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.
Ross Verbals
