‘We do not lose our belief’ – Holden Tuesday, February 2nd 2021 City are raring to bounce back and prove themselves when they take on Brentford on Wednesday night (February 3rd, 7.45pm KO). A 1-0 loss at Derby County on Saturday meant City were unable to go level on points with AFC Bournemouth. It may have been an opportunity squandered but Head Coach Dean Holden says his squad know they can perform at a higher level and now have the chance to respond in West London in midweek. “It’s a chance to bounce back from a poor performance at the weekend,” Holden told Robins TV. “We’ve spoken about the performance at Derby and it wasn’t at the levels the players are capable of and they know that, they’re an honest group. “We win together, we lose together and we now have to respond. All we lost at the weekend was an opportunity of three points and really jump into that play-off position but what we don’t lose is belief in each other, the belief in themselves, confidence and it’s a great opportunity on Wednesday.” He added: “Brentford are a top team but it’s a great opportunity for us to go there and bounce back. “The players have proved time and time again this season that they can respond to adversity and pull together with that spirit, with the quality they’ve got and go and get a win in the next one – that’s what we aim to do.” Holden could call on new signing Henri Lansbury at the Brentford Community Stadium, who has been integrated into training this week, following his arrival on Friday night. With a new addition and recently injured players returning to fitness, Holden can feel the squad getting stronger. The head coach said: “It was good to welcome Henri to the group and he’s shown already the qualities he brings to the squad, Jamie Paterson as well and Steven Sessegnon is back on the grass. “The squad is getting ever stronger now. Paterson will hopefully train and we’ll see if we can welcome him back into the squad. Sess is still a bit short with his fitness but he’s moving in the right direction.” And on Lansbury’s settling in period, Holden added: “Everybody is different. Henri has moved about in his career, he’s not a youngster anymore so he’s used to that. He knows the lads he’s either played with or met on the circuit over the years so he’s settled straight away. “We have a great group of players and staff who are really welcoming and that’s a big part of a player’s move to a new club. They need to feel part of the furniture quickly and we’re delighted to have him.” https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/we-do-not-lose-our-belief-holden/ Famara Diedhiou issues Bristol City message upon transfer window’s deadline Bristol City striker, Famara Diedhiou, has remained at Ashton Gate. Speculation has surrounded the powerful striker at this early stage of 2021, with Bristol City sweating over losing the 28-year-old during the course of the January transfer window. That’s down to Diedhiou’s contract with the Robins running down into the summer, with Middlesbrough known admirers of the striker. However, as the clock struck 11pm last night, Diedhiou was still a Bristol City player and on board with Dean Holden’s squad for the remainder of the season at least. Diedhiou has scored eight goals across all competitions this season for the Robins, with six of those coming in the Championship as Holden’s side look to keep the pace with the current top-six. Last week, Diedhiou was the difference as Bristol City beat Huddersfield Town 2-1 at Ashton Gate. Despite swerving losing Diedhiou in January, his long-term future remains up in the air, with Bristol City yet to strike a fresh transfer agreement with the striker. He’s scored 44 goals in the Championship since arriving in the South West in 2017. The Verdict Bristol City fans will be delighted that Diedhiou is staying put. He’s been a big part of the club since arriving in 2017 and has scored some important goals during his time as a Robin. The top and bottom of it is that Bristol City are a better side with him in it, so retaining him for the remainder of this season was important. Of course, longer-term we await further news, but there will no be additional hope of Diedhiou agreeing a new contract. https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/f...-city-message-upon-transfer-windows-deadline/ 'We need to be more consistent' - Hunt Tuesday, February 2nd 2021 Jack Hunt says City need to be more consistent as they continue to try and force their way into the top six. They are still knocking on the door as they travel to the Brentford Community Stadium on Wednesday night (February 3rd, 7.45pm KO), three points off the play-offs. It will be a second-consecutive away game for Dean Holden’s men, off the back of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Derby County at Pride Park and the side know they have to find better results on the road. Hunt told Robins TV: “First and foremost we need to be consistent. It wasn’t good enough [against Derby] but we haven’t got time to dwell on that because the schedule is so relentless. “It goes into the back of the mind and move on, but we know we have to be more consistent; the game was poor, we’ll look at it and put it to bed.” City lost just twice from their first eight away games in all competitions this season, but they have lost each of their last five matches on the road – excluding the Emirates FA Cup Third Round victory at Millwall. The Robins are wary of their form but see the midweek challenge of the Bees – themselves chasing promotion - as the chance to step up. Hunt said: “It was a really good record last season and this season. We have dropped off recently and if we want to be in touching distance of the play-offs and get into the play-offs then it has to improve. “They (Brentford) are a good team but we’ve beaten good teams before. I’m sure we’ll that that in the future, starting with Wednesday night.” And Hunt, with 25 appearances in all competitions this season, explained how he has been coping in recent weeks following an injury to the back of his foot. It happened against Wycombe Wanderers and the right-back required four stitches to his achilles. He was temporarily wearing bigger boots just to get them on but he is now back in his own boots, albeit with a hole cut in the back to help relieve some pressure. “It was a cut injury, nothing concerning muscular so I’m happy to get on with it for the team.” He even received a pair of Chris Brunt’s boots after the midfielder departed the club earlier this month. “Unfortunately, he didn’t his left foot as well so I could’ve had two good feet. You can’t have everything!” Hunt joked. Brentford versus City will be available to listen to through Robins TV with an audio-only pass. The match can’t be live streamed due to broadcast regulations, which prevent the ability to live stream an away fixture which was originally scheduled for a Saturday kick-off. https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/we-need-to-be-more-consistent-hunt/
