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Such a calm influence as well and no doubt that helps our defenders. He's a massive reason why City have the fourth best defensive record in the league.

I would rather we hadn't signed Taylor Gardner-Hickman and kept the budget for contract extensions for both James and Williams. Nakhi Wells took quite a pay cut and any new offer for Matty James would almost certainly be lower than his current wage. Likewise for Williams but he is at the prime of his career so might get better free agent offers. I don't think it's any coincidence that the losing streak ended when James came back from injury. We'll need an experienced head next year. Hopefully, King will be retained and used in a first-team coaching role as the the likes of Conway and Scott have given him massive praise for his influence.

We just need to work out how to beat the likes of Rotherham, get promoted next season and then, almost inevitably, we'll qualify for Europe based on this season's starts against Premier teams and teams with parachute payments destined to return to the Premier League. It's the equivalent of 11 points out of 14 v West Ham, Forest x 2, Southampton and Leicester. We probably should have won against Ipswich as well but they are mainly a hard-working team with a good manager and don't qualify as Premier League standard although the real reason is it would ruin the stats!

It's beyond bizarre how Brian Tinnion wanted a head coach who would play front-foot, high-press attacking football that would excite the fans but opted for the opposite. The first half against Swansea reminded me of a San Marino type of set-up. It's all a bit soulless which isn't what fans want. Michael Skubala seems to fit the exact criteria Tinnion was looking for. I had a listen to a couple of his interviews and he strives for exactly the things both BT and the fans want to see. Front-foot football that excites the fans, developing young players, and having a culture within the Club where everyone regardless of position is respected and aligned as a team. There is always a danger of honing in on a manager who is flavour of the month and having a good run but, looking beyond that, I think he would be an ideal fit. Would he come if Lincoln achieve promotion? Quite possibly but he'd probably be on the short-list of one or two other Championship clubs.

Always very thoughtful analysis from James whether it be his press conference questions or his articles. Quite an accomplishment in the clickbait media age. I think JP would make a very good addition to the Radio Bristol sports team. He strikes a difficult balance of asking interesting questions without alienating the recipient of the question. An insightful tweet as well after Nigel left:- "Contrary to public perception, Nige was an absolute joy to deal with and just a good solid, honest bloke who I’ll genuinely miss speaking to. Think his legacy will be remembered far more fondly than more classically successful managers at City."

It's become default for many to have a go at Tinnion for everything ranging from recruitment to global warming. Some of it is far too aggressive and personal. It's easy to do that online when the same name-calling wouldn't be said face to face, at least I'd hope not. I understand the context and I was disappointed when Pearson, Fleming and Rennie were sacked. But Tinnion has done a great job for the Club in many ways from his playing career to developing academy players and, out of the heat of the moment, I think a bit of balance is useful. Loans Loaning developing players is the right policy. It's advocated and put into practice by Tinnion and Nige was against it. The loans were the making of Pring, Vyner and Semenyo. As for Yeboah he's a good prospect but was too raw for Championship football and that's not surprising at 17. A loan is the best move. Nige was reluctant to loan players out and I think that was wrong. That said, I liked his approach to only loaning players in if there was a chance they would become permanent signings. I think that approach is continuing although I agree Mebude was not what we needed and I suspect that was a Manning rather than Tinnion initiative. The academy The way Tinnion has run the academy has been impressive and we witnessed the fruits of that with so many academy players coming through and the success of the under-18s last week. Recruitment Recruitment, I think he is doing a decent job here within the restrictions he is under. Stokes and Murphy look great prospects. He was in for Ali Al-Hamadi and Finn Azaz and missed out. He can't be blamed for that. We got Twine on loan late in the day which was the best option under the circumstances. These all look exciting attack-minded players within the market we are looking at. We have also picked up Bird who looks a great prospect. I do think Tinnion can spot a player and I like his approach to focusing on emerging talent with flair rather than the LJ clubs in the bag policy. Playing career To say Tinnion wasn't a terrific player for us for so many years is just making up stuff to meet a hate-filled agenda. Anyone who watched him in the 2002 -2003 season ping pin-point passes from left midfield to Murray to cut in from the right and onto knows that. A lot of the 26 goals scored by Scott in that season were down to Tins. Current role Has he made a mistake in his managerial selection? Quite possibly, but it is too early to judge. Tinnion wanted front-foot attacking football and got a build from the back, possession-based coach for a squad that isn't suited to that approach. I was in the Manning out camp after the style of the losses (aside from Ipswich) as I can be as fickle as any other fan but, looking at things more dispassionately, I think we will be safe this year, recruit well in the summer and have a decent season next year. I think Manning is a bit more flexible than I thought and it looks like he will start with both Conway and Wells v Swansea. A bit late in the day admittedly. Next season We do need a goal-scoring number 9 (as Tinnion has identified) and there are big decisions to be made on Williams, James and King. Along with Weiman's departure the loss of these senior pros if they go needs careful planning whether they choose to retain (unlikely) or replace. They have been great role models for the younger players and James is missed in results and performance when he is unavailable. I know the arguments on why it's unlikely, but I think it's essential King is added to the first-team coaching staff. From the interviews, he gets a lot of praise from Manning so I wouldn't rule it out. Richard Gould was a big loss and someone of his ilk rather than Gavin Marshall to support Tins would be a good move. I don't see that happening but I still think that a few of us (me included) might be eating humble pie next season in terms of playing success.

