First block of ten reviewed 2008 -09
STAT ATTACK
League Position 10th
P10 W3 D4 L3 F13 A12 GD+1 PTS 13
Away
P6 W3 D1 L2 F5 A5 Pts 10
Double what we won in our last block of 11 games
Home
P5 W1 D3 L1 F9 A7 Pts 6
Four points less than at this stage last season.
League Stats:
Assists:
City don't have a player in the top twenty of CCC Assists
Goal Scorers
City have no one in the top twenty.
Shooting (Player)
City have McIndoe & Maynard at 9th & 19th. Both have had 14 shots on target..
Shooting (Club)
City are 9th in the shots count..
Clean Sheets
City have three, all away. Palace are top with five.
Current Form
City are 20th..
Players Used
City are 13th & have used 22 Players season to date.
Attendances
Highest 18,456
Average 17,167
Appearances:
City have no one in the top twenty League & Cup starts.
The First Ten Summary
After selling around 13,200 Season Tickets & enjoying a further 2,000 Memberships, the fans had every reason to believe that this season would start as well as last, especially as the club had invested in it's record signing with Nicky Maynard signed shortly before the start of the season as City returned to their first target and stumped up the £2.25m asking price.
At 21 and with experience in English football, albeit League One, for many, he was a better answer than the confused Meteab & Mifsud who played a dangerous game arriving at Ashton Gate with his entourage and a direct line to the Suns Sports Desk!
That Maynard has become the latest in a long line of strikers that don't look prolific, isn't surprising as City's lack of creativity & width has seen us collect only six points at home and this needs to be addressed if we are to head for the promised land.
We need to remember that Maynard's still a young man and we should look to the way in which Alex Ferguson "blooded" Ronaldo as an example of the way to integrate a young player, who needs service.
The absence of key midfielder Marvin Elliott has been a major factor as he struggles to regain the lung bursting fitness that saw his arrival produce so much hope & admiration amongst the BS3 faithful.
Gary Johnson told fans to be patient just like last season, however, unlike last pre-season, new players didn't arrive and only Gavin Williams joined our midfield and he hasn't been a regular starter after two season wrecked by injury after joining Ipswich from West Ham.
Our only other signing, John (The Handful) Akinde made an exciting, scoring substitute appearance earning City a point against Plymouth after a first half appearance that saw GJ sample "Bristolian Earache" courtesy of a Williams stand patron who was roundly applauded on his return to his seat!
That he was moved to state his opinions vociferously, was probably due to an appalling first half performance that saw the Robins 2-0 down without Carey, Brooker, McIndoe & Elliott although we could have done without Cole Skuse surrendering possession (not for the first time) and Basso "throwing one in the net"
A fine first half followed by an inexplicable second, heralded the season in against Paul Jewell's beleaguered Derby. A point coupled with an unfortunate injury to Jamie McCombe, following a win against Blackpool in a game that could have gone either way, demonstrated that our disease of not creating enough chances or scoring enough goals, hadn't been cured by the arrival of Maynard.
City's reputation as Coventry's bogey team remained after our best overall performance saw us take all three points & score three goals at The Ricoh.
Megabucks QPR who I found unimpressive and overrated, took a point in a game that City should have won but didn't due to our continuing inability to hit the net and an ongoing lack of creativity and the Severnside Derby produced a hard fought point in an even encounter that, I hope will see the end of the hated bubble match
.at least if our Chairman has anything to do with it!
The fans don't want to go and nobody seems to enjoy it apart from The Police and that's no recommendation.
City's best League win for years saw a second half performance that blew Doncaster away and the first appearance of Marvin Elliott proved his immense value to the cause and, conversely how much we miss him when he's not there with our paucity of midfield quality.
Hopes were raised when a second half fight back against favourites Birmingham nearly prevented our only home defeat of the season. Regretfully, the familiar pattern of City losing after giving the opposition "a start" continued.
Plymouth stormed into a two goal lead only to be dragged back by GJ's introduction of the mercurial Trundle & Akinde. Good for morale, but that hadn't helped at Wolves where City were outclassed over the ninety minutes by the CCC's runaway leaders. Another goalless defeat at Sheffield saw a deflated & annoyed looking GJ talk about "something between fine tuning & a major overhaul" being needed.
So whats the problem?
Overall, given the departure of Nick Carle, we have a weaker squad than last season and, given the continual injury problems that dog a player who I still consider our best striker in Steve Brooker and our best midfielder in Elliott, we could have done without the long term absence of Boom Boom McCombe.
Gavin Williams is, according to LJ, the best player he's played with, yet he can't get into a team that lacks goals, width & creativity.
Our midfield needs urgent reinforcement and quality in the form of a creative midfielder and a quality right winger. In Marvin Elliott's continued absence we need another midfield enforcer and, if Brooker can't make a recovery, a sixth striker who can fill the void in Adebola's absence is a must.
The loan system, moreover the "abuse" of it will allow us to strengthen in the same way the Sheff Utd did with Brian Howard, a snip even in these more austere times at £500k.
Do that-Act now and there is still much of this season to be enjoyed and, with our Academy providing only loan players for League One teams at present (good idea that that is without a reserve fixture list) I can't see where else the change can come from.
A contented dressing room will only be contented & happy when the team's winning and that togetherness will dissipate, along with confidence if it isn't soon reinforced.
Panic?
No
React and make positive change?
You decide.
