BOBBY GOULD'S FAVOURITE TIME OF THE YEAR; CITY'S MANAGERIAL OPTIONS

After the worst result since Cardiff at home in 2010 the board have finally admitted defeat in their decision to continually stick with Keith Millen.

A 5-0 thumping at Blackpool meant there was no way back for Millen and the fans have got the decision they have wanted for weeks, and now the club will turn it's attention to Millen's successor at the helm of Bristol City.

The timing is perfect for Colin Sexstone and Steve Lansdown as they now have the two week international break to find a replacement, however the news yesterday of McLaren resigning from his position at Nottingham Forest could mean a prime target could be tempted elsewhere.

The Bridge and a Robin has taken a look at the likely names at the top of City's shortlist, in order to bring back the life which feels to have been sucked out of the club for around 18 months now -

Billy Davies - Arguably the best manager at this level. In the former Preston, Derby and Forest manager's five and a half seasons in the Championship he has made the play offs five times, going to the final twice and winning it once. He has also got the joint record for the most amount of Manager of the Month awards at this level, holding this honour with Neil Warnock.

Davies was also reported on last month in the Daily Record in Scotland as already having planned for his next attack on the Championship. Davies has turned his dining room into a 'FBI-like office' with his coaching staff - a positive for City as we should really clear our backroom staff out.

Dave Jones - Sacked from Cardiff in the summer Jones' is probably the second best man for the job. Jones has made the play offs four times, winning them once with Wolves and finishing runners up with Cardiff. Jones has also been promoted into this division with Stockport plus has managed over 100 games in the Premier League with Southampton.

Jones has a career win percentage of over 40% and is the type of calibre City should be looking to bring to the Gate if we wish to kick on in this league. However, the Forest job becoming available may well have Jones more concerned with that available post than ours.

Mark Robins - Probably the best man for the current situation. The former City loanee's first experience of football management came with a relegation at Rotherham, but the club were already dead and buried with one month to go. Robins then went about rebuilding Rotherham for a promotion back to League One signing players such as Adam Le Fondre. Robins was unable to bring Rotherham back up however as his ambitions were hampered with point deductions for financial reasons.

In September 2009 he was appointed as the manager of Barnsley and dragged them off the bottom of the league and ensured their Championship status for the next two seasons. However a falling out with the board meant Robins also left in the summer. Financially, Robins will probably be the ideal man in the view of the board.

Lee Clark - The current Huddersfield Town manager is one of the best up and coming managers in the Football League. With coaching experience with Newcastle and Norwich he was given the chance to manage with the Terriers. In his first three seasons he has got to the play offs in his last two attempts, losing in the final last term.

Clark would more than likely bring assistant Terry McDermott with him who has a wealth of knowledge of the game. One stumbling block however would be the compensation City would be due to pay Huddersfield as Clark signed a new rolling contract extension in the summer.

Karl Robinson - At just 31 years old Robinson is another good example of the amount of good young managers in the football league. Robinson is currently in his second full term at MK Dons and has had an impressive start to his managerial career. In his first attempt in League One last season he took the Dons to a top five finish, failing in the play offs.

Robinson has experience of coaching at Liverpool and Blackburn, and is also the youngest person ever to earn the UEFA Pro Licence. He has just under a 50% win percentage so far in the dawn of his career and is currently one of the favourites for the Forest job.

Colin Sexstone and Steve Lansdown will also be looking through the CV's of out of work managers which could include:

Sean O'Driscoll

Steve McLaren

David O'Leary

Aidy Boothroyd

Iain Dowie

George Burley

Iain Dowie

Kevin Blackwell

Leroy Rosenior

Brian Laws

Roy Keane

Peter Reid

Bobby Gould (sigh)

Other managers which City could ask the question to (the top four are out of a job, the bottom two top assistants, all highly unlikely):

Martin O'Neill

Alan Curbishley

Gianfranco Zola

Mark Hughes

Joe Jordan

Roberto Di Matteo

Personally, I feel any of the top five names would do a job and I'd be happy with any of them. Those are the managers City should be aiming for if we have plans of not only retaining our Championship status but kicking on too. All five are highly ambitious characters and it's that kind of manager the club now craves if it's to regain it's life and soul.

One thing is for sure though, it's an exciting time to be a Bristol City fan again given the talent available.

THE BUILD UP TO SEPTEMBER THE FIRST

I’m pretty sure I heard a few weeks ago that around three quarters of transfer deals are done in the final week of the transfer window, and as we enter that week, City look set for a busy few days leading up to September.

