A Darkwood Red

Firstly, I was out yesterday so reading what appeared to be long post on my phone wasn't really possible at the time so apologies for not replying sooner. Now having taken the time to read your reply I want to reply to your questions and observations. Every point you make is correct, and for the record I was only pointing out a thought or observation myself. The only thought I have is I'm not convinced by the 'out of his depth' argument (yet). Having beaten Middlesbrough and Southampton and the recent cup performances not many were questioning if he was out of his depth. We still, very much have a counter attacking mindset within the squad as a whole, something we have been since the last couple of seasons of LJ's reign. LM trying to change that mindset mid season is clearly proving more difficult than some of those involved thought it would be. I'd like to have seen LM use that tactic more till we get to a safer position, probably something some (in power) thought we already were? I do believe Tinnion should've stayed in his Academy and Youth recruitment roles. An experienced Director of Football should've been put into position, especially, with a small board and with a young (highly thought of) coach having been appointed, not so much as an overseer but more as someone who can act as support to bounce ideas off. Someone who would not be interested in the managerial or coaching role themselves. There are plenty of rumours surrounding NP and Alexander during their time here and what might have led to Alexander leaving. I tend not to dwell on them especially after a decision, beyond my control, to let anyone go or allow anyone to leave has been made. Now after 35+ years of repeated disappointment I'm usually over a poor performance by the time I get into the park, on my way home, however I will say my frustrations from Saturday are still with me now.

You're right about last season and there were times at the start of this season where it looked like we were carrying on in the vain. And as soon as there was the slightest down turn in that form the axe was swung. Like I alluded to in my first post, getting rid of NP was premeditated. So for now we limp through to the end of the season and hope given the opportunity to change in team and a preseason, we see an upturn in our fortunes.

Not at the moment but they wouldn't go back either. Saturday was the first time I felt properly disillusioned. Like for like substitutions and a definite lack of a any thoughts or plans to change the way we were playing to affect the game. There is certainly isn't any contentment or happiness within me and my friends, just another season of watching us try and limp towards safety (hopefully). Another season of same old mediocrity

What I never see in any of these conversations about NP is that it was becoming increasingly apparent that he wasn't going to be offered a new contract, therefore the question was do you let him take you through the January window? Once the contract decision was made letting him go became the obvious choice for the powers that be. Now why they decided not to extend his tenure we'll never know but his own health issues and possibly the perceived breakdown in the working relationship with the senior leadership would point to why those decisions were made. Certainly some of my friends were quite happy to see him go, personally I thought the end wasn't far off.

Saturday was the first time I've had an issue with Manning's management. Up to now I've argued that we can see the differences and improvements in the way we been playing with the exception of decision making in the final phase of play. Obviously there are some small things within that like the tempo with which we move the ball around the back line from one side to the other but blimey we've been guilty of that under as many managers as I can remember and I'm going back to the late 80's. Yesterday however what we saw was a lack of ideas, a system not working and unable to break down Cardiff's deep defence. Like for like subs that don't change anything and no plan for changing our style to affect the game. Hopefully this will be the catalyst for a proper investigation by LM and his team to see what we can do better and implement it. Personally i believe we'll be ok and will be better next season however if we continue in the current form and results then anything including the worst possible of outcomes will come very much into the reckoning and Manning may not get to fully implement his plans next season.

Heard that on RB, one of the most bizarre appointments I've ever heard

I was in the shell garage on York Rd (by Fowlers) once, a guy infront of me asked to buy a lighter, so the young girl serving reached back and picked out of the box and handed to him. He started raging at the girl who looked completely lost and confused "I'm bit having that, I can't have that, I've never owned any red ever, get me another one, any colour other than red" She handed him another and he walked out muttering under his breath. Poor girl looked completely lost until I explained the guy was a Bristol Rovers fan (he had a quarters pin on his coat) and that he couldn't have a red lighter because City played in red. She shrugged her shoulders and asked "all that over sport? What a weirdo".

I dont doubt it's more unhappy than happy, just suspect it's not quite as wide as it is being made out. And like I said I could only comment on how it sounded where we are sat. Anyway onwards and upwards, new regime will get my support whole heartedly and hopefully we'll get some more exciting performances at home

True, but for example as a bunch of 45 to 55 year olds, very few of us have any social media presence. Old school or stuff to hide . From our seats in what was B block the chanting only seemed to come from S82 and a few of the newer ones in A block, I might be wrong but that's how it sounded. And there definitely some shouts of Shut The **** Up from around me when it started. Not many but a few from more than one person.

To be honest, I suspect the fan base was quite split and that many who are either on the fence regarding NP's dismissal (my own position) or those perfectly happy he's gone (many of my mates, not all, but many) are just not so vocal about it as those unhappy about it. Certainly within my group of city supporting friends we've had some interesting discussions just that only 1 of us is on here.

but but but... thats Nigel's team! I'm being flippant of course. What I will say is my views definitely started to change after the Ipswich game. Ipswich have someone in charge for 18 months to 2 years who has imprinted a style of football which is fast, exciting and attacking. Home performances are no different than they have been for 5 or 6 years, you have to go back to Juniors 1st two seasons for the last time we've won double figure home games and no I certainly don't want him back

Definitely in the first half, Tommy looked off the pace and as if he wasn't ready to be back out there yet. However there was a point where something seemed to click and he suddenly started making more decisive runs and movement. He may well have been carrying a subconscious fear into the game but the deeper into the game he got the better and more like himself he looked. As a still young player he's going to have good and bad days, especially coming back from injury but I suspect bad days will become fewer and far between

Thanks (run out of reactions :laugh:) I think Nigel accepts that more often than not he's not the beneficiary of the foundations he lays. I suspect he might even get a kick out of that, especially knowing that the fans will still hold him in high regard for the work he started.

All very valid points and maybe I'm not quite articulating my view properly. Largely I suspect because I always look for the central position, trying to look at both sides rather than jumping all in on one side or the other. Pearson has done a great job under very difficult circumstances and made progress as you point out. Also given that we could all see due to the financial situation we found ourselves in, to keep him to the 3-year plan when we were as a club 18 to 2 years behind was ridiculous. My point is over the last couple of months his position was becoming increasingly untenable. It might not have been necessarily for footballing reasons mainly but once you lose the relationship with the board and owner then there was only going to be one winner. Its just unfortunately, for everyone else, we feel like we have lost out. Pearsons not stupid and once he could see the writing was on the wall he was very clever with his messaging, whereas, let's be fair, considering there's a large PR dept within BS, messaging from the board has never great or clever. Do the club have to get the next appointment right? Of course they do but that's true every time there's a change. As I've said elsewhere, what I want more than anything would be some exciting, entertaining football at home instead of the frankly mediocre stuff we've had to put up with over the last 5/6 seasons. And I understand why it's been like that under Pearson, young fast forwards, why wouldn't you setup to counterattack and pick up unexpected points away from home? It's just boring at home when your opposition has more of the ball but that started to evolve a little even it was slow and sometimes a little pained. Here's hoping whoever's next can build on that because not matter much many of us might have wanted it, it wasn't going to happen for Nigel.