‘No excuses…it was a missed opportunity' – Johnson

It wasn’t the return to play City had hoped for as, despite Jamie Paterson opening the scoring, Rovers fought back to clinch the 3-1 win at Ewood Park.

It meant City’s aim of finishing the day in the play-off spots took a knock, and there are now eight scheduled matches remaining, starting with Sheffield Wednesday at Ashton Gate next Sunday (June 28th, 12pm KO).

Johnson said defeat in Lancashire was an opportunity missed.

The Robins Head Coach said: “Yes we had to [hit the ground running] and there isn’t an excuse there. I’d tell you if there was an excuse: us not being fit, not being charged, or preparations, not coping with our surroundings, or no crowd noise but no, everything was catered for by the staff and the build-up was all about playing our game and with heart and we didn’t do that enough.

“They didn’t mean to do it but they didn’t do it and we forgot how to play. It was disappointing to see, it’s painful but what do you do but get together, refocus and try to do all you can to win the inches and go and win the next one.

“It’s an opportunity missed firstly. We have to go back to the drawing board for the players who have been good and others deserve to knock on the door now. It’s a difficult team selection next week because I have to put players out who I can trust.

“There wasn’t enough fight and if there was fight it was sparring, not punching. The boys were fit enough and we have to look in the mirror and do better next time.”

Live coverage of City v Wednesday will be available on Robins TV for Season Card holders only.