Ratings And reviews by the Trusted one
City 1 Derby County 1
Looking for a six point start to the season, City stormed into a lacklustre & confidence sapped Derby in front of the Sky Cameras at a blustery Ashton Gate.
With Lee Johnson & Cole Skuse first to every ball in midfield and McIndoe & McAllister prompting effectively from the left flank, City threatened to overrun their former Premier League opponents who were as pale a shadow of their former Clough inspired halcyon days as their travelling support.
The goal came with £2.25m Nicky Maynard left with a tap in after excellent work from substitute & MOM Brian Wilson & new boy Gavin Williams.
With Adebola leading the line, even the departure of fractured cheekbone victim, Jamie McCombe could stem the flow of attacks with City creating clever angles of attack with a fluid midfield & players getting past the ball, creating space and pulling the labouring giant Davis out of position again and again.
Robbie Savage lived up to his reputation..........overrated and faded more as the half went on/Only Commons (Why can't we sign a midfielder like that?) and the combative Hulse looked like they could cause problems and only a combination of over playing, great goalkeeping from Roy Carroll and some downright bad luck, stopped City from leading by at least two goals at the break.
So, the plan was simple-More of the same and win the game.
What happened?
The complete reverse as Derby went up a gear and we went down two.
Whoosh football returned to Eastville..........sorry, Ashton Gate and, as Derby rallied, no doubt spurred on by our ineptitude as well as a good rollocking from Paul Jewell, an error from Lee Johnson and a case of the "chocolate wrist" from Chris Weale gifted Derby an equaliser they didn't deserve in a game they should have been out of long ago.
Johnson said that we wouldn't know if last week's win was a good one aganst a top team or one that culd have been expected against underperformers until the season develops and that's true-What's also true is that three points were there for the taking last night and should have been taken by half time.
I can't remember Carroll making a save or having a problem with a cross in the entire second half although, in fairness Weale hasd little to do either.
The departures of Plummer, Artus, Wilson, Carle & Myrie Williams,plus Keogh on the "naughty step," have weakened a squad only bolstered by two summer signings & left Gary Johnson needing to find a centre back & a striker at least.
With Elliott out for another two weeks (I think that sounds optimistic) we have other options in central midfield in Skuse, Wilson, Noble, Williams & Johnson, but the big mans' drive and goals will be sorely missed.I'd love to see another big money signing, but one who can create & score goals from wide right or central midfield like Brian Howard.
Someone like Christian Daly could solve our defensive issue, if only on loan.
WEALE:6/10 At fault for the goal, but otherwise faultless display.
ORR:6/10 Moved to centre back and his usual combative commited self.
MCALLISTER:7/10 Derby shifted Commons to stop his forward movement leading to a less effective second half after an effective first.
CAREY:8/10 Quality display of defending & leadership.
MCCOMBE:6/10 (Injured) Strong display of defending before fracturing his cheekbone in an attacking move.Out for 4-6 weeks
WILLIAMS:6/10 Looked like a central midfelder playing wide right.Tucking in away from home could well be a useful tactic as we play the percentages, but we may need more width at home as the second half proved.Mind you, it doesn't help if you switch the wingers and then stop passing the ball, either.
SKUSE:6/10 Storming first half, but couldn't dominate in the second as he and Johnson disappeared.
JOHNSON:5/10 Defensive error cost us the game after a full contribution to an excellent first half.
MCINDOE:6/10 Faded into obscurity in the second half after a barnstorming first half.
ADEBOLA:6/10 (Injured) Lacked any quality service in the second half and left the field with an injury.
MAYNARD:6/10 I can't remember a contribution apart from the goal-Although a goal every two league games would be top quality!
SUBS:
WILSON:8/10 Superb run past the ball created the goal and looks a quality right back
BROOKER:6/10 Flick ons were too powerful and couldn't thrive on our woeful second half passing & service.
SPROULE:5/10 Another performance that promised much and delivered nothing. Looks a threat but rarely threatens to score or create a goal.
Coventry 0 City 3
City have had many "bogey" teams over the years,Cardiff...Rovers and, on occassons, we've turned those hoodoos around on those clubs, so it's nice to be a bogey team for someone else and with eight goals, none conceeded and three wins in our last three trips, plus a home win, Coventry must be sick of the sight of Johnson and the City Fans that packed (though not as packed as last season!) the Jewson stand and the Ricoh Arena.
If the "credit crunch" effects the World, then BS3 won't escape and perhaps there are many who will have to give the away trips a miss this season so that they can take the kids on holiday or pay a few bills.
It would do no harm for football, a game awash with money and one where an imbecile thinks honouring a contract and earning £120,000pw is "slavery" even when you don't even play- to recognise the fact that it doesn't exist in a "bubble" and provide some reduced prices or subsidised travel for it's loyal supporters, without which, the big money marketeers wouldn't be interested - I know that's a vain hope and we're only "loyal", when a teams struggling and "customers" when they're not, but I can hope.
The - win was well deserved against a Coventry team, that I've no doubt will score goals with Morrison, Mifsud & Eastwood in their line up, prompted by Jay Tabb.Chis Coleman who was banished to the stand after aiming a "few well chosen words" at referee Phil Dowd, must strengthen at the back where they looked laboured against the pace & slick passing of City and where they also struggled against the power of Adebola, who had one of his best games ina City shirt against his former employers.
