We're still in a good position, says Bristol City boss
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson today came out fighting after seeing his team drop two precious points at home.
Cole Skuse's brilliant 31st-minute strike looked to have secured Bristol City victory against Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Peterborough United on Saturday, only for George Boyd to stun Ashton Gate with a last-minute equaliser.
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Gary Johnson
But Johnson refused to be despondent and instead launched a vigorous defence of his team.
He said: "No-one is more disappointed at not winning the game than the players and management.
"I know our fans are also disappointed, but it's not all doom and gloom and they have to look at the bigger picture.
"We are still ninth in the table, just a point off the top six, with a home game to come against Plymouth on Tuesday.
"It's important we don't allow ourselves to feel too down about what has happened, because a win in our next game could put us back in the play-off positions.
"We have to remember there are plenty of other teams worse off and with bigger problems than we have.
"The players and supporters need to dust themselves down, stay strong and try to put things right on Tuesday. We are still in a good position."
City's manager was left to rue his side's inability to score the second goal which would have killed the game stone-dead and consigned Posh to defeat.
Acknowledging the shortcomings which cost his team victory, Johnson admitted: "I never thought we were home and dry while we were only 1-0 up.
"Of course, we always try to go for the second goal, but it didn't look like it was going to come. In those situations, do you bring on an extra defender and try to see it out, or push for another goal?
"Teams in the Championship are going to push you back, take risks, put substitutes on and apply pressure, and that's why you need to be 2-0 in front at home with five minutes to go.
"We had a couple of opportunities and needed that second goal. If you get that one, then the opposition's pressure at the end doesn't mean so much. They know the game is dead, but it's different when you only have one goal.
"Unfortunately, we could not see the game out and, credit to Peterborough, they probably deserved a draw. I think they are in a false position."
Having encouraged midfielder Skuse to be more attack-minded, Johnson was delighted with the Bristolian's goal, describing it as "a fantastic effort".
He added: "We've been on at Cole to be a bit more penetrative and you cannot get any more penetrative than beating three or four players and sliding the ball under the keeper.
"Things went well for Cole. His passes were going forward and he was a forward-thinking player, which is good."
Bristol City's goalscorer limped off after turning awkwardly on a knee seven minutes from time, but should be fit to face Plymouth tomorrow night.
Skuse said: "The physio said I couldn't carry on and, for a moment, we feared the worst. But it's not as bad as we thought and I'll be okay for Tuesday."
23 Comments
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by Lawrence, Nanaimo B/C Canada
Monday, October 19 2009, 9:28PM
“P/S just have to say ,enjoyed all comments from Markus Wilts &Phil Bristol you answered a few points for me [Tanks alot]”
by Lawrence, Nanaimo B/C Canada
Monday, October 19 2009, 9:18PM
“Freedom of speach Katrine !
Wonderful world we live in [eh]
l never use spill check just to annoy,
Go to lots of games when over there, even reserves ! can`t get enough , still a BCSFan,”
by swedehead, bridgy
Monday, October 19 2009, 9:00PM
“bring back russell osman.”
by chrisat briz, brislington
Monday, October 19 2009, 4:40PM
“worrying times at ashton gate, huge wage bill and falling gates. act soon mr lansdowne or even season ticket holders will stop watching this boring stuff. perhaps we could sign another central midfielder to give the team the width it obviously needs. still a lucky home draw agianst the mighty peterborough is not to be sniiffed at.”
by MENDIPMAN, CHEDDAR.
Monday, October 19 2009, 4:21PM
“THE - - -T will not be going anywhere this season! Guaranteed.”
by MB, Bristol
Monday, October 19 2009, 2:57PM
“If we don't score more than one goal we're always going to be vulnerable to a late equaliser.
How many times have City been hanging on in the last 10 minutes this season?
We need a decent wide player.”
by Bob, Chepstow
Monday, October 19 2009, 2:21PM
“As I have said on a couple occasions on this site when the rumours were around, Elliott should have been sold. I wonder if his head has been turned hence the lacklustre performances of late. Lee Johnson is a very average player and doesn't warrant a start (I'm not getting into the father/son argument!)
Gary is the best manager we have had for a number of years but I do wonder if he has taken the club as far as he can, afterall considering the recent success it is strange no "bigger" clubs have approached him. Perhaps they all have seen something previously we are only seeing now?”
by Marcus, Wilts
Monday, October 19 2009, 1:18PM
“@Mark
With all due respect fella you're completely missing thr point.
Ive watched football and City for the last 20 years and understand the hobby of being a football fan is in the main = disapointment and frustration on the whole with flashes of success.
I don't expect us to be scoring 5 goals every match or brushing opponents aside with ease week in week out but what i do expect is so see my side try and create and score as many goals as they can in the 90 minutes whilst staying solid at the back.
Im fully aware and happy for my team to lose and draw a few matches as long as they've had a real go to win the match, thus this is where the problems currently exists with Johnson and his daft tactics.
He plays the same boring rigid formation and personel regardless if we are at home to Scunny or away to Newcastle, In fact I could except the rigid midfield tactics away from home but when playing in front of you own fans you have to take the game yo your opponents and show a little more appitite to get behind them and score. How long until Johnson abandons the current stupid tactics? THEY DON'T WORK!!
When was the last time City scored a good team goal? They all seem to be good individual efforts at the moment.
Watching paint dry or grass grow are both seemingly better past times than watching City at the moment...”
by Phil, Bristol
Monday, October 19 2009, 1:02PM
“oh and Mark, Wilts -
Getting Value from money from a Season Ticket at Ashton Gate, I think most City fans know that isn't possible under the current manager.
With the snooze football on display you'd get better value for money from a Russell Osman/Tony Pulis mangement team!
Unfortunately sound like one of the Johnson silly yesmen from the forum who rarely go to game, but are happy to slate everyone else from afar.”
by Phil, Bristol
Monday, October 19 2009, 12:58PM
“Best squad in years......Yes without doubt!
But what's the point in having a good squad, when you have a manager who doesn't know how to play them.
Eliott on the Wing - DAFT
Sno on the Wing - DUMB
Skuse on the Wing - STUPID
Hartley on the Bench - Clueless!
these are all excellent central midfield players but not being played regularly in their best position - CENTRAL MIDFIELD.
On form & Ability....the current central midfield should be
Skuse, Hartley, Sno in the middle.
With Johnson and Elliott on the bench at most!”