Bristol City's lack of creativity makes cold shoulder treatment of Kasey Palmer absurd Our City writer on the odd case of the absent playmaker please log in to view this image "I don't understand it. Big money signing, a creative player and we'd like to see him on the pitch," said Bristol Live columnist Math Withers. "It is a mystery," agreed Twentyman. "If Eliasson is being double-marked it gives perfect space in the middle for someone like Kasey Palmer," said another supporter on the show. City are not creating much and have failed to find the target of late. Just once in the last nine Championship games have the Robins managed to net more than a single goal. please log in to view this image James @jbcfc_ Games this season where City had fewer than 3 shots on target: Derby A (2) Luton A (1) Cardiff A (2) Nottm Forest H (0) West Brom A (2) Blackburn H (1) Sheff Wed A (1) Barnsley H (2) Birmingham H (1) Leeds A (1) West Brom H (1) Huddersfield A (2) Millwall A (1) While the club's goals tally for the season is good (seventh best in the league), this is somewhat of a misnomer, with the attack stalling in recent weeks. It was just one shot on target at the weekend, the fourth time in the last six matches that has happened, with the Huddersfield match seeing two on target. Only Luton Town average fewer shots on target than City's 3.3 per game this season. The January transfer window has unsettled the squad and the last matches - despite tough opposition - have seen scant quality play in the final third. Which makes it all the more mystifying that the mercurial Palmer has been little involved. There have been no league starts since the 4-1 loss at West Brom in November, and while there was a start in the FA Cup at home against Shrewsbury Town it has largely been sporadic substitute appearances since. Last five appearances: 22 Feb, Bristol City 0-3 West Brom - 17 mins 15, Feb, Leeds Utd 1-0 Bristol City - 16 mins 14 Jan, Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Bristol City - 24 mins 4 Jan, Bristol City 1-1 Shrewsbury Town - 90 mins 22 Dec, Sheff Weds 1-0 Bristol City - 29 mins While there are strong arguments either way on whether the Robins start Palmer or not currently, what is odd is not being involved at all - and how the club have arrived at this situation. Palmer joined City just over a year ago on loan from Chelsea following the cutting short of his time at Blackburn Rovers. He was on loan last season so Lee Johnson knew what the club were buying. Try before you buy. "Then it comes to Kasey Palmer, but listen his quality is there for all to see: but it must be caveated that he needs a full pre-season under me," said Johnson after the final game of last season against Hull City, when Bristol Live asked the head coach on whether he planned to keep all three Chelsea loanees. "I don't think he's been fit enough throughout this second half of the season," he added. Palmer worked hard with former Bradford City winger and now fitness guru Jamie Lawrence over the summer, wearing City kit and always hoping to return to BS3. And City eventually won the race for his signature with Swansea City interested too. However, the Swans followed up that interest in January - as previously reported - looking into whether a loan was possible for a player who could even have stayed at Chelsea, if he had wanted, and who has not gained the favour of his new head coach. Bristol City were not minded to let the player go elsewhere just yet, and after an apparent patching up of any differences, the 23-year-old remains plonked on the sidelines. Has the former Huddersfield Town man been judged too harshly by Johnson? Is there enough being put into training (our understanding is that there is)? Is it a personal issue? Time will tell over the next weeks as Johnson name-checked Palmer as even having had an influence on the recent deal to bring in Nahki Wells. "Of course Kasey wants to play, it was part of the reason why we brought Nahki in, because we believe that would potentially enhance Kasey's vision and execution by having that type of movement that Nahki gives you as it did with Benik," said Johnson ahead of playing West Brom recently. Despite little playing time recently, Palmer's stats for the season make interesting reading: 3.3 successful tackles per 90 minutes (Rank: best in the whole Bristol City squad) 4 successful dribbles per 90 minutes (Rank: best in the squad) 0.3 assists per 90 mins (Rank: second best behind Niclas Eliasson in the squad) Fouled 2.3 times per 90 mins (Rank: third best in the squad, behind Eliasson and Marley Watkins) 0.2 through-balls per 90 mins (Rank: best in the squad) And with the club's form disintegrating and attacking play painful to watch of late, having a £4m flair player not involved looks plain ridiculous and suggests there is more to it. Indeed Palmer is also one of the squad's highest earners too. Even from a business sense there are questions to be asked. "I think for Kasey the biggest part of the mindset is to be ready and not think that this season is finished, because there's an awful lot of football to play and given the dynamic of that side, he could quickly come into that starting XI and at that point obviously he's got to hit the ground running," said Johnson two weeks ago. We're all still waiting. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport...s/bristol-citys-lack-creativity-makes-3907434
I think this statement stands out ~ ' And with the club's form disintegrating and attacking play painful to watch of late, having a £4m flair player not involved looks plain ridiculous and suggests there is more to it. Indeed Palmer is also one of the squad's highest earners too. Even from a business sense there are questions to be asked.' ....and LJ replied ~ "I think for Kasey the biggest part of the mindset is to be ready and not think that this season is finished, because there's an awful lot of football to play and given the dynamic of that side, he could quickly come into that starting XI and at that point obviously he's got to hit the ground running," said Johnson two weeks ago. The OP stated ~ ' We're all still waiting'
I do think creativity and the lack of leadership on the pitch is our downfall not being in the top 6..
