Credit to Lansdown

[citywest30]

It's great reading all the positivity at the moment. Not just from posters who last season wanted LJ to succeed but even those who it seemed like there was nothing he could do to win them round.

I think we can all agree that there is pretty much no one who could have argued with him being sacked at a number of times last season (I know there were times that I thought 'He's gonna have to go for things to improve' even though I didn't really want him to) which makes Lansdown's loyalty to him even more incredible. He truly believed in his man and that sure is bearing fruit now. Many would have caved into the calls to sack him but he stood firm and must feel so so happy he did at the moment.

It's too early to get carried away but I completely agree with the sentiments in @Port Said Red 's thread that this just feels different than last season's start. We seemed to be in a false position last with performances not really mirroring results but this year we are fully deserving of our results and I feel quite confident now of at least a top half finish. 

Great decision SL. He deserves so much credit for sticking to his guns. We are extremely lucky to have an owner like him compared to some of the car crash clubs out there.

[054123]

I hope this works out for Lansdown and I mean that in a sincere, caring way.

He's ploughed his own furrow over all these years and has never really had the success I believe he dreams about. It's just been a long trudge in amongst a load of other clubs with no where near the resource of our club. He must have sat there each season and just wondered what on earth he had to do to bring success.

I wondered if this is the most content he's felt in his 15 years in charge?

 

[megansdad]

Surely this month was a real tester for the squad - 4 tough away games and they have come through in tremendous style. For me we need only look upwards this season and that is the reward I am sure SL will savour for a brave but well considered decision to back his man.

[Lanterne Rouge]

10 minutes ago, megansdad said:

Surely this month was a real tester for the squad - 4 tough away games and they have come through in tremendous style. For me we need only look upwards this season and that is the reward I am sure SL will savour for a brave but well considered decision to back his man.

I can`t have been alone when the fixtures came out and I looked at September 

We`d be lucky to get five points was my first thought - we got 14 from 18 which exceeds my wildest dreams so yes, onwards and upwards.

[054123]

3 minutes ago, Red Right Hand said:

I can`t have been alone when the fixtures came out and I looked at September 

We`d be lucky to get five points was my first thought - we got 14 from 18 which exceeds my wildest dreams so yes, onwards and upwards.

It truly is remarkable and regardless of whether the wheels fall off, it is a credit to Johnson for creating a team that play this. 

[Pezo]

28 minutes ago, Red Right Hand said:

I can`t have been alone when the fixtures came out and I looked at September 

We`d be lucky to get five points was my first thought - we got 14 from 18 which exceeds my wildest dreams so yes, onwards and upwards.

Its not just what we have done its the way we have done it, we have defended strongly and played through very good teams.

I see our biggest problem now is when teams turn up to defend when we expect a win, the games against Millwall and Bolton were probably our hardest faught points and we will need ways to break this type of game down and increasing patients as more teams look to defend against us. What an excellent problem to have after the last couple of seasons.

[steveybadger]

28 minutes ago, Pezo said:

Its not just what we have done its the way we have done it, we have defended strongly and played through very good teams.

I see our biggest problem now is when teams turn up to defend when we expect a win, the games against Millwall and Bolton were probably our hardest faught points and we will need ways to break this type of game down and increasing patients as more teams look to defend against us. What an excellent problem to have after the last couple of seasons.

Re having to break teams, agreed - a result of our growing reputation and number of goals scored.

[Fodbarmyarmy]

"Johnson and Lansdown are ruining my club" I think was one titled post with a lot of agreeing comments if I recall correctly. .....

We all want success , believe it or not, but it takes patience and time and thank the Lord the leaders of our club understand this even if some, and it is only some, of our supporters do not.....

Our time is coming brothers. .....everything is pulling in the right direction, .....sit back, relax and enjoy....

