Gerhard Struber responds to fans’ frustration after Bristol City’s 2-1 defeat to Watford in the Championship on Friday night.
Jeremy Ngakia’s 77th minute winner kept Watford’s hopes of promotion while denting Bristol City’s. Ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, The Hornets, 7th, are 3 points from the playoff places, while it’s 4 for the 9th place Robins.
Luca Kjerrumgaard had put Watford ahead just 7 minutes on the clock, and Saba Goglichidze saw his effort come back off the post. Scott Twine had got an equaliser for Bristol City just before the break.
It’s Bristol City btw.
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) February 27, 2026
Watford boss Ed Still speaking to Sky Sports:
“Everyone knows what a difficult place this is to come to and we earnt ourselves a win.
“We got a bit lucky with the second half… but we made that luck.
“All credit goes to the players. They have responded to my message. We’ve put a lot into attitude and teamwork and they’ve responded to that.
“It’s my job to work out what profiles we’ve got and how to get the best out of those profile in no time at all.
“I think tonight, of the four games, was the best performance.
“There was a feeling from day one [that they could get into the play-offs].
“We are going to compete to try and get into the play-offs in the end of the season. We are doing everything we can.”
Watford head coach Ed Still told BBC Three Counties Radio:
“The most important beyond anything else this evening was the energy the players could find and the heart they could put into it. Everybody saw the commitment that has gone into that performance.
“We forced a little bit of luck – when you create a wonder goal like that it doesn’t just fall from the sky and we’ve got a bit lucky at the end as well, they’ve had a couple of chances where on another day that could be a draw.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves but it does feel special.
“I’m so pleased and proud of the dressing room and for the team because they’re coming together and they are starting to believe in each other and hopefully the fans can feel that and feed off that.”
Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber speaking to Sky Sports:
“Football is not always fair. Especially with the first goal, how they got it was so cheap.
“We should create in this momentum phase a benefit for ourselves. In the end, you have to bring something out. I feel sorry for the boys that we cannot create.
“The Championship is very tight. You have to be clear in the big moments and I think today this was the missing link.
“The play-off race is until the end. You have to win, especially at home, and you need to be consistent. We have to improve that.”
Struber speaking to BBC Radio Bristol on how ‘small details’ affected his side’s performance:
“I am really frustrated and we expected a different result in the end, and a big loss is really painful.
“The control of the game was good, but some small details such as decision making. We were not lucky with the last decision that we did, and how do bring a player into a better position with a higher chance to score.
“Then how we gave away the goals was really cheap and it is really hard to describe. It is all small things – typical Championship.
“When you want to be in the play-off spots you have to win games in a row more and more times, and we must be honest with ourselves that this is a gap.
“We have to be better and we have to improve, how we bring a clean sheet home and how we score on a different level.”
He said, per Bristol Post: “This was the missing link, I would say. Performance-wise, we controlled, most of the time, the game against a really good transition team.
“I would say that we stopped them most of the time, in transitions, very quickly in the first half. The goal that we conceded was really cheap, so the big moments in the game, we were not sharp, and then I would say we create a momentum for ourselves, but we do not create the benefit with more goals.
“I think we have enough box entries, enough good chances to come into the opponent’s box, but the last decision-making was not always right.
“We were not always ready, and this is, of course, today, the big frustration.”
After fans vented their frustrations: “I would say also in this direction, we are close together with the fans. Our feeling is today, really bad. Really bad. This was a really disappointing feeling, really flat, and I understand every fan.
“Especially when you create a good performance and come out with nothing, this is really painful for everyone.”
On his side’s form:Â “We have to be better at home. This is something where we have to be stronger, clearer, and our decision-making at home has to be on a better level, especially when you control and dominate many, many parts of this game in a really good direction.
“We have to bring a better outcome, and this is what I miss today.”
Watford striker Luca Kjerrumgaard speaking to Sky Sports:
“This was a huge win, we needed this. I’m so happy for the fans.
“It’s always good to come and lead quick in the game. I think that pushed us in the game. We struggled a little bit after but I think it showed our character.
“It’s a huge positive energy for us. I think we can look forward to beat Wrexham at home, we are just excited.”
Watford right-back Jeremy Ngakia speaking to Sky Sports:
“I know we’ve had a lot of changes but I think we’ve stuck together.
“He’s [boss Ed Still] brought us some new energy. You can see on the pitch what we are doing and I want to keep it up.
“I’m tired of us not pushing at this time of the season and we are doing it now.”
“I’m not surprised he hit it so well” 😅
Luca Kjerrumgaard and Jeremy Ngakia reflect on a vital win for Watford and Ngakia’s stunning goal 💬 pic.twitter.com/7yLYWoajYQ
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 27, 2026
Here’s the social media reaction after Gerhard Struber responds to fans’ frustration after Bristol City’s defeat to Watford…
@Grainge80: Everyone used to think Manning was on repeat this is as bad all I ever hear is level, direction, my boys, box entries, decision making. I’m not even sure his statements make sense often.
@AlexMuz3: People might not want to hear it as he comes across as a nice guy but Struber is not the man. His tactics are useless, the football is one dimensional and are home form is a joke! 🤬
@louiedun11: Once again no pattern of play, no plan B. Home form shocking, somethings got to give..
@wesBCFC: Remember when it used to be to be a fortress here now can’t win ever
@C_Farmerr: Not good enough. Consistently inconsistent. Season over, bring on Charlton away & get the season done
@rmace1986: Lack of quality and depth exposed once again. We just haven’t tested the keeper enough and have consistently picked the wrong option tonight. Exposed behind the wide centre backs in the first half. Subs once again contributed nothing of note. Season is going to fizzle out.
@BCFCRobinsView: Frustrating. Played some good stuff first half but didn’t threaten enough for it to be deemed a very good half. Followed it with a bit of meh second half. Just feels a little too easy for away teams to feel they can score against us. Lack of improvement again from subs a concern
@harryycole: Dreadful tonight for me, no ambition or anything going forward we just looked so blunt. Sykes doesn’t help tanner at all on that right hand side and I can’t see why Pring doesn’t get into our starting XI, how long till Knight is dropped for a while too? Woeful again #BristolCity
@Abcfc_CTID: That was shite, can’t blame anyone but struber really, no Pring in the starting lineup, taking Twine off instead of Horvat and brining burgzorg on, fucking awful #bristolcity
@Joshfairchild14: Struber needs to be questioned by the way… starting Mcrorie on his wrong foot with 3 LBs/LWBs in the squad is atrocious. Poor substitutions (again). Our home form is fucking shambolic. #BristolCity
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