We also concede way too many goals to be anything other than likely play off outsiders, and have the worst goal difference in the top 14. And we have this frustrating habit of throwing points away from winning positions as has been well documented on here Until some of these perpetual faults are rectified we will only ever be also rans I'm afraid. I do however agree that we lack real leadership and that is on the pitch and in the dugout
I can’t argue with this article. I wondered why we don’t play KP behind the front 2. But - I do t see him in training so what do I know. Maybe he’ll get starts when (if) Afobe returns? Apparently his pass completion stats are terrible
Another big cock up at Ashton Gate absolutely absurd he ain’t getting game time. The guy is class. But the coach don’t now have to play him or use him.
From what I've seen from my bedroom window I'm going to stand up for Junior. There's a first. Palmer flatters to deceive. Other clubs have had him and only City were mad enough to pay money for him. For me I wonder why we paid millions for him. Vastly overrated and I think you lot are clutching at straws thinking he's the answer. Back to normal - Terrible decision by Junior to sign him in the first place.
Despite little playing time recently, Palmer's stats for the season make interesting reading: 3.3 successful tackles per 90 minutes (Rank: best in the whole Bristol City squad) 4 successful dribbles per 90 minutes (Rank: best in the squad) 0.3 assists per 90 mins (Rank: second best behind Niclas Eliasson in the squad) Fouled 2.3 times per 90 mins (Rank: third best in the squad, behind Eliasson and Marley Watkins) 0.2 through-balls per 90 mins (Rank: best in the squad) I must admit out of the 3 Chelsea lads we signed Palmer was my third choice and I did question it at the time but if you read these 5 stats for the season he is ranked best, best, 2nd best, 3rd best and best, you can't deny his proven performances, I think LJ and Palmer are not the best of mates, despite the denials, a lot of money invested and at the moment just sitting on the bench, occasionally.
He had a great partnership going with Afobe - they really ‘clicked’. Sadly, the gods of football won’t allow a magic partnership like that at BS3 so Afobe needed to be taken out of the equation. KP never really ‘clicked’ with anyone else.
I agree, Palmer 100% flatters to deceive, to me is like JET, Tomlin and many others, with space and time he is great, but he gives the ball away far too frequently, and as LJ likes to set up an attacking team with full-backs joining the attack (or at least he used to...) which puts us under immediate pressure defensively. I guess LJ thought he could 'coach' this out of Palmer when he took the gamble to sign him, but it appears he can't or Palmer won't let him, either way he looks a bad signing. I'm not buying into this "he formed a great partnership with Afobe", it was 3 games ffs! If there was ever a time for KP to show his worth, it is now, we have the defensive-minded midfielders now with the signings in the summer and Jan to pack out the midfield and let him work with a front two of Fammy, Nakhi or Anders, I think he needs one last chance, and to be told this is his last chance to impress as well.
I would be interested to know where in the pitch these stats are drawn from, anyone can knock passes left to right in areas that won't hurt the opposition and have good stats. I have seen him in a few games this season up close, and too me, I would say his pass ratio was not this high, certainly not in the oppositions final third. I like KP and want him to succeed at City, but he looks lazy to me when I see him.
‘Speaks volumes’, ‘Why I’ve lost all interest’ – Many Bristol City fans react as ‘depressing’ stats emerge https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/s...l-city-fans-react-as-depressing-stats-emerge/ Negative comments and depressive stats and we are still in 7th position, it's crazy.
22nd – Shots 22nd – Shots on-target 21st – Shots in the box 21st – xG 10th – xG from open play 19th – Touches in the box 19th – Deep completions 11th – Very deep completions 18th – Possession 7th – League position BristolCity <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< the only stat that matters I feel sorry for the poor individuals they keep trolling up to make their case …. MAYBE LESS THAN 2 DOZEN OUT OF 25,000+
It is, but I'd suggest that the reasons for supporters unrest and unhappiness are more than just the reasonably good league position and the poor standard of football often on offer. As others have said, our support remains deeply divided and I honestly can't see it changing.
People will put up with our poor home form provided we are within reach of the playoffs, if we start to drop out of contention I can see that changing .
‘Not on’, ‘Something is up!’ – Many Bristol City supporters react to ‘slap in the face to fans’ https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/n...supporters-react-to-slap-in-the-face-to-fans/ Is there something amiss developing between LJ and the fans, why was he frightened to face the interviews in the press conference ahead of the 125th anniversary fixture today, it could be arrogance developing, fear of facing up to the recent failures of his team and playing style in public, is there something up in the background, the rumours are there. Gregor MacGregor from the Bristol Post highlighted just that earlier today, calling it a “slap in the face for fans”. He added that it was unclear but it seemed as though it was the club’s decision.
I would take notice if there was 25,000 people and everyone with a banner marching across the Cumberland basin stating they felt the football was so boring that we had no chance to get into the top 10 let alone be 7th because the club doesn't take them for interviews? this type of post probably the reason why what is the football league anyways...? podcast? blog? I know the evil post is [ or tries to be ]….
Have to say I agree with everything you say Rp big waste of money pity we couldn't of got someone like Bradley Dack, now that's what I call a midfielder.
