Bristol City manager Michael Skubala has apologised to fans following what was an “unacceptable performance” after their 5-0 home defeat to Norwich City on Saturday.
Bristol City side have struggled to find their feet at home so far this season, picking up just six points from eight home games up to this point.
“I think I need to apologise to the fans, and supporters; the second half is just not good enough, from me or from the players. We have to do better; it’s an unacceptable performance. That’s the first massive blow I’ve had like that in my career; it really hurts.”
City went in at the break only one goal down, and having just seen Scott Twine go close to an equaliser. However, a fast start to the second half from Norwich saw them go 3-0 up before the hour mark.
The Robins have only managed to find the net four times at Ashton Gate thus far, creating a rather damning stat from Saturday’s game: The Canaries have scored more (five) at the ground than the home side has this season.
Following the match, the Robins players and Skubala himself were booed off by the few fans who remained after the final whistle.
He continued to apologise to the supporters, stating, “I apologise again for the game; it’s not acceptable; it’s the job of a manager to wear it. You don’t want to lose games at all; you definitely don’t want to lose second halves like that, but the way I’ve always dealt with it is to work harder.
“I need to find a solution; I need to look at myself; I need to look at the players; we need to look at ourselves in the mirror. This game can hit you in the face really hard, and that’s what we’ve had today.”
A two-week international break could provide a chance to reset for Skubala and his side, with a fortnight on the grass likely what’s needed to try and put their current form right.
The former England National Futsal Team head coach said, “I need to look at the processes; I need to look at what we’re doing over the international break; it’s an opportunity for us to solve some big problems.”
The performance analysis continued with Skubala calling it a “strange game” before adding, “There’s not a lot in it in the first half; they score from their first shot on target, and then we actually start quite well in the second half; we should’ve equalised.
“In these moments, those things don’t seem to be falling for us; if we equalise, it’s a different game. The problem comes at 2-0; I thought we capitulated and started to hide. I tried to make changes and get fresh legs on; maybe I need to look at the team, maybe I didn’t freshen it up enough after Wolves. When you go 2-0 down, and you’re a little bit leggy like some of the players were it becomes a very difficult afternoon.”
When asked what the answer to ending this run will be, Skubala replied, “It has to be hard work; I’m not going to throw any of my players under the bus; that’s not my style. I need to back the players and get around them, support them, because nobody wants to put in a performance like that, so I’ll wear that performance; that’s on me, and I’ll try to solve it.”
