Bristol City will be looking to iron out the mistakes that ultimately cost them three points in midweek when they face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday.
The Robins conceded a late winner to lose 2-1 to Coventry City on Tuesday night, epitomising the club’s struggle for consistency after being on top for most of the match.
The Robins are joint fourth for goals scored in the Championship with 45, but only two clubs (Peterborough United and Reading) have leakier defences, conceding 61 goals in 34 games this season.
Assistant manager Curtis Fleming is pleased with the honesty of his players and wants to see an improvement at the back on Saturday.
“The guys that were involved in the goals will know that,” Fleming spoke in his pre-match press conference.
“We don’t need to go shouting and screaming, they made mistakes that were honest mistakes or things they could have done better at.
“After the game a couple of the lads came and said it to us but we know that, and we’ve looked at that with them, giving them the different options that can happen.
“Today we looked at it, the first goal – you’ve got to protect your goal.
“Doesn’t matter where the ball is, protect the goal and then we’ll see what happens.”
Nottingham Forest currently lie 10th in the Championship table, seven places and eight points ahead of City, and just five points away from the play-off positions.
The challenge of Steve Cooper’s side is one that Fleming is excited about as the Robins look for an immediate response.
“It’s always a tough place to go and play,” Fleming continued.
“They’ve got the expectation of trying to get back into that top-six and they’ll looking forward to us coming but we’re looking forward to the game.
“We know it’s going to be tough, but we have a real confidence in our ability as a team.
“It’s just about the consistency of our performances and consistency as individuals that we’re working our hardest on.
“I think, yes, we’ve lost a game, but we go into this game remembering the positives from the last couple of games in which we played really well and I think we’re due a win away from home too.”
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As Fleming alluded to, the Robins haven’t won on the road since beating Peterborough United in early October, whilst Forest are undefeated at home in 2022, taking the scalps of Arsenal and Leicester City in the FA Cup this year.
Kick off at the City Ground is at 3pm.
