Bristol City assistant coach Chris Hogg has criticized the demanding Championship fixture schedule ahead of tonight’s showdown against Norwich City, highlighting the physical strain it places on players.
Both teams were in action on Tuesday night, with Norwich surrendering a 2-0 lead to Sheffield Wednesday, while Liam Manning’s side played out a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United. Now, with just three days of rest, they face another crucial test as the Canaries visit Ashton Gate for an 8pm kick-off.
Hogg didn’t hold back in his post-match comments, questioning the fairness of such a quick turnaround and the toll it takes on players.
“I think we’ve spoken about it previously—the scheduling is crazy in my opinion,” he said. “You play at 8:00pm on a Tuesday night and then have to go again on a Friday evening.
“Obviously, it’s dictated to, and I understand the entertainment factor for the fans, but it puts the players under a lot of duress.”
With fitness levels a key concern, Bristol City’s staff are carefully assessing the squad to ensure they are ready for another high-intensity clash.
“We’ve got to see how we recover, assess the state of play, and get the players as ready as we can,” Hogg added.
Playoff Push in Full Swing
With just two points separating Bristol City from the Championship play-off spots and nine games left in the season, every match is crucial. A victory against Johannes Hoff Thorup’s Norwich side could be a major step toward their Premier League promotion ambitions.
Hogg also emphasized the importance of the home crowd, urging supporters to get behind the team in this vital fixture.
“Another home game, so we’ll need all the supporters behind us to lift everyone and drive the players on,” he told Bristol Live.
“It’s great, isn’t it? We’ve got nine games left in a Championship season where we’ve been putting in some really positive, consistent performances. Now, it’s about maintaining that and playing the way we want to play.”
With a packed schedule, high stakes, and play-off dreams on the line, the Robins will need every ounce of energy to overcome Norwich and keep their promotion hopes alive.
