Experienced pair Keith Downing and Paul Simpson take joint charge of City as the squad refocuses for the visit of Barnsley to Ashton Gate this Saturday.
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MansionBet, we take a closer look at the match...
City have lost each of their last six games in all competitions and a 2-0 defeat to Reading on Tuesday night subsequently led to Dean Holden’s dismissal.
It’s been a tough week for all those associated with the club as it’s never easy to see a head coach lose their job, but now is a time for the players and staff to regroup and turn their attentions towards a strong push in the Sky Bet Championship.
Highlights: Bristol City v Reading
Dan Bentley has been honest in his assessment of the situation, saying the players
share responsibility for a lack of results in recent times as he calls on the squad to show their qualities.
And their next opportunity comes against the Tykes in BS3, who have proven to be no pushovers in recent times.
They beat high-flyers Brentford on Valentine’s Day, and followed that up with a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in midweek. Valerien Ismael’s outfit played Chelsea earlier this month too and gave the Premier League team a close game, losing out to a single Tammy Abraham goal in the Emirates FA Cup.
Their run of form - one defeat from their last six games in all competitions - has seen them rise to 10th in the Championship and close their gap on the top six to seven points.
They head to BS3 with striker Cauley Woodrow, a loanee at City in the 2017/18 campaign, who enjoys a goal against his former side. He struck the 90th minute equaliser – as he did in 2019 – this time from the penalty spot in the reverse fixture at Oakwell. Another player targeted as a potential threat is the in-form midfielder Alex Mowatt, with five goals and four assists to his name this season. Two of those assists, a Man of the Match performance and a goal have come in his last five appearances.
One positive for the Robins was the return of Steven Sessegnon to the matchday squad on Tuesday. He has recovered from a long-term hamstring injury, while Henri Lansbury could be fit to feature after suffering an impact injury to his glute against the Royals.
Joe Williams has had a scan on his hamstring and the midfielder will see a specialist next week to determine the best course of treatment.
MATCH DETAILS
Where: Ashton Gate
When: Saturday, February 20th, 3pm KO
Competition: Sky Bet Championship
Referee: James Linington
Assistants: Steven Meredith and James Wilson
Fourth official: Scott Simpson
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