His challenge for McIndoe's deep cross knocked both the goalkeeper & centre half out & gave City a thoroughly deserved opener robbing Coventry of their keeper who was so groggy he needed to be replaced.On the giant screen replay it looked like Westwood actually jumped into Adebola who had enough composure to recover from the knock and scoop the ball home with Maynard in close attendance.
Maynard looked lightweight in the first period but began to cause problems in the second and was unfortunate to see a cracking save and a goal line header rob him of a brace in the second, although three fine Basso saves stopped Coventry from going in level at half time as City began to overplay and get complacement, our failing in the second half against Derby that cost us two points.That needs to be guarded against.
Saves from two Morrison headers in either half, one crucially before half time, made Basso my joint MOM along with the giant Adebola who led the line well until he was replaced and generously applauded by both sets of fans.
A low stop from Eastwood completed a hat trick of quality saves, although perhaps Morrisson should have done better when he lobbed the keeper in a five minute spell of pressure just before referee Dowd ended the first period.
McIndoe's second couldn't have been better timed and, again resulted from a pass by Adebola who had turned and ran at the Coventry defence striking panic into the back four on every occassion.
City retained possession and demoralised Coventry.We looked comfortable, although, without being churlish, I would have still liked to see us more clinical around goal and even score more.Perhaps that's a sign of how far we've travelled?
Sproule's lively introduction as an impact player saw more chances come and the Irishman stormed through on goal only to be denied by sub goalkeeper, Marshalls legs.
Basso left his goal and lost possession only for substitute Leon Best to lob wide with the goal gaping and, as Coventry took chances in chasing the game, an Ivan Sproule run across the front of the penalty box saw his tame effort interecepted by Brooker who span and fired home from 10 yards with Marshall wrong footed
City lined up 4:4:2
BASSO.........
ORR.......CAREY........FONTAINE...MCALLISTER...
WILSON..JOHNSON......SKUSE.....MCINDOE.
.....ADEBOLA.....MAYNARD......
SUBS
WEALE
BROOKER
SPROULE
TRUNDLE
WEBSTER
RATINGS
BASSO:8/10 Excellent display apart from one "Basso" moment.
ORR:7/10 Defended well, but the long range passing still needs attention.
MCALLISTER:7/10 Brave block from Mifsud saved what looked a likely equaliser as Coventry pressed before half time.
CAREY:7/10 Assured defensive performance against difficlt opponents.
FONTAINE:7/10 Good game overall, but lucky not to concede a penaly in a tussle with Morrision.
WILSON:7/10 Industrious,fit and deserved to keep his place after last weeks MOM introduction against Derby in front of Williams who isn't a wide player and lacks fitness after a couple of injury plagued seasons.Not Brian's best position, but an effective contribution.Looked better in a more central role and with Elliott out, he'd be more than useful in central midfield if Skuse couldn't play as he showed when we went 4-5-1 late in the game.
JOHNSON:7/10 A couple of significant errors that could have cost dear, but a busy and clever performance overall.
SKUSE:7/10 You know what you're going to get with Cole.His game is limited and he's rarely going to score or open up the opposition defence.Then again, he won't let you down or give posssession away in key areas very often or let the other team break away and have unfettered access to the ball in the midfield.Effective without being outstanding and highly valuable without always being noticeable as he does the unsung stuff, well.
MCINDOE:7/10 Hugged the flank more and a better more effective contribution because of it. Fine goal coupled with decent work ethic.
ADEBOLA:8/10 Good goal, one disallowed, one assists and terrorised Coventry all afternoon.
MAYNARD:6/10 Neeeded to toughen up in the first half and did so in the second.I'd rate him five for the first and seven for the second, so six overall.The goals will come but we still need to strengthen up front.
SUBS:
BROOKER:7/10 Now top scorer and looking back to his best (SSSHHHH)
SPROULE:7/10 Lively introduction and an assist.
WEBSTER:7/10 Brave performance with stitches to show for it and looks like he can play a bit as well.
Bristol City 1 v 1 QPR
A point gained or two dropped? Definitely the latter as City huffed & puffed but, in the final analysis, in a different season, it was the same old story as City lacked the cleverness & guile in the final third to break down a stubborn QPR defence.
One a day when crosses were the order of the day our "four narrow midfield", failed to delver the chances that Adebola & Maynard need. That being said, both keepers had one save to make over the ninety minutes apart from the goals.
Maynard failed to inspire confidence and if we are unable to carve out chances, "in behind" for the young man, why not play Brooker alongside Adebola. Both players have the strength & power to trouble CCC defenders and electric pace, doesn't seem to thrive on the service we provide.
One way traffic in the second half failed to produce any difficulty for Cerny until Adebola's header and with the left flank deserted by the wandering McIndoe, play consolidated down the right flank making us predictable, one dimensional & easy to mark.
Where was the spark, the creativity?
Our shooting from midfield is non existent at times, needs a lot of work if we're going to increase our goal tally this term and all four midfielders in Wilson, McIndoe, Johnson & Williams can hit a ball
.they just seem to lack the will or confidence to do it.
Two Home games have seen City collect two points and whilst, I, like most people I guess, would have been happy with eight points from four, having seen City dominate the majority of two home games, I'm disappointed with that return.
For all of he money spent, both Derby & QPR where poor in my opinion and there for the taking."Big name managers" don't give big time results.
Playing four narrow in midfield can be effective if you have rampaging full backs who can cross and cross well. We don't.