It’s been a little over an hour since Liam Fontaine’s proposed million pound move to Southampton has broken down but it could be the first sign of the selling mentality the board have insisted upon if City are to not only cut debts, but to bring in fresh faces.

Apart from Maynard, which the board are very clear on, City now look set to sell on first team players if the money is right and ‘although every player has his price’ , it’s probably the first time since we have come up that City have looked so willing to sell a first team player.  Even when Elliott was linked to clubs like Wolves there was always a feeling that City could afford to reject a bid for a star player – however I’m sure with a squad the size of ours a bid for Marvin Elliott now would be taken very seriously.

And that’s something we might have to get used to – but it might not be a bad thing. The Fontaine move was a good opportunity for City to break up a spine of a team which has been going nowhere for quite some time. Players such as Fontaine, McAllister, Carey, Johnson and Skuse should probably all move on, or certainly should have by now. If we haven’t gone forward in the past few seasons with these then we’re certainly not going to in the next few. I leave out Elliott because I do feel that he’s probably the only one from the Wembley season we wouldn’t have to carry.

A breath of fresh air would do the squad good and would also make the team Millen’s own, it’s still very much a Gary Johnson looking side to me and especially at the back. It would also cut out the comfort zone certain players are in, which is also leading to very average performances. But we are as we were.

The obvious reason the move broke down is due to Liam’s latest ankle injury, although it appears he had passed a medical, according to the Evening Post, Saints officials were obviously concerned with the reoccurring injury due to the money involved. Hopefully he can come back and remain focused and he won’t dwell too much on this falling apart.

It also looks like Leicester might make one final bid for Nicky Maynard, completely ignoring the fact that they fall under one of the type of clubs City will not sell to – a Championship club. It’s still a very confusing situation, yet City repeat the terms on who they’ll talk to and with noise on Wigan forums we could finally see a Premier League club enter the race in this final week.

If he does have to move on hopefully City are lining up players they need in the required positions, much like today if City aren’t prepared or ready to improve the squad when losing regulars then it will be a good 4 to 5 months before they can sign those players up which will not only look like amateur business but also pose a real threat to survival.

If City had plans in reinvesting the money into a left back and centre back then I feel today’s result isn’t the best for the club, Bristol City isn’t the most exciting place at the moment and it feels more and more samey, and looking at the attendances over the past few seasons there are many who feel the same. Hopefully this week the club can raise some funds elsewhere to put some colour back into a dull Aston Gate.

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE?

After a second successive defeat, conceding 6 in the process, Bristol City have not only started worse than last season but now they have registered their worst post war beginning to a season.

Questions will need to be answered on where the board are most focussed, a new stadium is no longer a priority whilst the clubs future playing level remains uncertain. Investment in the squad is now a must as currently this squad looks incapable of retaining their Championship status. But investment is now a must.

If we go back a year the appointment of Keith Millen may have been the cheaper option, but he had earned the right to become Steve Coppell's replacement. Steve Lansdown explained that Millen was the second choice when Coppell was appointed so reviewing the same applicants again just a few months later would be a pointless task ending in the same result.

It was hard to argue with Millen's appointment at that stage due to his efforts during his caretaker position the season before, but now with a different selection of managers available should it be time for the board to reassess our position. If so, the board would have to back a new manager and pay off Millen - it would be costly for the board but sadly it already appears keeping things as they are could cost a lot more with dwindling crowds and the risk of a return to League 1.

Even if the board decide to stick with Keith they should be investing to help him keep his job. The sell of Nicky Maynard would be needed to generate some of the funds to improve the defence which looks increasingly incapable. But Millen should also request funds for another task.

With rumours of certain players unhappy at squad selection it could be an ideal move for the club to pay off the contracts of the players out of contract in the summer considered no longer a part of our plans for the future. Although this would cost a large amount in one go, it would cost no more in the long run. Also the players remaining would know where they stand in the pecking order rather than random chops and changes we are seeing whilst Millen tries to discover a team able of not losing.

This would also bring the squad more together as a unit, rather than an overcrowded class room and will give Millen the chance to work more closely with the players he actually needs to, which would surely improve players knowledge of tactics and each other.

It has become apparent that deadwood needs to be scrapped, whether the new board have the guts to do this so early in their reign remains unknown. City are in trouble this year, it isn't a jumping of the gun reaction - it's quite clear and the club needs to be honest with itself.

