Johnson praises Bristol City's effort after draw with Leicester
Gary Johnson swallowed his disappointment to lavish praise on his Bristol City players after they were pegged back by Leicester.
City thought they had won for the first time in six matches when David Clarkson netted in the first minute of time added on, only to be denied victory in the cruellest fashion possible.
-
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson
Leicester attacked straight from the restart and Lloyd Dyer took advantage of a lapse in concentration to skip through City's defence and score a dramatic equaliser less than 60 seconds later.
It was the latest in a series of last-gasp goals conceded by City this season, and disappointed manager Johnson admitted it was hard to take.
"I'm gutted and the lads are all gutted," said Johnson. "All I can say is that the people who turned up to watch us and support us will be just as disappointed as we are.
"But the late goal should not deflect from what was a very good performance. The lads put in a great effort.
"You are torn between going back into the dressing room and shouting at them, and praising them and telling them 'Well done.'
"I cannot keep hitting them with a stick and I have to give them a sweet every now and again. The result is disappointing but, as a manager, I have to tell them when they have done well."
Johnson and chairman Steve Lansdown appealed to City supporters to make themselves heard and back the team, and the Ashton Gate crowd responded in rousing fashion.
"I thought the fans were magnificent and they were my man of the match," said Johnson.
"We asked them to get behind us and the lads responded to that. It's the first time in quite a while that they've been clapped off after a draw at home, and I appreciate that.
City host Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion in front of the Sky TV cameras on Sunday and Johnson insists the second-half performance against Leicester will stand his team in good stead for one of their toughest tests this season.
He said: "There was a lot of committed and passionate play, we put a lot of balls into the penalty area and created some very good chances.
"That's what we asked for, and it definitely gives us something to build on ahead of the weekend."
Johnson will be keeping his fingers crossed that Cole Skuse is fit for Sunday's game. The midfielder had to leave the field after 59 minutes with an arm injury and was later sent to hospital for a precautionary X-ray.
21 Comments
View all
by The Hedgehog, Horfield
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 8:19PM
“Curious.
Not a single gashead has commented on the Heffalump article - seems they're all here knocking GJ. Get a team, lads!”
by fatrich, norwich
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 5:43PM
“moan moan moan fair points about johnson so sack him if we are relegated! in the mean time how about we show our loyality to the club. any ideas on who we could bring?”
by megan, bristol
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 5:41PM
“city are rubbish they need as much help as possible
whys hartley on the bench”
by Rob, Bristol
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 4:50PM
“wow, a lot of passion in these posts, it's good to support your yocal team.
Now if we could only translate this passion to the benefit scum of this country, we'd be in a better state. I mean how can some of you losers not afford to feed your kids, but are able to watch the footie week in and out, smoking 40 odd fags everyday? put football passion into getting a job!”
by Percy Jackson, Athens
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 4:47PM
“yes, I'd be gutted too if I was suddenly down in 13th position from 6th only a few weeks ago”
by Dave, Still bouncing
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 1:56PM
“Massive credit to the fans last night the players soaked that up, it was clear to see the passion especially between Brad and Marv!! Truth is players need more of that if they are to rise above the gash-eads in disguise.
Bluegloom, try not to get wrapped up too much in your atmosphere argument or all 7,000 fans at the rugby ground Monday night, will ask you to look again. A fantastic gate for your biggest game of the season. Keep your chin up, guaranteed playoffs for you.”
by from the boardroom, Bristol
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 1:55PM
“In my opinion it is time for Gary to go before the club find themselves plunged into a relegation fight. Unfortunately Gary is a very intelligent man and has positioned him self in such a way that this is almost imposable. He recently signed a new 5 year contract on £600k per year (£1.2m if he ever took the club to the premier league, a laughable idea at present). If he is dismissed then the club need to pay his contract off and find funds to replace him with a more tactical astute manager who will no doubt cost even more. What I find most ridiculous about the new contract he was offered is the clause that states if he resigns he is entitled to 3 years salary. Which is a grave error of judgement by the board when drawing this contract up and also shows just how out of touch football is to the rest of the business world? It is not surprising that Gary allegedly offered his resignation after the Cardiff defeat only for the board to talk him round due to a desire not to pay him off. Therefore it is the clubs financial interest to hope Gary can turn round our fortunes before a relegation fight ensues. Something I feel he is incapable of doing. In my opinion it is time for Gary to go before the club find themselves plunged into a relegation fight. Unfortunately Gary is a very intelligent man and has positioned him self in such a way that this is almost imposable. He recently signed a new 5 year contract on £600k per year (£1.2m if he ever took the club to the premier league, a laughable idea at present). If he is dismissed then the club need to pay his contract off and find funds to replace him with a more tactical astute manager who will no doubt cost even more. What I find most ridiculous about the new contract he was offered is the clause that states if he resigns he is entitled to 3 years salary. Which is a grave error of judgement by the board when drawing this contract up and also shows just how out of touch football is to the rest of the business world? It is not surprising that Gary allegedly offered his resignation after the Cardiff defeat only for the board to talk him round due to a desire not to pay him off. Therefore it is the clubs financial interest to hope Gary can turn round our fortunes before a relegation fight ensues. Something I feel he is incapable of doing.”
by dan, downend
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 1:09PM
“Blueblood i have been to ever home game at the mem this season. We can hardly have a go at anyone about the lack of atmosphere.”
by ben, bristol
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 1:06PM
“The mem was like a morgue the other night and that was apparently one of the best atmostpheres this season?! The blue lot will always be obsessed with us.”
by Blueblood, The memorial cabbage patch
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 12:50PM
“Great result last night,
my 2nd favourite had a moral victory at trashton gate,as i only support 2 teams,BRISTOL ROVERS and whoever's playing bristol city (soon to be NORTH SOMERSET utd of course) and a message to Steve,you reckon you had a good atmosphere?? more atmosphere on the moon matey.
GASHEAD til i die”