It's too early and I don't know if he has even done his coaching badges but there is something about Naismith that makes me think he is going to make a successful manager in the future. Teams often reflect the traits of their manager and he comes across as astute and a good people person with a passion to succeed. I think we play better when he is in the side as well. If he goes into management and produces teams that play the game like he does then he'll produce teams that are good to watch. Man management skills are under-estimated and there's no doubt he would excel there. I think LM does his best but it doesn't strike me as something that comes naturally to him. I am sure one of SL's biggest regrets is appointing LJ after his infamous PowerPoint presentation rather than his instinct to opt for Mark Robins. The latter isn't a realistic option now unfortunately/ I think if a change was made now it would need someone who knows the players and Club to give the best chance of avoiding getting sucked into a relegation battle. I'd be happy with King given the role until the rest of the season and Fleming brought back as coach and his assistant. That would bring the feel-good and togetherness factor that has been ripped out of the Club. Not much chance of that given they are very much Nigel Pearson associated and maybe neither would want it either given the current hierarchy. A lot has been written about JL and BT, but an expat owner who doesn't speak to the fans just comes across as a sulking child mentality and an abdication of responsibility. There is a real vacuum of leadership and common sense. So much for JL's pledge to improve communications. I don't think they realised how well NP fulfilled that role.

It was such a destructive decision to remove Nigel and his team. There seemed such a real feel-good factor throughout the Club that connected with the supporters. Pearson was doing exactly what was needed - reducing the wage bill, bringing on young players (two of which were sold for £30m), improving countless other young players, creating a good team spirit and above all fully embracing that approach when so many other members would have been demanding the hierarchy made funds available. I never heard Nigel whinge once about lack of funds and he was cautious in the transfer market as if it was his own money. He built a great squad spirit and was very mindful of bringing in any bad eggs that might spoil it. Despite this approach, we were competitive with hopes of building on solid foundations towards the playoffs. We were plagued by injuries hence with just one centre back and nobody was surprised or blamed Nige for a couple of defeats. I know he wasn't a well man but the sensible thing would have been to keep the coaching and management team together and let Nigel mentor Andy King and give NP access to some of the 'nest egg' funds. Given the health issues there didn't have to be a new three-year contract but a one-year rolling contract made sense with Pearson in a mentoring role for King allowing continuity of all the good work throughout the Club. I don't think the hierarchy understood that the £30m pocketed in transfer fees was in no small way due to Pearson and his team. He brought the best out of both Scott and Semenyo. He was doing likewise with Conway, Vyner, Sykes and Pring as well. I doubt if they will contribute to a very big 'nest egg' now. I was just as disappointed to see Fleming leave (we had a real gem there) and he's been replaced by 'Hoggy' and a man with a notebook and beard. The problem now is the deed is done. I think most fans just want a restoration of how it was rather than a merry-go-round of throwing a few darts to get a new manager. The previous team was rare in uniting the fans who could see the building process and were happy to give plenty of patience. So unless (pigs might fly) JL and BT were to put their hands up and say sorry we got it horribly wrong and bring back Pearson & Fleming tasked with mentoring Andy King then we are stuck with a management team that doesn't inspire trying to impose an over-thinking approach on a group of players it isn't suited to. They wouldn't come back either unless there was new ownership. So we are left with much poorer options. When Liam was a contender there was an excellent post by Harry who said he was an up-and-coming coach but our squad wasn't suited to his preferred style of play. His style of play wasn't the front foot, attacking football that Tins depicted as the new approach. His philosophy is to build (very slowly it appears) from defence. To be honest I am not sure what his philosophy is aside from one up front and three at the back and a bit of chopping and changing in between aside from sticking with an under-performing Mehmeti. So, without the ability to turn back the clock, I am not sure what the solution is now. I don't see Manning being sacked but there will be a close eye on whether the players are playing for him. They may well be trying their best but are utterly confused by too many instructions and switching of roles. It's an odd one that they have proved their capabilities against both premier league and high-up Championship teams. I think both King and Naismith will make excellent managers in future years. It would be a gamble, as are all managerial choices, but King might prove to be an inspirational choice. He's definitely switched on, has excellent man-management skills, has been endorsed by Nigel as a future manager and would probably bring out the best in the players. He'd need an experienced hand alongside him though. I think he hopes to play a couple more years and no doubt Naismith does as well. Realistically, It's just not going to happen. As it stands, I think all fans can hope for is that it works out with Liam Manning - it won't be from lack of effort or (over) thinking from him - or new owners come along. Steve Lansdown has lost all interest in the football side of things for a long time now so it really is time for him to sell.