This blog was never meant as an anti-Millen blog. It's just coincidence of a worrying start whilst this blog has begun - no one enjoys calling for a managers head as it means that things at your club aren't right. 

In my opinion, all of the above should be done. The board need to take action against the manager as it's his tactics and squad selections which constantly are criticised - once again today playing players out of position such as a dangerous "fox in the box" on the left flank. 

The board should then back a new manager to improve and build his own squad also giving him the option of paying off some of the players with one year left - which really is an issue at the club at the moment and could doing a lot more damage than anyone realises.

The club has a big week ahead of itself, two tough games approach and the realist in anyone will tell you that it's more likely than not this time in 6 days City will remain deservedly bottom still with a good chance of zero points. It's time for the board to reassess, spending or saving could be the exact opposite in the long run, a brave chairman will now have to make a serious decision and back it if the club wish to remain a Championship fixture.

A REFLECTION ON YESTERDAYS EVENTS

Bristol City crashed again at home yesterday for the second consecutive season on the opening day of the Npower Championship, in a manner which was hard to swallow and left a lot to be reflected upon.

Ipswich didn't particularly play well in any sense, in fact they only had 2% of the play more than City and had less shots, yet still came away with three points and three goals. But maybe this shouldn't be so surprising.

Sixteen weeks ago yesterday, Ipswich Town came to Ashton Gate on a warm spring day. The visitors again triumphed then, 1-0 even having a man less for the best part of an hour - Lee Martin, scorer of Ipswich's second yesterday, was sent off for a two footed challenge. Since then Ipswich have improved their attack and midfield, yet City have seemingly stood still, something that becomes extremely obvious in the line-ups of the two games.

Below is the starting XI Millen chose for the last two games against Ipswich. 

16/04/11 06/08/11

James James

McAllister McAllister

Stewart Fontaine

Nyatanga Nyatanga

Spence Spence

Campbell-Ryce Campbell-Ryce

Cisse Skuse

Elliott Elliott

Adomah Adomah

Maynard Maynard

Stead Stead

Considering Millen stated before the summer he knew our weaknesses and knew where to strengthen it's extremely concerning that the two line-ups are very similar, even more so when every single starter yesterday was here last season - and only one of his three new signings made the bench. Spence really can't be considered a new signing as although a loan he's only been away for two games in theory.

The only changes from the starting line up that day would be Fontaine, who would have played back in April if it wasn't for injury, and Skuse who would play the last twenty minutes anyway in the 1-0 defeat. In fact the only other player, apart from Fontaine, to only play yesterday and not 16 weeks ago would be new signing Kilkenny who came on for Campbell-Ryce - the two other subs, Pitman and Woolford also both came off the bench last season.

Millen was "Frustrated and annoyed" with the performance of that day in spring, stating we didn't work our passing game or play to our strengths, but yesterdays tactics would be the same. The same long ball desperation style was apparent as Adomah would be doubled up on down the right flank. Which isn't a risk for any defence when you know there'll be no danger from the left, City use a strange tactic of one right winger and three central midfielders with two strikers, one of which has to then play half on the left and half up front.

Yesterday his reaction was more of disappointment and shock, the second reaction is quite shocking itself. If Millen knew that he had to strengthen, but didn't, and then failed to play a creative midfielder at home on the opener then why was he shocked that we couldn't get a result against a now better Ipswich outfit.

With the same mindset, tactics and squad City will face another long battle this season to ensure Championship status. We really need a commanding centre back and still the left back we've craved since promotion. We also need to play a left winger on the left flank. If Millen is the man who can deliver this in an ever improving league is looking increasingly unlikely. While other managers continue to strengthen Millen has given out a contract to an aging Louis Carey who'd struggle to find another club in this league - which kind of sets the scene in a summer where apart from Neil Kilkenny the signings aren't going to be used much.

Progress isn't being made, and in this league standing still is just as bad as retreating. Rather contradictory though is that CIty now appear to have to take a step back in order to move forward. Nicky Maynard will have to be sold and the funds have to be used for the backline. Maynard's 20 goals this season might not even be enough to keep us up in this league with the defence as it is -  and with Pitman able to get at least 15 in this league it's a must we cash in and improve where we now have to.

Boo's and calls already for the managers head may a look like an over-reaction but sadly the facts show the true picture - Millen has not pushed us forward this summer. Millen has the remaining 24 days of this month to ensure not only that he's fit enough to manage City, but to ensure we aren't in the bottom three this season.

