Perform or face being dropped, warns Bristol City's Millen

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Tuesday, December 15, 2009
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This is Bristol

Keith Millen has warned Bristol City's under-achieving stars to perform or risk losing their place in the side.

And he insists he and manager Gary Johnson will not hesitate to bring in new faces if they feel the squad requires strengthening when the transfer window reopens next month.

City's assistant manager expressed his frustration in the wake of Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Doncaster and hinted at possible changes if results and performances do not improve.

Although the robins are still handily-placed two points outside the Coca-Cola Championship play-off positions, their inconsistencies are preventing them from breaking into the top six.

Outstanding when beating Leicester 3-1 at the Walkers Stadium last week, City seldom came anywhere near reproducing that level of performance against Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium, Billy Sharp's first-half goal condemning the visitors to a third defeat in five games.

"We have to keep the belief and keep on working hard, but individuals also have to do more and produce a better game," warned Millen.

"If they are given a shirt, then they have to justify it. That means defenders defending properly, midfielders creating chances and the forward players beating people and scoring goals. At the moment, that just isn't happening often enough.

"We don't want to change things, because we're happy with the squad and we love them all. We want these lads to show they are good enough to get us into the top six.

"But, if they're not producing, then they will have to come out of the team.

"We try to give people a chance and, if they don't take that chance, we have to find someone who can. That could mean taking that one step further and bringing people in.

"It's frustrating because we are nearly there but not quite."

The January transfer window opens for business 16 days from now and City chairman Steve Lansdown is prepared to bankroll further signings in a bid to bolster the club's play-off push.

Manager Gary Johnson has already publicly stated his desire to recruit a left winger to replace Michael McIndoe, the former Scotland A international who left to join Championship rivals Coventry in the summer.

City tried and failed to land Mark Yeates from Colchester and Manchester United youngster Lee Martin during the close season, only to be gazumped by Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town respectively, and the ensuing absence of a naturally left-sided midfielder has since caused an imbalance in the team.

"We're always looking, but it's not easy," revealed Millen. "We've known we needed a naturally left-footed player since Macca went, but there aren't many about and it's difficult finding the right one.

"January is always a problem, because prices tend to be double what they should be and a lot of clubs are unwilling to sell.

"But we have a few irons in the fire and will strengthen if we think we need to."

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  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Mark, Bristol

    Thursday, December 17 2009, 7:14AM

    “Gary. This is the weakest Championship for quite a few years and if City had the team that they had a couple of years ago we would be up with the likes of Newcastle and WBA.

    It seems that "tools" like you and Chris are happy with being second best and feel happy saying that we are a good Championship side, well believe it or not most of the real fans want the team/club to move forward, it's called ambition mate, so what's wrong with that?

    We are an established Championship side now and it's time to step up a gear and push to be with the big boys.

    GJ has cleary lost the plot and lost the confidence of the players and by not speaking to anyone is driving a wedge between him and the fans and in doing so is damaging this great club.”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Gary, Hartcliffe, Bristol

    Wednesday, December 16 2009, 2:25PM

    “Marcus go and support the gas mate, you obviously dont like our club otherwise you would understand whats happening down the gate. We aint gnna romp this league and only a tool would think that was the case. You clearly never played the game just a little boy playing computer games with no friends!”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Chris, Bristol

    Wednesday, December 16 2009, 2:20PM

    “Marcus, you are getting yourself in a pickle!

    I didnt say no one agreed with you, but i did state in light of the content of said people whom agree why gloat that those certain people share you view? Please note you did state that actual attending fans on here agree with you, that could be construed as a gloat albeit a rather sad one! Again i could assume something about you, but i will refrain from doing so.

    Me being incorrect is your mantra yet, as always this is never backed up with any real substance!

    Im sorry that discussing my club gives you a headache, but some of us care!

    Support the team like actualy fans who attend actual matches should do and not counting a small minority the fans in that bracket at AG do just that.”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Marcus, Wilts

    Wednesday, December 16 2009, 1:54PM

    “Chris

    You claimed that no one agreed with me, I then point out that in FACT others do. You then move the goalposts claiming that Im gloating? You what??

    In fact all I was doing was pointing out that you were INCORRECT.

    You're making my head hurt Chris, Please go away!!”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Mark, Wilts

    Wednesday, December 16 2009, 1:33PM

    “Shocking waste of money - "Carle"
    This is a player we more than doubled our money on after 17 appearances.

    Crowds are down - oh yeah those fairweathers have gone shopping/gardening/ironing - what a shame.

