Edgy Red

Agree with this... we need some pace and physicality at the top end of the pitch and Twine hasn't shown enough to justify a hefty transfer fee.

We still need a couple of new attacking players (pace and power) despite the result tonight, but IF we can keep our key players fit next season then i think we can push for a top 10 finish. Blackburn didn't turn up tonight but they are no mugs. We played well and pressed from the front. I'm really pleased for Manning

Red button working on Virgin now

Nope

But you're just hand picking some positive results/reasonable performances there Sir Geoff, which we can do for Manning too (Middlesbrough x 2, Hull, West Ham x 2, Leicester, Southampton). What about Nige's home games this season against Preston, Birmingham and Coventry (I appreciate we won 1-0 but it was robbery and Cov battered us. In fact it was going to be shown on Crimewatch that night) The football under Nige was largely uninspiring and he had the best part of 3 years to build a team. Aside from Scott, Semenyo and maybe Kalas, i don't really think he lost anyone else of note. I have no idea how the Manning reign will pan out, but he deserves some time and a few of his own signings before we should properly judge him. I appreciate my post goes against most fans views on here, so please don't get angry with me, its just my opinion CTID

And.... this is still Nige's team. Let Manning bring in a few of his own players in the summer and then we can start to judge him properly. The over the top criticism he has received has been unfair in my opinion. I understand that many fans were unhappy with the way Nige was removed, but that was not Mannings fault. He is the manager of our football club and he deserves our support.

He's been a great professional but his best days are behind him. West Brom are a better side than we are, with intelligent players like Wallace, Swift and Diangana, so i'm sure he will find it easier to play in their team. We need to move on from him now and this summers recruitment will be crucial.

Very good

I respect your posts Mr P so i will respond. As i said, i have no idea how Mannings tenure will pan out, but the huge negativity that is currently engulfing the club does not help anyone, most of all the management and players inside a toxic Ashton Gate. Manning isn't stupid and he will know what he signed up for after Pearson was dismissed. I just feel he deserves some time. I fully appreciate that i'm swimming against the tide with my thoughts, but i have been supporting the club for 40 years and i have seen many more downs than ups. I just wish we could all get behind the team because it really can make a difference.

I guessed that would be the type of response i'd get... i'll await the rest

Ok, (i know i'm stupid) i'm going to respond. Results and performances under Manning have been VERY mixed, but if we're all being honest, it was no different during Nige's 3 years in charge. I have no idea how things are going to pan out under Manning but he deserves a summer to recruit some of his own players. If after 15 games next season there is no obvious improvement then questions can be asked, but give the guy a f****** chance! He has been on the back foot with many fans since day one, but he's trying his best and deserves our support. Lets get behind the team and support the football club, and not individuals.

Injuries aside, i've not been overly impressed by Naismith and i'm still not sure what Nige's plan was when he brought him in? He's clearly not mobile or physical enough to play as a centre back in a back 4, so i can only think that Nige wanted to play a back 5 all the time? I can remember numerous times when he gave the ball away which led to us conceding, and for the wages he's reportedly on, he's been a bit of a disaster really. His one successful season at Luton appears to have got him his nice final big contract before he moves on a free to Partick Thistle!

I've still got some reservations about Tommy's all round game but there is no doubt that his finish last night was pure quality. I think he will leave in the summer, but goals like the one last night should keep a lot of clubs interested in him and may add a few quid to the fee.

Mehmeti certainly has his flaws but at this moment in time he is the only player capable of creating something by beating his man. I said on another thread that we have lots of honest, hard working players, but you need a sprinkling of magic at the top end of the pitch.

Max has both positives and negatives to his game. The pen save was fairly straight forward and he couldn't do much with the goals. We could certainly bring in a better player in his position but that applies to the 10 players in front of him too.