Johnson - Bristol City were 'second best'
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson admitted his side were second best to Birmingham in last night's big Championship match at Ashton Gate.
The Londoner offered a brutally honest assessment after watching his side surrender their unbeaten record, losing 2-1 to a side packed full of Premier League experience.
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Bristol City boss Gary Johnson
Johnson emerged from a 45-minute post-match inquest and conceded his players had not been good enough in either penalty area.
Trailing to a Louis Carey own goal and a Cameron Jerome strike, City fought back in the second half and Lee Trundle's wonder goal from 40 yards made a game of it.
But the Robins were unable to create another clear-cut opening and the Blues held out to remain level with Wolves at the top of the Championship table.
"We were not good enough with our final ball or our movement inside the penalty area," fumed Johnson.
"That goes for everyone, not just the strikers. We were second best in the areas where it really matters and that's why we've lost the game. I thought between the two penalty areas we played very well. But that's no use if you don't create chances.
"Lee Trundle has scored an amazing goal, but you shouldn't need to score from 45 yards in a home game.
"We need to create more and that means improving our delivery into the box. On numerous occasions, we had plenty of players in the box but didn't create a chance.
"Birmingham have scored two well-taken goals and we've had to score from long range. That was the difference between the two sides.
"It's because our play was so good outside of the penalty boxes, I was disappointed with how we played inside them.
"I've told the lads they will be working very hard between now and Saturday's home game against Doncaster.
"They will be working morning, noon and night on their movement in the 18 yard box."
City suffered a further setback when goalkeeper Adriano Basso picked up a calf injury and had to be substituted late in the first half. Johnson explained: "He had a calf problem and that meant he couldn't kick the ball as far as we wanted him to kick it. That's why we took him off and put Chris Weale on. He was able to kick it 20 yards further."
4 Comments
by Emma, Weston Village
Wednesday, September 17 2008, 2:44PM
“Lee from Bristol - I think that Noble has been enjoying too much of the good life, no doubt he is a class players but too fond of the highlife. I fear that this will be his downfall.”
by Lee, Bristol
Wednesday, September 17 2008, 2:08PM
“GJ has to take the brunt of the responsibility. He got it tactically wrong in the first half last night, playing a different system giving McIndoe what appeared to be a free role, leaving big gaps which B'ham punished on the counter attack. Before we knew it we were 2-0 down.
Maynard looked like a lost boy in the new system and it may soon be time to give him a break - he just looks like he's trying too hard. GJ's biggest problem is we don't have wing men to supply decent crosses to Adebola and we don't have the speed of thought and nimbleness up front to play narrow through the midfield. It just seems to come to a stop 10 yards outside the oppositions 18 yard box.
Looked dangerous again when the players went back to a system they were familiar with and the addition of a proper wing man in Sproule. Maybe it's time he had a run in the team at the expense of McIndoe who plays as if he's the only member of the team that doesn't need to worry about someone taking place (because we don't have another naturally left sided midfielder) and he's right.
What's happened to Noble? He's not voiced an opinion again has he?????”
by bob, bristol
Wednesday, September 17 2008, 10:56AM
“We may have spent a few quid on strikers but attacking players like Mcfadden, Mcsheffrey, Jerome, Phillips & Owusu- Abeyie would set you back over £20million. Add to that players like Carsley, Larsson, Taylor... it's just great to see a city side that can compete at this level. Birmingham have premiership class players & on there wage bill, have to expect to be promoted & probably will be. If city can keep there never say die attitude, they'll be in with a shout of play offs again.”
by Mike Gale, Rhodes,Greece
Wednesday, September 17 2008, 8:55AM
“The only second best are the strikers,some 3.5 million spent in some 18 months and very few goals from any of them.Is it duff buys or are they not getting the correct service.Good sides always have good wing men not midfielders out wide so it is either blame the coaching staff or team selection.But if it is not sorted very Quickly we can forget promotion or even the play offs.”