‘We keep calm and carry on’ – Holden

The fourth of those matches falls on Wednesday night with City travelling to the Vitality Stadium to take on AFC Bournemouth (October 28th, 7.45pm KO).

Head Coach Holden says his squad are in “good confidence” for the midweek fixture and are relishing the challenge to take on the Cherries who have only recently been relegated from the Premier League.

He told Robins TV: “The mental side of the game is massive. It’s more about focussing on the next one quickly: you can’t feel sorry for yourself after a poor performance or defeat and equally you can’t get too high after a win. We have to be calm, it’s a long season and this is a tough period in terms of resources, the games but that’s what the squad is about.

“We’re working so hard on team spirit to get through periods like this, we’re calm and looking forward to this next one.”

For City, it comes after a dominant display in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Swansea City and there was lots to take from the encounter as they move forward on Wednesday night.

“We want to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible,” Holden said. “Our approach play was outstanding; we had the lions share of possession against a Swansea team that like to have the ball and we forced them into lots of long balls. The pressing was good, it was a good performance which sets us up nicely for this next game.

“It’s a great game on Wednesday and I can’t wait to test ourselves against a team in the Premier League not so long ago.

“It’s always an opportunity whoever you’re up against but for sure, the players want to test themselves against teams that have performed at a higher level.”

Holden also recognises a number of injury concerns within the camp. Nathan Baker is not expected back until Christmas, Alfie Mawson has undergone a knee operation, while Liam Walsh and Joe Williams remain sidelined.

“We take care of ourselves, of our own performance, and we’re in a good position,” Holden said, with City second in the Championship heading towards November. “We have picked up a few injuries which we have to manage that, we have to rotate the squad as we see fit but we head to Bournemouth in good confidence and we really can’t wait for it.”

Ryley Towler and Opi Edwards, both of the Bristol City Under-23s group, will travel with the first-team squad to AFC Bournemouth. Edwards, who signed a new contract in August 2019, made his Robins debut against Watford in January 2018, while Towler was named in the matchday squad for the first time in the 2-0 win over Exeter City in September.