JoeAman08

2 hours ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

If I went in to work and created a bad situation but then stabilised that bad situation, I'm not sure my client would be giving me any credit! 

Why should we accept having a head coach that is learning? 

Because we are bristol city. You suggest we just keep signing the rotation of managers instead? Rowett, Monk, Warnock or Mowbray? 
 

Whether Manning works or not. Whether LJ works or not. We need to think outside the box in our signings of players and managers. 

2 hours ago, RedJim said:

Some good points there. But (and I know it's been done to death) we were sold a pup by the chairman and Tinnion with this front foot bollocks. 

And do you think our owners will be investing enough to buy these quality forward players that we so clearly need?

I have very little faith in seeing a marked improvement next season. 

 

They need to invest. Whether they will or not remains to be seen. We know they lied but we should not hold that against Manning. If they want the football he wants to play they need to invest in some quality up front. 

5 minutes ago, RedJim said:

It's the total lack of attacking intent and quality on show. Are you enjoying this football under Manning? It's turgid.

We don’t have good attacking talent. Nige knew that too. Maybe Manning gave this team more credit than it deserved that it could adapt to his playstyle and thus we had a poor run in there. Idk but we need to revamp the forward players massively. Something that would have needed done under either manager. 
 

He has seemingly stabalised a bad situation. Think that is growth from him. He hasn’t perfected his craft yet. That is ok. He should be looked at the same way as a new 19 year old midfielder we would be looked at. Plenty of promise but may need to understand some bumps in the road. 

I think he will be good with some be faces. Our attack is dreadful. Disagree it is all tactical that the strikers don’t score more. They get no tap ins whatsoever. Service is from Knight Bell Cornick and Mehmeti. None of them can beat a man to the byline and cut back for someone. My opinion anyway. We need two wide players. 
 

LM has also tried different set ups. I think we have good players but few compliment each other. I am happy with the back 4 and keeper. We need to be better technically and athletically in front of them. 
 

So for me, get to safety. Idk 52/53 points should do it at most. Isn’t pretty to look at but still think there will be 3 teams in the 40s point wise come end of season. 
 

Want him to experiment a bit more with players that will be here or could be here. Drop Knight a bit deeper with TGH. Get Twine behind the striker. Get Medube 4-5 games in a row. Poor or not just see how we look so we can make informed decisions in the summer. 

Without a Pearson/Manning argument, we are likely outside the playoffs regardless. Both would need funding this summer. Think NP did a good job rebuilding the back and he probably viewed team building that way. Back to front. Now let LM build the middle to front in his mould and judge him on that. 

 2 wide players and a striker. That is on top of bringing Twine in who I think is needed. Keep SPH around next year and let him battle with a new striker and wells. I would explore deals for Mehmeti, Cornick and Conway. Open to resigning James if he wants on top of bringing in Bird. 
 

I think performances will pick up with Sykes back to full fitness and Twine back. Rightly or wrongly players will probably feel not much to play for. Performances often drop this time of year. I think strong character to win that game Sunday from what I have heard and read about the atmosphere. I think if we had a quiet board it wouldn’t be so hostile. It is unfair on anyone calling it a top 6 squad. 2-3 good starting players away from even really being considered. We just get drip fed how good these players are when, especially up front, they are not.  
 

38 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Swansea? West Brom in the cup? Boro?

Bell’s goal at Preston last season was a classic counter attack goal, superb play by Scott & a brilliant cross by Wells.

I can’t recall a single goal of his that came from a set piece, second phase of possession maybe.

He’s being asked to play wide by Manning so still seems to be adjusting to it.

Have to agree to disagree on Mehmeti, don’t see any threat or goal supply at all.

Cutting in and scoring was my point. He doesn’t do it. His goals have been tap ins and getting in behind. He got found out and thats why his goals have dried up. He can’t go left and isn’t quick or tricky enough to go right. 
 

If you can’t see defenders are more afraid of Mehmeti than Bell then it is a you problem. Now it is really moot because both aren’t good enough wide players at this level. However Mehmeti has a quick enough burst to get a shot or cross away. Where they are going no one knows but he has a bit more to his arsenal than Bell and might be worth nurturing long term. Bell can finish but can’t see him ever being able to play centrally well enough to make the most of that.
 

All in all, 2 players that probably don’t make it at this level. Someone mentioned Bell and Burns in the same sentence. Burns had real pace and that is the difference. You might even be able to say Bell and Mehmeti both technically better. However, Burns is bigger stronger and faster and that is a type we haven’t recruited for awhile and imo is a big reason we don’t compete at this level. Hopefully the new lad on loan can be some of that. Pring can’t cross or pass very well but his pace and power makes him stand out at this level. Need to be more athletic all around the pitch. 

