'This team needs love' - Lee Johnson explains wretched display as Brentford dominate Bristol City Head coach gives details on a baffling home display that ran against the formbook Bristol City were comprehensively outplayed by a resurgent Brentford on Easter Monday, losing 0-1 to Neal Maupay’s 80 minute strike. The result made it just three wins in 19 games across all competitions since the end of December for the Robins – as a wretched 2018 continues. And after the game head coach Lee Johnson explained his side’s lethargy as City failed to even register a shot on target during the entire 90 minutes. The former Barnsley and Oldham coach also argued that this Robins side needs 'love' - citing mental fragility as one main reason among a few for the side's demise. “Sometimes I think the fans think it’s me passing the ball. I had a couple of people having a go at me for Jamie Paterson giving the ball away! I don’t know,” said Johnson, answering the Bristol Post ’s question on why his side had passed the ball so badly on Monday afternoon. “What happens is, from a technical point of view, that you spend so much of the time defending that you’re in a defensive mind-set. “You’re covering areas, you’re shuffling across the ground, they’re moving the ball a lot better than we did and they’re in control. “And then when you win it back that’s when you show that you’re tired and that’s when the character has to come in, and the grit and determination, to have a little wriggle to get a clean pass out, the next one to set it for somebody else and then for the runner to burst through,” he said. The Post also asked Johnson about his tactics, given that Brentford outplayed the Robins so effectively and did so, arguably, back in August at Griffin Park too. We asked Johnson if he might have considered deviating from his usual formation and matching up with the Bees’ three in the middle. please log in to view this image Bobby Reid of Bristol City looks dejected “Well we did play three in the middle. We played 4-4-1-1 at the start of the game,” replied Johnson. “Okay, you could have gone 4-1-4-1 with two central midfielders pulling behind you, but I’ll be honest I think we could have played any formation today and it wouldn’t have been good enough. “We’ve ended up playing three different formations today and weren’t good enough in any of those individual spells. “It’s disappointing but we do need encouragement. This is not a group who are strong enough mentally to not be loved. “This team needs to be loved. It needs to be loved by the fans. It needs to be loved by each other and me and the staff. “Gone are the days when you can set off hand grenades and get everybody going and they want to prove you wrong. This team aren’t that. This team will go under. As far as they need that love “We need six games everybody – fans included – to give us a right chance,” he said. Johnson added that he’s pleased to be playing away from home next game and is pleased to be taking 2,000 fans to Millwall. Bristol City now head to Millwall next Saturday with six games left to go. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/this-team-needs-love-lee-1410955
Not the comments needed Lee and you could have pissed off the people you need most. I understand what you were trying to get across but perhaps there was a better way because our results in 2018 have opened up a lot of questions that need answering.
Sorry boys that today was as bad as it gets. LJ your 2018 run is worse than your 10 game losing streak last season. Make no mistake it is relegation form. Thank god you got the points in the bag in 2017. Sorry but the bucks stops at the top,and that is you. Players signed for millions not playing. Players arrived on loan not playing. Players getting game time that should be dropped. Sorry for me your management is questionable to the extent your comments above are very concerning indeed.
