There is More to Come Claims Bristol City Boss - Steve Cotterill.

There is more to come claims Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill after 3-2 win over MK Dons.


Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill admitted there was still plenty of room for improvement from his team after watching them beat MK Dons 3-2 in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash at Ashton Gate.

Wade Elliott’s dramatic 74th minute winner keeps the League One leaders five points clear of Peterborough United and extends their unbeaten start to the season to 10 games.

But the Robins were not at their best, especially when allowing the 2-0 lead given them by Kieran Agard’s double strike to be wiped out by Darren Potter and Ben Afobe after the break.

Instead of continuing to take the game to the opposition, City sat back and, unable to retain possession for long enough to relieve the pressure, were punished for stepping off the gas.

Cotterill conceded: “Our ball retention was poor in the second half. Every time we turned the ball over, we thought we had to try and score a goal rather than getting a foothold back in the game.

“If you turnover possession to MK Dons, then you will find you will be chasing around the pitch and using a lot of energy you will not have to use if keep your composure.

“We didn’t start the second half right and, for the first couple of minutes, we didn’t touch the ball. All of a sudden, we were on the back foot and looking a bit nervous and edgy.

“Had we played as we did in the first half, it might not have been so entertaining, but it would certainly have been a lot more comfortable for us. We’re pleased we go got the result, but we know there is room for improvement and that we can do a lot better.”

Agard put the Robins ahead inside four minutes and then added a second from the penalty spot after being bundled over by Kyle McFadzean.

Cotterill reflected: “I thought we did well in the first half and the only disappointment was that we did not score more goals and get ourselves further in front. Had we taken our chances, we could have put the game to bed.”

Potter put MK back in contention in the 51st minute and a horrendous mistake by Elliott, whose weak back pass let in Afobe to poach the equaliser after 73 minutes, threatened to undo all the good work of the first half.

Cotterill was supportive of his captain after the game and even went as far as shouldering some of the blame for MK’s second goal.

He explained: “I said I wanted a bit of composure and I know Wade, above anyone else, will give us that. I thought he did one turn too many when he could have just hit the ball out.

“I think that was partly my fault, because of what I’d said to him at half time. I will take partial responsibility for that.”

Cotterill was delighted that Elliott was able to rectify his mistake so soon afterwards, the 35-year-old midfielder galloping past two MK defenders to deliver a winning goal that raised the roof inside a packed Ashton Gate.

“He has gone from zero to hero in the space of a minute,” added Cotterill. “I looked at the lads when we let the goal in and I could that they had re-focused again. Thankfully, the goal came from Wade Elliott.

“He will always be a hero in the dressing room and the boys really like him. Normally, I like my forwards to get the goals, but I was pleased it fell to Wade to score the winner after the mistake he made.

“He showed really composure and that was key in what was a great finish. I’m pleased for him, because I know he would have beaten himself up over the goal we gave away.”

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