Mick post-Bristol City | It’s a fabulous win

BRISTOL CITY REACTION | MICK

A delighted Mick McCarthy spoke to the press and media after his side defeated Bristol City 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.

First half goals from Curtis Nelson and Kieffer Moore gave City a deserved Severnside derby victory, which secured McCarthy’s first win as Bluebirds’ boss.

“It’s one of the big games for us, which I fully understand, so winning it is brilliant.” Mick began. “We’ve had to work damned hard to get that. I thought we started really well, and of course, when you’re two up it always gives you a chance.

“The lads have worked exceptionally hard, especially because they tried to respond in the second half. It was important we kept a clean sheet today, so it’s great.”

City’s dominant display at Ashton Gate gave the Bluebirds their first win of 2021, with the boss setting his sights on more victories over the upcoming weeks.

“It’s fabulous to have won, and to win the third game when we’ve had two draws. We’re unbeaten, but draws were just concertinaing the league up, so it’s a fabulous win. It’s great for the lads as well. You can imagine how they feel, they’re delighted.

“I’d like to think that it’s set a benchmark. It’s the level of performance that you need to produce every week in the Championship. We’ve got to do that every week.

“That’s first and foremost for me; how the lads work, how they are as a team, the level of effort they put in. I think that’s a pre-requisite.”

Mick also provided a positive update on goalkeeper Alex Smithies, who was withdrawn early in the match due to illness, adding: “I’ve just been in to see him in the physio room, and he’s sitting up. He looked very ill at the time and was brought off on a stretcher which looked worrying, but I’ve been in to see him and he seems okay. We’re investigating it.”