6 hours ago, Back of the Dolman said:

In new lad, do you mean Ross McCrorie ? If so then it’s strange to help him settle in we’ve played him as a RWB instead of a conventional right back which he himself has stated is his best position.

playing square pegs in round holes is not helping and I’m afraid there is far too much of that going on at the moment.

No the new lad from Belgium

5 hours ago, Back of the Dolman said:

I’d argue that Bell looked more of a threat coming off the left than on the right.

Both Mehmeti and Bell will look to cut in from the left onto their right foot and who has had the most success doing that ? Definitely Bell.

He also has the pace to get down the line and at least make an effort to cross which Mehmeti doesn’t.

For me Bell is a better option than Mehmeti on the left.

Not so sure on that. Recall most of Bell’s goals coming from set pieces and getting some luck with loose ball dropping to him. Certainly do not remember him cutting in and scoring. Not that Mehmeti does it well but do think he is more of a threat to score from it. Bell often lazily goes left and clips a very uninspiring cross in with his left. Show me Bell’s goals cutting in and scoring. Even his goals in the cup last season weren’t that. 
 

Just now, JoeAman08 said:

We looked just as unlikely in a 433 as the 5221 or whatever you want to call it. I think we may go back to 433 4231 once the new lad is settled but for now with the injuries it probably suited for what we have available. We haven’t seen it with Sykes and Twine both fit and the last couple have been without both! Our two best creators out I think is more the problem with our attacking play rather than Bell as a RWB for 20 minutes. Also, Bell is much better on the right either way so for me it has made sense. 

Mehmeti’s lack of pace is a real problem out wide for sure imo. He has ability but not sure he can fulfil it playing out wide long term. 

33 minutes ago, Back of the Dolman said:

Could always change formation and take out the need for a wing back.

We looked just as unlikely in a 433 as the 5221 or whatever you want to call it. I think we may go back to 433 4231 once the new lad is settled but for now with the injuries it probably suited for what we have available. We haven’t seen it with Sykes and Twine both fit and the last couple have been without both! Our two best creators out I think is more the problem with our attacking play rather than Bell as a RWB for 20 minutes. Also, Bell is much better on the right either way so for me it has made sense. 

34 minutes ago, Back of the Dolman said:

He’d have to have the pace to beat his man down the line to get a cross in.

I’ve seen very few fullbacks he’s been able to outpace and that fact is most obvious when it comes to him defending and attempting to chase down a full back who’s made a run.

2 minutes ago, bearded_red said:

Regardless of what level Sam Bell is or isn’t at, playing him at wing back is genuinely abysmal management.

Who would you prefer there? It is clear it is a position that needs to provide some athleticism and width. Sykes has been out and McRorie just back. So who? Everyone in agreement Tanner a better RCB. You prefer Cornick then? 
 

I am not selling either unless we get a good fee. They have another summer to develop physically. Both may never make it but both have roles to play for a team that can’t afford 24 experienced championship players and their wages. 

4 minutes ago, Mihai said:

:laugh:. We get on loan players from a low rated Belgium team. We are a stronger team, richer and doesn't look good. But who knows, maybe Gurdiola fked up and he is a great talent which doesn't feel good in Belgium and wants back.

He doesn’t have to be Guardiola level good to be a star here. He was good enough to go for 2m euros without a senior game player. I think it is safe to assume the talent is there and up to Manning to get his confidence going

Probably the type of business we need to be doing. Has all the good upbringing. So you know the ability is there just needs the right environment. We can’t buy proven for the same money we’d sign this lad for. We have a try before buy and a coach that likes to develop. It is an ambitious move for us which makes me think we are moving in the right direction as a club.  

4 minutes ago, Kibs said:

I can actually understand it from our perspective (a number of key potentially high earning midfielders OOC in the summer), and from Derbys perspective too.

What’s in it for the player though? 

Some advantages I suppose (security) but you’d imagine he would have plenty of choice in the summer. 

Maybe Knight has talked up the squad and manager? Seeing us play well against West Ham. Not miles off playoffs now and he’d expect to make us better and he will play with James and King going. Probably Williams too I would think. After his injuries here he may just want to take his chances closes to home imo. 

1 minute ago, Silvio Dante said:

That’s actually a really sensible deal.

We want the player and the risk is that if Derby go up he decides to stay there

Derby want promotion above all else so wouldn’t want to let the player go

We’d have to pay compensation in the summer.