As the deadline beckons, I'm glad we're having a punt with Akinde, but highly disappointed we haven't really gone for it with a signing like Watson or Howard and I remain concerned about Marvin Elliott's absence, which I have a terrible feeling, will be prolonged, especially as fitness is such a vital component of the young man's game.
The Exeter left back would be a help but, overall, I'm more disappointed than excited by our efforts in the transfer market.
City lined up 4-4-2
.BASSO
ORR
CAREY
FONTAINE
MCALLISTER
.WILSON SKUSEJOHNSONMCINDOE
MAYNARD
ADEBOLA
Subs (used)
WILLIAMS
SPROULE
WEBSTER
Not used:
WEALE
BROOKER
TEAM RATINGS
Passing:7/10
Set Pieces:6/10
Creativity 5/10
Commitment:8/10
Entertainment Value: 6/10
Defending 7/10
Attacking 6/10
PLAYER RATINGS
BASSO:7/10 One fine save at the end of the second half but a spectator for most of the second half in particular.
ORR:6/10:Defended well & tried hard to get forward
.but the distribution!!!!
CAREY:6/10 Recovered in the second half after an unusually poor first period and at fault for the goal.
FONTAINE:6/10 The second half sending off made his life easier and he was having as many problems with Blackstock in the first as Carey and neither player seemed to be able to work out who was marking the lone striker.
MCALLISTER:6/10 Didn't get forward enough in the first half but defended well enough over the piece.
SKUSE:6/10 (inj) Didn't dominate the midfield and looked off his usual energetic game.
JOHNSON:6/10 We had enough of the ball to win two games but whilst LJ kept us moving forward the creativity & cleverness was, once again, lacking.
WILSON:6/10 Cracking cross for the goal, but he constantly went infield and, whilst that looked effective on occasions, it's not his best position. Fit & pacey but, at home we need width and crosses.
MCINDOE:4/10 The only thing he lacked was a Mandolin as he wandered the grassy acres of Ashton Gate when what we needed was width & crosses. Some people will say he wasn't trying, I reckon the harder he tried the worse he got. It was one of those games and, in fairness, he doesn't have many.
ADEBOLA:8/10 Got the goal and could have won it. Looked our only hope of scoring..
MAYNARD:4/10 Didn't look physically strong enough to handle CCC quality defenders. He's the sort of player who comes to life in & around the box and if that means he needs chances created for him, we'll have to change the way we play.
SUBS:
SPROULE: 6/10 Worked hard but the crosses nearly always hit the first defender.
WILLIAMS:6/10 Looked far more comfortable when he was moved to central midfield and a quality cross near the end almost helped us win it after he replaced the injured Skuse
WEBSTER:6/10 Looked better after he'd settled down and one very well timed header as he climbed above Blackstock. As cover, no problem, but does he look any better than what we've already got.
Charlton Athletic 0 v 2 Bristol City
After a difficult first twenty minutes when we had Adrian Basso and some last ditch defending to thank for being level, an astute tactical switch by Gary Johnson that saw Gavin Williams move to a central role alongside the outnumbered Lee Johnson & Marvin Elliott, turned the game around.
Lee Johnson, pushed to the right and given the freedom to join in with Trundle & Adebola who had been isolated up to that point, robbed a Charlton defender and released Adebola & Trundle in a move that saw the scouser curl a typical left foot finish into the bottom right hand corner of Weaver's net.
The goal was greeted with a rapturous celebration from City's travelling Army of fans that packed the lower area of the South Stand on a mild night in South East London & City grew in confidence as their passing game returned.
With slick interchanges of passing becoming the norm City began to outplay & outpass their troubled former Premier League opponents and the Valley grew more & more quiet as we dominated the final stages of the first half.
The second started in rip roaring fashion with Weaver called into action and making at least two top drawer stops before more slick pass & move football ended with MOM Gavin Williams tearing into the box and checking before his slipping & possibly deflected shot curled and looped over the diving Weaver into the top right hand corner of the net, once again causing a minor earthquake as City's noisy contingent celebrated with renew vigour & a "born again" belief & confidence.
City lined up 4-4-2
.BASSO
.
ORR
MCCOMBE
.FONTAINE
..MCALLISTER
WILLIAMS
JOHNSON
ELLIOTT
.McINDOE
TRUNDLE
ADEBOLA
After 20 mins we changed to
.BASSO
.
ORR
MCCOMBE
.FONTAINE
..MCALLISTER
.JOHNSON
.WILLIAMS
ELLIOTT
.McINDOE
TRUNDLE
ADEBOLA
It was subtle but very effective and it brought the best out of both Williams & Johnson who both played with greater freedom & expression. It morphed into a 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-3 on occasions and that fluidity of movement caused Charlton all kinds of problems as City carved out chances with a new found creativity so absent in games at Wolves & Sheff.
We are a good team when we keep the ball-Pass & Move. Trundle drooped off Adebola and began to link with midfield. Adebola wasn't at his best, but was still a handful and unlucky not to score when he burst through at the start of the second period to test Weaver.
The second goal after a period of total dominance from City saw another switch to
4-5-1
.BASSO
.
ORR
MCCOMBE
.FONTAINE
..MCALLISTER
TRUNDLE
.JOHNSON
.WILLIAMS
ELLIOTT
.McINDOE
.ADEBOLA
The tiring Adebola was replaced buy a stronger looking Nicky Maynard, who worked hard up front. Whilst lacking Adebola's strength and aerial/hold up ability, he linked well and was unlucky not to score with the excellent Weaver producing another fine save with a swerving, dipping long range effort tipped over the bar.
