Bristol City boss Johnson left stunned after heaviest home defeat of managerial career
Stunned Bristol City boss Gary Johnson admitted everything that could have gone wrong had gone wrong after his side crashed to a humiliating 6-0 home defeat to Championship rivals Cardiff.
The Londoner found it difficult to put his thoughts into words in the aftermath of the biggest home defeat of his managerial career.
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But he emerged from an Ashton Gate horror show to issue a rallying call to his shell-shocked players, urging them to pick themselves up ahead of Saturday's long trek to Middlesbrough.
He said: "It's going to be difficult, but we have to pick ourselves up.
"Losing like this will hurt everyone and there is a lot of soul-searching to be done. I have to assess things and get my head around what has happened, but the players have to pick themselves up.
"I said what I had to say at half time, but at that stage, it's down to the players and they have to look deep within. I know they were very uncomfortable and embarrassed by the situation they got themselves in.
"We don't lose many games at home and I didn't ask them to go out and lose 6-0.
"It was a very disappointing day all round."
Cardiff never looked back after netting three times in five minutes midway through the first half and they took an unassailable 4-0 lead into the interval.
Johnson added: "We didn't forget to defend, we just couldn't defend and some individuals had horrendous games and made some awful mistakes.
"As soon as they scored, everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong for us.
"Every time they attacked and shot, they seemed to score and we knew it was not going to be our night pretty early on.
"It's difficult as a manager when your team loses 6-0 and it's best not to say too much in these situations."
Some City fans had plenty to say and Johnson and his players were booed off at half time and again after the final whistle.
He said: "There are a few that deserve success at this football club, because they stick with the lads through thick and thin.
"But there are also a few who don't get behind the lads and they tend to say things and write things that affect the players.
"Maybe it's time to assess which ones are on your side and which ones are not."
Cardiff manager Dave Jones took time out to deliver a message of support to his opposite number after the final whistle.
He said: "Gary has done a fantastic job for Bristol City and he will continue to do a fantastic job in the future.
"These things happen sometimes in football and I know he will be seething.
"But one result changes nothing – he is a good manager and he is doing a good job.
"I know him well and I know he will lift his players and ensure they come back from this."
The City players were due to have today off but have been told to report for training in a bid to put things right as soon as possible.
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by Allan Shattock, Weston-super-Mare
Friday, January 29 2010, 11:49AM
“It's a bitter pill to takelosing to the Welsh, but the dust must settle before making important decisions are made also emotions must begiven time to recede, three days on I believe Mr Johnson must stay, we are where we arebecause of him and what he brought to Ashton Gate, Steve Landsdown has given the Manager his endorsement thats good enough for me.”
by The Northsider, Gas Lane
Thursday, January 28 2010, 8:27AM
“Re-Mark,
I sure am jealous of the slice of success you have enjoyed in the last few seasons...a bit gutted i was not at Wembley to see your biggest success to date - although i was lucky enough to see the legend that is Windass banging one in on the telly.
B.D.T.R”
by Stan, Ashton
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 11:08PM
“Oh dear........still need a 40,000 seater....”
by gas65, whitchurch
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 10:53PM
“WE MADE IT TO 100 POSTS
i know i got too much time on my hands and need to get out more but its better than watching esperate housewives”
by gas65, whitchurch
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 10:50PM
“just 1 more post to reach 100”
by gas65, whitchurch
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 10:49PM
“no 98”
by gas65, whitchurch
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 10:48PM
“i wonder if this article will reach100 posts”
by Burwallian, West Sussex
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 9:48PM
“Wouldn't it be great if the players went public with what they will personally do immediately to achieve success for the team and play to Championship promotion standard!”
by James, Olde City
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 8:46PM
“YOU REDZ
Watching the game last night was not good.
The players have to take responsibility.
Is there a rift in the dressing room? Does GJ style of management unsettle players?
I must say i was surprised that two new players were thrown into a local derby that neither of them really understood!!
The timing of the news that a goalkeeper was to sign and Henderson was to go out on loan was very surprising also!!
There is obviously a miss understanding in the defence and a complete lack of character throughout the team. Nicky Maynard doesn`t like the reaction of fans frustrations and his head drops!!
The ball that was put through for their third goal was a classic Hartley to Maynard pass early on in the season, so the question beggars believe why are we not doing that sort of thing now!!
We need to stop saying our defence is all wrong before we are happy with our front men.
I think GJ is a good manager however he has made changes in recent games that have unsettled the flow of the team. That might work with a proven squad but to chop and chage is just unsettleing for players. Cardiff are a good team but they cut through us without a fight and for that I say that the manager has to look very closely at his staff....all of them!! are they with you or not.
The whole Basso thing (In my opinion) has unsettled the squad and the club!!
Get a good result on saturday and our next home game will be different.
Bristol City Fans have to live with the welsh banter day to day for some!! and i dont think the players who played last night fully understand the pride that was at stake.They have to question their performance.
As supporters we will always back the team but we wont accept under par performances from men who let their heads drop because of their own vanity!!
This is Bristol City Football Club and we are proud of our existence and our future so either play for the fans and respect the management or be man enough to stand up and say your heart is not in it, and leave the club.
As for the players who are genuine...more effort and a die hard attitude will get the crowd behind every minute of the game!!!
If the players are reading these bloggs then take from them... there are loyal fans who want to have their say so listen and understand we want you to perform and improve your game and yes there will be times when we are on your backs but thats because we want success, thats why you are here!!
ALWAYS BELIEVE”
by gary johnson, in hiding
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 6:52PM
“Ive realised that local derbies against cardiff are not as enjoyable as those against rovers,swindon and yeovil so i am doing everything within my powers to put us back in div 1 where we truly belong,the premiership was obviously a step to far for a small club like us.I appreciate that crowds of around 8 or 9 thousand in a 40,000 all seater stadium will be embarrassing but at least we will be playing our true standard of football”