Latest / Bristol City / Michael Skubala press conference | Bristol City vs Portsmouth

Transcript

Michael Skubala press conference | Bristol City vs Portsmouth · Bristol City

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Well Michael, you've got the fans forum done and dusted.
• 0:02
  SPEAKER_00: I mean now you've been in post a few weeks and you and you've you've probably met fans and and got a feeling of the club.
• 0:08
  SPEAKER_00: Where where are we at with Bristol City, do you think at the moment, on and off the pitch?
• 0:12
  SPEAKER_02: I think um first of all it's great to meet you know so many fans on on Monday nights.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_02: It's fabulous.
• 0:17
  SPEAKER_02: There's nothing better than meeting them face to face, it's obviously when there's fans in the stadium, but actually to get to interact with some of them and say hello, it's it was an amazing evening.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_02: Um I think you can see from the way myself, Charlie, James operates that we're very transparent about what we think and we believe.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_02: Um I think that's the way to be in modern football.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_02: Um but yeah, we're we're happy where we are.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_02: We know there's a three-year plan to keep moving forward, and we're happy with how the group's progressing, and we're happy with how the football clubs are progressing.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: Because um, I'm sure you'll have your your disagreements, but you joined Bristol City, you had to get a backroom staff together.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: You obviously James is someone you knew, but working with Charlie.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_00: Are you pleased with how much of a chemistry there's been from the start, it would appear?
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I wouldn't have come otherwise.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I think it's important.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_02: I I like working with sporting directors.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_02: James is a very experienced sporting director, and Charlie's a you know great CEO.
• 1:05
  SPEAKER_02: So I think it was important to note that that I like working with those those people in positions because I think it's a professional structure.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, the world of manager doing everything in football this day and age is is changed, um, and we have a really strong relationship and really a really close relationship, which is important, of course, and then the relationship with the owners is is important as well, and the rest of the board, like Richard Scuddermore.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_02: So I think the place from you know, top to bottom is in a really good place to move forward with it with, like I say, with a plan.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_02: Um and we're just trying to, you know, do our best every day to try and activate that plan.
• 1:37
  SPEAKER_00: Are you in contact with James at the moment on an hourly basis?
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, with with Tuesday looming?
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: What I mean are you seeing a lot of him?
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_02: We are seeing a lot of each other, we are talking a lot.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_02: Um, of course, you know, as always, I think after, well, even now, but after Saturday, things will start to go hectic like they always do with the window.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but I've I'm more you know focused on the game ahead and what we've got to do to try and get three points on on Saturday, and of course, then after that it'll be on the Tuesday night, which is the most important thing.
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_02: But you know, James has definitely got his finger on the pulse as always around um around the window, and we're happy and we're we're we're prepared for everything, which is the most important thing.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: Tell me about the decision to turn um Elijah's trial, if you like, into a two-year deal.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_02: Well, I think everybody knows Elijah and what he's where he's played at and what he can do.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_02: He's obviously been injured for quite a bit of time, so we wanted to bring him into trial to see how he coped, but to see how also he progressing.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_02: He's still, you know, he's fit and training, but he's still not match fit.
• 2:35
  SPEAKER_02: Um, so we've still got to be patient with him.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_02: But I think if we can get Elijah back to where he was over the course of this season, I think he's an exciting player that causes a lot of handful.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_02: And for me, he's a different profile on that top line to what we have, um, so it gives another option to the strike force.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: So, in terms of his fitness, how long before you'd consider him for the first team?
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um, well, he's he can play, but he can't play 90 minutes.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and that's the bit we've got to be really uh careful with him.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_02: Um, we're gonna help him to get stronger and and and fitter, um, but he can be in the squad, but he I wouldn't say he's gonna get 90 minutes or start games for quite some time.
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_00: And would it be unfair to label him as a as a backup to Lauren and Dom?
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_00: Is his challenge to put real pressure on them?