Only Premiership quality defending by Primus stooped another spin and turn from McIndoe's cross, eight yards out.
Trundle, not naturally suited to the wide right position added value coming forward but was struggling in defence and Charlton pressed to satisfy the now booing home fans and was logically replaced by Brian Wilson.
After a lung bursting surge into the box that ended in a goal kick, Gavin Williams was replaced by Ivan Sproule and Wilson made yet another switch into Williams more central role
.Total football & total movement
..love it!
A very worthy win and for 70 minutes an excellent performance in a game that could have finished about 10-4 on chances.
Only a couple of things that play on my mind.
Why do we rarely win when we go behind in a regular season League Game?
Why do we rarely lose when we take the lead in the same?
Why, with his obvious technical ability, don't we let Lee Trundle loose on free kicks around the box?
Oakwell here we come!!
RATINGS
BASSO: 8/10 Quality display of keeping. Better keeping without the silly error and much better kicking than on Saturday in the main, which, in fairness wasn't difficult to improve on. One outstanding first half save stopped Charlton taking the lead.
ORR:6/10 Decent defending but the distribution really need to go up at least two notches.
MCALLISTER:7/10 Improved dramatically after a poor start and linked well in the second period with the midfield.
MCCOMBE:8/10 Giant performance-Another clean sheet and if you win the first ball, defending the second ball isn't an issue!
FONTAINE:8/10 Quality display and some vital interceptions and clearances. I'll excuse the simple headed finish in the first ten minutes.
WILLIAMS:8/10 Best display and guess what? He played in central midfield.
JOHNSON:8/10 Probably his best game of the season and looked bright & effective all night.
ELLIOTT:7/10 Slowly getting back to his best as his top level of fitness returns. Broke up play and allowed Johnson & Williams to play.
McCINDOE:7/10 Worked hard and got the ball down without ever looking a real goal threat.
TRUNDLE:8/10 Excellent finish that set us on our way. Looked fit, sharp & another hard working performance
McCINDOE:7/10 Worked hard and got the ball down without ever looking a real goal threat.
ADEBOLA:7/10 Not at his absolute best but still caused problems and brought a quality stop out of Weaver as City threatened to run riot.
SUBS Used
Maynard:7/10 The lone role doesn't suit him but he provided pace & threat whilst working hard
Just stay on your feet more Nicky, please!
Wilson:6/10 Late entrance and did what was needed in two different positions.
Sproule:6/10 Lively cameo.
Not Used Weale & Webster.
Barnsley 0 v 0 Bristol City
After taking on from where we left off at Charlton for the first twenty or twenty five minutes, Ciyt reverted to the whoosh ball that was never going to work at a Blustery Oakwell.
Make no mistake, Barnsley are a poor team and will probably have a new manager and relegation to look forward to this season, however, for seventy minutes we were far worse as at least nine of our players had games they'll wish to forget in front of 732 travelling fans.
Without doubt, it's travelling to games like this that makes the credit crunch look appealing as an excuse to stay away from a dire Saturday afternoon experience.
Apart from a poor final ball City dominated the opening encounters although Basso produced the save of the day to deny Hulme with the Canadian looking suspiciously offside as an inconceivably stupid run across his own line from "extra inside left" midfielder McIndoe surrendered possession in a dangerous area the swarthy Brazilian spread himself to deny the first of many clear opportunities for Barnsley.
Had I been in goal for Barnsley it wouldn't have mattered as City with over £3m of striking talent on show failed to create a single chance or force one difficult a difficult save from Barnsley's stopper.
I was quick to praise City at Charlton and rightly so, so no apologies for castigating them here in a game that must surely go down as two points dropped if we see ourselves as play off contenders.
Whilst the strikers can come in for some criticism (Lita's got 4 in 2 for Norwich Steve!!) with such a paucity of opportunity created by an unimaginative one paced midfield, it won't matter who's up front.
Coupled with wasteful hoofball from under pressure defenders and a goal keeper who seem frightened to leave his goal line on occasions we were lucky that Barnsley left their shooting boots at home and that we had a referee who didn't want to make the tough decisions (I've seen them given, so well done on that one, Ref)
City lined up 4-4-1-1
.BASSO
.
WILSON
MCCOMBE
.FONTAINE
..MCALLISTER
..JOHNSON
WILLIAMS
ELLIOTT
.McINDOE
TRUNDLE
..
ADEBOLA
Trundle struggled with that role although when, on the odd occasion McIndoe decided to play left wing, only his unwillingness to provide a "first time" cross stopped City from scoring the first & winning goal.
Marvin Elliott, dispossessed on numerous occasions in dangerous areas had his worst game in a City shirt and, whilst he looked fitter, he looked a million miles off his game.
Our habit of conceding possession on every occasion and a farcical pass back mix up started to convince me that a point was the best we could hope for long before Stern John & Nick Maynard entered to field of play for Trundle & Adebola and things actually
.got far worse as our continued whoosh ball & inaccurate passing gifted numerous attacking opportunities to an equally wasteful & inept Barnsley attack that had introduced Kayode Odejayi to no avail.
Four points from two away games is a fine return. Anything like at our best, it would have been six and, whilst I'll take four points from the next two as well, our performances will need to go up a couple of notches because, for seventy minutes today, we were appalling.
