Bristol City under 21’s coach, Ali Hines, was full of positivity following the young Robins’ 0-0 draw to Charlton Athletic at Ashton Gate on Monday.
City kept a clean sheet against a Charlton side that are currently second in the Professional Development League Two.
Hines’ team currently sit sixth in the table and will be looking to kick on following a difficult run in the league so far.
The young Robins put in a spirited performance in which coach, Hines, praised his squad’s showing on a wet and gloomy afternoon in BS3.
“It was a good game.” Said Hines, speaking after the game in the analysis room at Ashton Gate.
“I was pleased with individual performances and pleased with the team performance as well.
“I would’ve loved to have got the three points and score some goals but it was a good challenge for us today against a strong Charlton team.”
Hines’ team came into the matchup following a difficult spell of form with a 4-1 defeat to severnside rivals Cardiff City and a 2-0 loss to Exeter last time out.
However, Hines was pleased with the response the young Robins gave him.
“The boys have bounced back today.”
Hines added: “They have performed really well. We asked them to improve on competing for second balls and building out from the back with structure and they definitely showed that today.”
City also kept their first clean sheet since early October and their backline has been bolstered by the return of Rob Atkinson.
The first-team regular has been out of action for a lengthy period following an ACL injury picked up in February 2023.
When asked about the work the coaching staff put into the defensive unit, Hines replied saying:
“It’s constant to be honest. We work on the focus that everyone defends as a team.
“Having big Rob Atkinson at the back, coming back in and getting more minutes with us is valuable because he helps the back line with his experience and communication.
“It’s stuff we worked on in training, defensive compactness without the ball and I thought the boys did really well with it today.”
One of the standouts, in what was an uneventful game, was the pace and prowess of Elijah Morrison.
The England under-18’s international has been marked as a player for the future for the Robins, with the wideman making two appearances for Liam Manning’s senior team so far this campaign.
Hines also expressed his admiration for the left midfielder and how effective he can be.
“He’s a Massive threat!
“For us his pace is exceptional and his crossing on the run is very good.
“He is always a threat in the side and he does a lot of work without the ball as well. He’s a talented boy.”
The youth team had the opportunity to play at the club’s Ashton Gate Stadium on Monday, as opposed to The Robins’ High Performance Centre, where they usually play their home matches.
“It’s massive for them!” Hines said on the value of having fixtures at the 27,000 seater stadium.
“We want them to play here on a Saturday in front of a full house, so they have to get used to the surroundings.
“It’s challenging but they need to be comfortable with it. So overall, it is a great experience for them.”
Photo Credit: Bristol City