Bristol City FCVerified account@bcfctweets 17h17 hours ago please log in to view this image LJ: “A lot went wrong. We were outfought. I don’t think we laid a glove on them and that’s the disappointing thing.” #BRCvBRE Bristol City FCVerified account@bcfctweets 17h17 hours ago please log in to view this image LJ: “I know everyone was frustrated today - we didn’t give [the fans] enough to get behind. We are still in an excellent position and we need everyone’s support for the final six games.” #BRCvBRE Bristol City FCVerified account@bcfctweets 17h17 hours ago please log in to view this image LJ: “Give them credit, Brentford were much the better side on the day. I thought they were outstanding. If you keep giving the ball away against a team like Brentford then they will terrorise you.” #BRCvBRE Bristol City FCVerified account@bcfctweets 17h17 hours ago please log in to view this image LJ: “I thought it was a foul on (Jamie) Paterson in the build-up to the goal. But...we can’t blame the referee for our overall performance.” #BRCvBRE Bristol City FCVerified account@bcfctweets 17h17 hours ago please log in to view this image LJ: “We’ve had too many niggles; too many 85% fit rather than 100% fit. We can’t carry anyone.” #BRCvBRE
We are 7th in the league - got to the semi-final of the league Cup - and beat Manchester United Yes current form is not great - yes Saturday we were well beaten - but let's keep things in perspective
I was reading live the Barnsley match day thread on OTIB and couldn't get over the massive swing in feelings each time a goal went in. One minute it was 'Johnson out' the next it was 'COYRs'. Daft not to admit LJ will ever win over all the City fans. For my 6th penneth (who is not the hater he once was)LJ seems to shift the issue, this time it's 'love the players'. I wish he could say why he dropped Baker for Wright which I think started it going wrong yesterday as well as playing Kent who he brought in January. Don't pick players because you signed them, pick them on ability. Our crowd aren't the most sensible at times but equally they're not stupid. I think LJ should take responsibility for the boos against Wright yesterday, he was the root cause. We need a C change in selection to ignite our run in. Be brave LJ, forget the long ball to big men and select the 'minis' this w/e who played the beautiful game pre Christmas.
To be honest the cup games have hidden the true form which in 2018 is shocking,personally think that has been LJs smoke screen. Brentford could have had five or six goals and the would not looked out of place.
smh - mood on a forum is relative to expectation levels. If you'd risen to 7th coming from a lowly table position there would be a different atmosphere on here rather than dropping to 7th after the early success. It's amazing how most of the teams vying for a playoff spot (Millwall apart) have hit the buffers since the New Year, but but 5th and 6th spots are so wide open it's any 2 of probably 6 or 7 to grasp. Looks like that Brentford defeat has left you lot deflated and unfortunately probably let Brentford back into the frame - all very tight.
How does it help our cause to cheer or boo off our own team captain, he had a poor game true but so did others, do we boo off the whole team,how does it help ? Was it the tactics, the selection, the preparation, none of that is down to the players, surely you don't insult your own, it stinks. 'Disgraceful' Bristol City fans angry as captain Bailey Wright booed off by supporters against Brentford The Robins skipper was "cheered off" when he was substituted against Brentford https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport...s/disgraceful-bristol-city-fans-angry-1412307
Bang out of order,the whole bloody team were poor,not just Bailey. The rot is setting in and it don't look like it is going to get better.
Come on some of you, remember last season, we have made great strides this season, great cup run, which excited us all, form 2017 fantastic, 2018 very disappointing, but lets put things into perspective, we have a very young side with some very exciting players, we have had so many injuries which disrupted the side, I still believe we have a very good side, and a very good manager, with both learning all the time. Maybe we over performed and that's what's upset some, maybe changing the formation didn't help, but it's all a learning curve, don't think we will reach the playoffs (hope i'm wrong) but look forward to next season onwards and upwards COYR.
Crikey there are some tits on the ‘City Till I die’ Facebook page and I presume OTIB too (I can’t be arsed to look). FFS we are 7th in the 2nd tier of English football with 6 games left to go. When were we last in this position? Yes our results have been mostly disappointing this year so far, but, hell, we are SEVENTH FFS. We have a REAL chance of the playoffs and yet some people are calling for a change of manager. Sometime I feel like telling them to f-off and support Birmingham. They know what it’s like to change their manager when in the top 7 and have never looked back!!! This season has been a good one whatever happens.
I have been saying for a long long time now that Baily Wright isn't good enough, he got an extended run at right back due to injuries. I have watched him for City and for Australia and I truly don't rate him. Drop him and pair Flint & Baker, or even Maggers (who's OK in the centre, but a liability at LB) and we will be stronger.
I dont know about needing the love, but if LJ doesn't sort things out, someone's going to give you a good rogering!
Just as an aside, does there happen to be a manager, anywhere in the league, called Roger?? It could lead to some great headlines!!
