Out of the senior players only Lee Trundle, Brian Wilson and Steve Collis have been released. Trundle found first team opportunities to be very rare this season and went back to Swansea on loan. Wilson has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons and has only made a handful of appearances in the past two seasons. Steve Collis was brought into the squad as goalkeeping cover following the departure of Adriano Basso but failed to make an appearance.
Youngsters Tristan Plummer, Frankie Artus and Ashley Kington have also been released with none of the 3 making a senior appearance. However, young defender Joe Edwards has been rewarded with a contract offer along with striker Marlon Jackson. Academy players Joe Lennox and Danny Ball have been offered professional contracts.
Loanees Evander Sno, Patrick Agyemang and Andrius Velicka have also returned to their clubs. Agyemang was the biggest disappointment out of the loanees to come in. Evander Sno showed glimpses in class but was played in a wing role he wasn't familiar with. The agonising story of Andrius Velicka however is one of what might of been. Signed by Gary Johnson on loan just before the second home game against Q.P.R on August 18th. Andrius came off the bench but his debut and season were to last less than 5 minutes, an off the ball turn left the unfortunate striker with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
My personal opinion on these decisions are that I agree with all of them apart from one. Ashley Kington seems to have been one of the better youngsters in the reserves this season and has been on the scoresheet quite regularly, so I was a bit disappointed with that decision. Evander Sno also impressed me on occasions but wasn't consistent enough.
At the Bristol City player sponsor evening 2010 last Tuesday night, I had the chance to sit down with Bristol City captain Louis Carey and discuss the recently completed Championship season. It was a season that saw 11 new signings, the emergence of Nicky Maynard as a top scorer, last minute heartbreak, the end of the Johnson era and a fantastic final run in culminating in the announcement that Steve Coppell will be manager next year. Louis was open and honest in his assessment of the season and his hopes for the next, read the exclusive interview here.
Bristol City had a great start to the season, what do you put that down to?
"We had a togetherness as players, and were excited for the start of the season. We had a really good pre-season and worked hard in the build up to the opening game at Preston. Going in 0-0 at half time gave us the confidence that we could do well and we did. Then we followed that up with two impressive home wins."
We have to talk about the Crystal Palace 'goal' where Freddie Sears scored, but had it disallowed. What was your view of it?
"I was actually not playing in that match, I was watching in the stand, but I could tell straight away it was a goal. As soon as there was some doubt about it from the referee, the players obviously showed theirs and the goal was disallowed. At the end of the day it is the ref's call and he decided it shouldn't be given."
With Adriano Basso's contract dispute, it meant a change of goalkeeper for the team, how did that affect you and the other defenders?
"The actual position of goalkeeper shouldn't affect the defence as we should be able to command the box for whoever is guarding the goal, and Dean Gerken has come in and done a fantastic job. So it didn't affect us on the pitch, but it was disappointing in the dressing room to see Adriano, who is such a nice man, looking so upset and so sad."
Bristol City failed to have any sort of run in the cups, what do you put that down to?
"We had a decent start in the Carling Cup by beating Brentford away from home, but against the lower league sides you have to battle hard and I think we got found out. It is quite hard to play in those early rounds, when even at Ashton Gate there is a poor turn out, it is almost like playing reserve team football."
Throughout the season Bristol City kept on conceding late, late goals, as a defender it must have been very frustrating?
"As soon as the fourth official put the injury time board up, there seemed to be a groan from the fans, and that filtered through to the players. I can't put a finger on why it kept on happening, but this season when you count all the points those late goals cost us, it's clear they are a big reason why we aren't in the playoffs."
This season the Ashton Gate crowds have slipped to an average of around 14,000. How can the team get supporters back through the turnstiles?
"I think the bigger crowds of the past few seasons were a result of the promotion and to attract the fans we need to be pushing for it once again. This season though, we have more points than last, and ended the season plying some excellent football, so I am hoping we can finish in the top six next season."
The Gary Johnson era ended in a poor run of form, after five successful years, why couldn't the side gain two wins in a row?
"The pressure of not picking up points was a shock to all of us, in previous seasons when we had a poor result we would almost always bounce back with a good performance, but for whatever reason we just couldn't. There were problems off the field with some players, and that affected people, but as players it was down to us and we should have done more. Those last minute goals were costly."