COULD NICKY END THE HUNT FOR A NEW RIGHT BACK?

One year ago almost exactly to the day Bristol City signed a player who boasted Premier League and England Under 21 experience, Nicky Hunt, a signing that shocked in more ways than one....

Arguably City's biggest disappointment of recent time, Hunt was exactly what City needed, however after a howler of a start to his City career the majority of fans bayed for his blood. But have the City faithful decided that he deserves a second chance?

Signing from Bolton Wanderers on a free, the 26 year old  only enhanced City's hopes of reaching the play offs joining an improving squad under the guidance of then manager Steve Coppell. The very next day after signing he would impress the fans in the only home friendly of pre-season against Blackpool until he limped off after an hour with a knock. Coppell mentioned after the game that the right back would be out for two weeks.

However he would be on the Ashton Gate field in a weeks time for the season opener against Millwall. In a 3-0 thumping loss Hunt looked a shadow of the player we had seen in the Premier League for Bolton and even 7 days before against a newly promoted Premier League side, he wasn't fit but Coppell had no choice but to pick him out of a very packed injury list.

Having to play in the League Cup first round defeat to Southend would have only further put strain on an unhealed knock and even worse for him would be that the man who brought him to Ashton Gate would walk the following morning. If he had thought this couldn't get any worse he'd be wrong.

Hunt would go onto to start the next five games in 31 days, with his only weekend off being an international break, a spell in which would see City keep just one clean sheet in the sole victory at Scunthorpe and leak eight goals. City fans lost patience and Hunt was torn from the squad half way through the defeat to Watford with new manager Keith Millen stating after the match he was concerned he would be sent off.

The City fans had seen enough, most described him as the worst they had seen in the red and it appeared Millen had also lost patience with him as he removed him from his plans. City eventually would find some form and begin a five a match unbeaten run, which saw City beating Swansea away - a feat not repeated by any other Championship side last season, the pressure began to lift on the club. Looking to remain unbeaten for a sixth consecutive match City would go to former giants Leeds United, a game that would see the end of Nicky Hunt's career at Ashton Gate.

With the game tied at 1-1 Carey was forced off with an injury and would be replaced by Hunt who hadn't played in two months, yet it looked like two decades. City would concede three goals in the last 25 minutes - the first of which coming a minute after Hunt came on setting the scene as Hunt would be heavily involved in two. The defense had returned to it's earlier self and Hunt would be to blame, even publicly Millen confirmed that the last 30 minutes City were poor and subs were to blame. He looked out of his depth, unfit and everyone had now had enough.

A thread on OTIB would appear after that match which could damage anyone's self belief and confidence - the fans wanted him out and clearly Millen did too, announcing on a Radio Bristol chat show around January he had informed Hunt that he was no longer needed and even softly hinted at personal problems which is why we never signed the player we believe we did. Nicky Hunt's career at City was done, and City were better for it.

Fast forward to present day and the faithful's opinion on Nicky Hunt has began to change. The same fans who posted their hate filled posts on the forum are now asking for Millen to give him one last chance, and why not? He has played twice in pre-season, albeit in the reserve look teams but he has performed - and that's all he can do. And boy do the City fans like a worker!

Brian Tinnion was verbally abused in the streets after a poor start in his career at the Gate but eventually he would find himself as a City legend. Even Steve Jones more recently turned the fans opinions around before injury ended his time with City when he was given a second chance. But is Millen ready to take that risk?

Nicky's professionalism can't be disputed. He still turns up for every training session at a club he has no place, it's even been said that he has requested DVD's of his matches here to learn from his mistakes. If he's not willing to give up on his career then surely he'll grab the chance with both hands when given to him. After all we know he's good. You don't start 113 Premier League matches by chance, it's just a case of unlocking that player hidden inside him.

It would look bad on Millen's judgement to bring him back into the squad after publicly deleting him from playing any part in his squad again, but if it worked Millen would look a man management genius, and it would solve one of City's three defensive problems which have remained untouched throughout this summer.

A start against West Brom this Saturday would be the final task Hunt would need to pass, and with knocks once again a problem this pre-season Millen would be forgiven for giving him his first run out in ten months at City's home. A good performance could see City's ex-Premiership right-back finally arrive at Bristol City - he just needs one game to show us and then maintain that.

Hunt's career could well depend on whether Millen agrees with a growing number of fans or not, either way, we lose nothing by giving him one last shot.