Seven First Teamers Out

[REDOXO]

I would suggest Mr Johnson has assembled an extremely good squad...

Having seven players out in previuos years we have heard the all of the "injury ravaged" excuses about why we just got hammered away from home...

But not this year..Players have fitted into our team with confidence and we have won away at a very difficult ground

This should give us all confidence that we can not only get out of this division but even win it, as our rivals such as Yeovil/S****horpe/Oldham simply havent got that sort of depth for the final push

Big Up to Gary Johnson...Cmon Reds

[LSR]

we hope.

[Port Said Red]

I would suggest Mr Johnson has assembled an extremely good squad...

Having seven players out in previuos years we have heard the all of the "injury ravaged" excuses about why we just got hammered away from home...

But not this year..Players have fitted into our team with confidence and we have won away at a very difficult ground

This should give us all confidence that we can not only get out of this division but even win it, as our rivals such as Yeovil/S****horpe/Oldham simply havent got that sort of depth for the final push

Big Up to Gary Johnson...Cmon Reds

I think this is true and something that has been keeping me optimistic all season. It's actually quite brave of a Manager to have a squad where a case can be made for almost every player to play, it increases the pressure from the terraces and within the sqaud itself, for those not on the pitch to be included.

The manager gets a much easier ride when the team picks itself.

[REDOXO]

I think this is true and something that has been keeping me optimistic all season. It's actually quite brave of a Manager to have a squad where a case can be made for almost every player to play, it increases the pressure from the terraces and within the sqaud itself, for those not on the pitch to be included.

The manager gets a much easier ride when the team picks itself.

(First a quick apology for the English/missing words in the original post)

I completely agree with what you say and the fact that there are so many debates about who should be in and who shouldn't on this forum supports the idea that we have great strength in depth throughout the team

What also should also be noted is the money spent in achieving this. Whilst bringing in Betsy/Wilson in recent weeks has cost the Chairman/club money most of the players bought in by GJ have been what can only be described as cost effective...Couple this with two good cup runs and decent league form the Chaiman must be boardering on ecstatic

I am quietly optimistic that we can actually do the business (get promoted) this season...Just Keep the Faith

[Bristol Boy]

Weale, Murray, McAllister, McCombe, Russell & Showunmi-who's the seventh?

[bcfcphoenix]

yeah, having players like orr, russel, skuse, keogh and woodman to come in - what great signings by johnson. no, wait...

lansdown does a great job providing a budget capable of supporting a fairly large squad for our level, but the glaring omission of a left winger is still somewhat troubling whoever you decide to attribute it to.

[Tom Fleuriot]

yeah, having players like orr, russel, skuse, keogh and woodman to come in - what great signings by johnson. no, wait...

lansdown does a great job providing a budget capable of supporting a fairly large squad for our level, but the glaring omission of a left winger is still somewhat troubling whoever you decide to attribute it to.

That's a bit cynical phoenix. johnson still decided first not to settle for these players alone, and second has managed to keep them at the club and happy with their positions. A lot of managers can't do this.

The glaring omission of a left-winger is more than compensated for McCombe, McAllister and brooker being the only shoe-ins for the team. No other League One club has this strong a squad, no matter how good their left-winger. Indeed, not many have a decent left-winger anyway (Jarvis and Cohen spring to mind...?)

[bcfcphoenix]

you're not wrong Baird, i'm just trying to be devil's advocate. i just think that the squad members who were here before johnson deserve some credit too. but i agree, he is assembling a decent team.

i just prefer to needlessly provoke some kind of debate rather than actually have an intelligent football discussion, since that seems to be the way otib works!

[Tom Fleuriot]

you're not wrong Baird, i'm just trying to be devil's advocate. i just think that the squad members who were here before johnson deserve some credit too. but i agree, he is assembling a decent team.

i just prefer to needlessly provoke some kind of debate rather than actually have an intelligent football discussion, since that seems to be the way otib works!

I see. Sorry, I'll try again.

yeah, having players like orr, russel, skuse, keogh and woodman to come in - what great signings by johnson. no, wait...

lansdown does a great job providing a budget capable of supporting a fairly large squad for our level, but the glaring omission of a left winger is still somewhat troubling whoever you decide to attribute it to.

What are you, some kind of stewart-lover? Why don't you stop supporting City if you're going to be so negative? Idiot.

won't happen again Phoenix, I promise

[bh_red]

Weale, Murray, McAllister, McCombe, Russell & Showunmi-who's the seventh?