    Whoever the manager is he is definately holding this club back. We should be in the top six/top two/surviving in the Prem/top half of the prem/chasing europe/breaking the top four/winning the title/Champions league - every year.

    shakes head in disbelief.”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Dave, Bedminster

    Wednesday, December 16 2009, 1:21PM

    “Well said chris, and phil how can carle be wasted money? we made £700k profit with him!!! plus johnson has made some great cheap signings such as sproule, wilson, marv, hartley, basso, gerkin, fonts, macca and williams and not forgetting sno, what a player!”

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    by Chris, Bristol

    Wednesday, December 16 2009, 1:16PM

    “Marcus, bearing in mind the amount of "reasonable fans" and "quality input" on here, why do gloat that all agree with you? For starters its only around 2 or 4 that actually do! That's about half! But if you dare check other forums you will see huge numbers of support for GJ, so believe me you are by far in the minority, you really are. Please stop this self deception its extremely worrying for a person to act in such a way! I know you like to be the "big fish" on here, this little frequented outpost of the football forum world, but i urge you to seek other places which may help you understand the true meaning of supporting a team and get you out of the proverbial box you are stuck in, with the lid sealed firmly shut it would seem.

    As always you again assume incorrectly, which isn't surprising given the amount you get wrong on a daily basis! I am "actually" a fan that "actually" matches on a regular basis having been a season ticket holder for over 10 years. My first match was in 1983 so i hope i have now you understanding that im not a merely groupie or whatever other form of naivety you attempt to bracket me under. Of course i attack other fans if i feel their comments are damaging to my club why would anyone condone a preacher of hate? It makes my club look silly to others when people such as you, with unrealistic expectations mainly due to GJ over achievements since his arrival now post hate and bile at every given chance, what do you think this achieves? I'm sure you are fully aware that you certainly have many a thing to say to people who challenge your opinion, which is what we are talking about here, its not fact just your rather odd mis guided opinion on matters at AG and everyone who says the slightest thing against you. Most fans believe supporting the team and giving respect to others is the way forward for this club as your prehistoric way simply doesn't work, i know some, such as yourself see things differently, hence the continued frustration! Which seems a little odd why you choose to support us, why not choose Man Utd? But in your case there is simply no pleasing you, however i will now "assume" that this is something that blights your whole existence!

    Next time you are at AG i ask you to try positively encourage the team, you never know you might actually enjoy the experience!”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Marcus, Wilts.

    Wednesday, December 16 2009, 9:48AM

    “Chris

    You really do have delusions of grandeur....

    You ramble on like you are some kind of voice of reason with some kind of superior understanding of the game but the reality is we're all laughing at YOU because the current issues are not about supporters-you attacking other City fans will not make your mentors team play better- Johnson is certainly the first manager down the Gate to have Groupies eh Chris!

    The only people who ever backed you up on here are either living in Canada or Support different clubs so don't see the dross we've been delivered for the last 12 months. (BTW a spurs fan preaching about unconditional support....pot ,kettle!!)

    You keep trying to corner me and make me out to be alone voice, why? just look through this thread Chris, the majority of actual fans that actually attend the matches are in agreement with ME.

    I can assume you are quite young Chris and emotionally immature, I would also assume you haven't been attending the Gate long, it seems all of Johnsons spin over the years about how important the fans are--- blah blah blah-- has ben swallowed by you hook line and sinker by you and you know feel part of the family.

    In fairness you probably feel like you are doing the right thing although in time you'll realise how wrong you got it.”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Chris, Bristol

    Wednesday, December 16 2009, 9:00AM

    “Poor old Mark, again reverting to the kind of behaviour adopted in the school yard than in adulthood! Of course, you have a point, the key words are "correct appointment" but what if, just if we dont make that correct appointment and indeed make a very incorrect one? If so, the blame will of course lay partially at the door of the johnny come lately doom mongers such as yourself, who of course proclaim to have been "fans"for a long time, yet seem to know very little about the club!

    Groundhog LOL Good effort but a poor WUM, i smell gas!”

  • Profile image for This is Bristol

    by Mark, Bristol

    Wednesday, December 16 2009, 7:51AM

    “Oh dear Chris, didn¿t mummy tuck you in last night or hasn¿t she changed your nappy yet?

    Can¿t you get it into your thick head that nobody listens to you.

    City need to move forward right now and that means getting rid of Johnson, and if they make the correct appointment we will achieve promotion this season.”

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