Win over Blackpool was crucial, says Bristol City boss Johnson
Gary Johnson hailed Bristol City's 2-0 win over Blackpool as a "crucial" result.
Nicky Maynard and substitute Danny Haynes scored a goal in either half to deliver a first victory in five games and keep City within sight of the play-off places.
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Bristol City manager Gary Johnson
And manager Johnson claimed the outcome represented the difference between a "good" and an "average" beginning to the Coca-Cola Championship campaign.
"This was a big, big game for us for all sorts of reasons," said Johnson, who had seen his team pick up just three points in outings against Coventry, Swansea, Scunthorpe and Derby.
"Because we had let a couple of late goals in during the last two games and dropped points, this was an important one for us. I said before kick-off that it was a key fixture.
"Win it and we are right up there near the play-off positions. Lose it and we're in the bottom half and feeling sorry for ourselves.
"The lads knew how important it was to win this game and they came up trumps. They could have let their heads drop after we missed a couple of good early chances, but they kept going and were worthy of the 2-0 scoreline."
Johnson insisted beating Ian Holloway's in-form Blackpool will restore confidence ahead of Saturday's testing assignment against leaders Newcastle United at St James' Park.
He said: "This is just what we wanted. Newcastle away is a massive game and it's good to go there in credit after a home win.
"It's the kind of game we haven't had for a while and we're all looking forward to it. Newcastle are flying high at the moment, but we go there with nothing to lose. After beating Blackpool, we can afford to give it a go up there."
Johnson paid tribute to striker Maynard, who scored his seventh goal of the season and then set up Haynes for the second shortly after half-time.
"Nicky's a good player and he's in good form," reasoned Johnson. "Things are going for him so far this season and he's not afraid to try his luck.
"He missed a great chance to give us the lead just before his goal, but he didn't let it affect him. He took his goal well and then came up with a great bit of skill to set up the second for Danny."
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway accused his players of lacking desire.
The former Bristol Rovers manager admitted: "We looked like we thought we could coast it and we played like prima donnas in the first half.
"Our closing down was diabolical and we gave City time to stroll around and move the ball. We had some good possession but our shooting was poor and we couldn't hit a donkey on Weston-super-Mare beach."
Bristol City's victory was all the more notable, given that it was achieved without the suspended Jamie McCombe, injured Liam Fontaine and ill Paul Hartley. Cole Skuse, Lewin Nyatanga and Louis Carey played despite being short of match fitness and Johnson said: "We just about got away with it."
Hartley was diagnosed with shingles shortly before kick-off, while Fontaine was ruled out by a knee injury.
"Both of them should be OK in a few days, but we'll have to wait and see if they are ready for Newcastle," said Johnson.
23 Comments
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by fatrich, norwich
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 5:44PM
“totally agree great win against an in form blackpool, no reason for any one to moan!. sno is pure class with marvin and skuse again improving in all aspects. looking foward to newcastle.”
by City fanette, Staple Hill
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 4:56PM
“LMAO at Holloway.....
"our shooting was poor and we couldn't hit a donkey on Weston-super-Mare beach"
Quality!!! and oh so true..”
by Lawrence, Nanaimo B/C Canada
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 2:41PM
“Just got up , A great game hope the next will be a WIN also,
Not many butts in the seats 13 1/2 Thuosand & the shots on goal was also up 8 over Derby`s one up there ,
[BUT] Please can`t someone lift up a rock so Mikey Forde craw back home, & his sister can have her Computer back
Coffee is ready [cheers]
GO City,”
by ade, bridgwater
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 12:15PM
“Mike Ford - "Look at Rovers for god's sake, they have that P.E teacher in charge of them, and even they don't complain" - only a couple of weeks ago the gash lost to wycombe and trollope was the worst manager in the world with the worst team in history now they're all legends -but as a "neutral" you must have noticed this also!
We're all the same!”
by ben, bristol
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 11:49AM
“How on earth did we manage to sign sno?? the bloke is pure quality the only downside is that some of the others aren't on his wavelength. he would easily get in any other championship team”
by Paul, Whitchurch
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 11:43AM
“A much improved performance from the starting eleven. Regarding Lee Johnson, I thought he had his best game this season and covered a lot of ground.
For me Sno was head-and-shoulders above everybody else and looks the most gifted player to grace the AG pitch since Dziekanowski ¿ as jibbywib rightly pointed out.
Maynard showed his class again with a great goal and deft touch to set up Haynes goal.
Just two observations to make.
Firstly, I agree that shutting up shop for the last 15 minutes is fine; providing you actually ¿shut-the-shop¿.
We finally found some rhythm last night and looked in control until the last 15 minutes, then we sat way too deep, had no outlet up front, and gave Blackpool the impetus to attack us, creating several decent chances which they could/should have scored from.
We actually look a better defensive unit when we attack teams !
Secondly, Charlie Adam ¿ what an overrated fat twit that bloke turned out to be. Pre-match I was told he was one of Blackpool¿s star players.”
by dolman bob, bristol
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 11:16AM
“No, credit where it is due Mike, Staple hill, we did play well for the first 75 minutes last night against in-form opposition. and I also agree with the other mike's comment about our home form. 13 points from a possible 15 is formidable and deserves applause. there was a lot of frustration in my earlier posts this week because i had been to Derby and we were pretty shocking. last night was better - lets keep it up and try to get something from the newcastle game.”
by david, henbury
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 11:04AM
“Nigel Steve Dolman Bob good postings as usual you could see how we nearly collapsed in the last 15mins but GJ got away with it.They had about 7 corners in that time and we lost the plot due to Garry baffling sub again and not bringing on a replacement striker.We looked like the away side and the Preston subbing has still not been learn't by Garry.This nearly ended in a 2 2 disaster GJ with Blackpool shooting for fun.Don't sub for the sake of it Garry and if you do at least bring on another striker and keep up the pressure which was fantastic till that point.”
by mike, Bristol
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 9:55AM
“Dolman Bob- Good to see you commenting afetr a good win. Not sure about the swallow comment, we've won 4 & drawn 1 at home this season, so it was hardly a suprise we won again.
Just because we have failed to defend leads in the past doesn't make this a bad tactic. We kept a clen sheet, so shutting up shop for the last 15 was obviously the right thing to do. You don't want to play an open game with a two goal lead surely? We have a great game to look forward to saturday now, with nothing to lose. This one feels like the Watford away trip a couple of seasons ago- lets hope we get the same result!”
by jibbywib, cotham
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 9:55AM
“I was rather looking forward to seeing all the miserable, short sighted, negative lot eating a large slice of humble pie this morning but no, they still find cause to moan. It really defies belief. That was a great performance against a side on fire. Lee Johnson performed well in our three man midfield, giving licence to Sno to run the game, popping up all over the field. The people that clearly don't understand the simple concepts of the game still however come here moaning about the fact Lee Johnson played. It was due to our midfield three playing such a disciplined game that allowed Sno the opportunity to dictate and move around in the way he did. If he had operated in midfield he would have had to be more disciplined and would have had less freedom.
Ideally I would like us to play 3-5-2 with him playing just behind the front 2 and see how he destroys teams in a more central roving role. Best control and touch since Dziekanowski.”