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_00: Because he's a former Premier League striker.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_02: I don't think Elijah's coming here to be a backup to anybody.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_02: Um he's coming here to come and get that number nine shirt there, and I think that's what's good about this group.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_02: There's there's really healthy competition.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_02: He's been he's been there, done it, got the t-shirt.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but like I say, with his fitness, he's a bit further behind than those two, and and of course, Emil.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_02: So we you know we've got a really healthy strike force in in what we're doing, and obviously two new players, three new players now to to the group.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but yeah, but Elijah's not here to make up the numbers, he's here to get fully fit and get back to his best.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: And Emil fast fascinates me because he wants to be starting games as well, and a lot of attention, rightly, on Dorman and Lauren as your summer signings.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_00: But where's he at in your your thinking?
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: And I mean, three players can't all play together.
• 4:03
  SPEAKER_00: So, what what's his challenge to get into your starting line?
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, 11 if you want.
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_02: Eleven strikers on the pitch.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_02: No, um, yeah, he's uh competition, you know, he's raring to go a bit like Noah, and you know, the group's obviously grown, um, so he's ready to fight for a place as a number nine.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_02: He's an experienced championship player, I know.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_02: Um he's scored goals at this level.
• 4:21
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but you know, Lauren and and Don at the minute are have been doing well as well and got on the pitch more than a meal.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_02: So that's that's natural, that's competition, and that's what we want.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: Um, just to um just for housekeeping, then um, there's no prospect of any outgoing certainly before Saturday?
• 4:35
  SPEAKER_02: Uh not that not that I know of at the moment.
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_02: Everybody's uh fighting for a place for Saturday.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but again, you know, the window changes very quickly in hours um over days.
• 4:44
  SPEAKER_02: Um but we're we're in a good position uh with whatever happens and we're prepared for whatever happens.
• 4:49
  SPEAKER_00: Do you expect um you're at Preston and doing a post-match interview and suddenly a transfer is announced?
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, could it be that last minute, or do you think everything will be wrapped up by the time you've played Preston?
• 4:57
  SPEAKER_02: I think we're more planned than that, if I'm honest.
• 4:59
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but of course, things do come last minute, and there's always, you know, I've been in situations where an hour to go and something happens.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_02: So I think we're with the most important thing is we're prepared with everything that we what can happen.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but I don't expect us to be doing stuff last minute.
• 5:15
  SPEAKER_00: Um, Dom got a lot of attention, I mean, internationally for his for his goal.
• 5:19
  SPEAKER_00: But I guess um from your point of view, you're looking for moments like that as well.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_00: But do you look at his all-round game as well?
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_00: And he's he was a League One player last year, he's still learning the championship.
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_00: Is there a lot more to come from him?
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_02: There's a lot more to come from all the new signings that we've bought into bed into the championship.
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_02: Of course, there's Jed, who I thought was excellent on Monday night, showing his leadership skills, but Jed's a great player and he comes with more experience, so he's he's more ready to go with the championship.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_02: I think you when you look at you know the younger players that we've bought in to develop into the championship, Dom is one of those, Lee South, Gibson, you know, they're all going to need time to grow.
• 5:52
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but again, you know, his goal was just yeah, there's no point talking about it, it was that good because everyone's talking about it.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_02: I'm sure kids across Bristol City have been trying to emulate it every time they go onto the pitch and the park, which is amazing, which is what he brings his special moments.
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_02: Of course, he's got to develop his all-round game, and I thought I think all of them have to.
• 6:09
  SPEAKER_02: And I thought Tolly again with his all-round game was was good on um Saturday.
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, but so they've all got things to develop in in there, that's why they're here.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but that's why we think they they have great potential as well to grow with us.
• 6:20
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I mean Laura very unlucky not to open his account on on Saturday.
• 6:24
  SPEAKER_00: Is he in the case the same with Don?
• 6:26
  SPEAKER_00: Get that first goal, it'll be a little weight off the shoulders.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, he's frustrating because I think he had a great performance, he just didn't get his goal.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but he's a very good professional, he's very dedicated, he's very uh focused, he'll get his goals.
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_02: Um but I thought his all-round game on Saturday was very strong.
• 6:40
  SPEAKER_00: Any injuries or are are we fighting fit really for the for the weekend?
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_02: No, we're in a good position.
• 6:45
  SPEAKER_02: Uh Cam brings back um back with us this week.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_02: We'll see whether he makes Saturday or not.