Unlike previous years, this season Bristol City have a pretty solid record against the top six sides, what do you put this down to?
"For whatever reason we seemed to raise our game for the big matches and against the top sides we really performed. We got 2 points off Newcastle United, 3 off West Brom and 2 against Forest. As players it is easy to play in those games against top sides in front of big crowds."
Keith Millen guided the team to an excellent final run in, what did he bring to the side?
"The lads got their confidence back, and started performing again. Milly put his stamp on it, changed the training and he got positive results. He did an excellent job in charge."
Christian Ribeiro has emerged at the end of this season, and his surging runs forward are reminiscent of yourself. Is this down to you?
"None of that is down to me, Ribs enjoys that side of the game as well and he is good at it. He has every chance to go all the way, he still has a lot to learn, but he has the ability to play at the top."
Nicky Maynard has had a fantastic year, what have you made of his season?
"Nicky has been excellent. To score 20 goals in any league is impressive, but in the Championship it is a huge achievement. When you look at the quality of his goals, you can see what standard of player he is. Ninety per cent of his goals, he has made all by himself."
Next season Steve Coppell takes charge of the club, are you excited to work under him?
"I think it is a real good appointment. He has the success of winning the league with Reading, who are a similar side to us in stature and when you listen to his press conference it is clear that he is up for the challenge as well."
You are now the second most capped player in Bristol City's history, how does that make you feel?
"Very proud. I didn't really think about it until I was told I was a few games away from being the second most capped player. I've been bugging Fonts about it ever since! Being a local lad and a fan of the club it means even more to me.
So will we be seeing a Louis Carey stand at the new stadium in Ashton Vale?
"I wouldn't like to comment on that, that's not for me to say!"
Many thanks to Louis for doing this interview, I hope you enjoyed the read.
City keeper Steve Collis has joined League Two Torquay on an emergency loan. The loan is for 7 days and has been approved as City have no more fixtures left. Injuries to Michael Poke and Scott Bevan, had left Torquay without a keeper for their final league game of the season, against Notts County at Plainmoor.Bristol City hotshot Nicky Maynard will receive a Golden Boot after all following his 20 goal league haul. The Golden Boot is traditionally given to the top league goalscorer of the year. Nicky and Cardiff City's Peter Whittingham both had the same tally of 20 goals at the end of the regular season. However, it was revealed that Puma's sponsorship had ended therefore in essence there wasn't a Golden Boot to win.City fans were disappointed for Nicky following his prolific season but they decided amongst them to do something about it. Marie Day from the Supporters Trust has organised and bought a Golden Boot trophy which will be awarded to Nicky during the end of season awards evening on Friday. The cost of the trophy has been donated from City fans on the official Fans Forum, who wanted to show their gratitude and congratulate Nicky on his great season.City have drawn the final game of the league season 1-1 with Blackpool. Nicky Maynard's fantastic early strike opened the scoring just before the quarter hour mark. It would not be enough though as Brett Ormerod secured a point and more importantly Blackpool's place in the play-offs early in the second half. Maynard would be joint top scorer in the regular season with Cardiff's Peter Whittingham with 20 goals. However, as a sponsorship deal with Puma ended last season there will be no Golden Boot for City's hotshot.
City defender Liam Fontaine is back in training and will be in contention for City's swansong in this season's Championship campaign. Fontaine was forced to miss the Derby game last Saturday with a back injury, however has responded well to treatment and is in training again with the squad. Danny Haynes is still touch and go with his progress being assessed on a daily basis.
The game has the possibility of being a sell-out with Blackpool still right in the play-off hunt. The game is also been shown live on Sky Sports 2 this Sunday with coverage being shown from 12:00 with a 1:00PM kick-off at Bloomfield Road.
| vs. |
| Ipswich Town | 2-0 | Bristol City |
| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Nottingham Forest | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| 21 | Preston North End | 4 | -6 | 3 |
| 22 | Bristol City | 4 | -5 | 2 |
| 23 | Leicester City | 4 | -5 | 1 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 4 | -5 | 1 |
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