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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Bristol City's Tommy Conway reveals the piece of advice that helped him get back among the goals

Tommy Conway believes he has discovered the recipe to success to maintain his appetite in front of goal.

The youngster cemented his position at the top of City's goalscoring charts on Saturday with a brilliant finish beyond Swansea's Steven Benda to bag his eighth of the season in all competitions.

It was Conway's first strike since the 3-2 defeat at Norwich on September 14 after floating in and out of the starting XI following his blistering start to his breakthrough campaign. He scored seven goals in nine appearances before the international break so his strike against the Swans at the weekend - his first in nine - would have been met with a combination of relief and elation.

Such is the 20-year-old's maturity and character, Conway admitted he is going to see his form fluctuate throughout the season as he continues to understand the rigours of a relentless fixture schedule.

It was already his 20th game of the season and as a player who prides his game on intensity, running the channels and closing down opposition, it's only natural he will need a rest as his body continues to physically develop.

However, some advice from the club may have found a solution having been advised to increase the amount he is eating and Conway admits he is certainly feeling the benefits.

"I fully understand I'm not one to get ahead of myself," he said when asked about recent form. "The gaffer's been honest with me and I don't think he's been harsh with me and he's always been honest.

"He's always been there to be able to put his arm around me and say 'I'm going to take you out this week but you'll go back in at some point'. He's already given me that confidence that I'll go back in.

"My game has been setting an intensity for a long time and obviously it's my first year breaking through in the first-team and to do that Saturday/Tuesday with the games we've had has been quite tough for me.

"I've been trying things off the pitch in trying to eat more, trying to maintain that but I think eventually because I'm 20 it will catch up with me and I fully understand that. I'm not one to be annoyed with myself about why I'm not playing well, I know I'm going to have a dip in form.

Tommy Conway of Bristol City is challenged by Joel Latibeaudiere of Swansea City - Mandatory by-line: Will Cooper/JMP - 29/10/2022 - FOOTBALL - Ashton Gate - Bristol, England - Bristol City v Swansea City - Sky Bet Championship (Will Cooper/JMP)

"(Eating more) was advice given to me from the club to try and cope with the amount of training and games. Especially with us young lads, some of our bodies haven't fully developed.

"We're still growing muscle and a little bit of growth there too so I think they've stressed the importance of eating the right amount of carbs, and proteins for us to try and stay on top of our game.

"Obviously, more of your rice, pasta, chicken and proteins and carbs just to maintain the muscle repair after games and maintain energy when we're running low on the pitch. I feel 100 per cent much better than I did when I wasn't eating as much."

Following the international break, manager Pearson tasked his side to be amongst the top six when the World Cup begins later next month. City have three tricky league games starting with Sheffield United tomorrow night before facing Middlesbrough and Watford before the mid-season break for the tournament in Qatar.

Two wins in their last 10 matches mean City are six points adrift of sixth place in 14th after a previous run of form that saw the Robins go eight games unbeaten. There's little doubt in Conway's mind that City can rediscover those performances and push themselves up the table.

"I think we have a good chance," Conway added. "I think every club in the Championship has a good chance this year. I don't think I've ever seen the table this close.

"As I said, if you put a run together of two or three games you're right up there. We've got a couple of lads who have been promoted from the Championship whether that's through the play-offs or have won it. So it's good to have those bodies around because they know what it's like.

"Kingy (Andy King) said before in the changing room that the team spirit is similar to what it was like when he went up with Leicester so I think we have to keep doing what we're doing on the pitch and hopefully we can put a run together. You can see we're all working hard for each other so eventually it will click and we can go on another run."

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