'The boys are buzzing' - Johnson

Sunday, November 10th 2019

Lee Johnson praised his players’ game management after they secured victory at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Josh Brownhill’s 25-yard wonder strike after 67 minutes separated the sides but it was the complete team effort to keep the pressing Bluebirds at bay and close out the game.

After conceding a goal in the final minute against Barnsley, which saw the game draw 2-2, Head Coach Johnson was looking for a more complete Robins performance in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Sunday.

Here’s what he told Robins TV:

'Buzzing' changing-room

“It’s a great day and the boys are buzzing. It gives them a four-day rest now, though obviously the internationals go away, but they can all feel good about themselves for a warrior-like performance.

“Was it a classic in terms of slick, champagne football? Absolutely not, but we have come away to a difficult place and got the result and, as you can hear, the boys are very happy with that.”

Johnson was pleased with City's game management to secure the win

Clean sheet

City claimed their first sheet away from home this season and Johnson said: “The clean sheet was a really important part of the performance today. When you come to Cardiff you have to defend a lot of entries into your box, whether that’s throw-ins, good plays, or deliveries where they have big target men in the starting XI but also to bring on.

“Our defending felt quite assured and having an out and out number six helps. I tried to shore it up - Tayls (Taylor Moore) came on and won a couple of good headers and Kasey Palmer was calm and composed on the ball.”

Tomas Kalas, Nathan Baker and Dan Bentley celbrate a clean sheet

Brownhill strike

Brownhill’s third goal of the season was also his third match-winner after strkes against Derby County and Charlton Athletic.

“I thought we got in some great areas in the first half and weren’t dynamic or assured enough to pick somebody out or the cut back to see it through,” said Johnson.

“Browny’s was the one moment of real quality. It was an unbelievable strike - what more can you say about it!”

Ádám Nagy

Hungarian international Ádám Nagy made a return to action after almost three months out with an ankle injury and Johnson said: “I know I keep barking on about midfielders but when you’ve got a midfielder who can be protection as well as an option on the ball then it’s the mindset that it gives the team.

“Ádám did ever so well to play 90 minutes today. Step by step we will get stronger and keep picking up results. Sometimes we are going to have to be ugly, as it was at times today, especially when you are playing a side who, particularly at 1-0 down, are going to throw a lot of caution to the wind and have a lot of big men on the pitch.”

Korey Smith

Korey Smith warmed up with the squad and is set to make his come back from a knee injury in tomorrow’s Under-23 game against Cardiff City Under-23s at the Optima Stadium, Weston-super-Mare (1pm KO).