Bristol City boss Lee Johnson has been discussing the methods of Jaap Stam and Chris Wilder and the success they’ve had during their spells in the Championship with Reading FC and Sheffield United.  

Johnson is now the longest-serving manager in the Championship and is looking to steer Bristol City into the play-off picture – if they are offered a chance to finish a season that’s 37 games deep.

Over the years, Johnson has rubbed shoulders with plenty of managers in the Championship, which has proved to be something of an education.

As he discusses that learning he undertakes in the Championship, Johnson has moved to touch on the Dutch methods of Stam at Reading in the 2016/17 season and outstanding success of Wilder’s 3-5-2.

Sitting down with the Anthony Hudson Masterminds podcast, Johnson said: "The Championship is an outstanding league for a young coach that is learning the game. 

"As it stands I'm the longest-serving coach in the Championship and there hasn't half been some good quality that's come and gone in that time.

"You've only got to look at the likes of Jaap Stam and some of the patterns of play, you could really see the Dutch style he brought to that Reading side that was successful in getting to the play-offs, and then the likes of Sheffield United and the way they work their 3-5-2 with overlapping centre-halves.”

Stam led Reading to third in the Championship table in 2016/17, with the Royals playing some eye-catching football. However, Huddersfield Town beat them in the play-off final, on penalties.

For Wilder, he took Sheffield United from League One to the Premier League, with their 3-5-2 system boasting overlapping centre-backs, which the top-flight is still struggling to get to grips with.

QUIZ: Can you name the mascot of these 40 EFL clubs?

 

The Verdict

Johnson has come up against some top, top managers in the Championship, but it is interesting to hear him talk about Stam and Wilder.

Wilder is easy to understand given his success, but Reading were good without ever getting anywhere under Stam.

However, the ‘total football’ the Dutchman was getting Reading playing clearly stood out to Johnson.

Thoughts? Let us know!