bursting through several tackles at Ashton Gate and setting up Callum O'Dowda to shoot against Blackburn, and vital interceptions to stop Birmingham City counter-attacking on the side in red.

It's been a very good few weeks for City's Hungarian central midfielder Adam Nagy, who has picked up the midfield baton dropped by the injured Andi Weimann and Jamie Paterson, with Joe Williams and Liam Walsh nowhere to be seen.

Being in the right place is a handy knack in football, and Nagy has come into the City side and grasped the opportunity, starting the last eight games straight, plus another three over the last international break for his country.

His head coach Dean Holden reflected on the 25-year-old's good performances ahead of the Robins rolling on to face Rotherham on Saturday afternoon.

"He's a very, very good footballer who keeps thins simple and he knows where his strengths are," explained Holden of the man who made the joint most interceptions for City against Blackburn on Wednesday night and whose average of 2.5 per game is higher than any other City player in the Championship this season.

"He's a selfless team player. His workrate that he gets through in that midfield area will probably go unnoticed a lot of the
time. Certainly not from myself, the coaches and his teammates though.

"He's in a good place at the moment. Obviously internationally he's had a really good time recently as well.

"I spoke to him the other night about the draw that's just come out. He's got a fantastic tournament to look forward to next summer.

"He's in a fantastic place and he's just got to continue doing what he's doing and I'm sure he will," said Holden.

The former Bologna midfielder was hawked around several Championship clubs in the summer of 2019 before City took the plunge and he moved to Ashton Gate for a fee of around £2m, showing early glimpses of potential in a draw at Birmingham and a home win over QPR, as he found the net volleying in from the edge of the box for his first score in a red shirt.

A long-running ankle injury then put a halt to things, and arguably the Robins are now seeing a fully fit and settled version of the 44-cap international.

"I think it's a couple of things," adds Holden. "I think you're right - he's now getting a run of games, which any player will tell you to get into the rhythm of playing game after game is a really good thing for a footballer.

"And he came across - and unless you've done it it may be difficult to understand - to come from another country... It's not an excuse because he's now doing really well.

"Looking back, it's a difficult transition to settle into a new style, a new formation, a new city, with all the stuff going on in your home life and everything."

"I think we're now seeing the best of him and there's no question about that. He's a very good player, very effective and a fantastic teammate for the rest of the guys around."
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hes-good-place-dean-holden-4787707

2) 'City ready for Rotherham’ – Holden
Friday, December 11th 2020

Dean Holden will take his Robins to South Yorkshire for Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture versus Rotherham United, less than 72 hours after the midweek victory over Blackburn Rovers.

Recovery time and the quick turnaround between games leaves little time to train ahead of the match but Holden is far from concerned about his match preparations.

Rotherham, who lost to Watford on Tuesday night, may have the extra day in the run up to the fixture but City will take confidence with them to the New York Stadium, after returning to winning ways in BS3 in that 1-0 victory over Blackburn, thanks to Famara Diédhiou’s late goal.

Head Coach Holden told Robins TV: “In terms of training time on the grass there hasn’t been much time but there’s plenty for myself and the coaches to get around the group and individually, to make sure they’re aware of the type of game we’re going into on Saturday. The preparation remains the same, there’s not so much time on the grass as normal but we’ll still be well prepared.

“It’s a quick turnaround from the game last night, so physically and mentally we have to be ready for a big challenge. Rotherham put you under a lot of pressure, they play with a lot of energy and we know it’ll be a hell of a challenge, but we’re ready.” he insisted.

“They set the team up in a way to make it difficult, to put you under pressure throughout the game. They’re strong at set-pieces, we have to be physically strong but carry a threat like we did on Wednesday night.”

CITY RECOVER FOR SATURDAY

There was plenty of encouragement in midweek as City shut out the league’s attack-minded Blackburn Rovers, giving top scorer Adam Armstrong a night to forget. The Robins earned their eighth clean sheet in all competitions this season and deservedly grabbed a winning goal to cap off their hard efforts across the pitch.
Now City have the chance to pick up where they left off.

Holden added: “I was pleased with how we passed the ball, the detail and calmness in the final third and that led to us creating more chances last night than we have of late. Hopefully we’ll continue to do that on Saturday.”

Rotherham v City (Saturday, December 12th, 3pm KO) will be streamed live on Robins TV, with £10 matchday passes now available to purchase.
https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/city-ready-for-rotherham-holden/

3) Rowe’s praise for young guns' attitude

Friday, December 11th 2020

Tommy Rowe has hailed the influence and application of City’s younger players who have stepped up to first-team action this season.

Winger Opi Edwards and midfielder Ryley Tower have been part of the matchday squad this season, with Edwards having made his league debut against Reading.

And striker Sam Bell, a regular goalscorer with the Under-23s, made his professional debut last weekend, as Dean Holden shows his faith and pride in the Academy system.

Experienced Rowe has been encouraged by the standards the young lads have shown, and how they have helped to push the squad to the top of their game.

“With this run of games, it’s more important than ever to get that application from the youngsters,” the left-sided defender/midfielder told Robins TV. “The days you come in after a game are key training sessions, especially two days between a game, and they put pressure on the lads who are starting or on the bench, to get the effort in and raise the standards.

“The standards have been incredible from the young lads. Ryley and Opi have been with us a while and their standards are improving every day. It’s great to see the hunger and desire to train, it makes you a good professional.

“Everyone can be a professional, but it’s how you push that. It’s what the gaffer and the senior players demand and it’s a good working environment then with everyone pulling in the right direction.”

Having everyone pulling in the right direction has helped the team compete at the top end of the Sky Bet Championship, with City in the play-off pack ahead of Saturday’s trip to take on Rotherham United (Saturday, December 12th, 3pm KO).

Rowe says sleep and recovery is vital with the games coming so thick and fast – the trip to South Yorkshire will be less than 72 hours off the back of Wednesday’s victory over Blackburn Rovers.

“There were a few tired legs out there but we’re all motivated to get that work in. These days are important to recover…but we’ve got to maintain standards and we’re excited for the next week ahead,” Rowe said.

“There are a lot of teams on similar points at the minute and we know what it’s long with this run of games. We have to go into it with the same attitude of the last three of four games, we know we’re in a tough run and competition for places is important.

“We have players who can come in, we can rest certain places so to be fluid with that approach and know how important it is, especially with injuries we’ve had, that we get through this period and do ourselves proud, and put ourselves in the right position going into the New Year.

“Thankfully we’ve plugged away and got the results we’ve wanted. We’re in a good position, the games come thick and fast but the way we prepare is important. Having that mentality that we have a good enough squad to win these game – injuries will happen and there’s no guarantee those will get better after January – all we can do is put ourselves in the right position to help ease that flow.”

Rotherham v City (Saturday, December 12th, 3pm KO) will be streamed live on Robins TV, with £10 matchday passes now available to purchase.
https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/rowe-s-praise-for-young-guns-attitude/

 

Full steam ahead on all levels, the club seems to be in very safe hands, look forward to getting all of the injured back to fitness.

 

I have no concerns about LJ, he has long gone but Adam Webster was a great signing and made Bristol City FC a fair profit, well done LJ, have a pat on the back.

 

Then there was Ryan Kent, the most expensive winger/loanee (£300k plus) we ever signed and hardly played, who agreed that MA or LJ?