‘We lacked know-how and maturity’

I am sad to say that it is with considerably less glee that I write to you this week my dear blog reader. City have endured two frustrating loses since we last spoke and our season is at risk of, dare I say it, falling apart.

I appreciate that this assessment may sound a little alarmist, or a little premature, and, in my heart of hearts I know that the truth is far from my woeful opening assessment but after years of following this team that I adore so much I have to say there is one thing above all that I have learnt. Never underestimate Bristol City’s ability to mess up a supposed strong position and to invoke heart ache upon the fans.

Johnson said post-match that City had simply not taken their chances and that he felt that his side played well and had ‘got their identity back’. Given I spent a lot of last weeks piece eulogising over our boss I won’t go too far in critiquing his comments after the match but to say they left me somewhat bemused would be an under statement.

He was right in his comments regarding missed chances however and this was true for both sides. For us Tammy Abraham was the culprit who missed one or two efforts that would fall into the category of ‘sitters’.

Abraham would have no doubt dispatched these chances earlier in the season and although some seem to be worrying or unduly questioning our young star, I still believe he is a quality player who will no doubt go on to be a Premier League regular if not for his parent club Chelsea the surely for another. He’s just young.

As I walked away from Ashton Gate on Tuesday night talk turned within my friendship group of how us mere mortal back-seat managers would, given half the chance, try and stop our impending rot. This question received much pondering and to save you time and to prevent you from losing the will to live I will surmise our discussions for you…

Firstly I would suggest that we need more support upfront. Our current choice of strikers consists of Tammy Abraham, who has been excellent so far but is still only 19 and at the beginning of his career.

Gustav Engvall who has struggled with injury since joining the club and although we have seen flashes of quality he too is at the beginning of his career and is most likely to blossom fully some years from now.

Out third and final striking option is, of course, Aaron Wilbraham. He can still do a job, no question about that but at 37 he is unable to play week-in-week-out and is, contrary to our other two options, nearing the end of his illustrious career.

So, I’d like a striker at something like their peak age, 26-30 say, and who has had a decent amount of experience, preferably at this level, and who can be relied upon to churn out and average seven out of ten when called upon. Is that too much to ask?

Other footballing items on my New Years wish list would include a new right-back and, perhaps, a new keeper. I am aware that we already have several players in those postilions, some like Frankie Fielding and Mark Little that I am very fond of, but I feel these are areas that we need improve on to be realistic Championship play-off contenders.

I would also somehow like to see Johnson address the level of experience in the squad. I am very aware that our policy is to buy young promising players and for the club to nurture and shape said players. This, on the whole, is a strategy I support.

Tuesday’s loss to Brentford however must have seen one of our youngest average starting ages and in my view it showed. Neither O’Neil, Tomlin or Wilbraham started the match and I felt at times, particularity in that first half, we lacked a fair amount of know-how and maturity.

So, with the busy Christmas period fast approaching can I see any change on the horizon? The short answer is, yes. This weekends home match against Preston gives us the perfect opportunity to write the wrongs of Tuesday night and if we can take one or two of the chances that we’ll inevitably create I myself could be singing from quite a different Hymn sheet this time next week.

Dave Skinner is Bristol24/7’s Bristol City columnist for the 2016/17 season.

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