Partridge

http://www.bcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/...~986212,00.html

[bransonmo]

you're not wrong Baird, i'm just trying to be devil's advocate. i just think that the squad members who were here before johnson deserve some credit too. but i agree, he is assembling a decent team.

i just prefer to needlessly provoke some kind of debate rather than actually have an intelligent football discussion, since that seems to be the way otib works!

Oh thats clever Phoenix, though slightly warty, and that gorgeous picture of Miss Wales.........like it.

[REDOXO]

Partridge

http://www.bcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/...~986212,00.html

Its intereting that Partridge is described by the club as a first teamer isn't it!...Perhaps the boy has managed to get himself into the managers thoughts a little more than just for FA Cup make weight??

In response to some other comments...

I am the biggest fan of our own grown players Scott/Louis/JMW/Craig Woodman et al and also those that were on the books prior to GJ's arrival...Steve Brooker/Keogh also et al

But please correct me if I have got any of these wrong as I am writing from Memory...Johnson signings include..Showumni/Johnson/Jeavons/Weale/McAlister/Noble (?)/Fontaine...All of whom are very good footballers despite what some may think or say about one in particular...So credit where its due from me...and perhaps one or two out there also

[Bristol Boy]

Partridge

http://www.bcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/...~986212,00.html

Christ our training sessions must be rough if Partridge is injured :noexpression:

[Robbored]

Strength in depth is the always a good thing to have and Johnson has assembled a squad that is just that - strong in all area's.Thats become very apparent with the recent cup games and some new players being cup tied.Despite them being unavailable through being cup tied,injured or suspended City still managed to do well.

Who would have thought that City would keep clean sheets without McCombe? but they have done just that.

Another thread points out that City have had seven players out for one reason or another recently and yet the squad is strong enough to cope.

Johnson deserves credit for a) getting rid of the dross at AG. and b) enhancing the remaining players with the newcomers - all of whom seemingly have the right level of ability and a healthy attitude.

[Port Said Red]

Weale, Murray, McAllister, McCombe, Russell & Showunmi-who's the seventh?

I was going to say Johnson Jr but I have just noticed that he was a (unused!) sub. There are a few on here that would have us believe that this would never happen....

[Guest CGS RED]

In reality Weale, Partridge, Russell and Murray are not GJ regular first pick players, so its 3.

Betsy would be GJ's first pick right winger, and imo is in as a permanent replacement for Murray, who at 33 is possibly in his last contract, if we get promoted, then definately his last contract.

[Port Said Red]

In reality Weale, Partridge, Russell and Murray are not GJ regular first pick players, so its 3.

Betsy would be GJ's first pick right winger, and imo is in as a permanent replacement for Murray, who at 33 is possibly in his last contract, if we get promoted, then definately his last contract.

I can't agree with that, Partridge yes, for obvious reasons, but Murray has played 32 games this season and GJ seems to have gone out of his way to play him (e.g. left wing, in the "hole"), even with the increased competition. Aggy has played 19 games and been sub 9 times, a very good percentage of the season considering the midfield competition and a lot more than Noble.

9 goals so far this season would suggest that a new contract for Murray wouldn't be just based on sentiment and his experience would make him a very good squad player for at least one more season at whatever level.

[Bristol Boy]

In reality Weale, Partridge, Russell and Murray are not GJ regular first pick players, so its 3.

Betsy would be GJ's first pick right winger, and imo is in as a permanent replacement for Murray, who at 33 is possibly in his last contract, if we get promoted, then definately his last contract.

Murray has been a regular and a regular scorer,thank God.Take your point about the others, although if Russells not a regular then neither is Brooker or Showunmi!

9 goals so far this season would suggest that a new contract for Murray wouldn't be just based on sentiment and his experience would make him a very good squad player for at least one more season at whatever level.

Nobles issue is his inability to partner LJ in a two man midfield in a 4-4-2.No probs with a holding midfielder added in Russell or Skuse in a three.

I think Murray will be offered a one year deal on reduced terms at the end of this season and that Russell will be released along with Partridge who will get a mutual consent job or a free.If we get promoted, GJ will want to bring in a minimum of three real quality players and, with the players leaving, I would guess at 3-5 out & in.

[bcfcphoenix]

Murray has been a regular and a regular scorer,thank God.Take your point about the others, although if Russells not a regular then neither is Brooker or Showunmi!

i personally think GJ has been trying to slowly integrate betsy as a replacement for murray, though it is true that he played an unnatural system against the gas to fit murray into 'the hole'. i think murray will get one more year if we stay down (god forbid!) and if we go up, he'll be off to join john ward at cheltenham.