Debrief: Preston North End (H)

LEE JOHNSON

• The head coach gave credit to Preston North End for being “dogged with an excellent midfield who have speed, bite and agility.”
• He said: “I take it on the chin and I apologise because I don’t want Bristol City fans seeing a performance like that. We didn’t even lose playing our way. I’m not going to make excuses – it wasn’t good enough.”
• Johnson said he had “a good 11 out on the pitch” and he “continues to have belief in these players.”
• He said City put “five or six good balls into the box” but “we were reactive and not pro-active.”
• Johnson said “it isn’t a disaster because we are 13th in the league, five points off the play-offs” but reflected that “the next game at Leeds United has to be a spirited performance.”
• He will use the international break to “go and assess everything - and everyone has got a chance (of selection) now.”
• Johnson believed "that team was good enough (to win) today. We have strength in depth and we can go on a run. I don’t care if no-one else believes it – I believe it.”