[hoxton casual]

SL was this week talking about how proud he is of the youth programme and the amount of Bristolians in or near the squad. He is very excited by Lloyd Kelly. He really does have our football club, and the whole of Bristol in his heart. I know a lot of people don't like Bristol Sport but I love the fact that he is trying to put Bristol on the map as a sporting city, whilst giving back through the community. He is a great combination of heart and head. Yes he is a winner and wants regular PL football, but I think there are many other goals as well that he has the City. There is one small camp site that is excluded, but apart from that everyone should be very happy with his vision for Bristol.

[Coombsy]

Let's get a song going for Steve l

with out him where would we be 

[marcus]

I'm glad I never jumped on the johnson out bandwagon, though i didnt publicly back him either so no smugness here - I'm just happy to see us stick by a manager for once and I think of the managers weve had over the last 10 years he's the best one to show patience with.

Let's hope this form continues!

 

[Redtucks]

1 hour ago, Pezo said:

Its not just what we have done its the way we have done it, we have defended strongly and played through very good teams.

I see our biggest problem now is when teams turn up to defend when we expect a win, the games against Millwall and Bolton were probably our hardest faught points and we will need ways to break this type of game down and increasing patients as more teams look to defend against us. What an excellent problem to have after the last couple of seasons.

We're BCFC not the NHS!!!

 

[Bar BS3]

8 minutes ago, Coombsy said:

Let's get a song going for Steve l

with out him where would we be 

This! If ever a club owner deserved recognition as part of the squad, SL is that man. 

For his loyalty, generousity & vision to be acknowledged from the stands, would be a very appropriate "thank you" 

[Guest Ashdangate]

12 minutes ago, Coombsy said:

Let's get a song going for Steve l

with out him where would we be 

 

9 minutes ago, MarcusX said:

I'm glad I never jumped on the johnson out bandwagon, though i didnt publicly back him either so no smugness here - I'm just happy to see us stick by a manager for once and I think of the managers weve had over the last 10 years he's the best one to show patience with.

Let's hope this form continues!

 

With or without you u2

[Red Skin]

1 hour ago, Pezo said:

I see our biggest problem now is when teams turn up to defend when we expect a win, the games against Millwall and Bolton were probably our hardest faught points and we will need ways to break this type of game down and increasing patients as more teams look to defend against us. What an excellent problem to have after the last couple of seasons

True.  Durjic is gonna be key.  We will have go long and fight for knock downs and he's probably the best I've seen at winning headers.  With Eliasson and Paterson we also have decent supply from the wings.

[Fodbarmyarmy]

29 minutes ago, Coombsy said:

Let's get a song going for Steve l

with out him where would we be 

"God only knows" Beach Boys springs to mind....

[Garland-sweden]

Yes, well done SL! He was brave and took a gamble to keep LJ. He did not go the easy way. Top man! COYR!!!

[Pezo]

1 hour ago, Red Army Faction said:

True.  Durjic is gonna be key.  We will have go long and fight for knock downs and he's probably the best I've seen at winning headers.  With Eliasson and Paterson we also have decent supply from the wings.

I think this is the plan as well. I assume this will mean dropping Bobby which will be hard decision politically because if it doesnt work the questions are obvious. It will be interesting to see if it works well enough.

[ashton_fan]

We are looking strong all over the pitch at present. I just hope that when we have a poor run of results (as all teams do at some stage) people remember these games and don't start throwing their toys out of the pram again.

[Ian M]

One of the damning statistics we used during last season was LJ overseeing a prolonged run of 3 wins in 25.

In determining what the form has been since, the last two games of that 25 game run often get overlapped into both runs (2 draws) so this next statistic can either be out of 24 or 26 games depending on your mood.

4 defeats in 24 / 26 games

or

14 wins in 24 / 26 games

For me, if the two draws are included in the first run to extend the "low win" run they shouldn't be included in the second run. Going from 3 wins in 25 to 14 wins in 24 is the sort of stuff I'd expect to be covered in the New Testament!

(win the Burton game and its 15 wins in 25 and a 60% win rate!)

