John deal didn't work, admits Bristol City boss Johnson.
By: Bristol.co.uk.
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson has admitted the loan signing of Southampton striker Stern John was not the success he had hoped for.
John arrived at Ashton Gate, initially on a short-term loan, in October and scored two goals in 11 appearances. City were obliged, as part of the initial agreement with cash-strapped Southampton, to extend the loan until the end of the season.
The Trinidad and Tobago international made a further 14 appearances without finding the back of the net and spent the final six weeks of the season either on the bench or out of the squad altogether.
Johnson said: "I was disappointed with Stern's involvement towards the end of the season and I left him out because I didn't feel he was giving us anything.
"Until you get to know that, you have to play him to see if he can give you the sort of game you are looking for.
"We had to get him because he is very experienced Championship striker with a very good goals-to-games ratio.
"To do that we had to agree to take him on loan until the end of the season and look after his contract. We were committed to taking him on loan until the end of the season."
Bristol City are believed to be paying John's wages until the end of this month – even though the striker was released by Southampton last week.
His failure to hit the heights at Ashton Gate came as a surprise to some after a respectable goals-to-games ratio of almost one in every three outing at six Championship clubs since arriving in England from Columbus Crew almost 10 years ago.
John has had offers to return to cross the Atlantic from one player who was a genuine Ashton Gate favourite.
Canada international left-back Jim Brennan has remained a firm friend of John's since their time together with Nottingham Forest and is now with Toronto FC.
"Jimmy and myself will always be friends," said John, who scored 96 goals in 65 internationals.
"We'll always stick together. I spoke to Jimmy online and he keeps talking about me going back to the MLS. I fancy going back there, but not just yet. I want to play in England for another season or two."
