Where does LJ need to improve the most?

[Ireneisagavsgod]

Unfortunately every thread will end up about the manager because the majority have had enough if you start a thread asking where he needs to improve next season you shouldn't be surprised that it ends up as a Johnson out thread feelings are running high and I don't think there can be many that want him in charge next season

[Hartcliffe red]

His height

[JakeOTIB]

I personally believe Johnson is out of his depth here at City. I am one of many calling for LJ to be sacked, but if we do decide to stay with him, these are my suggestions on what LJ could improve on next season (Provided if we're still in the Championship). 

First one being the data analyst team. I feel that we don't seem to look at teams properly and I don't think we can find the weaknesses. If we have, then it clearly doesn't show on the pitch because whenever there is an opportunity to hit teams on the break, for some reason we decide to wait for everybody to move up the pitch. This also gives our opponents to get back to their shape too. 

Second, I think there is currently a leadership void at the club. I have been to every single home game so far and a few away games and I do not know if it's just me, but I don't really see the captains doing their job properly. Even when we're 1 nil or 2 nil down, I don't see anybody trying to encourage the team. If there is, it's certainly not the captain. Personally, I think that Aden Flint would make a good captain because he seems very vocal, and he seems to do it anyway.

Finally, I think our build up play could be a little bit better. Going back to the first point, whenever there is a chance to hit a team on the counter, we just seem to slow down. Also, it doesn't look like some of our players are very aware. It's been countless times when I have seen one of our wingers and sometimes our strikers making a darting run, and our midfielders/defenders opt to go sideways or backwards again. Whenever we stick Wilbs up top by himself, there isn't enough going on in the attacking sector (I mean only one option up top). This was also the case when we played 4-2-3-1 and had Tammy up all by himself. We relied so heavily on him and I just felt he was getting enough support. In my opinion, our best formation is the 4-4-2. We would be solid defensively, solid in the midfield and solid up top. Having two strikers enables support for the other striker, which was what Tammy needed. I think Tammy would be good at getting in behind defenders because of his blisteringly fast pace and possibly having Djuric as a target man because of his physical presence and ability to dominate the air. 

These are just my thoughts, let me know if you agree or disagree

 

[Nomad]

17 minutes ago, JamesBCFC said:

The point is that it would be a response to the OP, rather than a singular statement which doesnt add to the debate in any way and is not relevant in the slightest.

(If someone said he needs to improve in too many areas to list, then of course that is relevant, but the posts such as the following add precisely nothing)

 

 

 

Not a single one of these things actually gives an answer to the question posed and just shows those individuals as incapable of being able to put "Johnson out" out of their mind long enough to think through and give an actual response.

Whether someone wants LJ here or not is entirely irrelevant to this thread. Perhaps I was a bit harsh in my wording but I'm fed up with it being said on every single thread, especially when it has nothing to do with half of those threads. Its almost becoming like nothing else can be discussed because before long someone will pop up on a thread- no matter the topic- and post something expressing their wishes to have Johnson sacked or some even creating alternative facts so they can slag him off (as if there wasnt reason to criticise already!). There have been hundreds of threads (probably not even an exaggeration any more) expressing "Johnson out" thoughts so why cant the threads where those thoughts are irrelevant manage more than a handful of posts before people start making it about that? Believe it or not I dont come on here to read the same statements being made over and over again

Then stop coming on here.

I'll reiterate - the horse has bolted and the majority care not what LJ does next season as long as he is not here. Should he miraculously turn our season around and still be employed going into next season you might some serious answers. Until then I'm not sure anyone wants to think so hypothetically.

[JamesBCFC]

4 minutes ago, Nomad said:

Then stop coming on here.

I'll reiterate - the horse has bolted and the majority care not what LJ does next season as long as he is not here. Should he miraculously turn our season around and still be employed going into next season you might some serious answers. Until then I'm not sure anyone wants to think so hypothetically.

There was me thinking forums were a place where a difference of opinion is a good thing and can be debated. Rather than the North Korean equivalency you seem to want.

[Gert Mare]

1 hour ago, 8menhadadream said:

Well done on rewriting the rules of the forum. If you care to look properly, a point was made.

I asked a question James, if you read it that I've 'abused you' then that's your problem, not mine. I also answered your query in saying that 'I don't really care what fields LJ improves in as I would hope he's not here'. That's called 'making a point'.

