BCFCGav

7 minutes ago, supercidered said:

First and foremost Manning doesn't seem to be able to adapt. If Plan A goes well, we look decent if we get sussed out which seems to be happening more often than not then Manning looks like a rabbit in the headlights. I think we will be ok in that we won't get relegated but that is hardly an aspiration is it? I keep hearing and reading that once the summer has come and gone we will be looking better and to be within a top 6 finish. I just can't see it myself.

I'm one of 8 of us coming up from Devon on the train for the Cardiff game and booked it all a few weeks ago. Got a crate of Natch and will be on the first can by the time the train leaves at 8:28am.

Most of us a travelling in hope rather than expectation. I've been having nightmares about Fam scoring the winner and tapping his head in front of the South Stand.

COYR

 

I know we've seen some shite under LM but it is still relatively early days and when it has worked, it has worked really well. We've got to stay behind him and the team for now, especially going into a derby. Not much of the season left, let's stay with them. COD and Fam... we have to keep them two quiet. I couldn't cope with one of them scoring a winner 

Enjoy your day mate and hope the eight of you see that crate off and bring the noise  

Not sure this will be a particularly unanimous opinion but I'm glad this is our next game. I was frustrated as anyone on Saturday afternoon (no less because it was only the second away day I've got to this season - and the second defeat!), but I was actually surprised at the level of the backlash on here. I've been hyper-critical of the ownership since the Pearson debacle of October, so I am feeling a little vindicated. And I stand by the view that we don't achieve promotion to the top tier with them in control.

But. I blame little to none of our current sorry state on Manning. He's not got us playing well enough, but I think that's in no small part linked to a clash between the personnel we have (a squad I like by the way) and how he wants to play. So he will need windows and time. Not his fault, another Lansdown error. Seeing a vote 60% in favour of Manning out shook me a little and kind of inspired me to write this post. 

He is here, and I don't think we want to be a three-manager-a-season kind of club. We also don't want to be pissing money away on paying up contracts. And, I do think he knows his stuff. There's a good football brain in there. Saturday is a great opportunity to do our Severnside rivals and get some feel-good back amongst the club. We have nothing to play for this season, but a derby always matters. I'm excited to get to AG nice and early, hopefully be part of a loud, hostile atmosphere, and be seeing some Manning fist pumps at 14:30. UTC. 

1 hour ago, Robbored said:

 Most clubs have injury lists Gav - ours is not exceptional.

As we saw with Liverpool yesterday their injuries meant that their youngsters got an opportunity to impress and they certainly did. Klopp was so proud of them he almost burst!

6 at the moment, I'd say that's about par. No major complaints from me at the mo. 

That was good to see yesterday, Chelsea fans must feel haggard. One game that could have salvaged a pretty disastrous season and they lose to an ending team of about 6 academy players! I've got a soft spot for Klopp like many have, so I did enjoy it.

Sykes and Pring half-time subs were tactical I assume. Sykes in particular I find a little odd though? I'll leave him off for now.

For a dead-rubber in terms of the table, the Cardiff game feels pretty massive. Liam, the squad and us fans need a lift. Roll on Saturday.

Injured:

Atkinson

Naismith

James

Benarous

Twine

Bell

I am ‘Manning in’ for clarity. The mess is above him. We can’t be paying off 3 more years of Manning’s contract just for them to make another appointment that they’ll either hate (Nige) or who won’t be up to it (Holden, Manning?).

They’re going to piss money on him to cover their asses aren’t they. Imagine Pearson WITH money. These owners pain me.

Because the Lansdown’s are weak willed liars

Back to back dross. Never mind this season - that’s long gone (shock that Lansdown’s we’re talking shite) but next season… I’ve been looking forward to a promotion push. That doesn’t seem likely…

Attack not working again but defence not at it all either. Long 45 ahead. Changes needed but I doubt LM does. 

Three out and two in as we name one fewer sub. Bell we knew about, James and Twine unwelcome surprises. I get lots of ‘’ reacts when I give my opinion on the Twine loan. But surely now we can all see panic loans to cover our arses is poor business. It just felt financially wasteful.

