Why Johnson should be sacked

[SStandUp]

Not because he's doing a bad job, he's actually doing ok and doesn't deserve to be sacked at all. 

But too many fans don't like him. 

Too many fans have said things in the past and don't like the fact they have been proven wrong on several occasions. 

Look at our fan base currently, we're 12th in the championship and 6 unbeaten. And some of the stuff I'm reading is genuinely like we are bottom of the league. 

I agree with some that the performances aren't the most exciting or consistent. Sometimes we look good, sometimes not so. But can't that be said for many teams in the championship? Even the top teams. 

We are currently a mid table team, on and off the pitch. And shock we are mid table in the league. 

But I've had enough.

Im so so bored of the negativity surrounding the club (misplaced negativity). 

Ashton gate is souless with no atmosphere.

Forum and social media platforms are pure poison.

And like I said, I've had enough. Regretfully and completely wrongly, Johnson has to go before all this ends.

Its sad really. A decent manager and someone who genuinely loves the club. He is producing decent results and very gradual progression. On top of this he buys into the club philosophy that makes his job hard but will put the club in a good place for the future, and he recognises this and I don't think another manager in the world would buy into the clubs vision.

Fans call him a yes man. Disagree. He's just willing to see the club through this journey because of the benefits it will yield in the future. 

Anyway, Johnson (in) out. 

[DownendRed97]

I actually like Johnson, but I’m not a huge fan of him as a manager. Agree with what you’re saying but the bloke won’t be going anywhere, best to get behind him, a win on Saturday and things may look different. We’re currently a mid table team with a mid table squad picking up mid table results, Lansdown has said he’d be disappointed if we don’t make the play offs, so if we don’t make the play offs and Johnson is still here, then I’m not sure what the plan is for the club.

[Midlands Robin]

7 minutes ago, ForeverRes said:

Its sad really. A decent manager and someone who genuinely loves the club. He is producing decent results and very gradual progression. On top of this he buys into the club philosophy that makes his job hard but I'll put the club in a good place for the future, and he recognises this and I don't think another manager in the world would buy into the clubs vision.

And you want him sacked because a small section of the fan base who have a moan on social media upset you?

I've read some BS before but this is the biggest load of 

[Rich]

4 minutes ago, ForeverRes said:

Not because he's doing a bad job, he's actually doing ok and doesn't deserve to be sacked at all. 

But too many fans don't like him. 

Too many fans have said things in the past and don't like the fact they have been proven wrong on several occasions. 

Look at our fan base currently, we're 12th in the championship and 6 unbeaten. And some of the stuff I'm reading is genuinely like we are bottom of the league. 

I agree with some that the performances aren't the most exciting or consistent. Sometimes we look good, sometimes not so. But can't that be said for many teams in the championship? Even the top teams. 

We are currently a mid table team, on and off the pitch. And shock we are mid table in the league. 

But I've had enough.

Im so so bored of the negativity surrounding the club (misplaced negativity). 

Ashton gate is souless with no atmosphere.

Forum and social media platforms are pure poison.

And like I said, I've had enough. Regretfully and completely wrongly, Johnson has to go before all this ends.

Its sad really. A decent manager and someone who genuinely loves the club. He is producing decent results and very gradual progression. On top of this he buys into the club philosophy that makes his job hard but will put the club in a good place for the future, and he recognises this and I don't think another manager in the world would buy into the clubs vision.

Fans call him a yes man. Disagree. He's just willing to see the club through this journey because of the benefits it will yield in the future. 

Anyway, Johnson (in) out. 

Never a good idea to put into a public position, someone who is so divisive amongst the supporter base. It's almost like a challenge to the supporter base from the owner, like, I'm in charge, I pay the money so, I'm having this man, sod you lot. Surely Mr Lansdown went through the thought process of, if this isn't successful I'll be owning a club who's supporter base don't give my appointment their backing, or worse, are actively un supporting of my appointment and the team. Brave decision.

[BS4 on Tour...]

23 minutes ago, ForeverRes said:

....On top of this he buys into the club philosophy that makes his job hard but will put the club in a good place for the future, and he recognises this and I don't think another manager in the world would buy into the clubs vision..

You “don’t think another manager in the world would buy into the clubs (sic) vision”.... good grief! What a statement! Is that you admitting that our club’s (apostrophe) vision is so ludicrous that only ONE manager in the WORLD can buy into it? Or was that just a ridiculous load of guff? I suspect the latter because we’d have a significant number of people applying for the job as manager of Bristol City FC, if the position became available.