The rest of your post makes absolutely no sense at all and is not deserving of further response.

I'm bored of you and your aggressive nature now so consider yourself on the childish ignore list. 

I thought you were enjoying the bants?!! 

[Ska Junkie]

5 minutes ago, Cheesleysmate said:

I thought you were enjoying the bants?!! 

Only with adults mate.

 

[NOTBLUE]

7 minutes ago, Cheesleysmate said:

I thought you were enjoying the bants?!! 

He was,it's the rants he could do without.

[Alessandro]

37 minutes ago, JakeOTIB said:

I personally believe Johnson is out of his depth here at City. I am one of many calling for LJ to be sacked, but if we do decide to stay with him, these are my suggestions on what LJ could improve on next season (Provided if we're still in the Championship). 

First one being the data analyst team. I feel that we don't seem to look at teams properly and I don't think we can find the weaknesses. If we have, then it clearly doesn't show on the pitch because whenever there is an opportunity to hit teams on the break, for some reason we decide to wait for everybody to move up the pitch. This also gives our opponents to get back to their shape too. 

Second, I think there is currently a leadership void at the club. I have been to every single home game so far and a few away games and I do not know if it's just me, but I don't really see the captains doing their job properly. Even when we're 1 nil or 2 nil down, I don't see anybody trying to encourage the team. If there is, it's certainly not the captain. Personally, I think that Aden Flint would make a good captain because he seems very vocal, and he seems to do it anyway.

Finally, I think our build up play could be a little bit better. Going back to the first point, whenever there is a chance to hit a team on the counter, we just seem to slow down. Also, it doesn't look like some of our players are very aware. It's been countless times when I have seen one of our wingers and sometimes our strikers making a darting run, and our midfielders/defenders opt to go sideways or backwards again. Whenever we stick Wilbs up top by himself, there isn't enough going on in the attacking sector (I mean only one option up top). This was also the case when we played 4-2-3-1 and had Tammy up all by himself. We relied so heavily on him and I just felt he was getting enough support. In my opinion, our best formation is the 4-4-2. We would be solid defensively, solid in the midfield and solid up top. Having two strikers enables support for the other striker, which was what Tammy needed. I think Tammy would be good at getting in behind defenders because of his blisteringly fast pace and possibly having Djuric as a target man because of his physical presence and ability to dominate the air. 

These are just my thoughts, let me know if you agree or disagree

 

We definitely lack leadership in the team, that is for sure. But for me it goes beyond that, we lack in too many players right now in the squad with a 'winners' mentality.

I'll expand on that - In simplest term's, take a penalty for example. Every footballer can kick a ball and in training they can ping it in the top corner 9/10 without the pressure. But in the heat of the moment in a game, when the pressure is on, we know it takes a special kind of 'mind set' to put that penalty in the same spot over and over again.

It's a belief, not arrogance, in yourself and an ability that sports scientist's try to nurture and can teach, but ultimately, either you can handle the 'pressure' or you can't. You see it in so many sports, golf being a perfect example, someone shoots three low rounds in a major, is 4 shots clear of the field, realises they could win, then completely falls apart and falls away. Winners mentality. 

In football a sign of this is someone having good games followed by bad games. Or if they make too many major mistakes. Have too many of these 'mindsets' in a team, and the wheels can quickly fall off the machine - as illustrated by the several times the team have thrown away leads this season. When we are on top, they ride the wave, but when we are under pressure they can't get back on. This mentality for me is one of the major factors in us not being able to close out leads. Players go 'missing' and we all know who they are. Often it's not from a lack of effort or commitment, in fact trying too hard can make it worse as you can lose control. So you may see a footballer running around throwing in tackles, but if he's in the wrong place and has left a big gap somewhere else, it will cause a problem for the team.

I think to be honest, maybe i'm being harsh, but for me Flint is one of them, yes he screams and shouts and get's stuck in, but he sways too often from being a rock to just being kippered or making a big error.

That is why the captain's armband is not on his arm and he is probably at best 3/4 choices down the pecking order now for it.

[JamesBCFC]

8 minutes ago, Cheesleysmate said:

I thought you were enjoying the bants?!! 

Think he's a bit too sensitive for any "bants" considering what he thought was "aggression" 

[Red Cloud]

2 hours ago, MarcusX said:

He needs to clear out any poisonous players that are sticking the knife in his back.