So, what we do is offer Derby a bit more than the likely compensation figure in the summer to take out the possibility of the deal being off and allow him to stay. Removes our risk of the deal being off in the summer and lets them achieve their aim of keeping him for a promotion push. The alternate would have been a silly offer for him to come here now into a team that’s not going up or down.

I think it’s a decently constructed deal on the whole. Long term view taken and allows securing of a summer target.

Bingo and it allows us not to be blown out of the water in the summer by a relegated prem team or something too. It is smart business imo. Obviously depending on the fee too but if it guarantees a signature from possibly out top summer target then it makes sense

30 minutes ago, Tomo said:

I'll give him longer as most fans know that he is working with a mid championship table squad of players, not a top end outfit, like quoted by JL,

His PPG at this time is worse than when he took over, but he's here to stay and that's the end of it.

The reasons 'for change' were not accurately quoted and the fans are still annoyed with that false claim, which is understandable. 

Unfortunately, the reality is, Liam will face more pressure from the fanbase, all because the board blasted out the wrong message when making the managerial change.

Fevs will give you the stats

And there in lies the problems with stats.
And I love a stat but your eyes can tell you more. 

Under Pearson, Conway had no service. Under Manning, getting plenty of chances where he only has the keeper to beat. Under Pearson, Mehmeti was lost completely out on the wing and no chemistry with Pring. Under Manning, Mehmeti has the freedom to tuck inside and Pring sees it and will overlap more. Under Pearson, Knight was just a central player and a forward one at that. Under Manning, he is popping up everywhere. On the wing, in the box and at times dropping deep to keep the play going. I think we look a lot more well drilled and organised in possession under Manning than we did under Pearson where it felt like we needed to beat teams with set pieces or individual brilliance(which we lacked thus not scoring in open play much). 
 

I haven’t seen any noticeable regression in anyone. Have seen plenty of improvement in individuals though. Yes, we will still struggle to break down teams at times because we don’t have any difference makers in the front players. I’ll see how Twine gets on and on one game is encouraging that he can maybe be that for us. Still, the best sides have more than one in the team and we need to do more in recruitment if we can.  

On 21/01/2024 at 15:52, Davefevs said:

Seriously???

Where did all our chances come from yesterday?  Set-pieces or press.

In recent games it’s been from transition. Not from build-up.

Thats a bad take Joe!

Twine had a great chance in open play. The goal was from pressing. We had chances from set pieces too. So still a threat on set pieces and better pressing and sharper passing in the final third. Idk how that is a bad take

2 minutes ago, ChrisJ said:

I can give a handful of things that I have seen. I think we have been better on the ball playing between the 3rds, I don’t think that has been the case every week though. Pring is getting forward more because bell ain’t on the left closing space…..Mehmeti has been looking more dangerous and playing better and Williams looks a completely different player. I think under Pearson it was dour mostly and I will say that under manning it hasn’t been much better dour as well mostly but I am seeing what we are trying to do. 

Spot on. Am convinced anyone who can’t see it either watches on tv or has never played football before. We were pretty much exclusively a threat from set pieces or long throws under Pearson. 
 

Got people asking if it coincidence we have had 3 penalties in 15 games under LM and went over a whole season without on under NP. Not coincidence at all. We are much sharper in the final third. Tommy Conway getting a 1v1 with the keeper nearly every game now. Also not coincidence. 
 

Unfortunately mate, you are arguing with a bunch of dinosaurs that are stuck in 1991. More in love with the bloke NP than the manager. The board actually getting things right and it is the most negative on here as I have ever seen it. Have someone now actually on the grass and you only hear great things from the players yet they know better on here. 

10 minutes ago, BCFCGav said:

If this is on the cusp as reported it looks as though we'll stick with the 4-3-3 and the 3-4-3 on Tuesday was a quick fix. Can't see we'd sign Twine and Stokes if we're considering not utilising a 10.

Anyone, this kid looks really bright. Fingers crossed we get him. Twine, Stokes and Benarous to come back, it's an area we'd suddenly be very strong in and Knight would be free to play deeper.

Idk I looked at it more as 3421. Yes Mehmeti ended up wide more but natural for him. 

Must have been pre season when I saw him a couple times. His play demands noticing for me which is a good sign. He is involved in the game. He battles and he looked bot technically lost like some of the other young ones that get around the first team for a bit. I think his loan has been encouraging once you consider the injury. 
 