RATINGS
BASSO: 7/10 One great save in a game of poor kicking and a lot of uncertainty in leaving his goaline.
WILSON:6/10 Defended coolly and at least tried to pass & make surges forward, but the crossing was no better than Bradley's.
MCALLISTER:5/10 Left injured after a late tackle that the assistant referee failed to spot despite being a couple of yards away. Indifferent game with some decent and disappointing moments.
MCCOMBE:7/10 Hardworking defensive display without being at his best although, yet another clean sheet!
FONTAINE:7/10 SeeMcCombe. Switched to left back after McAllister's injury.
WILLIAMS:5/10 Best effort of the day with a twenty five yard drive with the outside of his foot but didn't dominate or control midfield after the first twenty minutes.
JOHNSON:6/10 Tried to drive the team forward and worked hard but nothing in the final third..
ELLIOTT:4/10 The harder he tried the worse he got and dispossessed in key areas on two or three occassions. The worst game I've seen him have. Very ineffective.
McCINDOE:5/10 Lively in the first half but far to narrow after the break and another who was wholly ineffective..
TRUNDLE:5/10 Wasted sitting to the right.
ADEBOLA:5/10 Disappeared due to our woeful service & creativity after twenty minutes.
SUBS Used
Maynard:4/10 Anonymous.
John:4/10 Anonymous and doesn't that prove the point?.
Webster:6/10 Calm defending.
Not used:Weale & Sproule
Bristol City 0 v Sheff Utd
One day we'll play well in both halves, although sluggish, indifferent first halfs are becoming the norm lately.
On the positive side, yet another clean sheet and the continued return to form of Basso.A point against a pacey, well drilled side and being in eigth position, well in striking distance of third place.
On the negative side, we didn't score, but this wasn't the usual failing concerning a lack of creativity and a lack of shots & penetration in the fnal third-No, this was some fine goalkeeping coupled with woefully inept finishing and who'd have thought that around £3.5m worth of striking talent, albeit Third Division striking talent, could well be on the bench or even replaced by a £140,000 signing on Saturday.
I counted around four clear cut chances Adebola, Trundle (2), Maynard mainly in a vastly improved second half after Utd has shaded the first period against a strangely tentative & nervous City.
Passing made the difference in the second period as did, I would think, an enormous Johnson hairdryer session at half time.
That being said Basso was again a hero as he made two excellent stops from Beattie & Quinn in either half.
City lined up 4-4-1-1
.BASSO
.
ORR
MCCOMBE
.FONTAINE
..WILSON
..JOHNSON
WILLIAMS
ELLIOTT
.McINDOE
TRUNDLE
..
ADEBOLA
Trundle struggled with that role just off Adebola and to the right and you can't help but think that John will replace him in a central role on Saturday with the likable Scouser moving to the bench.The injured/out of favour/disliked* delete as applicable, David Noble, probably won't feature although he surely should?
In a first half in which we at least competed,unlike Plymouth, City wasted possession and looked nervous with the exception of the redoubtable McCombe & Fontaine who held us together, both having cause to be grateful to Basso when the Brazilian spread himself to keep out Quinn who had run through unmarked & untracked from midfield to break the offside trap.
Marvin Elliott, dispossessed on numerous occasions and looking a shadow of the player that convinced City fans he was the bargain of the Century at the start of last season, was another who saved his reputation with a barnstorming return to something like his best form in the second period.
Lee Johnson & Gavin Williams also went up a couple of gears to partner the defence as City pressed Utd all over the park and got well on top in a game that we should have won, based on chances.
The fact that we didn't IS a cause for concern and hopefully we can address that against a team whose fans consider us a bogey team in Reading, at what looks like being a near sell out at AG, on Saturday..
Four points from two away games was a more than acceptable return so let's hope we equal that after the next home game!
RATINGS
BASSO: 8/10 Two great saves,better kicking, handling (apart from that rick near the end) and distribution.
WILSON:6/10 Did well defensively for a right footed player..
ORR: 7/10 Defended well and the crossing & forward burst were better second half.
MCCOMBE:8/10 Almost faultless defensive performnce and did hs best to inspire his teamates.
FONTAINE:8/10 Confident, uncompromising defensive performance against quality opponents.
WILLIAMS:7/10 Came to life in the second perod when restored to a more central role.
JOHNSON:7/10 Drove the team forward after a difficult first half in which our midfield was wasteful, jittery & ineffective.Great shot that should have seen LT knock in the rebound and you wonder why he doesn't do that more?.
ELLIOTT:7/10 Awful in the first half as he lacked vision, passing, passion & power.Came to life and looked back to his best in second as he drove City forward, no doubt with GJ's battlecry ringing in his ears or perhaps his boot rammed up
well, you get the point!
McCINDOE:6/10 Hardworking but largely ineffective.To many touches when a cross or shot would do more harm..
TRUNDLE:5/10 Poor first half and did better in the second.Missed a sitter and I really don't like this right, centre sitting position.If we're playing that formation, bring Noble back.
ADEBOLA:5/10 Appalling miss from under the bar and not on his game.
SUBS Used
Maynard:5/10 Great chance, didn't take it.
John:7/10 Looked a threat and unlucky not to get a pen.
Sproule:6/10 Lively hard working, but didn't deliver
Bristol City 1 v 4 Reading
When I asked for our team to perform equally well in both halves, this wasn't what I had in mind!!