Pring is back (excellent news) and Knight-Lebel returns to the squad as we again succumb to injuries.

As always, three points will certainly lift the spirits!

Injured:

Atkinson

Naismith

James

Benarous

Twine

Bell

I would LOVE SL/JL to try to explain why we've ended up missing the top 6 by a fair old margin (as things stand) once again. They made their bed with their comments, I'm very excited to see them lie in it! 

Very fair points raised, not sure why some people get so aggro when someone on a forum posts a view that isn’t all sunshine and rainbows! 
 

We all knew the appointment post Pearson was a really important one as he’s a very good ‘lay the groundwork’ manager. You could also argue, as many have, that we sacked him too soon while the groundwork was still progressing; for reasons only the billionaires will ever truly know. 
 

Early signs are it’s a poor appointment given the massive clash in styles between Nige and Liam, so I can see the cut your losses argument. Worth noting LM has a lower PPG this season than Nige, so he’s entirely failing on the remit he was supposedly brought in for. Getting more out of this squad now.

All that said. He’s here now, he’s on a long old contract, and we have seen some exciting signs here and there. I think the Lansdown’s have probably screwed up again, but I’m not taking that out on Liam. I’m behind him for a while yet!

3 hours ago, Natchfever said:

Dicks.

No need for that mate they’re entitled to an opinion.

6 points off. It’s not totally dead. Today hurt it for sure but it’s not totally impossible.

1 minute ago, Gert Mare said:

We had to make a change when we did to give us the best possible chance THIS season otherwise what would have been the point?

Absolutely Jon. How’s it going?

This is the key. We cannot forget the lies of the Lansdown’s. They want us to let them off, we shouldn’t. 

1 minute ago, Sir Geoff said:

The average length of time for a Manager in the Championship is 12 months. He won't be here in 3.5 years time

Couple of counterpoints.

1. That’s the League average, I’m sure ours is higher.

2. We’re a bit more financially savvy these days. The club won’t want to be paying off 2 years (or however long) of contract.

My gut feeling is still that we’ve got a good one in Manning, but his points return has been disappointing. Especially considering he’s had generally decent player availability in his tenure up to now.

He’s on a 3.5 year contract regardless, so hate him or love him it’s gonna be a long time he’s at the helm. I think he’ll do well.

We were in this exact situation just after Christmas, riding high off the back of successive wins against top 6 challengers. Then came Brum and Millwall where we got one point and no goals.

Same situation today, and many said beforehand (only partly tongue in cheek) that it would be very us to labour and lose. As of course came to pass. 
 

I know we’re not the professional coaches but any ideas what we should be doing differently? Or is it a case of giving LM the windows he needs to build a possession squad given we currently have a squad assembled for transitional play. Which would of course mean another year or more of stagnation, as we’re all too familiar with in the Lansdown reign!

Death, taxes and this team falling to pieces when faced with poor opposition.  
 

The football gods took Bell as penance for Twine being back.

Injured:

Atkinson

Naismith

Pring

Benarous

Bell

Must have not been ready. What a horrid loan move it’s proving to be. Money well spent.

As simple as a transition team trying to play possession football? Gutting and predictable regardless. City are back.

One in, one out. Knight-Lebel vacates for the returning Twine. The touch paper has been relit, it’d be very us to wobble against this QPR! But we won’t. We can do this!

COYR ️

Injured:

Atkinson

Naismith

Pring

Benarous

Pure speculation - but sometimes when we do a load of ‘mini announcements’ on contracts (ie youngsters and 3rd choice keepers) we have a big announcement to round it all out. So there’s a chance something is coming tonight.

Or the club may just be having an admin day, who knows. 

22 minutes ago, joe_wmf said:

a bad omen?

How do you mean?

Seems to be glad to be here, lots of Twitter engagement regarding his early days at the club. And a few glimpses last night of someone with a trick up his sleeve. Glad we’ve got the option - I have a feeling about him.