I’d toy with the idea of moving him up a league this month but that isn’t always beneficial. Think another 15 games of league football under his belt even if at L2 and he has a great chance of staying at city next season. If you looked at him as a new signing, no reason his path can’t be similar to Tanner. Full season in L2 and plan to phase him into a championship side. SPH and Aaroye are two of my favourites coming up through right now. Haven’t seen much of Nelson

9 minutes ago, Jose said:

Seems I’m in the minority. Countless times I feal he chose the wrong option. Got on the ball enough but just needs to give the easy pass instead of running into trouble.

1 minute ago, Engvall’s Splinter said:

I think you are spot on. 
 

Travelled with the ball very well before not seeing the correct ball or running into a crowded area. Appears to run with his head down and isn’t seeing the full picture. 
 

Defensively, his levels need to improve. No wonder Cam looked shagged. 

You both are right. He made a few wrong decisions tonight. He does need to improve. However, it is why he is at Bristol City. We are a development club. I am glad he is playing with confidence at the minute. Keep the confidence and coach him up. 

4 minutes ago, petehinton said:

Really good deal if it is true, but as we all said when manning came in….if given money to spend, I’m intrigued to hear how we were at our limit in terms of budget in October, but suddenly we aren’t at our limit now. 

They lied. We all surely know that? 

1 minute ago, And Its Smith said:

Interesting to see how he incorporates Twine and Knight in the same team. Easier if he goes 3-5-1-1 for sure 

I think it will switch to some kind of 3 at the back when fully fit. Might require another striker though. 

1 hour ago, Harry said:

See, I also don’t understand the ‘loan with a view to buy’. 
Manning has already managed this player for a year. The most successful year both of them have had in football. 
We don’t need to ‘try before you buy’. 
Manning knows what he can bring and knows he can work with him. 

If Manning wants him then just buy him. What’s the point of a ‘try before you buy’. 
 

Again, I just wouldn’t spend resource on a loan at all. I also wouldn’t spend £5m on him. 
But if LM sees him as key then just buy him. Why bother with a loan 

I would guess to see if he can be the main man a team? Yes he has managed him in that role in L1 but fair to see whether he can handle it at this level. My opinion on it anyway

23 minutes ago, Supersonic Robin said:

Sure, but firstly, what's the chance of them even finishing in the play-offs? There's a number of decent teams who will fancy their chances to finish in 6th ahead of Hull.

Then even if they do make the play-offs, what's the chance of them actually winning it and being promoted? Currently looking like they'd be competing with WBA, and two of Ipswich, Southampton, and Leeds. You wouldn't put your money on Hull with those opponents.

Can't help but feel that this seems like a very specultive punt on Hull's part.

That is the gamble though. Teams can’t compete with Leicester, Southampton and Leeds when they come down. You have to catch lightning in a bottle and throw resources at it. You can say about Ipswich but they have spent because they can after being in L1 for a bit. They don’t go up they have to cut their cloth like we did. Hull the same. We didn’t get a playoff appearance when we went for it. Maybe Hull won’t. You can’t tell your fans and your team our chances are so low we won’t bother.  Hull are in a good spot to make playoffs. Sheff United utilised loans to go up. Whether that is any good for when you are promoted is another story but you have to spend and you have to take chances. 
 

For us, we feel a year too early to worry about a playoff push. Not sure we are miles off but probably takes a good January and a good summer again to be there next season. So I can see why some might not be thrilled with a loan for Twine. The fee seems high but maybe if we get the option for the summer it is A) a bit cheaper but also B) on next years accounts. 
 

Worth seeing if he can fit in here for me on loan and not commit to buying him this month. Same with TGH. Lets see how we get on for the rest of the season and commit to these loans. 

3 minutes ago, marcofisher said:

I’m not convinced with the figures being quoted! 

It may be high but better to have a figure where he is ours if we deem it right I guess. 

6 minutes ago, marcofisher said:

It’s only a temporary upgrade to the squad though if there is no option to buy. 

I imagine we’ll protect ourselves with some sort of option if he is a stellar fit. 

3 minutes ago, Sniper said:

Not sure on their source for this but looks like it maybe happening?

https://www.not606.com/threads/january-transfer-thread.409767/page-152

Very good source it is happening

3 minutes ago, marcofisher said:

Our season is going nowhere. Wouldn’t we be better investing in the summer than spending enormous loan fees now?

4 points off playoffs. I think you are probably right but nice to send the message to the squad we will upgrade when we can. 

3 minutes ago, marcofisher said:

Our season is going nowhere. Wouldn’t we be better investing in the summer than spending enormous loan fees now?

4 points off playoffs. I think you are probably right but nice to send the message to the squad we will upgrade when we can.