Preparation Is Key - Cotterill

Friday, February 20th 2015

Steve Cotterill says Bristol City’s players are getting the best preparation possible for the first of an influx of away matches.

Five of the team’s next six Sky Bet League One games will be on the road, starting tomorrow at Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium (7.45pm).

Straight after the game in Essex, the team bus won’t be returning to Bristol. Instead it will head north to South Yorkshire for Tuesday night’s game at Doncaster Rovers.

It’s the third time this season City’s players have spent a lengthy period away from Bristol; having travelled straight from Port Vale to Fleetwood Town in September and Gillingham to Doncaster over New Year.

“The lengthy overnight stays have been a success but that comes down to the players buying into it,” boss Cotterill told Bristol City Player.

“If I’m being honest, do they want to stay away from home for six nights? Probably not. But at the end of the day that’s the best preparation they can get.

“I think the players have been close from day one, since South Africa and Botswana. I know we’ve spoken about the trip before, but I think it might have been the making of this group. They’ve bonded ever since.”

Cotterill has a fully fit squad to choose from against relegation-threatened opponents Colchester tomorrow.

Fighting for their lives after just one win in four matches, the City boss is aware of their threats – but insists there is no fear in the camp.

“We’ve done well on the road so I don’t think there’s any fear in us,” he said. “I don’t think it’s any tougher away from home.

“I think Colchester will be difficult but they’re all difficult games. It’s about our performance and if we perform to our best, we can beat anyone on the day.

“Potentially it can be trickier against teams fighting for their lives at the bottom. We just need to focus on our performance.”