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.
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