Gerhard Struber hails Bristol City’s ‘knife sharp’ finishing against Portsmouth

Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber hailed his side’s clinical 5-0 destruction of Portsmouth as the “perfect start” to the new year.

The rampant Robins were two up at the break through a stunning Adam Randell shot from distance after 11 minutes and Anis Mehmeti’s precise low drive, also from outside the box, 13 minutes later.

Scott Twine’s first-time finish from a Neto Borges cross made it 3-0 soon after the interval before substitute Sinclair Armstrong completed the rout with a close-range finish just before the hour mark and a thumping stoppage-time strike.

Armstrong squandered two other great chances against a Pompey side guilty of some horrendous defending, while Randell clipped the crossbar late on.

Struber said: “It was the perfect start to the new year. I believed we had a result like that coming because we have been playing well without always scoring the goals we should have.

“Today our finishing was knife sharp. We could have had more goals and we never gave Portsmouth the slightest opportunity to get into the game, so I am super happy with the performance.

“Our pressing was synchronised and the energy level of the team was amazing. Now we have to seek the consistency to produce that type of display every week.

“I am hopeful of bringing players in during the transfer window, but it is not all about that. We also have to integrate any newcomers into our squad and ensure they share in the way we want to play.

“For the moment, I am delighted with the way the squad is developing and how well the current players are doing.”

Pompey boss John Mousinho admitted his side were outplayed but was far from despondent.

He said: “There were mitigating circumstances in terms of the injuries we have been carrying. It was a game too far for us in that respect and nothing has gone right on the day.

“The other night we patched things together and produced a result on the back of some other positive performances, but today was just too much.

“The players know that display wasn’t good enough and so do the coaching staff. But it wasn’t a time for throwing tea cups after the game because the lads have been working hard and doing their best.

“The first goal was a brilliant strike and there was little we could do about it. But I was disappointed by the way it deflated us.

“We have to do much more in response to going a goal down, but while I am clearly not happy with the result, I can understand why it happened.

“This result won’t alter plans for the transfer window. We already knew the areas that need strengthening.”