Key Points
- Ex-Player’s Homecoming: Former Bristol City midfielder Sam Morsy makes his way back to Ashton Gate on Tuesday night as his team, Blackburn Rovers, play their first game since the international break.
- Appraisal of His Former Team: Morsy hailed his former club Bristol City as “a fantastic club with really good people” and appreciated their summer spending and Premier League aspirations.
- From One Club To Another: Morsy was let go by Bristol City after a brief stint last season and signed for Blackburn Rovers in August after joining the PFA pre-season program for free agents.
- Recent Form: Morsy has been a regular starter under manager Tony Mowbray, making seven starts out of nine league games as Blackburn have remained unbeaten in their last three games including wins against Millwall and Cardiff City.
- League Standing: Blackburn Rovers currently occupy the 13th position in the Football League Championship table, two points and three places below Bristol City, managed by Michael Skubala.
South Bristol, (Bristol Express News) October 13, 2026 – Former Bristol City midfielder Sam Morsy has delivered high praise for his former employers, labelling the Robins a “fantastic club” boasting a “really good team” ahead of his first return to Ashton Gate with Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday evening.
How Does Sam Morsy Feel About Returning to Ashton Gate?
As reported by Daniel Carter of Bristol Live, Sam Morsy expressed significant admiration for Bristol City despite his brief tenure in south Bristol during the second half of last season. Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire ahead of the Championship clash, as quoted by Daniel Carter, Morsy stated: “I think Bristol City is a fantastic club. There are really, really good people there and they’ve got a really good team.”
The 35-year-old Egyptian international noted the substantial squad development undertaken by the Reds during the summer transfer window under manager Michael Skubala. According to Daniel Carter of Bristol Live, Morsy remarked:
“To be fair, they’ve invested a lot in the summer; they’ve really went for it this summer. I feel they’ve added to a really good squad anyway, so it’s going to be a good game and a good test for us.”
When asked regarding Bristol City’s top-flight aspirations, Morsy added: “I think they’ve got a plan to try and get there. Like a lot of Championship clubs have. They’ve invested really well this summer, so they’ll be desperate to do it, but you know it’s an amazing city and a really good football club.”
What Are Blackburn Rovers’ Expectations for the Match?
Regarding the competitive dynamic between the two sides, Morsy highlighted the tight nature of the Championship table. As reported by Daniel Carter of Bristol Live, Morsy noted:
“We’re all in and around each other [in terms of] league positions and points. It’s obviously very early days, so that’s not that important, but we feel we’re a good team and you have to prove it on nights like these. We’re going to go there and do our best to win.”
He expressed firm confidence in his current team’s ability, stating:
“I believe that, on our day, we can beat anybody in the league.”
Reflecting on Blackburn Rovers’ overall start to the campaign under manager Tony Mowbray, Morsy acknowledged that while performances have been positive, the team remains hungry for better point tallies. As quoted by Daniel Carter, Morsy declared:
“I’m really enjoying it. I’ve only ever heard really good things about the gaffer. He’s been spot-on with me from the moment I came in, and I’m enjoying playing under him.”
Morsy further reflected on their recent record:
“I think every team in the league will say they should have more [points]. Even if you’re top of the league, in any division, no-one’s ever happy. If you’ve won every game, you might want to score more goals or whatever, but [our] performances have been really good. Could we have more? You look at the Wolves one, a refereeing decision; yes, we should have more points, but in terms of playing well and not winning, it’s not enough to play well. You’ve got to win, so we are where we are. We’ll accept that and keep striving forward to try and get more points in the next period.”
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Background to Sam Morsy’s Departure and Recent Form
Sam Morsy arrived at Ashton Gate in January 2026, making 20 appearances and scoring once for Bristol City during the latter half of the 2025/26 season under the management of Gerhard Struber and Roy Hodgson. However, following the appointment of Michael Skubala, the club confirmed Morsy’s release upon the expiry of his short-term deal, alongside teammates Mark Sykes and Harry Cornick as free agents.
After maintaining fitness through the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) free-agent pre-season training programme, Morsy secured a one-year contract at Ewood Park in early August 2026. Since joining Blackburn Rovers under Tony Mowbray, the experienced midfielder has established himself as a central figure, featuring in all nine Championship fixtures—starting seven and appearing as a substitute in two. Blackburn currently sit 13th in the Championship table, trailing 10th-placed Bristol City by two points, with Rovers seeking their first away victory of the season following a three-match unbeaten run that includes wins over Millwall and Cardiff City.
How Will This Development Affect the Fans and Club Stances?
This fixture and Morsy’s respectful comments carry distinct implications for both Bristol City and Blackburn Rovers supporters, as well as the respective managerial setups.
For the Bristol City faithful, Morsy’s warm reception of the club validates the aggressive summer recruitment strategy overseen by the board and Michael Skubala. Fans will likely welcome Morsy back with respect given his professional service during a transitional half-season, though the focus remains firmly on whether Skubala’s refurbished squad can demonstrate superiority over mid-table rivals to sustain a legitimate push towards the play-off places.
For Blackburn Rovers supporters, Morsy’s rapid integration and leadership under Tony Mowbray provide stability in central midfield. His tactical awareness and experience in navigating tight Championship fixtures give Rovers a dependable anchor as they seek to convert strong performances into crucial away points, beginning with their test at Ashton Gate.
