Bristol City 2-1 Ipswich: Lee Johnson and Mick McCarthy reaction
Saturday 13 February 2016 18:48, UK
Lee Johnson enjoyed his ideal start to life as Bristol City boss as the Championship strugglers beat Ipswich 2-1.
The 34-year-old saw two set-piece goals from Aden Flint help his team open up a five point gap on the Championship relegation zone.
Brett Pitman replied with a 61st-minute goal against his old club, but Johnson was delighted with a deserved victory.
"There is still work to do, but it was a good start. A lot of what I saw really pleased me," Johnson said.
"We have some big lads to attack set-pieces and Luke Freeman's quality of delivery makes it easier for them.
"Aden Flint was brave with his headers. At half-time he told me he wanted to take a penalty if we got one - but I wouldn't have let him!
"The atmosphere created by the fans was tremendous and I really appreciated that. Now we have to maintain focus in and out of possession. If we do that we have the quality to hurt opponents."
Flint, who netted 15 goals last season to help secure promotion from League One, broke the deadlock on 20 minutes, rising at the near post to head home Freeman's corner from the right, the ball going in off the far upright.
And out 15 minutes later Freeman delivered another in-swinging corner for Flint to double the advantage with another glancing header at the near post.
City were made to fight when Pitman side-footed home against his old club from Daryl Murphy's pass, soon after being introduced as a substitute.
Town boss Mick McCarthy admitted: "We didn't defend the set-pieces well enough, but credit where it is due because the delivery and movement at the two corners was an example to any young players.
"Having gone behind, it was needs must and we switched back to 4-4-2, which I felt made us more effective.
"Brett Pitman wants more starts and he made us better when he came on. He doesn't like the tag of supersub, but it was a great finish.
"We have been hit hard by injuries in midfield, which is not an excuse. I expect us to be challenging at the top of the table and can understand the fans' frustration."