[foghornred]

With so many owners from other countries or not even from the area of the club that they own, we are so lucky to have a local owner who supports the club above and beyond the call of duty.

It will not last forever but while Steve is the owner we are in safe hands.

[citywest30]

3 hours ago, Ian M said:

One of the damning statistics we used during last season was LJ overseeing a prolonged run of 3 wins in 25.

In determining what the form has been since, the last two games of that 25 game run often get overlapped into both runs (2 draws) so this next statistic can either be out of 24 or 26 games depending on your mood.

4 defeats in 24 / 26 games

or

14 wins in 24 / 26 games

For me, if the two draws are included in the first run to extend the "low win" run they shouldn't be included in the second run. Going from 3 wins in 25 to 14 wins in 24 is the sort of stuff I'd expect to be covered in the New Testament!

(win the Burton game and its 15 wins in 25 and a 60% win rate!)

Very interesting stats and I don't think anybody could have predicted such a turn around. Without wanting to apportion blame, out of interest, where does the exit of JP tie in with those runs?

[Londoner]

Should of got Nigel Pearson

[citywest30]

5 hours ago, MarcusX said:

I'm glad I never jumped on the johnson out bandwagon, though i didnt publicly back him either so no smugness here - I'm just happy to see us stick by a manager for once and I think of the managers weve had over the last 10 years he's the best one to show patience with.

Let's hope this form continues!

 

Pretty much how I felt. Did feel the need to defend him once it became obvious he was being backed but could never have really argued against a decision to sack him.

[WayOutWest]

8 minutes ago, citywest30 said:

 does the exit of JP tie in with those runs?

I was thinking this exact same thing. It's clear JP and LJ had issues. 

But I would like to spin it a positive manner as I think JP deserves the respect he is due and say it's more likely the appointment of Jamie Mac.

The instant turn around and the consistency of results stunning.

[citywest30]

2 minutes ago, WayOutWest said:

I was thinking this exact same thing. It's clear JP and LJ had issues. 

But I would like to spin it a positive manner as I think JP deserves the respect he is due and say it's more likely the appointment of Jamie Mac.

The instant turn around and the consistency of results stunning.

Agree. Didn't mean it as in it could be his fault but it seems like it led to a change in working dynamics that has been much more successful. 

[WayOutWest]

3 minutes ago, citywest30 said:

Agree. Didn't mean it as in it could be his fault but it seems like it led to a change in working dynamics that has been much more successful. 

100%. Management have to all buy in and pull in the same direction in order to be successful. I certainly questioned the timing of the switch. It must of been a tough decision to make. 

I wonder the amount of unrest caused by Tomlin and a clash it caused between LJ and JP was ultimately his downfall. 

But to bring in Jamie Mac was a masterstroke and results bear that out. Probaly not enough credit given to LJ on that one.

Stevo

[wendyredredrobin]

I'm truly amazed.  I gave Lee a lot longer than most before calling for his head to roll last season, but even my tolerance ran out eventually.

You could see from the first game against Barnsley that something had changed.  At first, we thought it may be a flash in the pan, but as time has gone on, it is clear that it is more than that.

SL stood up for his manager and whilst most of us thought he was wrong at the time have to now eat humble pie.

Enjoying the season so far much more than I can remember for a long time.

[Red-Robbo]

3 hours ago, foghornred said:

With so many owners from other countries or not even from the area of the club that they own, we are so lucky to have a local owner who supports the club above and beyond the call of duty.

It will not last forever but while Steve is the owner we are in safe hands.

My thoughts too. To have an owner who is both very wealthy and a genuine fan of the club is a blessing.

I wonder if, when he was growing up, Vincent Tan even knew where Cardiff was?  Sure he's having good times with them now, but these foreign owners are often very quick to jump ship when the going gets tough.

[steviestevieneville]

5 hours ago, ashton_fan said:

We are looking strong all over the pitch at present. I just hope that when we have a poor run of results (as all teams do at some stage) people remember these games and don't start throwing their toys out of the pram again.