Effectively, the game was all but over in the first ten minutes as Reading coolly finished twice after some of the most inept defending I have ever seen. We were abject and played with zero confidence & quality.
Why?-God knows, but Reading who hadn't scored in their last two games, picking up one point, looked like Arsenal as they were a yard quicker, both mentally & physically throughout even taking their foot off the Gas after the fourth goal went in.
For a team that prides itself on its camaraderie, dressing room, work ethic & organisation, we dived to a new level in terms of passion, commitment & quality. We looked like a Non League Side playing a CCC team.
The only positive was the performance of Stern John, who justified his wage on a day when the rest of the team, excluding Basso, should donate theirs to Charity or City's long suffering fans
How about free transport to the televised game at Soton, next week?
Johnson must have told them to sharpen up at the back and not concede early in the second-We did the opposite and the game was over-A hiding beckoned and the only thing that stopped it was Reading's lack of real desire to get goals 5 & 6.
Adebola was rested and he struggles to play three games in a week so that was fair-Would we play better football as a result? Would we hell because we couldn't control midfield for five minutes with Elliott & Johnson outmuscled, outthought & outplayed.
Our team couldn't string three passes together until the game was totally beyond us and the lack of commitment in the tackle was noticeable in a way that it hasn't very often under Johnson.
Our defence was outclassed, outpaced and Reading's pace & movement exposed some cracks that have been well papered over. You can train and plan all week but the kind of ineptitude & gaffs that gifted the first three goals, will leave any manager flabbergasted & deflated.
Rumours persist of unrest in the camp, fights on the players coach, Lee Johnson's transfer request-Orr & Careys contract disputes blah di blah di blah and that can only seek to undermine the hard-fought gains under Johnson's stewardship. These need to be nipped in the bud with concise, believable & provable statements of facts.
There is all together to much noise & spin and to little genuine communication at AG. That communication needs to be two way and, above all, received in the spirit that it is intended & listened to as valued input..
Above all the players must a show a desire & belief in our club and no amount of criticism of fans can deflect the blame that will, as ever, unfair or not, be aimed at GJ's door.
Big money signings have all failed in delivering to date-Sproule, Maynard, Trundle & McIndoe haven't contributed in a way that that the £4m appx spend+ wages would merit.
We've signed a Scottish International centre half who can't make a defence that includes a stand in left back who's all right foot?? That needs an explanation, at least.
Far to many players are off their game, to often, our squad is arguably weaker than at the end of last season and we have injury prone players that should be adding more value than they are.
Falling away support is understandable as the credit crunch bites and the novelty wears off, although the fact that 13,300 people have bought season tickets with another 2,000 in a membership scheme, will probably mean that home crowds will hold up.
The quality of football isn't always great, although it was for 70 minutes at Charlton and half the game at Coventry. Barnsley was dire without a shot on target and were a shambles in the first half against Plymouth until two players changed the game-One disappeared after that, until today??
City lined up 4-4-2
.BASSO
.
ORR
MCCOMBE
.FONTAINE
..WILSON
SPROULE
..JOHNSON
ELLIOTT
.McINDOE
.MAYNARD
JOHN
SUBS
WEALE
NOBLE
TRUNDLE
AKINDE
WEBSTER
RATINGS
BASSO: 6/10 Probably couldn't be faulted for any of the goals, but couldn't make any outstanding saves. Indifferent kicking, but anyone would have been a nervous wreck behind that defence.
WILSON:3/10 Looked completely out of his depth as well as out of position. All three goals came down his flank. Play him right back or not at all..
ORR: 4/10 Partially at fault for the second and another who won't want the video of the game. Kept going and actually put in our two best crosses of the day, which brought a goal that looked offside and a smashing save.
MCCOMBE:3/10 Woeful & Inept.
FONTAINE:4/10 Completely different performance from an in form player. Edged past McCombe but not by much-Played his part in this 90 minute collective shambles.
SPROULE:3/10 Out of his depth & anonymous in a performance bereft of quality.
JOHNSON:4/10 For the record, I didn't hold with the booing, but the best piece of advice I received when I started my career in Management was never employ friends or family and that the fans took out their frustration on Lee wasn't fair but it wasn't surprising either. Opinion seems divided on his value to the team and he was no better or worse than nine others today. My view, is that a move away would benefit Father & Son. Lee could prove his worth and possibly come back to haunt us or he could prove the doubters right.
ELLIOTT:3/10 I really don't know if he's unfit and he does look heavier & slower than last season, but he's not half the player he was in the first part of last season.
McINDOE:3/10 Ineffective display and this aimless wandering must be stopped if we're to play with wingers-My vote says we shouldn't unless we sign two! Wingers MUST get to the byeline and cross the ball, missing the first defender-Ours don't.
JOHN (MOM): 7/10 Fine goal, quality link up touches, hardworking & busy as a player will be when he's trying to earn a contract. Good hold up play, but experienced the indifferent service that every striker has since we commenced the League One promotion season.
MAYNARD:3/10 Looking like a panic buy. Has the hallmarks of a good player at times but, as GJ said, strikers will live or die on goals and he doesn't look like scoring many.
SUBS Used
TRUNDLE:6/10 Did well, out of position on the right flank. You have to ask why he was put there when Akinde looks far better suited.
NOBLE: 5/10 One or two nice touches & moves but at 4-0 down the game was gone..
AKINDE 4/10 Tried hard, but ineffective.
