‘A tough call for the Robins boss’ – Lee Johnson facing encouraging Bristol City dilemma: The verdict This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict’ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… Bristol City boss Lee Johnson will have a wealth of striking options available to him should the 2019/20 Championship campaign get back underway, as reports are suggesting it is set to. Benik Afobe is back following his ACL injury and has looked “very good” in training this week, while January signing Nahki Wells looked like he beginning to settle before the delay, and Famara Diedhiou is having arguably the finest season of his Ashton Gate career. With the Championship’s joint leading provider of assists Niclas Eliasson and the effervescent Andi Weimann also available to him, Johnson faces something of a dilemma over who to start in his forward line. The team here at Football League World have offered their thoughts on what is, without doubt, a good problem to have… George Dagless I’d like to see Afobe and Wells put together because, for me, they are the best two strikers at the club. Afobe has missed a lot of the season, of course, but it sounds as though he has been sharp in training since coming back and, before the injury, he was looking good for the Robins. Meanwhile, Wells has had a good season with goals flowing for QPR and he also showed that he is capable of working with a forward alongside him in Jordan Hugill. Hugill and Afobe have similar traits in some areas of their attacking play and I think if he and Wells could dovetail together they would score a lot of goals – it’s surely worth a go. Jacob Potter I’d probably say that Wells and Afobe should be their starting strikers when fully fit. Afobe really impressed me in the early stages of this year’s campaign, and it was really unfortunate to see him ruled out of action for a lengthy period of time through injury. Afobe has shown that he can score goals at this level, and I fully expect him to pick up where he left off when he makes a timely return to competitive action this year. Wells should be partnering him as well, as his record simply speaks for itself in the Championship. QPR will be bitterly disappointed not to have had him on loan for the remainder of the season, but their loss is Bristol City’s gain. Diedhiou is a strong option to have in attack as well though, and with all of them fit, it gives Johnson a welcome selection dilemma heading into the final nine matches of this year’s campaign. A good dilemma to have though, that’s for sure. Sam Rourke This is a welcome predicament for Lee Johnson. Bristol City’s depth in the striker department is undoubtedly impressive and among the best in the Championship, so this will be a tough call for the Robins boss. All three strikers have their own strengths and offer different dimensions to City’s attack, but I would opt for a combination of Diedhiou and Wells initially. Mainly due to the fact that Afobe has been out of action for a considerable period this season, and is probably lacking the sharpness of the aforementioned duo at the moment. A traditional ‘little and large’ combo, Diedhiou and Wells have contrasting attributes that can combine effectively in the Championship, with Diedhiou able to utilise his aerial capabilities to help feed Wells, who likes to use his pace to get in behind opposition defences. A lot of teams in the second tier will be jealous of the Robins though, it’s a very talented striking trio that could help their bid to secure a spot in this season’s Championship play-offs. https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/a...encouraging-bristol-city-dilemma-the-verdict/
I have always thought that to be the partnership for next season (if we can make Benike's move permanent) - of course we don't know how long it would take to gel
Nothing tough about it for me, Adobe and Wells every time. Fammy off the bench against tiring defenders is great for us, provided they get the service of course.
It's very clear from here on Vancouver Island - Afobe and Wells makes my mouth drool. Maybe just maybe we could hit the form that could get us there.
I think it's more down a style of play that picks your strikers. Sometimes it's 2 that suits, sometimes 3. Rarer is a lone striker but Chelsea and Drogba did ok with 2 out wide. Liverpool with their front 3 are fantastic because Klopp's got the style and balance right. Think Junior, with Wells, Weiman, Afobe and Fammy to choose, has a fantastic opportunity to get City to the play offs - at least.
Exactly , it’s about using them all wisely, it’s much to simplistic to just say pick Wells and Adobe.
I don't think it's been the strikers that's been the problem, more like the lack of creativity in midfield..
Midfield has been our problem all season , we are too light weight and lacking experience at championship level . Nagy is either suffering from his injury or just not physically strong enough . He was amazing before his injury, so for me the Jury is still out with him , if he can get back to pre injury form and KS is back up to speed then I think we can make a real push in the remaining matches. Everyone is saying our fate is the the hands predominately of our strikers, I disagree I think if we can sort midfield out the rest will take care of itself.
Not much cop without a midfield to feed them , you could have Messi and Ronaldo upfront Would make no difference.
Looking at our potential … if all the IF's come good we could possibly win 7 or 8 games!!! 82 points maximum for us ...LEEDS have the worst run in! but think their minimum points will be 83-85 ...WBA 82 -86 and Fulham 79 -82 PNE COULD GET THE WOODEN SPOON!
We've got some real class up front, a real solid defence, players with real skill and ability in midfield, you've got to give credit to LJ for creating this group of players but 2 points from 15 before the lockdown was a nightmare, I really hope our fortunes change and LJ somehow waves his magic wand and we succeed. If it all goes wrong, will we still say this season we made progress as a team or just blame the pandemic for our failure and LJ just goes marching on?
Its a wholly differing thing to Bristol City. The Klopp ahem identity was brought to the club. The model of play is fundamentally the same as it was several years ago. All development and recruitment follows the one model. Here it is a case of Mr Johnson picks forwards on what his ideas are that month.
As a non Liverpool fan I could name more or less Liverpools team and how they will go about things. City??? Who knows???
It's funny we all think this, yet the stats don't bear this thought out at all. We are the 8th highest scorers in the division. I think our lack of defensive cover from our midfield is the issue, as we have the 9th worst goals against in the division! Comfortably the worst of any side in the top half of the table.
