'Identity crisis' - Lee Johnson on unconventional approach after Bristol City's Huddersfield Town horror The Robins boss revealed he did something post-match that he has never done in his career before Lee Johnson says Bristol City's horrible performance against Huddersfield Town in February is the only time he has ever stuck to his advice of not entering the dressing room post-match. The Robins crashed to a 2-1 defeat to the relegation battlers in what was one of their worst performances this season during a time of poor form. Speaking to the Athletic in a feature about team talks, City boss Johnson revealed that he tries to avoid entering the dressing room post-match - and this was the only time he has ever stuck to his guns. "For 365 games, or however long I’ve been a manager, I’ve tried every single time not to go in at the end, but I’ve been in 364 times," Johnson said. "In my head it would be better to stay out because if you’ve lost, there is no good that can come out of it; the players’ head-state is not in a place where they can take it in. And the impact intended isn’t always the impact felt. "We were horrendous at Huddersfield away this year. It was a real identity crisis, we just didn’t perform. "I didn’t go in afterwards, but that’s the only time. Actually, what that led to was a positive, really. very important to get the balance — you can’t let the lunatics run the asylum, as we say. But, at the same time, you’ve got to give ownership to the attitude that the boys go out to play with." The City boss also explained how he approaches pre-match team talks, revealing that he has to focus on the squad as a whole before telling individual players what to do. "You’ve got to start with ‘we’, not ‘me’, and you’ve got to frame and judge the meeting," Johnson said. "You might need to inject a little shot of anxiety into the group about how good the opposition are. Or, the other way around: you might have been on not such a good run and have to inject a level of confidence. "But you should never underestimate the ability to move people through words. In a two-minute speech, you can get a group emotional response and an individual emotional response, and there’s loads of ways to do that. You can rally the troops, you can alter your tonality — maybe go lower like when you talk to your kids, or stand over them and dictate if you like. "Later you can then bring it back around to ‘me’ and make sure individuals come out of it in a positive mood, giving their best asset the maximum confidence. "It’s very different — a jinky winger might get his confidence from going past someone with his first touch, whereas a centre-half might just want to smash somebody. So at that point, I’ll just stop and go around as a ‘horse whisperer’ and pick two or three to direct their focus." Whilst the City boss is known for keeping a calm demeanour with his players, he says the squad must know that he has the ability to rollick them if need be - although there is only one occasion that he will use that sort of team talk. "If I was going to use the hairdryer, that type of tactic, it would be at half-time," Johnson explained. "I don’t think it’s great, but what it does do is sort of awaken the chimp, if you know what I mean. And then you get probably 10 minutes of someone hating you, and that can be positive just to snap them out of a bad frame of mind. "They need to know you’ve got it in you, without doubt. I’ve seen many a manager go down the route of never giving a hairdryer and eventually they get walked all over. Personally, I’ve got a rule that I use, which is that I’ll only use the hairdryer for attitude errors. So, if I see a technical error, I think ‘that happens’. "A tactical error — it’s my job; either I haven’t been good enough explaining what I wanted and delivering it, or they’re not good enough in executing it. And therefore that needs work. The physical error, you’re normally just (subbed) off. But if there is an attitude error, that’s when I’ll go to town on someone." He added: "You always try and batter the action, not the man. It doesn’t always work like that because often it’s a crossover — the action is because the man at that point is lacking something. "Listen, I don’t get it right all the time because it is highly charged. It is emotional. And everybody cares." https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport...ity-crisis-lee-johnson-unconventional-4070998
I find it really funny, that every full season that he has been in charge, when we have a longish dip in form, we get the identity speech and the I have bring back players I can trust (players he didn't trust before?) speech. IMHO if he does not fully and properly address our midfield weaknesses, I expect to hear the same again next season. We have to build a midfield around our most productive players to allow the likes of Eliasson (if he stays) and Palmer (if he stays) to flourish and create chances for our strikers, without being expected to excessively to track back after an attack.
During Lee Johnsons arguably most successful period Mr Johnson stressed he wanted to see a playing identity running through the club. High lines and pressing were seemingly part of this identity. Eliasson and Palmer and pressing now? If you agree neither player and Famara are adept at high energy pressing it calls into question why they were bought. The idea of busy bees? Not being expected to track back consistently! Mr Johnsons identity remarks are uneven because its hard to define what his identity is.
I get what you are saying. At home this season that 'identity' (high press) was totally and utterly abandoned, our home form has suffered because of it and we have been dominated by far too many teams in midfield at home. There needs to be a spark of creativity, otherwise you have zero to maybe 3 shots on target. I think it was Mcgregor who broke down Palmer's stats during his game time this season and they ranked him very up the list of all of our midfielders.
Being dominated in midfield. Yet City never put an extra one in the centre. I don't like the never ending change but a change I would liketo see is 4-3-3. Two holding midfielders supporting one of Eliasson and Palmer, or both, alternatively one holding and energy to work the opposition in one of the advanced central midfielders and again Eliasson/Palmer.
I have been saying for most of the season that we lack creativity and leadership on the field....it's something we MUST address next season.
We have had this same identity crisis for way too many years and if you know what you need to get that job done why are we not there yet? Each season brings problems that are never answered correctly and the excuses could fill a book called "How to fool the supporters with words". I can't really say that I think Lee will get us where we all want to be (fill in the blank). Keep safe one and all, because right now it's the only thing that matters.
The worst goals conceded of the top 13 teams. Our away form is 4th best in the league = play off form. Our home form is 17th = 3 points off of being relegation form.
Both your points are correct , whilst I agree Jiffie home form is important as many of us only go to home games, and obviously as a fan base we want to be entertained, if we manage to get promoted as a result of our away form, we would have still achieved our objective, and I’m sure all that would be forgotten when we entertain Man U, Liverpool etc at the gate.
If promotion was the sole objective he should have already been sacked and a Manager with promotion on his cv appointed.
obviously still straightening out the books …. so promotion appreciated but not a case of if we don't ...off you go... my stance most of the season ...