Southampton 0 Bristol city 1
Napoleon said Give me a choice between a lucky General & a brilliant one and Ill take the lucky one every time
Gary Johnson either has that luck or that ability (BOTH?) to bounce back from an ignominious defeat and had proved it on more than one occasion.
The fact that he was accutely emabarassed last week (along with the rest of us) and there's an AGM looming were other factors that pointed to a City win.........along with Soton's home form!
Without ever consistently hitting the heights of last season over our sixteen games or even over last nights ninety minutes, he has now manoeuvred Bristol City into touching distance of the play offs and, surely into the top six if we can beat Forest for the first time in a League game for donkeys years.
Lets not get carried away, Southampton are not on a great run and despite having some very talented young players are nowhere near good enough to threaten the top ten, however, they arent awful either and after thirty three years when, if I remember correctly a Donnie Gillies goal did the trick, we notched three points.
Sensibly reverting to the 4-4-1-1 formation with Nobes in the hole after last weeks debacle, we introduced the talismanic David Noble and the flow returned to our game-Anyone else notice how much better LJ is with Nobes in the side? Id say 20%.
Despite McIndoe wandering the front line like a displaced Romany on occasions and getting caught offside so much that the linesman needed treatment for RSI at half time on his flag arm, City, with Dele Adebola leading the line and terrorising Sotons teenage centre backs, looked organised, in control & a passing team
.in brief, everything they werent against Reading,
Our inability to turn possession into chances and those chances into goals stopped us reaching the Prem last season and it will again unless we can find that place between gung ho & steady Eddie football.
The answer, my friends, was shown last night and its called movement, retaining possession and midfield responsibility although I noticed something that annoyed me at times when defenders were left to play the telling pass forward when, frankly, ours cant and Jamie & Liams Mums wouldnt count thirty yard passing in their top ten qualities.
We need the very slowly improving Marvin Elliott, Lee Johnson, David Noble & Gavin Williams to take the ball off them, retain and create.
Stern John must have watched last nights game with a rye smile-His new team beat his old team with a vastly improved performance that might see him on the subs bench next week after being MOM against Reading or will GJ (I bloody well hope not) drop Noble and revert to 4-4-2?
Williams was injured and may miss out making the decision easier however, we are a team that can and should play 4-4-1-1 and we dont score any less goals or look any less threatening when we do-The opposite IMHO.
There are still lots of questions:
When LJ can do that-and it was no fluke-why doesnt he score more often?
Why do we seem to have disaster befall us, or injuries and suspensions, for Nobes to play when he rarely lets us down even when played out of position on the right flank?
Will McIndoe ever play left wing for ninety minutes?
Wholl take the next Pen if LTs not on the pitch?
When will we sign a left back because Brian Wilson isnt one if McAllisters out and we dont want to move Fontaine when his partnership with McCombe is keeping clean sheets for fun?
With £3.25m worth of strikers on the bench (plus a £300k winger!) and Brooker, Akinde & Stern John not even in the squad, do we need anymore and can we all now see the problem doesnt lie there?
Will JMW replace McIndoe if, as rumoured, he leaves in the window?
Would GJ be better off trawling the basement divisions for players as McIndoe was the only one of our big money signings in the starting XI last night (Think about it)?
You know that things are an issue when the Sky Sports statisticians focus on our inability to win from behind and our total ability to hold on to a lead-Why is that and I still cant remember when we went behind and won a regular season league game.
Overall though, a strong comeback which, for me, makes the tripe that was turned out against Reading all the more inexplicable and downright annoying!
Forest here we come and I wonder how many theyll bring?
City lined up 4-4-1-1
.BASSO
.
ORR
MCCOMBE
.FONTAINE
..WILSON
WILLIAMS
JOHNSON
ELLIOTT
.McINDOE
NOBLE
.
ADEBOLA
..
SUBS
WEALE
WILSON J
SPROULE
TRUNDLE
MAYNARD
RATINGS
BASSO: 8/10 Back to his best.
ORR:8/10 Calm assured defending and a great long ball to set, Adebola away for the move that lead to the goal, plus a brilliant last ditch tackle that saved two points.
WILSON:6/10 Steady enough in the main, but his lack of a left foot and being out of position could have cost us dear.
MCCOMBE:7/10 Far better this week, but some of the passing wasnt great.
FONTAINE:7/10 Again a better performance and defended bravely, but gave the ball away on occasions.
WILLIAMS:6/10 The odd burst forward that promised much but better suited to a central role.
JOHNSON:8/10 Super finish and combined well with Noble in keeping the ball and driving us forward.
ELLIOTT:6/10 Involved more, worked hard and the trademark bursts forward are returning as his fitness (we hope) improves-On the downside, lost possession far too much and his passing lacked zip on occasions.
McCINDOE:6/10 Worked hard, but missed a penalty and got caught offside as he wandered into the centre without thought. Did well in going past the full back and crossing the ball and that, readers, is what he should stick to!!!
NOBLE:8/10 Right on his game and, once again, the catalyst for a passing perfrmance. Clever assist for the goal. Looked fit, always wanted the ball and worked hard..
ADEBOLA:8/10 Gave the Soton defence a night to forget. Lead the line and allowed us to play with his skilled hold up, turns and bursts forward. Proved, yet again, that he doesnt force us to lump it.
SUBS Used
Maynard:6/10 Cameo.
Wilson:6/10 Cameo but Im glad to see an Academy player on the bench instead of Webster..
Sproule:6/10 Usual lively late intro.
