Bristol City defender, and match-winner Rob Dickie was as happy with his goal as he was with the clean sheet as his side beat Coventry City 1-0 on the weekend.
Centre-back Rob Dickie’s header in first-half stoppage time was enough to separate the two sides as Bristol City defeated Coventry City 1-0 at Ashton Gate.
The goal was Dickie’s first for Bristol City after signing for the Robins this summer.
“To be honest, it would’ve been hard for me not to score, the ball was absolutely perfect.
“Taylor [Gardner-Hickman] put in a brilliant ball, I’ve kind of just nudged my man a bit and put it in the bottom corner just far enough away from the keeper so I’m really pleased with it.”
Despite the victory and clean sheet, the home side had to survive relentless pressure from the Sky Blues for the majority of the first half, with Ben Sheaf hitting the bar from 30-yards and Ellis Simms missing several clear-cut chances.
“We weathered the early storm, we defended our box with good desire. They had a few half chances. Coventry are a good side, they’re going to create things but I’m proud of us the way we got through difficult moments today.”
The Robins have been heavily affected by injuries this season, and are without Ross McCrorie, Zak Vyner, Rob Atkinson, George Tanner and Kal Naismith in their defence alone.
Due to this, winger Mark Sykes and centre-midfielder Andy King had to fill-in at right-back and centre-back respectively.
“Yeah they both did brilliantly. I like to say we’re footballers before we’re positions and those two today certainly showed that they had real good intelligence with their positioning.
“Kingy was outstanding, Sykes was outstanding. It was really strong performances from both of them out of position and that’s what we’re going to need sometimes, people to chip in somewhere that they don’t particularly play.”
Bristol City now sit eighth in the SkyBet Championship, one point off the play-offs, and only four points off third place.
“I think to be in and around those playoff positions [is the aim], as long as we’re in touching distance or in it, you’re always in with a chance in the Championship.
“We’ve seen flurries in the past in this league. If we can get in there and stay in there even better but we want to go for the top six. But we take game by game and take it as it comes.”
Bristol City turn their attention to high flyers Ipswich Town on Wednesday night. The Robins have won three of the last four fixtures against the Tractor Boys, but face a much improved Ipswich side than previous meetings under the management of Kieran McKenna.
