Bristol City would be wrong to get rid of boss Johnson now
Bristol City supporters have been quick to pass judgement in the wake of Tuesday night's humiliating 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Cardiff.
And given the team's shambolic display, it is hardly surprising that some fans, hurt by a defeat of such magnitude, are calling for City manager Gary Johnson to stand down.
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Bristol City boss Gary Johnson
Human nature demands a scapegoat when things go wrong on such an alarming scale, and Johnson is an easy target for those intent upon venting their anger and frustration.
Of course, the fans pay their money at the turnstiles and, as such, are entitled to an opinion, no matter how polemic.
Losing at home to arch-rivals Cardiff is a difficult pill to swallow at the best of times, but Tuesday's abject capitulation represented an affront to Bristolian pride, hence calls for the manager's head to roll.
In an age where football fans crave instant success and patience is no longer considered a virtue, it is all too easy to succumb to knee-jerk reactions and demand a change of regime whenever the wheels come off.
But in this instance, any move to replace the manager would be counter-productive.
Now is the time for directors, management, players, supporters and all those with the best interests of Bristol City at heart to stand strong rather than seek recourse in hasty actions which could be regretted further down the line.
A successful businessman in his own right, City chairman Steve Lansdown is a man with the courage of his own convictions and he will not be railroaded into desperate measures in any misguided quest to provide disgruntled supporters with a quick fix.
Many a Championship chairman has been left to repent a decision made in haste and Lansdown is not about to join their ranks.
True, he will be concerned by Tuesday night's events and he will be hurting just every bit as much as any other die-hard City fan. Having again loosened the purse strings to back his manager's judgement in the transfer market, he is entitled to expect something better in return than a 6-0 home defeat to local rivals.
That said, he is also a pragmatist who realises the crucial importance of stability and long-term investment in what is essentially a transient business. Lansdown was instrumental in removing Danny Wilson as manager following the club's League One play-off final defeat to Brighton in 2004 and installing rookie boss Brian Tinnion in his place. He is far too shrewd to risk making the same mistake twice.
What purpose would sacking Johnson serve? Would another manager be any more successful? Ask those responsible for running Queens Park Rangers, Middlesbrough, Peterborough and Preston, all of whom panicked at the first sign of trouble, replaced the manager and yet are no further on.
Of course, Johnson must accept some responsibility for the Cardiff debacle, but so too must the players, who allowed their heads to drop after going 2-0 down.
It remains to be seen whether their collapse can be explained in terms of a bad day at the office or whether it is symptomatic of a deeper malaise. That will only be determined by results and performances over the coming weeks.
What is not in dispute is that they owe the manager and the supporters a more committed display when they return to action at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Meanwhile, those supporters who have been most vocal in their condemnation could do worse than reflect on recent events. They demanded the manager move his son, Lee, out of the club, play with wingers and adopt the 4-4-2 system favoured by so many Championship managers.
Johnson did all of those things, and look what happened. Perhaps the critics should now accept that the manager knows what he is doing and allow him to get on with his job.
Those with short memories seem to have forgotten how Johnson picked City up by their bootstraps, carried them clear of the League One relegation zone and delivered the promotion which proved beyond so many of his predecessors.
City have recovered from heavy defeats before, notably against Ipswich and Reading, and they will recover from this one. But only if the status quo is retained.
After all he has achieved during his tenure, the very least Johnson deserves is time in which to put things right.
9 Comments
by James, Olde City
Friday, January 29 2010, 12:57AM
“CITY TILL WE DIE
Are we two games away from disaster?
Martin O`Neal (Aston Villa Manager) recently said that managers are only two games away from the sack!!
As far as Bristol City FC are concerned i think from now until the end of the season the current management will probably be one home defeat away from the sack following the recent decline. (No pressure)
How is that justified in the modern game when success and failure are measured so closely!!
Football players have to take full responsibility for their actions in the modern game..and that includes their background staff or "agents". these representatives appear to be manipulating the extraction of money from the roots of football for their own greed, and in turn giving bad advice to their clients.
Do these people really care about the game?
With so many clubs going into administration and in the real world, people who give up their hard earned money to watch their team under-perform, do these agents really care??
When a local business man and a Bristolian puts his money into a football club to see the success of a local team and a city with people coming together with one pride,
why is it the footballers he employ are so out of touch with reality?
To say if we "show a lack of encouragement" for these stars when they are under-performing may result in their heads dropping is not acceptable in the modern game.
Today's game is different and players have to get with the times and get there quickly or risk finding you dreams of glandular are fast waking you up!!
Respect your environment and perform to your potential.Cut your agents fees or even get rid of him and contact clubs yourself. Whats happening in the real world will effect you very soon if it hasn't already so be prepared and give everything for your club.
WEAR THE RED WITH PRIDE”
by cracker, bristol
Thursday, January 28 2010, 7:43PM
“The clubs treading water until the new stadium is built what's the fuss?”
by Trevor, BS3
Thursday, January 28 2010, 6:58PM
“Stoke, Portsmouth, Wigan, Hull, Bristol City
Spot the odd one out
No ambition from most of the fans.
Below Swansea and Forest now.
hows that for progressing?”
by Tim, Midsomer Norton
Thursday, January 28 2010, 4:18PM
“It is not a "knee jerk reaction" to ask for Johnson to go. The standard of football since the play-off final has rarely been something to enjoy. The manager and the squad over-achieved to get to Wembley and both have been going backwards since. I have moved "out of town" this season and even though I have a season card I have little motivation to make the longer trip to the Gate. Hopefully enough points can be gained to avoid the relegation places.”
by dolman bob, bristol
Thursday, January 28 2010, 11:11AM
“gary has lost the dressing room, most of the fans, and millions of pounds on players who are not up to Championship football.
For me, he has to go.”
by Irene, Horfield
Thursday, January 28 2010, 9:23AM
“Of course Johnson must stay. If he went then they might end up with a manager who knows what he's doing.”
by Chris, Bristol
Thursday, January 28 2010, 9:06AM
“Of course no one is happy with what we witnessed on Tues, it was dire! That said, we played well against Preston. I believe we have a decent squad at AG, therefore we should be playing better. Im a fan of Garys because him and SL forma decent strong partnership so we as fans, if we want to help need to play our part, booing is not proactive. For me, GJ has had two faults this season 1) tinkering, please stop find a settled side and go with that side for a while, let them develop understandings. All this changing is doing more harm than good. Have played the same team two games in a row? I dont think we have 2) He seems to be listening to the fans or least trying to please them, big mistake. He needs to go back to his own plans, what he believed in when he arrived, forget playing with style and panache, get the results now. The form will follow as will the fans. Good luck Gary and the boys, most City fans are behind you. See you at Boro on Sat”
by City, Ashton Gate
Thursday, January 28 2010, 8:51AM
“This article sums it up. Well said. Johnson must stay - best manager we have had for ages.
If you bunch of moaners force him out then you only have yourselves to blame if we fall into League One AGAIN.”
by Rich, South Bristol
Thursday, January 28 2010, 8:18AM
“I couldn't have put it better myself. I have been a big supporter of Johnson but the 6-0 devistation has made me question that slightly. Despite this I see absolutely no reason or sense in getting rid of johnson now, there couldn't be a worse time. Give him a chance, let him & the players make a mense. In the mean time we must show our full support or the sh!t really could hit the fan........... In Johnson we trust (at least for now)!!!!”