Teamtalk teamtalk

Johnson wants players to learn

Mon 07 Jan, 11:30 AM


Gary Johnson hopes that Bristol City's FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough will serve as a wake-up call to his players' Premier League ambitions.The Robins, who are level on points with Championship leaders West Brom, were unable to repeat their heroics of last season when, as a League One side, they held Boro to a 2-2 draw in the fourth round of the competition.

England international Stewart Downing cancelled out Liam Fontaine's early opener for City before David Wheater poked home the winning goal midway through the second half at Ashton Gate.

"It is the kick up the backside we need to remind us that we are not there yet. We will grow and progress and we have still got things to learn. We are certainly not a Premier league side just yet," said Johnson. "I don't think the gap is massive but it looked big in the way they kept the ball and the way they take players out of the game.

"The players must realise that the Premier League is about 90 minutes of non-stop aggression and clever football. Not 20 minutes, not 40 minutes and not 60 minutes.

"I have told them they need to watch the Premier League on TV to appreciate how quick it is and how much ability there is for 90 minutes. That is what you have to learn. One lapse in concentration and you are punished."

More Football News from TEAMtalk