New Bristol City boss Millen is more than just a nice guy – Skuse
COLE Skuse insists new Bristol City manager Keith Millen is more than tough enough for the job.
Millen is known as one of the nicest men in football but Skuse has worked with the former defender since he was his youth-team boss.
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Bristol City boss Keith Millen
Midfielder Skuse said Millen is well capable of handing out a dressing-room rollicking when one is needed.
He said: "When he wants to, he can. He is a very nice guy but when he wants to have a pop he lets you know about it. Every player deserves a telling- off at some stage.
"But a manager ranting and raving every game is going to lose the respect of the players.
"Players know when they deserve a rollicking and Keith can hand one out when he wants to.
"I have worked a lot with Keith – he was my youth-team manager for a short period and he is a very good appointment. All the lads know him and are fond of him and the lads want to work their hardest for him."
Millen is understood to have expressed his anger at the lack of a response to going 2-0 down in City's last match, at Ipswich Town.
Skuse sat out that game as he damaged knee ligaments in the previous outing, the 3-3 home draw with Barnsley.
But he is hoping to be back for Saturday's trip to Scunthorpe United.
The youngster said: "The ligaments are not too bad. I have done a bit of running. The knee has been swelling back up but I should be back training on Monday. Hopefully, I will be ready to be back for the Scunthorpe game."
When fit, Skuse has been captain in every game this season in the absence of heel injury victim Louis Carey.
But Carey could also be ready to start at Scunthorpe and Skuse insisted he would be happy to hand the armband back to his fellow Bristolian.
"I have really, really enjoyed the captaincy," he said. "It's a massive honour for myself and my family and I feel very privileged to have been given the armband.
"Louis is a massive player for us and all the players, fans and management will be delighted to have him back. He will be captain and I will be happy for him to take over."
City are yet to win this season but Skuse is not overly concerned.
"I didn't travel to Ipswich but I listened to the game and it sounded pretty even until they scored, but that can happen in football," he said.
"It is always a battle away to Scunthorpe, it is a very hard place to go and we know they will be determined. No disrespect, but the facilities aren't the best up there.
"We know we have got things to improve on but we are not panicking. We know that, once we get the first win, we can go on a run."
6 Comments
by steve, hartcliffe
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 12:28PM
“well said chris, get behind the robins”
by Chris, Bristol
Monday, September 06 2010, 3:27PM
“*intend to boo...”
by Chris, Bristol
Monday, September 06 2010, 3:26PM
“Glenn,
Dont flatter yourself, you didnt!
In any event, i tend to agree with you comments about City, certainly young Albert, he looks a decent player.
Your little dig about being gas was of course, borne out of anger. Please understand, City fans, indeed football fans in general will always fight and argue against each other. I for one, will always fight against the negatives. Those who boo and those who walk out early. Simply not acceptable and for me, the club is better off without those so say supporters. I would rather 10k supporting the team at AG than 13k in the ground, a quarter of whom indeed to boo and jeer!
But thats just me!”
by Glenn, Backwell
Monday, September 06 2010, 1:39PM
“I have been on holiday for two weeks, but I cannot tell you how stunned I was to see that I had apparently got under Chris of Bristol's skin so much (even though I¿ve not directly responded to him in six months) that he felt compelled to write a post baiting several supporters (myself included) to respond negatively to Bristol City articles; both on Friday and the above article.
What on earth is the self-professed ¿Mr Positive¿ doing trying to stir up trouble at every opportunity and turn fans against each other ?
I smell gas !
If - by some chance - he is a Bristol City fan he needs to explain why he is actively trying to encourage negative sentiment and turn fans against each other.
As for my thoughts on the current situation; I tend to wait a dozen games to build up a clear picture of what is and is not working.
Millen did a great job at the end of last season turning around a club that was fast heading towards relegation and almost propelling us into the play-offs; he deserves some time to get things back on track again.
I believe Pitman will prove a decent signing.
Would like to see Pitman paired up with Sam Vokes again, when the former is fit.
Ribs and Carey returning from injury will bring some familiarity back into defence.
Ribs will prove a good replacement for Bradley Orr.
Albert should be one of the first names on the team-sheet (Steve Coppell left us a gem ¿ thanks Steve).
Paul Hartley¿s absence needs addressing, as does the vacant left-wing berth.
This will bring some much needed balance to the side.
The Championship is a competitive league and we cannot afford to get stuck in a rut of poor results like we did during the last 4-5 months of Garry Johnson¿s reign.”
by ivan the red, hanham.
Monday, September 06 2010, 12:53PM
“The brown nosing should cement you a place in the side for the rest of the season then Cole.”
by Chris, Bristol
Monday, September 06 2010, 8:24AM
“Of course he is Cole, that much is clear to those you are not blind and biased.
Sadly, i suspect the usual "mood hoovers" will be on here shortly trying to pick the bones out of this one in an attempt to justify their usual negative muck!”