Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson jokes cryogenics may actually help out his team By a_stockhausen Lee Johnson has a radical suggestion!! please log in to view this image Lee Johnson has, in a tongue in cheek moment, suggested utilising the science of cryogenics in order to prolong captain Aaron Wilbraham's career. Now 37 and in the autumn of a playing career that spans nearly two decades, the veteran campaigner made a rare start for the Robins in Saturday's home Championship clash against Ipswich Town. And so effective did the big forward prove, that head coach Johnson is hoping to call upon his services once more when City take on fellow play-off hopefuls Huddersfield on Saturday. But it is surely asking too much to expect Wilbraham to start every game and Johnson is aware of the importance of rest and recuperation between appearances. In a light-hearted moment at the weekend, City's head coach joked with journalists about the possibility of putting his club captain into deep freeze between matches. Referring to cryogenics – the study of the production and behaviour of materials at very low temperatures – Johnson came up with a radical suggestion aimed at getting the best out of his 6ft 3in centre forward. He said: "Big Wilbraham was great, because he played the role of bouncer for Tammy Abraham. He meant we were able to get more balls into their box and, the fact the ball stuck, meant we had some relief from the pressure. "We'll give him a couple of days off now to make sure the rigor mortis does not set in. In fact, I reckon we should cryogenically freeze him until Friday! "He did that job that we needed him to do – he was nice and strong and created a force-field around Tammy. He had looked a bit isolated in recent games and it was good for him to have that physical presence beside him." Certainly Wilbraham's physical presence in the final third of the pitch provided welcome assistance for Abraham, who turned in his most complete performance since early October. Johnson added: "I thought Tammy was bright and he will be disappointed that he didn't score one or two with the chances he had. "But what he did do was put in a really professional performance and, from a coach's point of view, the little details of filling in are pleasing. He has not always done that and it goes unnoticed among those who are not football coaches. "Football people would have seen how important a job he did for us today and he is growing up. That's important, because you have to make sure that, even if you are not the main man scoring the goals, that you are still doing a job to help the team." http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/bristo...out-his-team/story-29958873-detail/story.html
He thinks Tammy is growing up, very subtle is LJ. "Football people would have seen how important a job he did for us today and he is growing up. That's important, because you have to make sure that, even if you are not the main man scoring the goals, that you are still doing a job to help the team."
LJ needs to face facts. Wilbs is pushing 40 and serves no more than being a squad player and/or mentor these days. Weighing in with a good performance every now and then and the odd goal is great, but it hardly demonstrates us building for the future.
A LOT is said about age .. but what exactly is it? and what does it say you can or cannot do? I have friends that are doing things that peeps at 65 plus struggle to do ( and to save the "funny guy quipping" they are over, some well over 65 ... clue carry 15kgs over 6 miles of mountain trail! before they get down to the nitty gritty of a 100 ladder or 2! no reason Wilbs cannot go o0n for another year maybe 2 he has the knowledge to pass on and show it on the pitch PREM LEAGUE? .......NO
Not been mentioned yet, but Tammy's behaviour with not taking the penalty was not someone grown up. Wilbs had to call him back when he stomped off mid pitch when Tomlin was about to take it. Not knocking Tammy at all as it was probably a strikers reaction to try and take the pen but the stomping off was a tad to far. So hopefully he's learnt from it going forward. What is it with us anyway with penalty takers that's twice now in two seasons players have argued over it.
Wilbs as a coach/Mentor would be a sound investment by the club. Or an ongoing squad player for emergencies and such like. But he is a striker and whilst defenders and Keepers can go well into their late 30s or beyond, it is more difficult for a striker, especially at this level. Aside from the physical demands, the old mental sharpness goes too.
I think a bit harsh to suggest that your 'mental sharpness' goes at 37! I agree with johngalley in that sometimes people are quick to write off players because of their age, but it really comes down to individuals. Wilbs appears to look after himself well and his game was never based on pace - in my mind, he's a great option to have, though again I agree with those that say you wouldn't neccesarily want to call on him week after week. It'd be nice to sign another striker in January and/or see Engvall get some more game time, but I'd sooner carry on with what we have than splash out on someone wholly unsuitable. Maybe worth dipping into the European market again in order to get good value for money - who's top of the goalscorer's chart in Ligue 2?
Wibs is a great pro and an incredibly good influence in and around the dressing room. We are very lucky to have him and Gary O'Neill in that respect.
