Comparisons with Chelsea and Jose Mourinho, articles on his
lucky pants and an obsessive search for magpies and brief links to jobs at a
higher level. It’s been an interesting
week for Bristol City manager, Steve Cotterill.
And that’s all because it’s November and City are STILL
unbeaten. Being nearly one-third of the way through the season and still to
register a ‘L’ in the results column is a remarkable achievement. Yet in the last couple of weeks – as Preston
North End maintain their own outstanding winning run and close the gap – more and
more questions have been raised about the conceding of soft goals, the
carelessness of protecting leads, and dropped points in recent games.
Is this unfair criticism of a team who are taking all before
them and remain, for now, in the highest possible position they can attain? Or
is it justifiable concern of what might lie ahead, should these shortcoming not
be addressed?
Probably a bit of both. I have seen some people say this
week it might be good to lose, to rid ourselves of this unbeaten tag and be
able to concentrate on winning games, rather than not losing them again. Poppycock. Absolute, pure, poppycock! Apologies for my drift into 19th
century old-English language there, but it felt appropriate.
Losing can become a mind-set. That feeling of defeat adding nervousness at
the end of games as you know how deflating it can be – look at us this time
last year when, despite a number of performances that deserved more, we couldn’t
buy a win, and threw away many even positions late on due to the tension and
apprehension. Yes, this is a different
set of players in the main, but that’s exactly why we shouldn’t want to
lose. To borrow a phrase from our gaffer,
this is a team of winners right now, a team with such fighting spirit that they
won’t lie down and won’t accept defeat. We
have no way of knowing how that first defeat might affect them, so let’s not
wish it along any time soon. I bet
Arsenal fans weren’t hoping for a defeat at this stage of their unbeaten season…
Saying that, Lee Johnson’s Oldham Athletic arrive at Ashton
Gate in fine form themselves, unbeaten in 13 and storming into the play-off
picture – probably to the surprise of many, given their budgetary constraints. This
is the first of a number of very tough challenges for Cotterill’s Robins in
November, ahead of match ups with Swindon, Preston & Peterborough. It’s
important we don’t dismiss Oldham in our anticipation for those perceived, ‘bigger’
matches.
Stu Radnedge caught up with Latics fan Joshua Bowker ahead
of Saturday’s game to find out what’s going so right for ‘LJ’ and his band of
merry men.
“After years and years
of floating around the doldrums of the bottom third of League One, perennially
flirting with the relegation zone, Oldham have finally had a positive start to
the season. Headed by ex-Bristol City player, Lee Johnson (and his numerous comrades
who have links to Ashton Gate) there is a real air of positivity around the
club at this early stage of the season. Looking up the table, rather than down
the table is an unusual situation to be in at this time of the season.
The Latics and City
meet as arguably two of the most inform sides in the division, and both have
certainly made themselves hard to beat, with Athletic having not lost in 11
league games. Expect goals though! Latics haven’t drawn a blank or kept a clean
sheet in 6 games, and City’s run stretches to 7 games.
Johnson has brought in
several players who he played alongside during his career, and some who have
spent time at Bristol City, including James and Brian Wilson, George Elokobi
and Liam Kelly. Kelly was brought in as a straight swap for Korey Smith in
midfield, and was handed the armband on the way into Boundary Park. Kelly has
been outstanding in the last month or so, after initially struggling, most
likely due to a lack of match fitness. Johnson’s decision to change from a flat
four in midfield to a diamond has brought out the best in the squad, with Kelly
excelling at the base of the diamond.
The new formation has
also allowed Jonathan Forte and loanee Jabo Ibehre to spearhead the attack.
Forte has had a blistering start to his Oldham career, scoring 11 goals in just
12 starts. Put into context, he managed a mere 9 in 99 games for Scunthorpe,
and Latics’ top league scorer last year finished with just 6! Johnson has truly
found the best in him, and Ibehre has certainly proved to be the perfect foil
for Forte. Despite being Colchester’s player of the season for the past two
years, he fell out of favour this season and joined up with Latics. His
strength and ability to bring others into play is a trait that Latics haven’t
had since Matt Smith departed. Forte and Ibehre’s partnership, although in the
extremely early days is already blossoming. The combination of Ibehre’s
strength and Forte’s pace has yielded 4 goals in the last two games they’ve
started together.
At the other end of
the pitch, James Wilson has relished the opportunity of game time. Despite
being in Bristol for 8 years, he only managed 21 starts. Despite joining in
January, he’s surpassed that total, and been a virtual ever present, and just
keeps getting better and better. He’s strong, athletic and a calm head at the
back, he’s already been through 3 different centre-back partners this season,
and hasn’t looked phased at all. His partner this weekend is likely to be
Timothee Dieng – it has been for the previous 4 games, and has admirably held
his own against difficult opponents such as Eoin Doyle and James Hanson in his
first season in English football.
Johnson has always
championed possession-based, attack-minded football. During the struggles last
year, that philosophy went a little to the wayside. However it is back this
season, with ‘keeper Paul Rachubka always looking to play out to his defenders
– although the addition of Ibehre allows for a more direct option. Kelly
anchors the midfield, and looks to start attacks from his own half by dropping
in between the defence. Either side of the diamond in midfield are Carl
Winchester and Mike Jones, who have been two of the most impressive performers
this season. Their drive and energy from midfield was a factor missing from
last season, and expect them to provide the attacking impetus from deep. Danny
Philliskirk operates behind the front two, and Smith will almost certainly be
tasked with nullifying his creative talents.
This feels like the
strongest Oldham squad in a long time, and dreams of the playoffs which seemed
distant back in August, feel more possible. After navigating difficult games
such as Chesterfield, Peterborough and Bradford in recent weeks and remaining
unbeaten, a successful result this weekend would really build hope. Latics’
away form this season reads one win, one loss and five draws. Backed on by a
sold out Latics’ end, this should be a fantastic game between two confident
teams, both hoping to maintain their unbeaten records.”
My thanks to Stu (who organised this from India!) and Joshua
for this piece. It seems set to be an enthralling encounter between two good
footballing sides fighting to preserve long unbeaten records. I can see yet another 2-2 draw in the offing,
but then I regularly waste money with the bookies so who knows!
COYR!
The Exiled Robin
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