Johnson reflects on fruitful week

Saturday, August 24th 2019

Lee Johnson reflected on a maximum nine points as the Robins finished off a fruitful three-game week with a 3-1 win at Hull City.

Two goals from Benik Afobe and a superb own-goal-resulting cross from substitute Jack Hunt saw City follow up victories against QPR and Derby County with a win at the KCOM Stadium.

Here’s what Head Coach Johnson had to say after the eight-day points haul:

PERFECT WEEK

“I’m very pleased with the boys and they have earned an extra day off after that week, that’s for sure! It was always going to be a tough game because Hull are a good side. They have the two wide men (Grosicki and Bowen) who are outstanding individually but we did feel as if we may be able to take over as the game went on, particularly with their third game in a week.”

CHARACTER

City were forced into an early change when Tomas Kalas came off with a hamstring injury after 30 minutes and was replaced with Kasey Palmer, while 20-year-old Antoine Semenyo looked assured as a second-half replacement for Famara Diédhiou.

“The players showed character,” said Johnson. “Did we expect another injury to a key player (Kalas) – absolutely not. I think Taylor Moore will be able to look at himself tonight and be very proud of his performance. I thought Dan Bentley made two or three unbelievable saves to keep us in it. We felt we should have had a penalty where Benik Afobe got pulled down. The midfield worked like Trojans and Han-Noah Massengo, with the energy he put in and the quality he showed on the ball for an 18-year-old was top drawer. Josh Brownhill stood up to the challenge of being captain and it’s a 100 per cent record for him.”

PENALTY TAKERS

Afobe opened the scoring with a penalty after Tommy Rowe was brought down, quickly claiming the ball for the spot-kick, and Johnson said: “I am happy that two or three players wanted to take the penalty. Any one of Browny, Weimann, Famara and Benik could have taken it but obviously Benik was playing quite well at the time and took the ball. I don’t mind who takes it when they score!"

COMING HOME

City are back at Ashton Gate next Saturday when Middlesbrough visit in a 12.30pm kick-off and Johnson added: “There’s been a real intensity to this week both mentally and physically. It’s a fine line because you want to give them some downtime but you also don’t want to lose the momentum. Make no mistake, we are looking forward to coming home on the back of three wins and I’m sure Ashton Gate will be pumping.”

SECURE YOUR MIDDLESBROUGH TICKET