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Robins have a point to prove, says Johnson
Written by Tom Easterby
Bristol City boss Lee Johnson believes his side will arrive at St. James’ Park on Saturday with “a point to prove”.
The Robins currently sit 21st in the Sky Bet Championship table, just above the relegation zone.
But the former City player, who has been in charge at Ashton Gate since February 2016, is also hoping his team will enjoy the occasion as they look for the points that could help move them away from the bottom three.
“We will feel like we’ve got a point to prove and we’ve got to go there and put in a good performance that people can be proud of,” Johnson told Bristol City Player HD.
“It’s a fantastic place to play and the players have to go there and enjoy it, having come off the field victorious knowing they’ve given everything they’ve got.
“We go there as the underdog. Obviously it’s going to be a tough game but we have to get some spirit back – find that aggression and passion in our play to go and make things happen.”
A solitary goal from Dwight Gayle earned the Magpies a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture back in August.
Now 35-year-old Johnson wants his side to assert themselves on Tyneside this weekend and ensure that all his players are “up for the fight”.
“If you’re low on confidence, what comes next is you run about and put your foot in. You do everything you can to make something happen in a physical sense,” he said.
“I’m certainly going to pick a team that’s going to run about, get tight to people and give Bristol City fans pride in the shirt.
“I haven’t lost the belief and I’m not going to lose it, because belief is such a big part of it.
“I’m up for the fight and I have to make sure everyone else is.”
“We will feel like we’ve got a point to prove and we’ve got to go there and put in a good performance that people can be proud of.”