That said, i dont trust him not to cause more rifts with future players based on his treatment of some of his own signings!

 

 

good post, from the outside, it does look like he's upset quite a lot of players, maybe his man-management skills are as bad as his team selections!

[JamesBCFC]

36 minutes ago, JakeOTIB said:

I personally believe Johnson is out of his depth here at City. I am one of many calling for LJ to be sacked, but if we do decide to stay with him, these are my suggestions on what LJ could improve on next season (Provided if we're still in the Championship). 

First one being the data analyst team. I feel that we don't seem to look at teams properly and I don't think we can find the weaknesses. If we have, then it clearly doesn't show on the pitch because whenever there is an opportunity to hit teams on the break, for some reason we decide to wait for everybody to move up the pitch. This also gives our opponents to get back to their shape too. 

Second, I think there is currently a leadership void at the club. I have been to every single home game so far and a few away games and I do not know if it's just me, but I don't really see the captains doing their job properly. Even when we're 1 nil or 2 nil down, I don't see anybody trying to encourage the team. If there is, it's certainly not the captain. Personally, I think that Aden Flint would make a good captain because he seems very vocal, and he seems to do it anyway.

Finally, I think our build up play could be a little bit better. Going back to the first point, whenever there is a chance to hit a team on the counter, we just seem to slow down. Also, it doesn't look like some of our players are very aware. It's been countless times when I have seen one of our wingers and sometimes our strikers making a darting run, and our midfielders/defenders opt to go sideways or backwards again. Whenever we stick Wilbs up top by himself, there isn't enough going on in the attacking sector (I mean only one option up top). This was also the case when we played 4-2-3-1 and had Tammy up all by himself. We relied so heavily on him and I just felt he was getting enough support. In my opinion, our best formation is the 4-4-2. We would be solid defensively, solid in the midfield and solid up top. Having two strikers enables support for the other striker, which was what Tammy needed. I think Tammy would be good at getting in behind defenders because of his blisteringly fast pace and possibly having Djuric as a target man because of his physical presence and ability to dominate the air. 

These are just my thoughts, let me know if you agree or disagree

 

I think thats a top post.

And unlike some you were capable of saying where you thought he could improve even though you want him gone

[JamesBCFC]

4 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

We definitely lack leadership in the team, that is for sure. But for me it goes beyond yet, we lack in too many players right now in the squad with a 'winners' mentality.

I'll expand on that - In simplest term's, take a penalty for example. Every footballer can kick a ball and in training they can ping it in the top corner 9/10 without the pressure. But in the heat of the moment in a game, when the pressure is on, it takes a special kind of 'mind set' to put that penalty in the same spot over and over again.

It's a belief, not arrogance, in yourself and an ability that sports scientist's try to nurture and can teach it, but ultimately, either you can handle the 'pressure' or you can't. You see it in so many sports, golf being a perfect example, someone shoots three low rounds in a major, is 4 shots clear of the field, realises they could win, then completely falls apart and falls away. Winners mentality. 

In football a sign of this is someone having good games followed by bad games. Or if they make too many major mistakes. Have too many of these 'mindsets' in a team, and the wheels can quickly fall off the machine - as illustrated by the several times the team have thrown away leads this season. When we are on top, they ride the wave, but when we are under pressure they can't get back on. This mentality for me is one of the major factors in us not being able to close out leads. Players go 'missing' and we all know who they are. Often it's not from a lack of effort or commitment, in fact trying too hard can make it worse as you can lose control. So you may see a footballer running around throwing in tackles, but if he's in the wrong place and has left a big gap somewhere else, it will cause a problem for the team.

I think to be honest, maybe i'm being harsh, but for me Flint is one of them, yes he screams and shouts and get's stuck in, but he sways too often from being a rock to just being kippered or making a big error.

That is why the captain's armband is not on his arm and he is probably at best 3/4 choices down the pecking order now for it.

I think Flint gets a very easy ride on here.

After the Swindon "no" interview and because he gives the appearance of being passionate he seems to be almost infallible in some eyes.

[woodsy62]

At Torquay please

[TheCulturalBomb]

That's like knowing you have bold tyres and waiting for a crash to happen. Then when you crash you take off the tyres. Let's avoid the crash now, shall we?

[cityloyal473]

Performances. That's what he needs to improve. Overall performances. 

