RedRock

It could be that he’s proven in training to be an absolute wizard of a player. We told him to play carp in his last match and now we’re not playing him as part of a cunning plan to drive the transfer fee down. To keep the player’s spirits up during this ‘withdrawn’ period we treat him to days out sitting on the bench. Alternatively, he’s not very good and the work experience analyst who recommended him has been sacked. Hopefully, the former.

Did Norwich to South Devon last year. Epic journey to what felt like the other side of the World. Have they finished digging up that friggin dual carriageway between Thetford and Norwich yet? Had to be the longest road works known to man .. went on for about 100 miles. I felt like I should have been nearly there after turning off the M’way but it was bloody hours away from the junction. Nice area, but ‘remote’ isn’t the word.

Decent that. I’ll forgive Manning his FA coach book bingo interview, based on that match. High energy, fast paced and positive performance that, to which a surprisingly totally lack-lustre and lethargic Blackburn had no answer. No farting around at the back and looked pretty comfortable in/out of possession in a back 5/3. Maybe he’s stumbled on something that works well just like a couple of our previous managers through a key player injury? All good.

Struth. How did I forget Twine … and, currently, he’s not injured either!!!! Hopefully, we’ve got a £1 million ‘buy’ option on him. Otherwise, that seems a disastrous bit of business too. We really are just burning through the Scott and Semenyo money to no great effect.

So, the Manning/Tinnion first window, which the latter described - I think - as ‘brilliant’. We have TGH, injured, bit of a lightweight and still don’t know his best position; Bird, injured but presently not ours; Dire, less said the better; Irish bloke, gone home injured, Aldershot bloke, lost form but presently not ours. Little wonder SL is now saying there’s no money available. I’d be saying the same after that sort of performance from our recruitment team. Hopefully, somewhat belatedly, SL now recognises we need to get a comprehensive network of scouts established. Know it’s ’old school’, but this modern desk top stuff fails at our Club. After sorting out the scouting network, get a top medical expert in. These are the best signings we could make and it just frustrating that we don’t seem to be making any progress on these positions with the opening of the Summer Window not that far off. Once we’ve done those two things then, SL, release the ‘purse strings’ for 3-4 first team players (NOT ones for the future) that are real improvements on what we already have.

We need to move on. Nige ain’t coming back. Was a Manning ‘outer’ a couple of weeks back as I couldn’t see what he was trying to do with the team, the results/performances were diabolical and was baffled how the ‘brilliant’ January transfer period could be regarded as anything other than a total failure on/off the pitch. The last two results though have placed us in a better position, so it’s pretty clear now he will be with us until at least next October. So, our choice is to continue to snipe away and criticise everything the management team do, or support - passively or otherwise. I’m opting for the latter given that it is the one most likely to result in positive performances on the pitch. You reds.

Unlucky. Would have been interesting if we hadn’t lost those 3 players, but the replacements did a fine job. Be interesting to see how many progress now with us.

HT Man City 0 Bristol City3 (2 Hamstrings, 1 Hip) Never change City. Never change. Actual we’re decent. Like the look of our keeper, even if he’s not had much to do.

Done as everyone else … but ought to have a category for the ‘much under-rated’ or ‘Mr Consistency’ …. I bring you George Tanner.

Like that. Well done my chuffing reds.

That was The Cherry Tree incident. Parked up and wandered around the back streets some distance from the Ground looking for a pub and just by chance spotted The Cherry Tree at the end of a pleasant, quiet residential street. Suddenly and bizarrely, out of nowhere a mob of a couple of hundred charged down the road in front of the pub, and started smashing up cars in the adjoining car forecourt. You may be right about the Plymouth fans, but my recollection was that it was the car sales owner who came out swinging an axe and chased the mob down the road. Truly, was like a scene from the Wild West, and then some. Anyhow, nothing can stop a man from his pint. Went into pub, a few scattered City in there drinking as if nothing had happened. Think the coaches that had dropped off the mob had all their tyres slashed during the match in retribution. Just another of many fun days in the lifelong saga of following City home and away.

Erm… 26,000 City, 20,000 for the Women’s rugby. That’s about 3 months worth of Sags attendances for the stadium in a couple of days.

As I was, and started in the third division prior to that particular ‘dip’ to the fourth. I have, however, little doubt the current Owner and The Board wish to achieve success. Certain parts of their ‘model’ seem to be heading in the right direction. For example, not many Championship Clubs had attendances at their grounds over the last couple of days exceeding 46,000, with the stadium and support receiving glowing praise from a national broadcaster. I do think the football side needs work still and I remain sceptical that the current set up off/on field will deliver success. I would love to be proved wrong.

Well done lads. Cracking result. Now, the big one. Follow that performance up and get consistent. The South West bragging rights at stake.

See he was an ex Henbury Old Boy. Pity he crossed to the dark side. Good player, who realised his full potential and then some with the support of a couple of the best managers this Country has seen. Rest easy.