We can't get complacent against Burton - O'Dowda

The Brewers head to BS3 for a match under the lights following back-to-back 4-0 defeats in the Championship.

O'Dowda has returned to City following his involvement with Republic of Ireland in the World Cup qualifiers over the last two weeks.

He enjoyed a successful spell with his country, who rocked Wales with a 1-0 World Cup qualifier win as they edged closer to a place at next year's tournament in Russia.

The 22-year-old was handed his first international start in a 2-0 win against Moldova, before he witnessed from the bench his country's huge victory in Cardiff to end Wales' World Cup dream.

O'Dowda told BCTV: "It feels really good. Going into the games we knew it was going to be tough. We had two tough games against Moldova and Wales and we needed games to go our way elsewhere so delighted is probably the word as well...it's been a very good trip for me."

Reflecting on the win over Wales, he added: "It was electric, probably the craziest game I have ever been involved in because of what it meant for the country.

"Even before the national anthems, everyone knew what was on the line. If we had lost that game potentially we would not have gone to the World Cup. It's just crazy to think of the outcome of what could have happened but it was a fantastic game to be involved in. I know I didn't come on but to be involved in a game like that was crazy.

"Club football has been a great start. We had a concrete pre-season. It was quite easy to tell how we would be like in the league this season. We had a solid pre-season and I think the personnel in the group really helps.

"It's going positively but we're not getting too carried away and we don't want a repeat of last season. But I think it is different; the types of players we have, I think we all want the same thing as well, we're all focussed and driven and we know what to do so it's just continuing it really.

"We can't go into the [Burton] game thinking it's an easy three points because I think complacency could start to edge in so it's about approaching the game in the same way but you can't know what to expect against a team like that.

"We want to create an environment where teams come to Bristol City and get a point and see it as a good point, so Burton might set up to get a point away to us."

CLUB FOCUS

The Robins have only ever faced Burton Albion twice in their history. City are undefeated against today's visitors, after securing a 0-0 draw and a 2-1 win against the Bewers in the Championship last season.

And O'Dowda believes that can have a positive influence on City's mentality heading into the game on Friday night.

He said: "You do look at the head to heads and for me personally I've had a lot of success against them so you do see all of that before the game but it's about getting out there now and getting on the pitch.

"There are a few boys really looking forward to it because we had the international break. I've still had the ball at my feet whereas the other boys have been relaxing so I think a few of the boys will be itching to get out there.

"I think when you do get success - and especially with these boys - you want more of it. But you can't get too complacent. You've got to go into each game not thinking we're going to get three points but you still need that winning mentality. We've got a lot of winners in our group so it's just continuing it, that's the hard thing. I know the boys and I will be ready so I'm just itching to get out there."

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