Bruce On Bristol City Point

Manager Steve Bruce has been reflecting on Friday’s draw with Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Heading to their ground for the game, the hosts took the lead on the hour mark but Josh Onomah had us level four minutes later and in a game that saw few clear cut chances for either side, even though Bristol edged the game slightly in terms of the statistics, a point was largely a fair outcome.

Whilst it wasn’t as inspiring a showing as our last two games, there were still positives that could be taken from it and as Bruce pointed out as he spoke to the Official Site as he met with the media post game, going one nil down, our reaction was good and we didn’t crumble.

‘It was probably a fair result. I was pleased with the reaction of the players because I thought we were harshly done by. I thought their No.9 was offside and I didn`t think it was a foul in the build-up. But then it`s about – can we have a response away from home? Thankfully we got it from the lads. The crowd were bang up for it. They were terrific. I thought overall it was a very good game.’

Bruce also knew the importance of coming back to take the point given our away form.

‘Away from home, we have to buck the trend – I keep saying that. Performances like here at Bristol City, I thought there was a bit of spirit among them. In the second half, we had five teenagers playing. In that respect, it was very, very good.’

With an improved showing in the second half, he felt we ended the game looking the side most likely to win it.

‘We took control. I thought we were excellent towards the end and there was only one team that was going to win it – us. But after what happened at Cardiff and Reading, at least now we can take stock after the first month. We are probably five points away from where we should be. We have a big month coming up – can we make it up?’

With Onomah getting the leveller from range, Bruce went on to say.

‘I was delighted for Josh. He`s walked in the door and he`s had a run of games in a matter of weeks. It`s great experience for him and he will have enjoyed the goal today in front of the Villa supporters. He`s going to be a very good player.’

With James Bree coming on at the half time break for Chris Samba, the gaffer went on to say that Samba had picked up a knee injury in the first half.

‘Chris Samba has picked up a knee injury. He was uncomfortable. I made the choice to change it and I thought young James Bree did very, very well.’

Asked about Keinan Davis’ display, Bruce was still happy with the youngster but he knew he could learn plenty from the game to improve further.

‘He will learn from it. He was up there on his own. If I`m going to be brutally honest, I thought he gave it away too often in the first half but he stuck at it and got better. We have a proper old-fashioned centre-forward there and I look forward to working with him in the future.’

He ended game talk but leaning back to our away form and how that could be an important point for us moving forward, because the reaction was key again.

‘I think the supporters saw that it meant something to the lads. The reaction of the team was good. That`s what I have always expected from teams of mine over 20 years. It`s taken longer to get my ideas over here but I still believe we are on the right track.’

With Robert Snodgrass arriving as a loan signing, he said finally.

‘It`s great news. He will give us quality. He can play left, right and off the front. He`s a very good player and I am delighted we have been able to get him.’