Yes, he has been poor. We know he has ability and is a natural goal scorer so it begs the question of whether his poor form is because he wants to move on or because tactically we aren't playing to his strengths. Maybe a bit of both. On his current form I don't think he'd get a Premiership move so that leaves Scotland.

Kal Naismith was spot-on with his observations. I think he'll make a very good manager after retirement. Just a pity he's not available as I always think we play better with him in the side. He may make the occasional mistake but never shies away from having the ball and trying something positive. As he said today, aside from being slow to react, it looked like players didn't show for the ball or want the ball.

I had him down as about 55. Our very own Luke Littler.

We'll see and anyway, I would rather be deluded rather than misery personified. If only we could bring back the good old transfer windows with Marley Watkins, Jens Hegeler, Chris Martin and multi-million Kasey Palmer type of signings. Good clubs in the bag are what we need plus a few senior pros looking for their last pay cheque.

He did say if there is a deal to be done we'll do it. He'll be fully aware that if City want to buy at a fair bit less than the £5m asking price he can't be excessively enthusiastic or emphatic about wanting to buy. I like the signings of the recruitment team. They look exciting and astute in the context of the (relatively) low-wage market City can compete in. Not all will work out but they all look like they have the potential to do well. The one area where they will probably splash the cash with an up to £5m budget (or more if the likes of Cam Pring and Tommy move on) is the physical but mobile no. 9. It looks like there is going to be a sensible move from a decent but ageing and pedestrian midfield to something more dynamic which the arrival of Bird and others will bring. I think James, King (who might stay as a coach), Mehmeti, Roberts, Cornick and a few of the academy lads will be moved on. Williams has done well and could well stay to give some experience and competive bite. It is that cliche of 'a work in progress' but some of the negativity is unjustified. We've outplayed a premier top-six side and in a fair number of the league games we have played then more chances than under Nige have been created but there has been nobody clinical enough to take them or provide better assists. We say how different that was when Twine was playing. Maybe it's the south-east Asan heat deluding me, but I am excited for next season. With a more youthful and creative midfield and that elusive clinical finisher, I reckon we'll finish top six.

Maybe Conway for Mehmeti although the latter is unpredictable and could have a storming second half. It's just we will get more chances and need players who can take them more clinically. Conway scored two cracking goals cutting in from the left when he came on as sub in his first game back and would link up with Wells.

Very small margins in terms of the result although Southampton had vastly more incisive possession and a much better second half but we should have been a couple of goals up before that second half. Those small margins included Tommy Conway being unusually flat-footed for him or any footballer (almost day dreaming) hence he wasn't ready for the header which he should have buried and Matty James not closing down the space which allowed the shot leading to the goal. Every time Mehmeti gets the ball you can see his only intent is to go for goal head down rather than look for a teammate in a better position. I would love to see a maverick forward player come good but I'm not convinced it will be Mehmeti. He's a confidence player for sure so maybe Manning can bring the best out of him. I like the way we kept the ball and I think we have a very astute and hard-working young head coach but we were playing against a premier standard team with the parachute payments so the jury is still out on where we will finish. We definitely need some strengthening in the forward positions if we are going to sneak anywhere close to play-off contention this season. Next season with a few signings and after Manning has had some time here will be the time to assess properly.