PREVIEW: Huddersfield Town vs Bristol City
THE time for talking is over: Bristol City need action, not words.
Every facet of the team's recent failings has been analysed in detail by supporters, whose early-season optimism has been replaced by the kind of insidious fear that accompanies any fight against relegation.
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Most discussion has centred around the concession of 28 goals in 13 Championship outings, the principal factor behind the team's position one place off the foot of the table. However, disgruntled fans, their patience tested by back-to-back home defeats at the hands of Burnley and Hull, are casting their net wider in a quest to explain the downturn.
They are questioning manager Derek McInnes, his team selection and tactics, while some are pointing the finger of blame at the players, suggesting their commitment to the cause may not be all it could be.
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With visits to Huddersfield and Birmingham up next, even diehard fans fear City may be cast adrift by the time they return to Ashton Gate to play Charlton on Sunday week. Of course, none of this is especially helpful at a time when a united front offers the best prospect of a revival.
No one is disputing the right of those who pay at the turnstiles to express their opinions – and sweeping the team's shortcomings under the carpet would serve no useful purpose. But McInnes is nobody's fool and he, more than anybody, recognises the areas in which City must improve if a repeat of last season's struggle for survival is to be avoided.
Talk of replacing the manager is ridiculously premature and betrays a limited memory span on the part of those advocating McInnes be relieved of his duties. After all, this is the man who picked up the pieces after succeeding Keith Millen a little over 12 months ago, lifting City off the foot of the Championship and delivering safety.
True, he has been given money to spend since then and has recruited his own back-room staff and players. Yet City fans should defer passing judgment. An assessment of progress under McInnes has to take into account a debilitating casualty list that has deprived the team of Greg Cunningham, Neil Kilkenny, Marvin Elliott and, more recently, loan signing George Elokobi and centre-backs Louis Carey, Liam Fontaine and James Wilson.
Not all the alterations in personnel have been enforced and, in a bid to halt the flood of goals being conceded, the manager has rung the changes to such an extent that the side that faced Hull last weekend bore little resemblance to the one that beat Cardiff and Crystal Palace in August.
The side selected to face Huddersfield tomorrow will come under close scrutiny from fans who are wondering just where the manager will turn next in his quest for an elusive first clean sheet.
The more vociferous critics should be mindful that November has only just dawned. There is plenty of time for City to turn the corner and the manager's hand will be strengthened when key players return from injury. In the meantime, everybody who cares about the club should unite behind McInnes, his staff and a squad of players whose confidence has been shaken by recent results.
And EVERYBODY includes the club's directors, who have stayed silent and left McInnes to front up in public.
Comments
by piledriver
Sunday, November 04 2012, 11:45PM
“@BinRelegated:
I think in saying Del "worked wonders" you are over egging the pudding.He saved us from relegation, however, his record had contributed to that position and at one time he was on a run that was as bad as the one prior to Millens sacking.”
by johnbristol3
Sunday, November 04 2012, 4:16PM
“I like the bit , Del is no ones fool and he more than anyone recognises what needs improving to avoid a repeat of last seasons relegation fight........well he is making a right bloody mess of it if he does, tick tok tick tok ,
Lets hope he turns it around , but if come christmas we aint well clear it will be time for plan B or any plan other than this one.”
by Burwallian
Saturday, November 03 2012, 1:00PM
“This article is patronising to say the least.
As paying customers who have well known for a long time the fundamental problems we are amazed that all, including the Press, have chosen to ignore the fundamental problems and think that crossing your legs, fingers and cheering COYRs will solve the most fundamental of problems!
Get real. No amount of support from the stands can rectify basic errors and lack of ability to play for 90 minutes plus.
I hope we can grab a point to-day but past form at Huddersfield points to an empty return home to Ashton Gate and coming adrift from the rest of the pack.
Ipswich with Mick McCarthy will soon be on the climb leaving as supporting the rest of the Championship.
Only a miracle would see us grabbing 3 points to-day!”
by piledriver
Friday, November 02 2012, 5:01PM
“@Vonner:
Del's had a season-46 games and our progress is debateable.The facts are we're one place higher (one from bottom)with five points more than at this stage last season.
Only wins will make a real difference and we're not winning.The resolution is simple-Win some games and draw some games.I'm afraid that if we don't, Del will be no more.”
by Vonner
Friday, November 02 2012, 1:50PM
“Don't worry all - I have a tenner on the Terriers (at even money that is too good to miss), so expect a surprise away win :-)
It is only fair to give Del Boy a season - that is all you get in this 'instant results' business now whether managers like it or not, regardless of injuries, finance available etc. But I'd be lying if I didn't think a McCarthy/Connor setup (with TC knowing all about us) might have yielded...”
by BinRelegated
Friday, November 02 2012, 1:41PM
“The diffence is the fans never really felt that Millen was up to the task whereas a number of fans believe in Del and he has shown that he can work wonders with a side if given the chance.
Lets give him that chance after all we dont want to be like Rovers and chase every manager away. Otherwise, who would want the job aside from someone, who may have already failed elsewhere and is just looking for employment?”
by Big_Gregory
Friday, November 02 2012, 1:27PM
“Why would someone like Derry join a team in the Championship relegation zone, one with so much negativity in the air from supporters? If QPR did make him available I'm 100% sure he'll receive loads more attractive offers.”
by piledriver
Friday, November 02 2012, 1:24PM
“The fact that the CB's are injured has become a problem because we haven't signed the RCB we've been looking for, for a YEAR.
Problems are solved by addressing not circumventing them.
Wilson would be out on loan and Nyatanga sold/loaned if we'd made the signings.
As the article said "The time for talking is over"
Get on with it and those who mention "ridiculously early" sacking talk, should look back to their comments on Millen who also took over a shambles and saved us from relegation TWICE before being sacked after around 12 games.”
by marmeliser
Friday, November 02 2012, 1:08PM
“and i agree about SEAN DERRY. horrible player but good for us”
by marmeliser
Friday, November 02 2012, 1:07PM
“can't even THINK about what the scofre will tomorrow
only things on my mind is that ipswich - who are propping us up - have just appointed MICK McCARTHY, and Palace may appoint IAN HOLLOWAY if they can get him. So that's the first 2 of 'my choice' managerial candidates 'gone' if the City board decide 'enough is enough'.
and also another city 'old boy' - SEAN DYCHE - has been newly appointed at burnley. YET ANOTHER ex player - like messrs MOYES and McCLAREN - who city never picked up on as having management potential, instead going for tinnion and millen!
who's left? mark robins??????”