Bristol City head coach Michael Skubala has confirmed his side will use the extended international break as a key period for training ground development. The plan follows a 1-0 victory over Watford that lifted the Robins to eighth in the Championship table with 13 points from eight games, placing them just inside the play-off places.
Dom Ballard's first-half header at Ashton Gate on Friday secured the three points, continuing a recent run of form that has seen three wins in the last five matches. The club's current standing, one point ahead of ninth-placed Charlton Athletic, provides a solid platform ahead of a three-week pause in the fixture schedule.
Skubala outlines break and training plans
Skubala confirmed the squad will first enjoy a short breather before returning to intensive work. "Work on the training pitch. Lots of work. No, we'll have a little bit of a breather," the head coach said. He described the upcoming window as a rare opportunity for focused coaching, something the congested early-season calendar has prevented.
"It feels like a really good opportunity to get some work done with the lads," Skubala explained. "Because when you go Saturday-Tuesday, you don't really have the time to coach them or develop them as a team or as individuals, because you're just match-planning and recovering." He added that the squad understands his demanding approach, stating, "The lads know that's my style; we work hard all the time, and the harder we work, the luckier we become or the better we become."
With the team having played nine competitive games in just over six weeks, the break allows for physical recuperation and tactical refinement. Skubala also wished luck to the club's international call-ups, hoping they return healthy for the resumption of league action.
International duty and return to action
Several first-team players will be absent during the break on international duty. Jason Knight has been called up by the Republic of Ireland, Lisav Eissat by Romania, Rio Cardines by Trinidad and Tobago, and Tomi Horvat by Slovenia. Their involvement shows the growing representation within the Bristol City ranks.
The Championship campaign resumes on Saturday, October 10, with a trip to The Valley to face Charlton Athletic. That fixture represents a direct clash with a team just one point and one place behind the Robins in the standings. Fans can check the full schedule on our fixtures page.
Ballard, the match-winner against Watford, is the club's top scorer this season with three goals from eight appearances. His development, along with that of the wider squad, will be a focus during the training period. The team will aim to carry momentum from their recent form, which reads WLLWW from the last five games, into the challenging autumn schedule.
Background and full detail: Bristol Live