We all know the ones , or one especially that will raise their ugly head if we do lose a couple on the bounce. It'll happen. its how we react that counts

[oldstandrobin]

I am already starting work on the Premiership Vespa after doing the league one winning Vespa. Orders are being taken for duplicates. Dont miss out. These are becoming rarer and rarer. Once established in The Prem we will ride to every home match and upstage Mr Linaker on MOTD

[View from the Dolman]

1 hour ago, Londoner said:

Should of got Nigel Pearson

It's "should have".

He's currently sitting 3rd in the Belgian 2nd division with OH Leuven, interestingly also owned by Leicester's Thai owners. 

[Simon79]

Think SL deserves a lot of credit for believing in & sticking by the plan. If memory serves me correct, Talk Sport even got involved & promised some fans to ask him some questions on their behalf. Don't get me wrong, maybe questions needed to be asked. And to be fair to him, he never hid away, which on top of our results & the fact that I don't think he likes or thrives on the publicity like some might, shows the character of the man. So happy we decided to do things a different way. So glad I'm a happy clapper! ( couldn't stop myself!). I think that decision will stand us in good stead for not only now, but the future to. I also believe that decision will make us even more of an attractive proposition for the next man in charge. COYR 

[REDOXO]

All credit to SL for sticking to his guns. We will never know what change may have brought, but right now we look like a very good team/squad and it's his money that has paid for it. 

As for LJ massive respect. As a bloke who has been under massive pressure at times in my life I can truly appreciate what it takes to get through it and keep the belief even when your ideas are not showing progress. There are always people prepared to judge on the basis of limited info as well as chihipers from within and that is part of the human condition. 

I don't believe this is a blip and despite most of us wanting to keep our feet on the ground, we are City fans after all, this has the fealing of a challenge in this league, long may it continue

COYR

[cityexile]

Don't want to bump it, but there was a poll on here towards the end of that run that had something like 90% wanted LJ out. I was one of those in the end, with quite a lot of sadness. I want any manager to succeed. It would have been a disaster to have gone down, and we should not forget how fine we cut it in the end. 

After the Preston result I was logging on expecting an announcement any moment. I suppose SL knew more what was going on behind the scenes, but it was a huge call, that right now looks like it will be rewarded. I can not think of any other team in our position in this league where LJ would not have gone. He was lucky to have SL. Maybe it is one of those moments we will look at in years to come as a real defining moment in our history. Hope so.

[Lanterne Rouge]

I must admit I was fully behind LJ up until Preston when I finally wavered. However, I believe that the awful run in a bizarre sort of way has done us good - we`ve come out the other side all the stronger for it.

In hindsight, getting stuffed at Deepdale may not have been a bad thing - I imagine a lot of air was cleared as a result and enabled us to move on with a lot of people left in no doubt where they stood.

[Offside]

I've always been a big fan of SL. Yes mistakes have been made (and who hasn't ever made a mistake?) but he has the best interests of Bristol City at heart and the club feels like it's in very safe hands. With the redevelopment of Ashton Gate our infrastructure has improved massively, and that's because SL has been willing to fund the development of the club, which is in the best shape I've seen it in my 36 years of attending games. The future is looking bright.

[citywest30]

2 hours ago, REDOXO said:

All credit to SL for sticking to his guns. We will never know what change may have brought, but right now we look like a very good team/squad and it's his money that has paid for it. 

As for LJ massive respect. As a bloke who has been under massive pressure at times in my life I can truly appreciate what it takes to get through it and keep the belief even when your ideas are not showing progress. There are always people prepared to judge on the basis of limited info as well as chihipers from within and that is part of the human condition. 

I don't believe this is a blip and despite most of us wanting to keep our feet on the ground, we are City fans after all, this has the fealing of a challenge in this league, long may it continue

COYR

He has obviously learnt from mistakes that he himself admitted he made last season. It's just so refreshing that in a day and age of savings when things aren't going right, we had an owner that believed in seeing it through and giving him a chance to learn from them.

