BRISTOL CITY BLOG: Groundhog Day syndrome is cause for concern among Robins fans. Exiled Robin please log in to view this image Bobby Reid. A PATTERN is emerging, and it is far from encouraging. Bristol City embark upon a run of matches with a reasonable pick-up in form and points, sparking talk of the team moving into mid-table, only to then produce an abject performance and lose heavily. Unfortunately, it is a pattern that seems to repeat itself on a regular basis; for Forest and Middlesbrough, see Wolves. For Hull and Ipswich, see Cardiff. For Reading and Fulham, see Rotherham. please log in to view this image Every time we look as though we are recovering, starting to give the impression of a half-decent Championship outfit in a false position, we come crashing down to earth with a resounding bang and the wallowing introspection begins once again. It's pretty difficult to pin-point a reason for this. But it is probably safe to assume City are not quite as good as we think they might be when performances are on the up, and are generally not as bad as they look in those games when they leak goals at an alarming rate. One of the perceived problems is that, beyond the first 12 or so players, we have no idea of the kind of form other squad members are in. The tried and trusted XI have not always worked this season, yet manager Steve Cotterill's refusal to make changes or, on occasions, introduce substitutes, means we have no idea regarding possible alternatives that might work. The lack of substitutions at a stage in the match that could affect matters is all very well when you're winning comfortably and your key players are in form. It's certainly a formula which worked for us during last year's amazing success. please log in to view this image But it is not the kind of policy you can adhere to when you are chasing games and trying to find form. When something different is needed to unlock tougher defences, who can you turn to? What system could we play? We just don't know because – and this term is often bandied about in football - there is no Plan B. Why did we stick with Derrick Williams – primarily a defender – playing down the flanks on Saturday when we had Joe Bryan itching to re-establish himself? Simon Cox arrived with a reputation but has been given no time of note to play himself into form, to grab a goal or two. Luke Freeman has struggled to get his foot on the ball and offer creativity in certain games, so why not try Bobby Reid again for longer periods, or perhaps even give him the occasional start? Last season, we were congratulating ourselves on consistency of selection and results. The fact that eight players made in excess of 40 appearances is quite remarkable. But if you at the wrong end of the league table, it is a very different ball game. please log in to view this image The arrival of Elliott Bennett and Nathan Baker has been put forward as a reason behind an upward trend in performances and results. But aside from their introduction, little has changed and a swarm of loan players continue to fill the bench, deprived of an opportunity to make an impact. Reid, Bryan, Wes Burns and others wait patiently for another glimmer of an opportunity, all the while seeing their hopes of a future with the club they have grown up a part of diminish by the week. When Reid and Burns eventually leave, we'll never really know how they could have worked out here, because they were not given enough minutes to build their experience and show what they could do. I have never been one for picking apart a manager's team selections. We don't know what goes on in training, what attitudes players have, how fit they are, what form they're in or even how the manager wants to approach any particular match. But all the calls for new signings, either permanent or on loan, are pointless and a waste of money if those new additions are not going to be given a fair chance to oust some under-performing established players. please log in to view this image Four players can be picked out to assess the true difference between this season and last. Freeman and Bryan contributed more than 25 assists between them last season with superbly-crafted crossing, intricate through balls and committed attack down the channels. Aaron Wilbraham and Aden Flint gave us nearly 40 goals, mainly from open play and set pieces respectively, but neither has offered more than a passing threat this time around. For one reason or another, those routes to goal are not working this season and that is an awful lot of chances and goals to take out of any team. I was all for giving last year's team their opportunity in this division but, let's be frank, a number of them have not grasped the nettle. The squad does need propping up, but any new signings must be given that chance to show why they were signed, not left to pick up the proverbial splinters while those out on the field play out the same 90 minutes almost every week. http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/BRISTO...giving-cause/story-28284645-detail/story.html
Its now slowly becoming a fact we have all avoided...........IF we are in a relegation spot by the end of January, then Cotts will be on the highway. I hope and pray he can turn things around, I really do, but I have seen little to make me think otherwise.
Last season playing against 3-5-2 was difficult as the pace and guile of the opposition was not up to it this season a higher league you have more wily managers and players with pace to exploit the obvious gaps that appear .. .. .. we do have players that could play 4-4-2 or other forms .. .. .. but we don't seem to want to evolve .. .. as BIG SAM SAID and it seems to work so far for him finish every game with no goals conceded and you cant lose! ....... the basis of his philosophy to winning! ...........
If the board didn't give him the funding to make us competitive at this level then the least they can do is give him longer than that. If SC thought that what he had in terms of a squad was going to see us cement a place in the Championship with ease then that's different. But personally I don't think that's the case.
This blog has hit the nail right on the head and it only adds credo to my belief that we are a somewhat dysfunctional organisation. Who is actually pulling the strings and why did we expect to be better than what we are right now with essentially the squad from last season? Our forays in to the transfer market generally return empty handed and so we fall back on the loan players that up and leave in January without adequate coverage being brought in to replace them. Matt Smith's goals last season were the main reason we got to Wembley and when he left we handled the remainder of the campaign in fine fashion, but expecting that success to be the cornerstone of a much more demanding schedule was a bit out of order. I wouldn't have thought that getting it right would be this difficult and I see danger ahead if we continue to ignore the absolute bloody obvious problems confronting us. As someone once said to me "There are no such things as problems, just opportunities". Get with the programme Bristol City.
Spot on,SC seems one stubborn manager,will he survive not on current stats. Another month, and the same results, it will be itchy bum time.
