After constant changes in formation, even keeping everything the same can’t save Lee Johnson’s team from defeat.
Bristol City’s Aaron Wilbraham dejected
It’s difficult to pinpoint what exactly is going on with Bristol City and manager Lee Johnson – while a large number of fans are blaming Johnson’s tactics for the staggering run of form that now sees them lying just outside the Championship relegation zone, their recent approach has people wondering what they have to do to get a win.
After battling to a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle, Johnson put out an unchanged side to face fellow strugglers Aston Villa just three days later. After many successive matches in which City changed faces and tactics without success, this solidity could only be considered a good move by Johnson.
However, after a combative first half that saw Villa miss a penalty, City once again succumbed to familiar defensive frailties, seeing former players Albert Adomah and Jonathan Kodjia combine to put Villa ahead, with Conor Hourihane completing the job a few minutes later.
Once again, the root of City’s problems came in the full-back positions for the goals, but the real problem appears still to be mental – while they often manage to perform well for half a game, the struggle to hold on to anything has proved near impossible. This now leaves Johnson struggling to hold on to his job, and City’s Championship status.
Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia and Bristol City’s Adam Flint in action
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