Mick pre-Bristol City | This is a big one for us
Mick McCarthy held a pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's Severnside derby with Bristol City.
While he tasted victory in his first meeting with the Robins last season, the City boss looked forward to a crunch clash back in front of supporters this weekend.
"I understand the derbies," he began. "I've been around for long enough now and everyone wants to win their particular derby, whoever it might be. It puts more emphasis and more importance on it. This is a big one for us."
"I expect they'll bring a decent following and our crowds have been fantastic. I thought they were brilliant last Saturday so I'm sure it will be a great atmosphere again this weekend."
Having attended the Robins' fixture with Swansea City last Friday evening, the Gaffer gave his assessment of our weekend opponents.
"They started really well," he continued. "They've not won there for a while but they began strongly and should have been in front.
"They had real energy and force for a ten-minute spell where they had three or four good chances. When they didn't score, you could just see Swansea get on top by keeping the ball and making it difficult for them.
"Once they took the lead, Swansea were the better team but it would have been so different if they'd scored early.
"I expect they'll want to start in the same manner against us, and if they do they will be a handful."