And you describe discussions about LJ on social media as “pure poison” - good grief (again)! Another superb overraction! Fans not being happy with what’s going on at their club is their right, to discuss it publicly is their right, but it’s poison?! Sorry “pure poison” - so not the watered down stuff...?! 

Get a grip chief.....managers up and down the 92 clubs divide opinions amongst their fanbases.....and social media allows fans to debate this 24/7 - and you want LJ to go because you can’t take it anymore?! Go find your safe space, the rest of the fans will debate our club’s situation whenever and however we wish to do so....

[1960maaan]

13 minutes ago, ForeverRes said:

Not because he's doing a bad job, he's actually doing ok and doesn't deserve to be sacked at all. 
But too many fans don't like him. 
Too many fans have said things in the past and don't like the fact they have been proven wrong on several occasions. 
Look at our fan base currently, we're 12th in the championship and 6 unbeaten. And some of the stuff I'm reading is genuinely like we are bottom of the league. 
I agree with some that the performances aren't the most exciting or consistent. Sometimes we look good, sometimes not so. But can't that be said for many teams in the championship? Even the top teams. We are currently a mid table team, on and off the pitch. And shock we are mid table in the league. 
But I've had enough.
Im so so bored of the negativity surrounding the club (misplaced negativity). 
Ashton gate is souless with no atmosphere.
Forum and social media platforms are pure poison.
And like I said, I've had enough. Regretfully and completely wrongly, Johnson has to go before all this ends.
Its sad really. A decent manager and someone who genuinely loves the club. He is producing decent results and very gradual progression. On top of this he buys into the club philosophy that makes his job hard but will put the club in a good place for the future, and he recognises this and I don't think another manager in the world would buy into the clubs vision.
Fans call him a yes man. Disagree. He's just willing to see the club through this journey because of the benefits it will yield in the future. 

Anyway, Johnson (in) out. 

He may be a decent man, and he may have the club at heart, but the football (at home) at the moment is awful . It may be those run of defeats have made him nervous and went a more pragmatic approach, if that's true I hope he lets them off the leash soon.  Along with the run of defeats, we had the Sheff U game, he set out to hold them for 45 (I think they had scored the most goals before. halftime in the league or something), then try and nick it. It worked , but it's like we play that way every time, don't concede and try and nick it. That's not good at home, acceptable away, but home fans expect more.  One reason for the negativity is below, we are just outside the relegation zone on home games. Against Brentford , I felt the crowd tried to get going, but the boring football gradually dragged the atmosphere down. 

[Alex_BCFC]

He is doing average but it doesn't matter how he does for some - they have always hated him for whatever reason.

Personally never rated him as a player but for me has no bearing on him as a manager. I think he did very well to get us out of the mess Cotteril left us in during his first season. Since then he has had a lot of ups and downs that generally mean we are around mid-table - after been given a mid-table budget. We've played good football, boring football and awful football under him. It's all been done.

Question really is - after 3 years here, will he ever do any better with us? And I suspect the answer is no. On that basis, SL will need to carefully review his position come May time before letting him have another x million to spend as I only see him getting loans in January.

[Dullmoan Tone]

Why you should watch some TV instead of yet another Johnson out thread:

we are still in touching distance of the play offs

we don’t look like being relegated

we haven’t lost in 6

the owner and only person who’s opinion really matters likes him

surely there must be another topic worth debating or there is James Bond on TV

[Davefevs]

I kinda see what you’re saying, but in a City tenure of 132 league games, we’ve seen:

• 47 wins (35.6%)
• 36 draws (27.3%)
• 49 defeats (37.1%)

That gives the social media world 64.4% opportunity to criticise - because we all expect to win every game.  Add in the games that win where we didn’t deserve to, and that’s even more opportunity.  Okay I'm being facetious, but you get my point.

I do think there are a few out there that are oblivious to LJ having such a low win percentage...as often LJ’s win percentage is used in comparison to Cotts (in the Champ).

Those that look beyond playing off Cotts against LJ and vice-versa, see what is in fact a pretty average set of results.  Average is fine in the context of 3 1/2 seasons at this level, but across his tenure, LJ has rarely been much outside of his “bell-curve” of win 4, draw 3, lose 4, throughout a large enough sample.  The extremes of 8 defeats and 10 unbeaten (4w 6d) Just provide normalisation in the end.

