Bristol City boss explains key absences after defeat in first match in charge | OneFootball

Bristol City manager Michael Skubala has explained why both Tomi Horvat and Sam Bell were missing from his squad in their Carabao Cup defeat to Walsall.

The Robins succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to the League Two outfit, exiting the Carabao Cup at the first stage. Skubala explained that Horvat and Bell were left out because he wanted to see Yu Hirakawa and Emil Riis in action.

“I needed to use this game to see Emil and Yu,” said the Bristol City boss. “If I didn’t see them in this game, and I had the opportunity to see them, I wouldn’t have seen them in a match through the whole of pre-season.

“Of course, that’s not a normal thing, and you wouldn’t do that in a normal league game. But I had to use this game to see Yu and Emil.”

The defeat to Walsall in his first competitive match is a disappointing start to Skubala’s reign. He made the move to Aston Gate after leading Lincoln City to the League One title last season. Bristol City will now kick off their Championship campaign against Millwall next weekend.

“I’ve learned a lot today,” reflected Skubala on his first match in charge. “I’ve learned a lot about different players in different moments. Pre-season is great, but this feels like a step up for the guys.

“We’re disappointed to lose the game, and we shouldn’t lose the game. But I’ve learned a lot about the players tonight.”