Gerhard Struber admits Bristol City in “difficult moment” after Coventry defeat at Ashton Gate
Bristol City now sit 10th, but with a few more bad results, they could be as low as 16th within a few games
Gerhard Struber has admitted Bristol City are going through a difficult spell after their latest Championship defeat to league leaders Coventry City.
First-half goals from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Haji Wright secured the win for Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues at Ashton Gate, condemning the Robins to a fourth consecutive home game without victory.
The match also saw two dismissals. Coventry defender Joel Latibeaudiere was sent off in the first half, while Bristol City midfielder Adam Randell received two yellow cards after the break.
The result leaves City 10th in the Championship table, seven points adrift of the play-off places behind Wrexham A.F.C., having also played a game more.
Struber: “We must support the players”
City have now won just two of their last seven league matches since the end of January, a run that has seen their play-off push stall.
Speaking after the defeat, Struber acknowledged the team are currently in a challenging period but insisted the focus must remain on supporting the squad.
“This is sport, this is football. You have to deal with good moments with the right balance, and also bad moments with the right balance.
Right now, we must support the players and be behind them. The most difficult times are when the players need the coach, the staff and also the fans the most. That is our job and my duty.”
January transfer window impact
The downturn in form has coincided with a difficult January transfer window for Bristol City.
Key players, including Anis Mehmeti and Zak Vyner, left the club, while squad players Yu Hirakawa and Max O'Leary also departed.
New arrivals included Sam Morsy, George Earthy, Tomi Horvat, Delano Burgzorg and Noah Eile.
Struber admitted the changes have had an impact on the squad as new players adjust to his system.
“It’s difficult to give the perfect answer, but I would say the transfer window was maybe not super helpful for us. We are integrating new players, but ideally, we would need more training time to build patterns and help them adapt to our football.
“Noah Eile is a really good boy, and he plays every game right now. He came from MLS, which is a different level, and I see many good moments from him, but also some struggles, which is normal.
“Injuries also haven’t helped. Rob Dickie and Rob Atkinson normally lead our back line, and we miss them.”
Horvat's substitution draws frustration
One of the major talking points during the second half was Struber’s decision to substitute Tomi Horvat as part of a triple change, replacing him with Delano Burgzorg.
The move was met with frustration from sections of the Ashton Gate crowd.
Horvat made a bright start to his Bristol City career with an assist on his debut away at Hull and in his home debut against Wrexham, but the Slovenian international has now gone five matches without a goal contribution.
Struber explained the substitution was purely precautionary.
“It was about managing his load. Taking him off was not about performance; it was about protecting the player.
“I understand the frustration from the fans. Everyone wants us to get back to winning, but moments like that reaction are not very helpful.”
Struber calls for unity
Frustration has grown among supporters in recent weeks, particularly following City’s extra-time FA Cup defeat to Port Vale earlier in the week.
Struber, however, has urged unity between the club and its supporters during this difficult period.
“Frustration cannot be our anchor. Frustration never helps the next positive step.
“Everyone has the right to their opinion, but in difficult times, we need to stay close together and push the boys.
“Every single player deserves support and good energy from our fans.”
With the Championship season entering its final stretch, City will need a significant turnaround in results if they are to reignite their very slim hopes of reaching the play-off places.
That will start in their next game when they travel to Leicester on Tuesday, hoping to improve on the 2-2 draw the two sides played out earlier in the season.