Johnson: Players and fans gave up on Bristol City
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson believes some of his players and supporters may have conceded defeat in their play-off bid prematurely.
City's chances of making the top six were all but ended with a disappointing home draw against Ipswich on Easter Monday leaving them nine points off the play-offs with just three games to play.
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Johnson, however, insists that some people – both 'on and off the pitch' – had already conceded defeat in their play-off ambitions after his side had lost at Nottingham Forest last Saturday.
He said: "One of the things that disappointed me on Monday was that I didn't think that both on and off the field we felt it (was possible).
"When you look at the how the results went, we were still in with a chance. On and off the field I didn't think there was the same mentality of me and Milly (Keith Millen) because we thought we still had a chance (of making the play-offs).
When asked whether he felt the Bristol City fans had given up too early, Johnson replied: "I thought they did. A lot of them went home quite early and we needed them to get behind the lads right at the death.
"All the way down that side (Dolman Stand) was empty with 15 or 20 minutes to go. They (the fans) have been fantastic for most of the season and we are very proud of most of them. Unfortunately, a lot of people misread the situation. I think player-wise and supporter-wise it was a quiet day. We don't have many of those and I love them (players and supporters) to death.
"Sometimes, though, for whatever reason – whether it was what is happening on the pitch or vice-versa – they were quiet and we need them to realise where we are and how important that extra bit of help is sometimes."
Johnson takes his side to play-off chasing Swansea City tomorrow and insists that while there is still a mathematical chance – regardless of how slim – he will continue to believe a top-six finish is possible.
"It is a big game for me and I am trying to pass that on to everybody," Johnson added. "We will see how people react to it because I didn't feel like people thought it was a massive game on Monday.
"Let's see where we are after Saturday. If results go our way perhaps people will start looking at things differently. While there is still a small glimmer of hope you have to keep working hard and that is what I am going to be doing."
Jamie McAllister (suspension) and Liam Fontaine (concussion) both return to the squad, but Johnson is still undecided over the fitness of goalkeeper Adriano Basso.
The Brazilian was substituted in the ninth minute with an ankle injury against Ipswich and will undergo a fitness test today.
Johnson will recall Bristol City keeper Chris Weale from his loan at Yeovil Town if Basso fails to recover in time..
22 Comments
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by john, briz
Friday, April 17 2009, 4:09PM
“The thing that gets to many City fans is that Johnson NEVER accepts any responsibility when things go wrong.
He needs to grow up and realise that he won't find amore tolerant set of fans anywhere else.”
by Steve - jersey, Jersey
Friday, April 17 2009, 3:22PM
“If this had been 1st year back we'd all be pretty happy but last year's overachievement has got some of us a little light headed.This year has seen us consolidate and i'm sure GJ now knows who has the determination and class for us to kick on next year.That will be his "Danny Wilson" year i think because it's not unreasonable to state that a play-off spot at the very least will be expected.So who stays and who goes..........let's see
Basso - mistakes cost us Henderson's the future
Orr - let's hope the injured young lad can push for his place
Carey - can't get back soon enough
McCombe - complete liability on the deck.....OUT
Fontaine - class act
McCallister - good player but get Matty Hill back for cover
Williams - ok
Johnson - sorry GJ has to go
Skuse - let's hope no one comes for him
Elliott - missed him enormously - class
McIndoe - rarely provides width,can't cross,on your bike son
Sproule - still a headless chicken more often than not - jury out
Adebola - give him 2 years for god's sake - he may be our Dean Windass
Maynard - get's better by the game,if only we had the class to give him the service the way he needs it
Trundle - million pound mistake,bye bye
John - even Southampton supporters don't want you and we certainly shouldn't
Styvor - don't know what to make of him
And this year's forgotten man David Noble - i know where he is but can't understand why.
So with head well and truly above parapet,i look forward to others views”
by Joseph, woolpack
Friday, April 17 2009, 2:57PM
“To be honest its the home form which has let City down this season. The fans on Saturday vented this by leaving before the end and quite rightly so. As long as they pay who cares if they leave early?.
With the right Strikers and Midfield signing, something which Gary has to improve on as his record of Striker signings are very poor.Exception Adebola.
The players are out there to be signed, and we should finish in a better position next year,if the right players this time are moved on and brought in.