[JakeOTIB]

18 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

We definitely lack leadership in the team, that is for sure. But for me it goes beyond that, we lack in too many players right now in the squad with a 'winners' mentality.

I'll expand on that - In simplest term's, take a penalty for example. Every footballer can kick a ball and in training they can ping it in the top corner 9/10 without the pressure. But in the heat of the moment in a game, when the pressure is on, we know it takes a special kind of 'mind set' to put that penalty in the same spot over and over again.

It's a belief, not arrogance, in yourself and an ability that sports scientist's try to nurture and can teach, but ultimately, either you can handle the 'pressure' or you can't. You see it in so many sports, golf being a perfect example, someone shoots three low rounds in a major, is 4 shots clear of the field, realises they could win, then completely falls apart and falls away. Winners mentality. 

In football a sign of this is someone having good games followed by bad games. Or if they make too many major mistakes. Have too many of these 'mindsets' in a team, and the wheels can quickly fall off the machine - as illustrated by the several times the team have thrown away leads this season. When we are on top, they ride the wave, but when we are under pressure they can't get back on. This mentality for me is one of the major factors in us not being able to close out leads. Players go 'missing' and we all know who they are. Often it's not from a lack of effort or commitment, in fact trying too hard can make it worse as you can lose control. So you may see a footballer running around throwing in tackles, but if he's in the wrong place and has left a big gap somewhere else, it will cause a problem for the team.

I think to be honest, maybe i'm being harsh, but for me Flint is one of them, yes he screams and shouts and get's stuck in, but he sways too often from being a rock to just being kippered or making a big error.

That is why the captain's armband is not on his arm and he is probably at best 3/4 choices down the pecking order now for it.

I totally agree with that. Sometimes it's the pressure on the players when having the ball. An easy way to avoid it, is to play simpler football.

[pongo88]

If he's sacked by City I can't imagine he will get another job as a football manager. Who would want a manager who specialises in losing runs? He should concentrate on improving his properly portfolio. 

[Flagon]

There's some good points raised here to my thread and a couple of points I hadn't considered which I'm thinking are now really important. Obviously it was destined to descend in places to people wanting him out regardless but it's not about that this thread.

Too much chopping and changing - a lot would agree with this. This is starting 11, during match and links to the next point.

Opposition analysis - I briefly touched on this in my opening post but thinking about this more, who currently undertakes this? It's clearly not good enough.

A real leader / Captain - should never be underestimated. I think LJ needs to find a motivator on the pitch. Aside from the armband I'm not sure I would realise who the Captain was in any given match.

[JamesBCFC]

4 minutes ago, Flagon said:

There's some good points raised here to my thread and a couple of points I hadn't considered which I'm thinking are now really important. Obviously it was destined to descend in places to people wanting him out regardless but it's not about that this thread.

Too much chopping and changing - a lot would agree with this. This is starting 11, during match and links to the next point.

Opposition analysis - I briefly touched on this in my opening post but thinking about this more, who currently undertakes this? It's clearly not good enough.

A real leader / Captain - should never be underestimated. I think LJ needs to find a motivator on the pitch. Aside from the armband I'm not sure I would realise who the Captain was in any given match.

Apologies for the derail.

I did get an answer in somewhere though 

[Andy Horsman]

IF for the sake of this thread, he survives as  manager and is still in situ in August, the most immediate 'improvements', IMHO, are fundamental, bearing in mind he will be almost through his much vaunted third transfer window. He needs to know his best XI. He needs to identify a playing style and a formation and nail his colours to the mast.  He needs to play entertaining attacking football with pace and tempo and intent. He needs to LISTEN to experienced coaches and a mentor may be a good option. He needs to be less focussed on the insidious jargon that permeates his every interview and is endemic in modern football and concentrate on delivering in the present. 'The Project' has no sodding long term future if the present is dire. That would do for starters. Big IF mind............

[WayOutWest]

I will also add that LJ has nowhere to hide now. He has asked for this project to have 3 transfer windows.  He has had 2. 

Stevo

[Flagon]

19 minutes ago, WayOutWest said:

I will also add that LJ has nowhere to hide now. He has asked for this project to have 3 transfer windows.  He has had 2. 

Stevo

Yes absolutely. That's why I was thinking assuming he has the opportunity of the third window he will no doubt be backed by SL who hasn't really held back since him taking over. However, he then needs to manage this and that's what got me thinking about what he needs to improve. So quite a few believe we should be higher in the table with the current team and that a different manager would do that. But what would they do that LJ doesn't currently do and can he never learn this?