I do think that many of the “moaners” (me included) struggle to see how he will break that sequence and get 20+ wins in a season (and 12-15 draws that go with it)to get into the play offs.  Typically wins are almost twice defeats.  That probably means turning one defeat and one daw from his 4w, 3d, 4d, into wins and becoming 6w, 2d, 3d (20pts /11 games) or 5w, 4d, 2l (19pts/11 games or 5w, 3d, 3l (18pts/11 games).  

It is fine margins as they say, but it’s not difficult to go the other way too, and be in a relegation battle or bottom half mediocrity.

In Summary I sense frustration more than hate.

[Davefevs]

5 minutes ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

You “don’t think another manager in the world would buy into the clubs (sic) vision”.... good grief! What a statement! Is that you admitting that our club’s (apostrophe) vision is so ludicrous that only ONE manager in the WORLD can buy into it? Or was that just a ridiculous load of guff? I suspect the latter because we’d have a significant number of people applying for the job as manager of Bristol City FC, if the position became available.

And you describe discussions about LJ on social media as “pure poison” - good grief (again)! Another superb overraction! Fans not being happy with what’s going on at their club is their right, to discuss it publicly is their right, but it’s poison?! Sorry “pure poison” - so not the watered down stuff...?! 

Get a grip chief.....managers up and down the 92 clubs divide opinions amongst their fanbases.....and social media allows fans to debate this 24/7 - and you want LJ to go because you can’t take it anymore?! Go find your safe space, the rest of the fans will debate our club’s situation whenever and however we wish to do so....

Good response....chief!

[BS4 on Tour...]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Good response....chief!

Out of responses....but have a “laughing emoji” and a “Like” on me....chief!

[Harry]

A manager should never be sacked on the strength of a few hundred online users. A manager tends to be sacked when the crowds drop and those that remain jeer the team off and get vocal at the ground. 

It’ll never come down to a divided online community. That’s nonsense. 

[Robbored]

Bottom line - what fans think about LJ  means bugger all to SL. All he wants is LJ to work his strategy and at the same time want to see signs of progress season on season. At Senior Reds Xmas lunch he said he wants to reach the pray offs this season. 

Thats why I say LJ is working with one hand tied behind his back. No doubt at all that SL is tough and demanding boss..

 

[Midlands Robin]

When I was in the Navy, I left with the rank of Chief. 

If that's any help?

[Lrrr]

17 minutes ago, Alex_BCFC said:

He is doing average but it doesn't matter how he does for some - they have always hated him for whatever reason.

Personally never rated him as a player but for me has no bearing on him as a manager. I think he did very well to get us out of the mess Cotteril left us in during his first season. Since then he has had a lot of ups and downs that generally mean we are around mid-table - after been given a mid-table budget. We've played good football, boring football and awful football under him. It's all been done.

Question really is - after 3 years here, will he ever do any better with us? And I suspect the answer is no. On that basis, SL will need to carefully review his position come May time before letting him have another x million to spend as I only see him getting loans in January.

I wouldn't say it's a question of can LJ take us further as I feel we'll pretty much always be at least mid table with him now. For me it's a question of is there anyone available who can take us further? If that answer is no then LJ stays. 

[Alex_BCFC]

1 minute ago, hodge said:

I wouldn't say it's a question of can LJ take us further as I feel we'll pretty much always be at least mid table with him now. For me it's a question of is there anyone available who can take us further? If that answer is no then LJ stays. 

If LJ can't do more than this then its all pointless long term. SL has already mentioned he wants play-offs and we know from similar teams to us getting to Prem that there is managers around who can do it.

[Andy082005]

44 minutes ago, ForeverRes said:

Not because he's doing a bad job, he's actually doing ok and doesn't deserve to be sacked at all. 

But too many fans don't like him. 

Too many fans have said things in the past and don't like the fact they have been proven wrong on several occasions. 

Look at our fan base currently, we're 12th in the championship and 6 unbeaten. And some of the stuff I'm reading is genuinely like we are bottom of the league. 

I agree with some that the performances aren't the most exciting or consistent. Sometimes we look good, sometimes not so. But can't that be said for many teams in the championship? Even the top teams. 

We are currently a mid table team, on and off the pitch. And shock we are mid table in the league. 

But I've had enough.

Im so so bored of the negativity surrounding the club (misplaced negativity). 

Ashton gate is souless with no atmosphere.

Forum and social media platforms are pure poison.

And like I said, I've had enough. Regretfully and completely wrongly, Johnson has to go before all this ends.

Its sad really. A decent manager and someone who genuinely loves the club. He is producing decent results and very gradual progression. On top of this he buys into the club philosophy that makes his job hard but will put the club in a good place for the future, and he recognises this and I don't think another manager in the world would buy into the clubs vision.

