More from manager Mike Phelan following the League Cup victory over Bristol City last night.
Taking the two one victory at Ashton Gate with goals coming from Harry Maguire and Michael Dawson, Phelan built on his earlier words about the confidence boost it would give the side ahead of this weekend’s game against Watford, and he told the Official Site.
‘In terms of the performance we got both sides of it really. We were spirited in the final 15 minutes and showed our discipline and character. Up to that point, and in the first half in particular, we showed our commitment and some good football. We`ve won our latest game and that will give us that little bit of freshness, the players can come into training on Wednesday and enjoy the day without us finding too many faults.’
Phelan went on to say.
‘We thought about making a lot of changes to the line-up, but then we also thought about trying to scratch away at our recent defeats. We`ve done that and the players should be pleased because at times we looked like a good unit going forward. We should have scored more goals, but at the other end of the field we showed that we are capable of digging in during the closing moments and doing the hard and ugly stuff.’
He ended speaking about the game by saying.
‘It`s good to have that feeling of a win in the changing room again. It`s been a difficult period and we know the league is going to be hard, so we have to dig in and be in control of our own destiny. It was important that we tried to get a bit of momentum going with a victory, and we can now prepare for Saturday`s game at Watford knowing that we can still win football matches. Hopefully we can use this win to spur us on going forward into what is to come.’
With a steady return for skipper Dawson in the last two games, Phelan also said that the 32 year old was hoping to work his way back into the England set up this season.
‘Michael’s played at the highest level and he still wants to play at the highest level. He’s a good guy, he’s been there and seen it and he knows what it takes to win football matches. He does inspire others around him. We’ve got a few new players in this group and they will realise that a Michael Dawson in your team is a plus.’
As for his performance against Bristol City, he went on to say.
‘He played a game last week and it was a case of do we put him in another one because he’ll end up playing three games in a week. It’s important when you ask a player how he feels and if he is ready for games. When he says ‘yes’ you get them in there playing. He’s come through terrific and that’s good for us. Confidence is a big thing and we have been on the back of a few hidings. A couple of those have come with 10 men, but we have got to be resilient. It was important we came here and showed authority, that we are a Premier League team.’