I remember the fans became divided over Cotts and it was felt his stubbornness to change anything that contributed to his downfall. LJ I think changes too many things too quickly. 

 

 

[Guest]

If LJ is taking the insults personally, he needs to stop.

He should accept that that maybe the small margins of defeat are down to his players rather than his managerial skills.
With this acceptance, he can then make the real changes required rather than second guessing.

Pack in the inane comments after matches and just say it how it is.

If LJ is trying to do everything, stop it. He has backroom staff for a reason, accept their advice (it doesn't have to be accepted), delegate etc.

And FFS, get some wins under your belt. I don't care if you do it with pretty tippy tappy football, route 1 or what ever way you want, just FDI.

[redapple]

His tactics are to negative and are reactive. Needs to get on front foot. 

He needs to big his own players up in Press Conferences and talk the opposition down. If I was a player I'd be terrified of our opponents if I listened to his PC's.

I suspect his one to one management skills aren't good. For example Lee Tomlin probably needs different motivation techniques/confidence boosts to Scott Golbourne. One size doesn't fit all . 

Obviously the first 2 criticisms are opinion and the third one is a suspicion having read and listened to him. 

[fgrsimon]

Where does LJ need to improve?

That whole 'managing a football club' thing I'd say.

[Silvio Dante]

I've said before that I think LJs time is up, but that I think there is a good coach waiting to get out. Not many will dispute the former, but I understand many will the latter, so as preamble, here's my rationale:

Cast your mind back 8 months or so. Ignore the hyperbole (Bobby being worth £5m etc) and look at the statements that you could validate. The Kodjia being like a 12 year old was valid - not as a criticisism but because it cut to the heart of his issue - he was offside too much because he didn't bend his runs as he'd not learnt to. There were many like this, and he seemed to see what many saw. The fact was that LJ is, and was, a student of the game. I'll guarantee he'd have watched the villa game multiple times and Burtons last game the same to find that 1%, that 5%.

So, what went wrong?

There is a common phrase - "paralysis of analysis". At its most basic level, this is what's happened. He watches each loss multiple times, he watches each opponent multiple times, he speaks to JP, DH, MA - probably even SL, GON & AW and he thinks. And in his head, he sees a way to win the next game and picks a side to do so. But the issue is, the side tries to play to the oppos weaknesses, that they are wise to, rather than our strengths. Think I'm wrong? Look at the team changes, and see who the oppos were - pack the team with height vs Cardiff for example. This gives a double issue - the oppose can counter because they play against a shadow team to stop them in training, and we get no rhythm, because we change consistently and seemingly without thought.

So, why do people back him? Because they can see the logic in some part as to what he's doing. It's flawed, but you can see the plan. I think he's gone too far now and should go, but I do get it.

Back to the question, what would I change if he's here next year?

By all means listen. But believe. Believe your team is better than their team. Start on the basis of your best team, and only change if that team has manifest weakness against the opposition. Right now, it's the other way round. And that's why you fail.

 

[The Joker]

Ive seen enough already to suggest that IMHO LJ will never be a quality coach/manager, he lacks natural ability, as was his playing career, mediocre, he seems unable to identify the problems and sort them out, he guesses, tinkers, hoping by chance he gets it right and hacks off a lot of people along the way, how can you put things right if you don't understand whats wrong in the first place,you only have to listen to him to realize he is struggling, buying players is not the answer, he's proven that already,you can have the best tools in the box but if you don't know how to use them they become worthless and you might as well bin them,the team we have are not world beaters by any stretch of the imagination but there's no way we should be where we are, mid table at least should be the minimum,  well we are not so obviously they are not being used/coached to there full potential,hope you got deep pockets SL because your boy will spend a fortune if you let him with little or no result.

[I'm Brian]

I like this quote from Leicester City's Danny Simpson after Leicester v Liverpool, speaking about Craig Shakespeare.

"He has kept it simple and told us what he wanted to do, which was simple and basic, and we've done that so let's hope we can carry it on for him."

Football is a simple game for simple people (and by simple I do not mean stupid, I mean straight-forward and uncomplicated).

I think Lee Johnson over complicates things and confuses everyone. Get the basics right and keep it simple.