Fans call him a yes man. Disagree. He's just willing to see the club through this journey because of the benefits it will yield in the future. 

Anyway, Johnson (in) out. 

Time of the month?

[reddoh]

43 minutes ago, ForeverRes said:

Not because he's doing a bad job, he's actually doing ok and doesn't deserve to be sacked at all. 

But too many fans don't like him. 

Too many fans have said things in the past and don't like the fact they have been proven wrong on several occasions. 

Look at our fan base currently, we're 12th in the championship and 6 unbeaten. And some of the stuff I'm reading is genuinely like we are bottom of the league. 

I agree with some that the performances aren't the most exciting or consistent. Sometimes we look good, sometimes not so. But can't that be said for many teams in the championship? Even the top teams. 

We are currently a mid table team, on and off the pitch. And shock we are mid table in the league. 

But I've had enough.

Im so so bored of the negativity surrounding the club (misplaced negativity). 

Ashton gate is souless with no atmosphere.

Forum and social media platforms are pure poison.

And like I said, I've had enough. Regretfully and completely wrongly, Johnson has to go before all this ends.

Its sad really. A decent manager and someone who genuinely loves the club. He is producing decent results and very gradual progression. On top of this he buys into the club philosophy that makes his job hard but will put the club in a good place for the future, and he recognises this and I don't think another manager in the world would buy into the clubs vision.

Fans call him a yes man. Disagree. He's just willing to see the club through this journey because of the benefits it will yield in the future. 

Anyway, Johnson (in) out. 

My wife wants him out and doesn't like football or Bristol City but I think its because she is fed up with picking the splinters out of my arse.

[Lrrr]

1 minute ago, Alex_BCFC said:

If LJ can't do more than this then its all pointless long term. SL has already mentioned he wants play-offs and we know from similar teams to us getting to Prem that there is managers around who can do it.

That would be why it's a case of is there someone else who we feel can move us further. If we don't think we'd move further (and just stay mid table) with someone else is it worth potentially ripping everything up just because a new manager wants something different/their own team? 

[Ska Junkie]

He's going nowhere and we all know that.

Whether we, individually, want him in or out is totally immaterial. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

27 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

He may be a decent man, and he may have the club at heart, but the football (at home) at the moment is awful . It may be those run of defeats have made him nervous and went a more pragmatic approach, if that's true I hope he lets them off the leash soon.  Along with the run of defeats, we had the Sheff U game, he set out to hold them for 45 (I think they had scored the most goals before. halftime in the league or something), then try and nick it. It worked , but it's like we play that way every time, don't concede and try and nick it. That's not good at home, acceptable away, but home fans expect more.  One reason for the negativity is below, we are just outside the relegation zone on home games. Against Brentford , I felt the crowd tried to get going, but the boring football gradually dragged the atmosphere down. 

Norwich game was good. Showed a few signs v Millwall at times, especially Eliasson. Yesterday wasn't a great watch but think 'awful' during this run fairly harsh.

Sheffield United? We all see things differently, thought it was a good tactical battle myself.

Remember when we went something closer to a standard 4-4-2 last game of season v them? We were 3 down in around half an hour was it- the gaps in the midfield were just ridiculous.

[Eastendboy1965]

4 minutes ago, Rich said:

Never a good idea to put into a public position, someone who is so divisive among the supporter base. It's almost like a challenge to the supporter base from the owner, like, I'm in charge, I pay the money so, I'm having this man, sod you lot. Surely Mr Lansdown went through the thought process of, if this isn't successful I'll be owning a club who's supporter base don't give my appointment their backing, or worse, are actively un supporting of my appointment and the team. Brave decision.

You are close to the real point, but in fact lets face it, the problem at Bristol City FC is the Owner. He has taken what used to feel like a club with heart and passion and one which was so important to so many for so long and through his control has now lost its identity and ownership of its stadium. Devoid of any interest in its history prior to his arrival this version of the club by Steve Lansdown now feels like a franchise under one mans control, because that is what it has become.  This Bristol Sport heading is also not helping  and means little to anyone... It used to feel like 'our club' and those who followed it passionately and paid their money over the turnstiles, are now discontent, because they feel that they no longer have a voice and fan power means little at Bristol City, we are now simply customers and customers can come and go.

[Hampshire Red]

Chief or chef?! 

Gut feeling and large samples say 90% of City fans think Lj is doing a good job. 

