City kick off season with Carabao Cup
Posted: Thursday, August 13th 2020
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In brief: Pre-Fulham home press conference
Tuesday, February 20th 2018
Dean Holden met the media ahead of Saturday's Sky Bet Championship encounter with Fulham in BS3.
The City assistant head coach answered questions from the local and national press, along with defender Nathan Baker.
Here's what they had to say:
DEAN HOLDEN
- Josh Brownhill fit to face Fulham after calf knock.
- The game comes too soon for Gary O'Neil, who will feature for the Under-23s again on Friday.
- Holden reports that Milan Djuric, Eros Pisano Jens Hegeler, Callum O'Dowda and Matty Taylor are all progressing well on their road to recovery.
- Holden admits people are right to question the late goals conceded recently.
- The assistant head coach adds: "We're still sixth in the table, playing some scintillating football and there's 14 big games to play."
- Holden says tomorrow's clash with the Cottagers will be a good footballing contest.
- The coach is pleased to have the "warrior" Nathan Baker back after suspension.
- He adds that Marlon Pack's suspension offers a chance for others in the squad to stake their claim.
- Holden says: "There are other teams in the division who would love to be where we are. I think we would have taken sixth in the table in mid-February way back in the summer."
NATHAN BAKER
- Baker reflects on a frustrating three weeks.
- Defender says it was tough training with the lads each week but not being able to affect a matchday.
- Baker says he won’t change his playing style after red card against QPR.
- Former Villa man says it’s all to play for in the league, with City still in sixth place.
- “It’s a shame the ban didn’t come over Christmas when the games come fast, instead it’s been three long weeks,” adds Baker.
- Defender says Fulham will be tough opposition, but takes confidence from victory at Craven Cottage back in October.
- He adds: “They’re a footballing team so it should be a game that suits us.”
- Baker says mood isn’t too downhearted by recent fightbacks by Sunderland and Leeds United. He adds: “We’ve been playing some good stuff.”
- “The fans have been brilliant all year and we’ll need them again tomorrow,” says Baker.
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