Gary Johnson says a scrap with Crystal Palace is just what his City players need to lift them right now.
The manager admits confidence in the camp has been hit once more following Saturday's 5-2 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers.
However, he believes his charges will relish the chance for a battle and fight with Palace - with whom the club has endured numerous feisty encounters in the last few campaigns.
Gary told Player: "We need to get our tin helmets on and accept we'll need to battle for a result away from home.
"We must do that, especially down at Palace. Neil Warnock's not there any more but certainly a lot of their players are.
"There's still a bit of friction between the two teams and maybe that's what we need. We need to down there and have a bit of a fight.
"Of course you've still got to play a football match and be clever in their final third.
"But the players must realise they need to put in as much running and as many tackles as they've ever done."
"There's still a bit of friction between the two teams and maybe that's what we need. We need to down there and have a bit of a fight."
| |
Gary doesn't expect Jamie McAllister (calf), Marvin Elliott (knee) or Evander Sno (back) to return from injury.
Stephen Henderson will be on the bench after returning from his loan at Aldershot, as Steve Collis has a bruised foot.
On the search for new signings, Gary said: "That's not something I've brought up, it's more me giving honest answers to [press] questions.
"We're always looking at what's available, and to be honest again we're already looking at players for the end of the season and possible signings ahead of next campaign."
Follow Bristol City through Twitter and receives 'tweet' updates direct from the club. Log-on to twitter.com/bcfctweets now. |
PLAYER: Gary Johnson video exclusive