The problem is the 10% who dont, love moaning, love to be heard in social media and on Radio twentwtwot (Ian) 

Don't fall into the media trap, shout for City on Saturday, enjoy a top day out at Stoke - a game and ground that exemplifies why we are all (90%+)delighted to be going to top clubs for our away days, rather than places like Accrington and Wimbledon where the standard is unbelievably dire

[Davefevs]

9 minutes ago, hodge said:

I wouldn't say it's a question of can LJ take us further as I feel we'll pretty much always be at least mid table with him now. For me it's a question of is there anyone available who can take us further? If that answer is no then LJ stays. 

That is the key point for me.  I’m happy to see if Lee can make that breakthrough, as I don’t think there’s an obvious choice out there.

[1960maaan]

Just now, Mr Popodopolous said:

Norwich game was good. Showed a few signs v Millwall at times, especially Eliasson I thought. Yesterday wasn't a great watch but think 'awful' fairly harsh.

Sheffield United? We all see things differently, thought it was a good tactical battle myself.

I agree , Norwich was a good game . Said on another thread, Norwich and Derby make you wonder why we set up as we did Vs Brentford. Played well in both games, tried to win them and very nearly did. Brentford were very , very unlucky not to win. They created all the chances and had much better threat than us, and we went one striker and basically 5 midfielders, it was a hard watch.
The Sheff U game was interesting, personally I'd like him to try and impose ourselves on teams , not concentrate on their strengths. Thing is because the tactic worked it does seem like he's has become very conservative in his team set up lately. 

[Xiled]

The question we (the fans) have to be honest about is are we genuinely happy with mid-table seasons?

Many said they would be in August after we sold Bryan, Reid and Flint but here we are in December moaning about performances and points (at home at least).

We've got exactly what many of us expected and previously said we would be happy with. And yet very, very few people seem to think that LJ is the answer.

Compared to our history, we're doing better than nearly all of our years of existence. We're roughly where we should be in relation to home crowds and other 'size' metrics. We spend average money for the Championship and we are rewarded with average points.

So why the dissatisfaction?

For me, it's a lack of a plan 'b'. When our game was clearly not working against Brentford, there appeared to be no answer to counter the away team's dominance. Substitutes were late and mostly ineffective. We looked second best in all departments.

As has been said in other threads, LJ now seems paralysed by the fear of losing at home. Understandably so in the context of keeping his job. But equally, we all think there is a decent team there that someone could get better performances from. We are more often setup to stifle the opposition's system rather than impose our own.

It's all reflective of a head coach who is probably in this job too soon. By rushing LJ through the door, Stephen Lansdown overlooked that his choice had not proved his credentials at Barnsley and Oldham. Players sense that weakness. The strong characters we are desperately missing are not going to be signed.

I can only see a continuation of the win, lose, draw sequence for the foreseeable future. So, back to my original question, are we genuinely prepared to accept that?

[Robbored]

Is LJ really as unpopular as some posters think? In fact is he really that divisive?

We should remember that otib is a small percentage of the City fan base and that the negativity aimed at LJ isn’t  necessary an accurate reflection of the entire fan base. After all it’s always the anti LJ brigade are most vociferous on here.

I know quite a few City fans who have never heard of otib and I don’t hear much criticism of LJ from them.

[Gillies Downs Leeds]

For what it is worth I don't think he is doing a bad job but for me he was the wrong appointment. He was very divisive as  a player and was always going to be as a manager (rightly or wrongly). It is not just on OTIB, but Twitter, Facebook,  and in the pubs before and after matches. Until the club as a whole pulls in the same direction then we will never really hit the heights imo.

[SStandUp]

59 minutes ago, Midlands Robin said:

And you want him sacked because a small section of the fan base who have a moan on social media upset you?

I've read some BS before but this is the biggest load of 

I wouldn't say it's a small section. 

Ans this has been going on for nearly 2 and a half years now. And I'm so bored. 

You go on here and social media and it's always negative. Nothing positive. 

Folloeing City is a miserable experience thanks to the fans 

[SStandUp]

9 minutes ago, Robbored said:

Is LJ really as unpopular as some posters think? In fact is he really that divisive?

We should remember that otib is a small percentage of the City fan base and that the negativity aimed at LJ isn’t  necessary an accurate reflection of the entire fan base. After all it’s always the anti LJ brigade are most vociferous on here.

I know quite a few City fans who have never heard of otib and I don’t hear much criticism of LJ from them.

I mainly take my fan bases opinions from social media. And it isn't pretty viewing