Gary has nothing to fear though there are the "Always Believe Sheep" who will back whatever he says and does.”
by MisterX, The Mem
Friday, April 17 2009, 12:00PM
“*some* of you Trashton lot don't know you're born to be frank. Try watching some of the tripe and lack of effort we have to put up with over at North Bristol. Most of us there would pay out of our own pockets to have a manager of GJ's ability & guile and have his son play for us too! You just send them our way ASAP. On leaving home games @ The Mem it *never* ceases to amaze me the amount of moaning citeh fans who phone up Geoff Twentyman complaining about GJ or his lad or their performances in general, talk about a fickle lot! Have Trolls from us in exchange, gladly! The only memorable thing he's managed to do all season is grow a beard for goodness sake. pfffttttt. :)”
by Amerz1234, Knowle
Friday, April 17 2009, 11:59AM
“I was at the Gate on Saturday as I am at every home match and it was very quiet so GJ has a point, and as for blaming LJ as the only player who may of lost a bit of the mid season form is beyond belief. Its a fact that City havent performed as well as they did last year but a top ten finish in your second season is a massive thing especially when you consider how often teams struggle in there second season, be thankful we arent a team who have been there and are now facing the prospect of being in league 2 Charlton? Southampton? to name just 2.
I dared to dream we might reach the promise land of the premiership last year that didnt happen but I do believe in GJ and what he is trying to achieve at Bristol City.”
by Mike, Stapleton
Friday, April 17 2009, 11:30AM
“Whilst this season has been disappointing it has not been disastrous. What does need addressing is the midfield's lack of creativity and flair. We are too predictable and need to move on from our rigid game plans that have got us this far but will not help us rach the Premiership.”
by Nancy, Bristol
Friday, April 17 2009, 11:16AM
“I'm not sure its completly Johnson blameing us, but more a case of him getting us fired up for the next three matches. If theres any chance of us making it to playoff position, we'd need the atmospheare and the 12th man. I like your thinking Johnson!”
by Steve, Bristol
Friday, April 17 2009, 11:15AM
“I detest all this glory hunters rubbish,the gates we get are reasonable but the 'newcomer' support is a fraction of this so glory hunters at City !!, I think not.
I have been coming down here for 50 years where for the size of the City we have under achieved both in suport and on the field.
Aspirations have always been for the top division but the reality is we managed it for a few years in the 70's.
The reality check should be that we are where we have been for a lot of those 50 years in mid table in the second tier of English football.
This year we hoped to get the extra mile out of a tired horse, as was obvious come the end it was not possible.
The blaming culture that has ensued since is remarkable, its the fans, the manager, Lee Johnson. It's none of these we have done what we all hoped for last season consolidated our position in the Championship. We now have a platform to move on, what we have to hope is that the club wish this to. I am sure Steve Lansdown does, his new sttadium talks prove this, I am sure Gary Johnson does, but it is time to jetison some of his old stalwarts.
We need new players to improve just how many depends on whether we give youth a chance, James Wilson, Frank Artus and Christian Ribiero.
Lets celebrate the fact we are still in the Championship and look to kick on, maybe not next year lets get established and with the new stadium in sight go for the final push.”
by MendipMan, Wurzel Country
Friday, April 17 2009, 11:07AM
“I believe this season has been a successful one. I didn't expect promotion after last season's outperformance that was achieved on the back of a momentum built up from the previous year's promotion, a work ethic that made up for a lack of quality (relative to other teams around the top of the table) and many players performing at the top of their range for much of the time.
It was apparent from this season's outset that City's squad was not one of the six strongest in the division and I would have been happy then with a mid-table or just above finish to this season.
It looks as though this is what will be achieved.
The club needs to strenghten on and off the field before it is realistically set for a sustainable challenge for the Premier League.
I believe the club is on the right road and may well reach that stage in the next two or three years, especially if the new stadium is actually built.
Realistically, City lost any chance of the play-offs after the Forest defeat, one of several in recent weeks where late goals have led to the loss of two or three points.
I've been watching City since the days of Ivor Guy and Alec Eisentrager so I have become used to patience in Bristol City matters.”
by Jim, Bristol
Friday, April 17 2009, 11:01AM
“Having read the previous comments my views are that City has done well to stay in the Championship and will live to fight another day - look how long it took us to get there after the previous debacle.
Gary has done a decent job with a mixed bunch of players and I don't agree with singling out one for vitriolic abuse. Having said this I share the disappointment and have to say to Gary that the players are paid to perform and the supporters pay to be entertained and if they don't feel that they are getting good value it no good criticising the supporters if they don't "perform" and some leave early.”