Johnson hails his Bristol City battlers
BRISTOL City boss Gary Johnson hailed his team's never-say-die spirit after watching them stage a wonderful second-half recovery to snatch a point against West Country rivals Plymouth Argyle.
John Akinde and David Noble were City's heroes, inspiring a thrilling second-half fightback with a goal apiece after coming off the bench.
-
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson
Awful in the first 45 minutes, City looked to be down and out when trailing 2-0 to goals from Jamie Mackie and Rory Fallon inside the opening 20 minutes.
But Johnson's second-half substitutions changed the game. Debutant Akinde pulled a goal back on 63 minutes and Noble's brilliant strike from 20 yards salvaged a point two minutes from time.
"We never gave up and that was important," declared Johnson. "The boys kept the faith and kept on believing and they made the crowd believe as well towards the end.
"Given the position we were in after 20 minutes, I have to be pleased with a point.
"That was as poor as we've been all season in the first half and we couldn't get near Plymouth for their two goals. We were all over the place and never got our game going until the 46th minute.
"But the boys picked up when they had to and the second half was very good. The lads proved once again that they can come back from adversity. Now they have to start doing it in the first half."
City's manager took the decision to withdraw £2.25m record signing Nicky Maynard at half-time and his gamble paid off as Akinde registered his first League goal on his Championship debut to upstage his fellow striker.
"The substitutes have to come on and affect the game and that's why you have a bench. I thought all three came on, did well and made a difference," said Johnson.
Akinde made a good impression to put himself in contention for Saturday's trip to Sheffield United.
The £150,000 signing from Ebbsfleet said: "I wanted to come on and make an impact and that's what I did. I couldn't have asked for a better start than that.
"It was a great ball in from Jamie McAllister for my goal and I couldn't really miss.
"I'm just pleased to have had a chance and done well. Now it's up to the manager to decide whether I stay in the squad."
Johnson was delighted with his summer signing, saying: "I thought John made his presence felt from the moment he came on.
"He still has a lot to learn and it's early days for John. But he can be pleased with his first game."
City captain Louis Carey and midfielders Michael McIndoe and Marvin Elliott missed last night's game through injury.
They have just three days in which to prove their fitness to boss Johnson ahead of the fixture at Bramall Lane.
5 Comments
by Alan, Ashton
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 7:23PM
“Let me start by saying last year when everyone was moaning about the manager's son Lee, i was sticking up for him! But i must be honest as Steve states "enough is enough" oppostions are not stupid and will do there home work and yes are seeing him as the weak link, this is just not good enough Gary?? I know he is your son, but if any other member of the squad gave the ball away as many times as he has this season that player would not make the bench let alone the 1st team?? So come on gary drop the family tie thing.
Come on you reds sat see you all there!”
by Jan Howard, South West
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 4:53PM
“Mr Johnson, a game of two halves for sure- you couldnt handle Plymouth Argyle in the first half ! they could couldnt handle you in the second half !you need to be consistant !”
by John, Bristol
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 8:35AM
“How can the report not mention the fantastic contribution made by Lee Trundle? He completely changed the game when he came on - man of the match without question. He MUST start the next match!”
by Steve Spikes, Bristol
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 7:20AM
“Not for the first time Gary Johnstone has continued to have a blindspot regarding his son. I am always prepared to support anyone in a red shirt but enough is enouhg, the honeymoon period he had in the Championship is over. It appears that all sides are now targeting him as the weakspot and just playing through him. His attributes now appear stifled and the ammount of constructive passing is now more than negated by his passing back.
The City midfield shows no creativity and because of this the strikers, and this was the case for the majority of last season feed on scraps.
Whilst I am on my soapbox what is the point of Ivan Sproule ?. I think the fact that he is a championship player and 1st division players are preferred over him for Northern Irelan says it all. He has no end product, wingers traditionally are eccentric and very often blow hot and cold in performance, mercurial is a word often used to describe them. But Sproule contributes nothing and is preferred over Noble, Williams even Scot Murray in his dotage poses more threat tio the oppsition.
Okay rant over c'mon you reds at Sheff U Saturday.”
by Tom, Bristol
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 7:19AM
“Why is it a case of Johnson hailing City's resilience instead of admitting that he got his selection totally wrong for the 1st half?”