[Ian M]

5 hours ago, citywest30 said:

Very interesting stats and I don't think anybody could have predicted such a turn around. Without wanting to apportion blame, out of interest, where does the exit of JP tie in with those runs?

A quick google search shows news sources announcing JP was sacked on 7/3/17. The current run began on 11/3/17. 

[citywest30]

4 minutes ago, Ian M said:

A quick google search shows news sources announcing JP was sacked on 7/3/17. The current run began on 11/3/17. 

Thanks. Surely it can't just be coincidence that it led to an upturn in fortunes. Not saying JP was the reason for the failure but the it obviously led to a change in leadership structure that was much more unified and pulling in the same direction.

[ChippenhamRed]

5 hours ago, Londoner said:

Should of got Nigel Pearson

Completely agree. If we'd brought Pearson in when Johnson was at his lowest ebb, I reckon he would turned around our form, secured our survival, bought well in the summer, established a regular team selection and have us somewhere around the top 4 in the Championship by now.

Oh wait.

[RT's Vaseline Tub]

Thank Our lucky stars SL didn't listen to social media noise and sack LJ.

We are now united and upwardly moving; even going up the table when we don't even play!

Hopefully LJ will show him the same loyalty...

[ChippenhamRed]

Worth pointing out that Johnson's managerial record here stands up against any in our recent history; only Cotterill and Johnson Snr have superior records, but both benefitted from managing the team at a lower level.

Johnson has effectively been in charge for five thirds of a season now; I'd argue he's had four good thirds and one horrific one. But overall he's in credit.

[You Do The Dziekanowski]

I'm happy that LJ is still manager and doing well as he seems willing to learn and change methods and tactics to win games. You rarely get that nowadays.

I think SL main decision to stick with LJ was the fact they made a pledge that the managerial carousel stops at City and we will give time to a manager to get things going in the right direction. With LJ we have a manger with time on his hands and as per SL a passion for the club.  

[Lanterne Rouge]

15 minutes ago, ChippenhamRed said:

Worth pointing out that Johnson's managerial record here stands up against any in our recent history; only Cotterill and Johnson Snr have superior records, but both benefitted from managing the team at a lower level.

Johnson has effectively been in charge for five thirds of a season now; I'd argue he's had four good thirds and one horrific one. But overall he's in credit.

Did we really win 11 games under SoD? It certainly didn`t seem like it.

[glynriley]

10 minutes ago, Red Right Hand said:

Did we really win 11 games under SoD? It certainly didn`t seem like it.

Think 4 of those were in cup competitions. 

[Murraysrightplum]

The snipers are biding their time...

[BS4 on Tour...]

14 hours ago, 054123 said:

I hope this works out for Lansdown and I mean that in a sincere, caring way.

He's ploughed his own furrow over all these years and has never really had the success I believe he dreams about. It's just been a long trudge in amongst a load of other clubs with no where near the resource of our club. He must have sat there each season and just wondered what on earth he had to do to bring success.

I wondered if this is the most content he's felt in his 15 years in charge?

 

That is a top post mate - that's all I wanted to say! Agree with every word....

[BS4 on Tour...]

1 hour ago, ChippenhamRed said:

Worth pointing out that Johnson's managerial record here stands up against any in our recent history; only Cotterill and Johnson Snr have superior records, but both benefitted from managing the team at a lower level.

Johnson has effectively been in charge for five thirds of a season now; I'd argue he's had four good thirds and one horrific one. But overall he's in credit.

What does "five thirds of a season" mean?!

[ChippenhamRed]

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

What does "five thirds of a season" mean?!

Final third of 15/16

All three thirds of 16/17

First third of 17/18

[BS4 on Tour...]

2 minutes ago, ChippenhamRed said:

Final third of 15/16

All three thirds of 16/17

First third of 17/18

So one full season and a third of two others....