• 6:50
  SPEAKER_02: Um so that's good news because that's earlier than we thought.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_02: Um, so yeah, it's credit to the medical staff in in that situation because we thought it might be a bit longer, but he's started to train with us and might be available for Saturday.
• 7:01
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, Cam must be desperate to get a run of games.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_00: Do you have to manage him if that's the word to stop him from getting injuries again in the future?
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_02: Uh no, I think he's in a good position.
• 7:10
  SPEAKER_02: I think he's fit.
• 7:11
  SPEAKER_02: Um he's like all players, they you know they need to be managed, but no different from Cam when he gets back going.
• 7:17
  SPEAKER_02: He'll be uh he'll be a good player for us.
• 7:19
  SPEAKER_00: And presumably Adam back from his suspension as well.
• 7:21
  SPEAKER_02: And Adam back, so we've got quite a lot, or I've got quite a lot to think about before Saturday.
• 7:26
  SPEAKER_02: Um because the nature of the group, it's competitive and there'll be people missing out who are good players.
• 7:30
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but that's that's what we want because we know over you know 44 more games to go and and and uh the FA Cup, we know that there's going to be injuries and there's gonna be suspensions, so everyone's gonna be needed.
• 7:40
  SPEAKER_00: It'll be juicy, I imagine, on Saturday.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_00: Portsmouth always uh and a fixture to look forward to.
• 7:45
  SPEAKER_00: How you assess the start of the season that they've made?
• 7:47
  SPEAKER_00: They lost to QPR, but then beat Lincoln, of course, last weekend.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I think they've had a a good start.
• 7:52
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I think they'll be really pleased to go away to a tough team and get three points.
• 7:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but they're like any team in this league.
• 7:59
  SPEAKER_02: You can get hurt if you're not on it.
• 8:00
  SPEAKER_02: And you know, a very good coach and John are known well uh over the years, and they've got some good players and some experienced players coming back like Marlon Pack and maybe Regan Poole.
• 8:08
  SPEAKER_02: So they know the level as well.
• 8:10
  SPEAKER_02: Um so we're gonna have to be we're gonna have to be fully on it.
• 8:12
  SPEAKER_02: But we're excited to be back at Ashton Gate.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I think the performance last week away from home, if we can replicate that over the next 44 games, we'll be in a good place.
• 8:20
  SPEAKER_00: And I'm looking forward to your first win.
• 8:22
  SPEAKER_00: How does Michael Scabala react to a win?
• 8:23
  SPEAKER_00: Are the one doing the fist pumps to the fans and things like that, or are you a bit more calm and measured?
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_02: Let's get the win first.
• 8:30
  SPEAKER_02: Thank you.
• 8:30
  SPEAKER_02: Good luck on Saturday.
• 8:32
  SPEAKER_02: Thank you.
• 8:32
  SPEAKER_01: Hi Michael, I just wanted to ask about Elijah.
• 8:35
  SPEAKER_01: It's not often you get, I guess, that extended a look at a new signing.
• 8:38
  SPEAKER_01: What did you make of his performance?
• 8:40
  SPEAKER_01: And I guess more so what you saw on the training pitch in pre-season.
• 8:43
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I think we saw things that we were excited about that he could bring to the squad, and I think we saw things that he needs to work on as well.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_02: I think it was like I say, when we had him on trial, um he's been working hard to get back from a very big injury, but we think he can get there.
• 8:57
  SPEAKER_02: He's got things to do off the pitch to try and get his strength back.
• 9:01
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but we think we can um get him back to his best.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_01: I think it says from the outside perspective, it seems to say a lot about a character that you know to come into a club and really fight to earn earn a deal, I imagine, as well.
• 9:11
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I think what it shows about his character is he he backs himself.
• 9:15
  SPEAKER_02: Um he's fighting for a contract, which is like he's when you're 18 again in an academy player when you've had such a big injury, and I think that speaks volumes of himself.
• 9:24
  SPEAKER_02: He's an absolute unbelievable man who's taken to the group to him, sort of say the group's taken to him unbelievably.
• 9:31
  SPEAKER_02: He has experiences in the Premier League, he's had experience in the championship, um, and again he's a different profile that we haven't got.
