Comparing League 1 Sides

Eight years ago, a Bristol City side under the management of Gary Johnson was perched in exactly the same spot of the football league, that today’s team is right now: first in League 1. However, as a City fan it does not seem appropriate to view the sides of the two seasons as similar. A sense of optimism roams around Ashton Gate this year, whereas in the 2006/07 season, this optimism certainly wasn’t as apparent.

When comparing the sides, one must note different styles of play and formation. Under Johnson a system of using 4 at the back was used, whereas under the reigns of Cotterill, City have moved to a routine of using 3 central defenders with wing backs, offering both offensively and defensively.
In between the sticks in 2006/07 was Adriano Basso, who was to establish himself as a ‘City Legend’, as fans were wooed by his flamboyant style and positive enigma. Current number one for City is Frank Fielding, who at the tender goalkeeping age of 26, has had over two years playing Championship level, and this year is at the forefront of Cotterill’s promotion push .

In September, Fielding registered three clean sheets on the bounce, in comparison to last season where it took City over three months to register their first clean sheet, it illustrates hoe far City have come in the space of a year. To come to a conclusion on who I would view as a better player for City is difficult, it could be argued that Fielding is unlucky in having a side built to attack in front of his goal, maybe he would concede less goals with a different set-up. However, if I was to choose between one of them it would have to be Adriano Basso, for his 5 years wonderful service to Bristol City as well as keeping fans entertained.

A further comparison between players that could be made is that of Jamie McCombe and Aden Flint, both with a similar stature and playing in the heart of defence. McCombe similar to Basso served many years at Ashton Gate amassing 119 appearances in City colours, and in his first season with City he saw not only team success (promotion to the championship), but individual success as he collected the Club’s Player of the Season Award. Like Basso, McCombe established himself as a modern day ‘City Legend’. To this I raise the question that ‘If City were to be promoted this season would so many of the squad become so highly regarded by fans like the players of the 06/07 season?’, or did such status come from the lack of expectation that was had towards the players in the 06/07 season. Last year, under Sean O’Driscoll, Aden Flint looked a lost man in the Bristol City defence, seeming off the pace and losing the ball far too easily. However, having had a full year under the guidance of Steve Cotterill, Flint seems to have transformed, commanding the back three and seeming far more confident on the ball. Such fine form has seen him recently be nominated, among three other players, for the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month. Not only has Flint improved and matured as a defender but his threat from set pieces has meant City have been able to steal points from sticky situations, for example his brace against Bradford.

Looking deeper into the defence, you could compare Louis Carey to both Luke Ayling or Derrick Williams. Carey, who will have been in his late twenties during for best part of the 2006 season, was part of a Bristol City defence that at this time in 2006 had conceded just 18 goals in 19 games, this record was to further improve conceding only 21 more goals in the 46 game season. Carey will forever be regarded as a Bristol City marvel, especially having broken the all time Bristol,City appearance record less than a year ago. As a player, Carey was consistent, hard working and during the 2006/07 season in his prime years as a footballer, in recent history there is no centre half to wear the red of a Bristol City and give more passion than Louis Carey, making it very difficult to compare any current player to him. Ayling and Williams are both products of Premier league footballing academies, Ayling having played for Arsenal youth sides from the age of just ten, and Derrick Williams having signed for Aston Villa after trials at the club, and Manchester United. This upbringing through the academy systems may be the reason why both young versatile defenders are confident on the ball, as well as being quick across the ground and certainly not shying away from a physical challenge.

The final mechanics in this years City defence are Joe Bryan and Mark Little, who play as ‘wing backs’ in the new system that Cotteril has adopted. This makes it difficult to compare the players to anyone who will have played under Gary Johnson’s side. To compare, McCalister or Woodman to a player such as Joe Bryan seems trivial as both are very different players to the young wing back. Bryan, raised as a left sided midfielder is far greater offensively whereas the full backs in the 06/07season will be far more at home defensively.

With Mark Little it is slightly different, having spent all his career playing as a right back it is a little easier to compare him to the right back of the 06/07 season in Bradley Orr. Similar to my last comparison, I would conclude that Orr would be a better player defensively compared to the electric Little who provides more on the attack. Nonetheless, Bradley Orr certainly boasts a better player profile than Little, who is six years his junior. Orr was named in the PFA’s Championship team of the season 2007-08, the only Bristol City player to get into the selective side despite their wonderful season. However play off disappointment wasn’t to be Orr’s closest taste of the premier league as with QPR he was part of the squad that won the Championship in fashionable style. However, Mark Little, I believe, offers far more offensively than Bradley Orr. Thus, it would be far to say that both right sincere defenders suit the system they currently play in better than the other.

Next, it is logical to compare the current midfield to that of 8 years previous. In the heart of the midfield currently for Bristol City are Korey Smith and Wade Elliot, both of whom have Premier League appearances and when combined over 800 appearances in all professional leagues across England. Not to mention, Marlon Pack who Cotterill also has at his disposal to play in the centre of City’s midfield. Then further up the pitch is Luke Freeman, who plays just behind the front two that City line up with. Freeman who has the most creative and free role of the City players is one of the most exciting and skillful players that I have seen line up for City in my lifetime, Offering both goals and assists to the City side. This midfield weighed up against the varying midfield of 2006/07 would seem far stronger. Eight years ago a City midfield consisted of players such as Lee Johnson, Mark Noble, Cole Skuse, Scott Murray and others. Not only, does this midfield seem weaker on paper than the current season’s, but it was a constantly changing midfield rarely would the same midfield alliance be used back to back. This provides an interesting point, despite both sides finding themselves at the head of the table (at this point in the year), they have contrasting tales in line ups. This year’s City have been able to field a consistent line up regularly, whereas this was certainly not the case for the 06/07 season.

Finally, I shall look at the attacks of the two seasons. In 2006/07, strikers included Steve Brooker, Phil Jevons, Jennison Myrie-Williams and Enoch Showumni. When looking at the stats of all four strikers none of them stand out. In fact despite finishing second in 2006/07 Bristol City only scored 102 goals, the fifth lowest total in the league. Steve Brooker ending the season as City’s top scorer with 16 goals in total. When this attack is examined with the attack City can distribute this year, it appears inferior. City who have Kieran Agard, Aaron Wilbraham, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and, albeit on a two month loan Matt Smith, appear to have a far greater attack. Emmanuel-Thomas and Agard both amalgamated over 20 goals each last season playing in League 1. As well as Wilbraham who has reached double figures this season already and has years of experience playing at a higher level of football, the Championship. Thus, I believe it would be fair to say that this seasons attack is far superior to that had in 2006/07.