Bristol City's Keith Millen: We must get it right at the back
KEITH Millen will spend the rest of this week on the training ground attempting to iron out the defensive problems that have let Bristol City down in their first two home games of the Championship season.
Beaten 3-0 by newly-promoted Millwall on the opening day, the Robins conceded another three goals and twice had to come from behind to salvage a point against Barnsley at Ashton Gate last Saturday.
In both instances, City's cause was undermined by ill-disciplined and sloppy defending as players chose to do their own thing rather than to heed lessons learned on the training ground.
New manager Millen vowed to get to grips with the problem following another defensively inept display against Barnsley and he will emphasise the importance of maintaining a rigid shape ahead of Saturday's testing assignment against unbeaten Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Above all else, he will urge his defenders to stay on their feet so as not to concede needless penalties and free-kicks.
Jamie McAllister gave away an 89th-minute spot-kick at Doncaster earlier this month as City allowed what would have been their first three-point haul to slip from their grasp at the death, and Cole Skuse became the latest offender when diving in to concede another penalty after just four minutes as the Robins made a shocking start against Barnsley.
"I keep on hammering home the need for defenders to stay on their feet, but the message does not seem to be sinking in," complained Millen.
"We have talked time and again about not going to ground in and around the penalty area and yet it has cost us twice in the last two games.
"Players need to try to stay on their feet for as long as possible. If they don't then they run the risk of being punished for it."
He added: "I don't want to have to single out individuals for blame, because there were so many other things that were wrong.
"We were all over the place in the first 20 minutes of the Barnsley game and the shape and system we had worked on in training went out of the window.
"Individually and collectively we were not good enough and I cannot let it go. It's something we've been working on in training this week and we will go on working on it until we get it right.
"I thought we were solid and disciplined at Doncaster and that is what earned us a point. I was really surprised when we did what we did in the next game.
"We've been poor defensively in two games at home now and we have to sort it out. It's the same players who did so well at Doncaster, so we know they are capable of doing well.
"Conceding goals was our biggest problem last season and you cannot let in three in every game and hope to be a successful side.
"We will work on a shape and a pattern of play for the Ipswich game and do everything we can to put it right."
8 Comments
by cole722, bristol
Thursday, August 26 2010, 7:52PM
“not related to this story but does anyone know when the sainsbury appeal will be held and is this the last hurdle for the new stadium ?.”
by cole, bristol
Thursday, August 26 2010, 7:48PM
“not related to this story but does anyone know when the sainsbury appeal is going to be held ?. and is this the last hurdle to pass”
by red red robin, woodlands
Thursday, August 26 2010, 6:47PM
“Were doomed.”
by George, LONDON
Thursday, August 26 2010, 5:13PM
“Bring back Carey and revert to the 3-5-2 that KM so succesfully used for 12 games in charge last season.
Cisse will be a bonus in midfield especially if Skuse isn't fit or even if he is.
Stead & Pitman lead the line.
What's wrong with Danny Haynes? Is this another Maynard situation looming?
Groin strains don't often last two months???”
by Chris, Bristol
Thursday, August 26 2010, 12:53PM
“McAllister does need cover, he is taking stick from some fans but the truth is that he is way to exposed, and has been ever since McIndoe left the club who, despite his faults, did often get back and help defend. On Saturday JCR did not track back to help him once which was disgraceful. People need to get of Maccas back and look at the bigger picture, we need a left midfielder, if not then i agree with tactics man, it maybe best to push Macca up field, after all he does put a good cross in.
We need Carey back, its now obvious how good his defensive marshalling skills are.
We were, a few years ago, a good solid team, i know some fans moaned about this at the time but it got results and boy do we need one fo those at this minute.
Im confident we will turn the corner soon enough.
COYR”
by tatics man, at the PC
Thursday, August 26 2010, 12:16PM
“Push McAllister up to the left hand side, and bring in Fontaine behind him. Carey and Stewart at the back. Johnson and Elliott in the middle, Sproule out wide right, Stead and Clarkson up top.”
by Bob, Outer Bristol
Thursday, August 26 2010, 11:41AM
“Louis Carey has probably been one of the outstanding defenders in the league,particularly in the art of "standing up"
It has allowed the full back(usually Orr) to get forward.
Also allowing some cover for McCallister from midfield players.
Regretfully the wide players Haines, JCR,and Sproule are not great tacklers or getting back to cover.
Whilst Keith sorts out his defensive methods, he may have to use these players for impact as necessary.
Regretfully playing wingers from the start has not worked for Johnson,Coppell or Millen so far.
Brian Clough built his European Cup Team from the back.
Lets hope that with our new coach we can do the same!”
by Richard, London
Thursday, August 26 2010, 10:37AM
“Keith can bang on about it all season, and good luck to him, but frankly i think he will become rather blue in the face.
I will continue in the vain of not naming names but a couple of the defenders are, I am afraid, woefully short of the skill level required. I am amazed we have not strengthened the left side but instead spent big in other areas. We still do not have the balance required and Keith admitted that himself. I would not be surprised if we do indeed continue to leak 2-3 goals a game. With our strike force i suppose he is hoping we will score 3-4 to compensate. Makes for a thrilling spectacle but a constant worry for David James. Keith suggests we should build from the back, being a defender himself, and i would totally agree. That is your foundation for success. Pity he is not practicing his preaching but good luck to him. He might just surprise a few people.”