[ChippenhamRed]

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

So one full season and a third of two others....

Which can equally be described as five thirds:

3/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 = 5/3.

Do I really need to keep on justifying myself?

[BS4 on Tour...]

6 minutes ago, ChippenhamRed said:

Which can equally be described as five thirds:

3/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 = 5/3.

Do I really need to keep on justifying myself?

Not at all...enjoy your Sunday evening...just not sure why you needed to describe a whole season as three thirds....why not four quarters, or six sixths or ten tenths?!

[ChippenhamRed]

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

Not at all...enjoy your Sunday evening...just not sure why you needed to describe a whole season as three thirds....why not four quarters, or six sixths or ten tenths?!

Go back to my original post; it fitted the point I was making. Enjoy your evening.

[Xiled]

Looking back at the last few years, I felt that SL kept Gary Johnson at the club for too long. Our results had started to suffer significantly, signings were uninspiring and there were stories of unrest in the dressing room.

Unfortunately the long run of defeats last season had similar echoes of too much loyalty. As others have said, very few managers would have survived such a run at other clubs.

It felt as though the obvious friendship between SL and the Johnson family was damaging the club.

Although I thought LJ should have been sacked, I was prepared to give him another chance if he kept us in the Championship.

I couldn't be happier that this season has been quite exceptional already. None of us know the pressure that LJ was under so hopefully this will have helped him be a better coach for the rest of his career.

I really want LJ to succeed with us. Progress with an owner and a first team coach who clearly have more at stake than the typical foreign owner and manager combination is a more satisfying feeling. We don't have to fear losing a winning coach to a better team.

But, it's the beginning of October. The problem with starting so well is that it creates too much optimism for what will happen in the rest of the season. Everyone who watches City will have their own measure of success for where we should be at the end of 46 league matches. At the moment, I would be happy to finish mid-table. I need to remember that if/when results go against us.

Daring to dream, promotion with Lee Johnson would be all the sweeter for the historic run of defeats that will always be part of his record at City. He doesn't need to reach the Premiership with us to be a success but it would be a stunning turnaround and should guarantee him legend status. I would be eating humble pie for the rest of my life but I'd be okay with that.

[paulcityfan]

8 hours ago, WayOutWest said:

100%. Management have to all buy in and pull in the same direction in order to be successful. I certainly questioned the timing of the switch. It must of been a tough decision to make. 

I wonder the amount of unrest caused by Tomlin and a clash it caused between LJ and JP was ultimately his downfall. 

But to bring in Jamie Mac was a masterstroke and results bear that out. Probaly not enough credit given to LJ on that one.

Stevo

Totally agree, who couldn't.  I think JM could be a really top manager in his own right, and probably help to save LJ's ass and SL's blushes. The way the players responded to JM at the end of last season during games was quite telling, something changed.  I'm really pleased its all sorted itself out now.  For those with shorter memories it was a really crap time to be a city fan 9 months ago.  This forum was a warzone.

[RedLionLad]

13 hours ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

What does "five thirds of a season" mean?!

Robbored is.your man......

[EnderMB]

Admittedly, I had been waiting for the ten game mark, and now that we're past that we still seem to be doing brilliantly, so full credit to Lansdown, Ashton, LJ, and co for proving a lot of us wrong. I've slated the former for constantly talking about the Premier League as if it was achievable. If we keep this up, we'll be in a great position for either the playoffs, or a real push of it next season.

With that being said, I think we could still improve on where we are at the moment, and I'm eager to see whether we can maintain this during the middle/end of the season when teams have stopped underestimating us, and have figured us out a bit more. That, for me, is the measure of a team fighting for promotion.

Additionally, it's all about the performances as well as the results. Good performances usually bring consistent results, whereas winning by the skin of your teeth means results could go either way. We're doing pretty well so far, but there's definitely room for improvement, and hopefully our performances don't drop off and take the results with them.