• 9:37
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, when he's fit and fighting on all fronts, I don't think I'd like to play against him, that's for sure.
• 9:43
  SPEAKER_02: Um, so we're we're hoping and we think we can get him back to his best.
• 9:46
  SPEAKER_01: I think in a lot of the chances that have been announced, there's some of this in your James's quotes, you've mentioned those different profiles.
• 9:52
  SPEAKER_01: How much focus has been put into that in this squad build that you've not got three left backs that all play the same way or three strikers that do having that variety?
• 10:00
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, it's always very difficult to exactly get that jigsaw puzzle um together, um, but it's been very conscious at the back of our mind that and especially my mind in terms of having different options available to us, um, because I think out through the course of a season, if you don't have those options, you become very one-dimensional uh as a team and a structure.
• 10:19
  SPEAKER_02: So is having the ability to you know change things is really important, um, but also having the consistency in in how we want to play in our principles is also important.
• 10:29
  SPEAKER_02: So I think that's what we've got now is uh um variability in the positions and different profiles, but we've also got competition in those profiles, um, but now it's about as well getting consistency in the levels of performance we want.
• 10:41
  SPEAKER_01: In terms of when the Rich kind of asked if any outgoings were like before Saturdays, anything any closer on the in incoming front at all?
• 10:47
  SPEAKER_02: No, and I've said all along, like we wouldn't um we're not desperate to do, you know, we've done Elijah, which is you know, last 48 hours.
• 10:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um if the window shuts now, I'd be very, very happy.
• 10:59
  SPEAKER_02: Um we might add to the group, we might not, um, but but there's nothing that we're desperate to do and feel like we you know, feel like we have to go and do a sign in just to make another sign in.
• 11:10
  SPEAKER_02: We've made loads of signings already.
• 11:11
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but if there's something that comes up in the window that we're ready for it.
• 11:15
  SPEAKER_02: Um but again, you know, if the windows to shut yesterday after Elijah's signing, I'd be very happy.
• 11:20
  SPEAKER_01: We've spoken a lot about patience and quite often with that three-year plan.
• 11:24
  SPEAKER_01: Is that something you've got to like discuss with the players a little bit as well?
• 11:27
  SPEAKER_01: Because you meant to I don't know, but you mentioned like Lawrence being frustrated without getting the goal, but he's played really well.
• 11:32
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I guess you've got to manage their mentality a little bit.
• 11:35
  SPEAKER_02: Um, they're good players, they want to win, you know.
• 11:37
  SPEAKER_02: They they love the club, they love the badge like myself.
• 11:39
  SPEAKER_02: You know, we want to win every time we go out.
• 11:41
  SPEAKER_02: You know, that three-year plan is a plan for the strategy, for the board, for the club.
• 11:46
  SPEAKER_02: You know, we when we go on the green stuff, we want to film win football matches.
• 11:49
  SPEAKER_02: I think the thing that you have to do is help the players develop, you know, help them to adapt into the championship if they've come from League One, or help them to adapt to the championship if they've come from Europe.
• 12:00
  SPEAKER_02: You know, it's really important that we understand that that adaption can take time.
• 12:04
  SPEAKER_02: This championship is the fifth strongest league in the world, you know, top, top league with some top, top players in it, and it takes time to adapt.
• 12:11
  SPEAKER_02: Um, that's my job is to try and help them adapt as quickly as they can.
• 12:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um, some will do it quicker than others, and that's natural.
• 12:17
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but whenever we go on the pitch, you know, 11v11, we want to win the football match.
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_01: That performance in particular last week, do you do you get the sense that you know moments like that or displays like that, how much of an effect does that have on the group?
• 12:29
  SPEAKER_01: About people walking around with their chests puffed out a little bit?
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_02: Well, I think when you have a performance like that and a lot of things come together, what they see is how we want to be, what we want to look like, um, how well we I thought we dominated Birmingham at times, created big chances, and should have won the game if it wasn't for you know a situation at the end.
• 12:46
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but yeah, I think it gives a lot of confidence to the group and how we want to be and how what we want to look like.
