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.
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