Bristol City manager Lee Johnson has given his side to the story of the argument he had with former Robins star Aaron Wilbraham back in 2016, shortly after taking over at Ashton Gate.

The argument came about between the pair when Johnson had discovered that Wilbraham's agent had been speaking to young City star Joe Bryan, and was suspicious that the conversation the pair had could lead to an early departure from his hometown club for the left-sided player.

On the events, Johnson said: "He [Aaron Wilbraham] was a good player for the football club. These things happen.

"I don't like it effectively when players tell tales but on that occasion, it was not a footballer's job to.

"Because what happens is the agents promise them jobs or they give them some money or whatever to go and hook somebody in. And therefore the influence inside the dressing room is just as important as outside the dressing room.

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"I'm not saying don't give advice in that type of scenario but don't actively push a player into an area."

Bryan stuck around in his hometown for the next two years, eventually leaving for newly-promoted Premier League side Fulham on the last day of the summer transfer window in 2018.

The 26-year-old made 28 appearances for the Cottagers last season as he lived his dream of playing in the top flight, before dropping down to the second tier again as Fulham suffered relegation and the full-back has been a regular for Fulham so far this campaign.

Wilbraham stuck around at Ashton Gate for a year after his reported argument with the Robins gaffer, leaving in August 2017 for a spell with Bolton Wanderers after appearing 35 times with the Robins during the 2016-2017 season.

The Verdict

Johnson had a right to be concerned back then, as he attempted to cling onto his former starlet.

The experienced City manager would have been disappointed at one of his player's agents attempting to get to another through one of his team-mates, and his no-nonsense approach early on would have earnt him immediate respect within the dressing room.