• 12:50
  SPEAKER_02: But again, there'll be moments like that that look good, there'll be moments why it doesn't go right, and that's where it's really important to grow our consistency of performance over time.
• 12:58
  SPEAKER_02: And the challenge for this group with the changes and with the new signings and with the old players that have been here a few years, if you want to call them, I don't mean old by age, I mean here a few years.
• 13:07
  SPEAKER_02: Um grow that consistency together and they're still learning about each other on the pitch and those relationships.
• 13:12
  SPEAKER_02: There's no better way of building those relationships than time on a football pitch.
• 13:16
  SPEAKER_01: I know you touched on a second, but I wanted to ask you about Jed because I thought his experience really stood out on Monday night and the way he took the jokes and everything, you know, really good appearance.
• 13:26
  SPEAKER_01: How important and how much of an impact has he had, I guess, on and off the field since he's done it.
• 13:30
  SPEAKER_02: For me, first of all, Jed is here to be a footballer and and his level and what a good player he is at the championship.
• 13:36
  SPEAKER_02: I think if they bring the added value of the leadership, I think that's great.
• 13:40
  SPEAKER_02: And I think that's what Jed brings.
• 13:41
  SPEAKER_02: But you know, he's a great footballer, that's why we brought him to this football club.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_02: He can still do things for us at this club, like you saw last Saturday, they're exciting.
• 13:49
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and the added thing he brings, as you saw at the the fans forum, is his is his character and his leadership and and a drive to win, you know.
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_02: And I think that's what's really important that whoever we bring here needs to want to win and want to win for Bristol City.
• 14:01
  SPEAKER_01: It does feel like there's that blend in personalities and experience as well as the style of footballer through the business done this summer.
• 14:07
  SPEAKER_02: Yep, 100% that.
• 14:08
  SPEAKER_02: And I think that was the aim before we started this process or this window to try and get that blend right in in terms of youthfulness and experience, and also try and get that blend of profiles.
• 14:18
  SPEAKER_01: It's a bit more of a footballing question.
• 14:20
  SPEAKER_01: When we spoke to Rob last week, he mentioned the importance you put on set pieces, he said that's correlation with his sort of futsal days and the way he played there.
• 14:28
  SPEAKER_01: The goal, obviously, on Saturday, the first one, come comes from that.
• 14:30
  SPEAKER_01: How involved are you in what the team are doing at set pieces?
• 14:33
  SPEAKER_01: But I know in the past Pat's taken quite a quite a lead on that sort of thing.
• 14:36
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, so again, it's an area that needs loads of focus because there's no doubt in my mind if you want to win leagues, you have to get a plus on set pieces on the on the differential.
• 14:45
  SPEAKER_02: So whenever I've been, we which club I've been at, we've always put huge focus on it because it can win you games, it can lose you games.
• 14:51
  SPEAKER_02: And if you look at if you like the two goals set piece, set piece, if you want to call the penalty, it was from a long throw.
• 14:57
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, we want to keep improving on that all the time.
• 15:00
  SPEAKER_02: Um I'm you know, I'm heavily involved in looking at them with with Pat and Luke, who is a set piece analyst, um, and we need to keep improving on that, and we need to keep adding value on it.
• 15:08
  SPEAKER_02: And the lads are very engaged with that, and they know that, um, but it's definitely an area that can make a difference for you in you know, across 46 again, across 44 games left.
• 15:16
  SPEAKER_01: In terms of Saturday, I know you mentioned last week about the importance of the fans, played it their way and making it feeling like a Bristol City atmosphere.
• 15:23
  SPEAKER_01: They've got a big part to play at home then on Saturday as well.
• 15:26
  SPEAKER_02: Oh a huge part, and you know, the fans last Saturday were so loud.
• 15:29
  SPEAKER_02: Um, when we were on top or when we conceded, you know, they were they were with the team, and there's no doubt, I keep saying it, they're part of the performance.
• 15:37
  SPEAKER_02: And whenever I've been at Ashton Gate, it's been noisy, but they're gonna we're gonna need their help throughout the season, and it'd be great if we can have you know a noisy crowd to get behind us uh ready for what I think will be a noisy pompy crowd coming.