Rich

As others have stated, this wasn't his first time in that position and, the mistake if you really want to call it that, was rectified at half time. I think you do have to give someone a bit of time to try and turn things around. Maybe he came up against opponents that were just too good for him at this time. I would assume, you being a "professional" in the game, would know that it is more than possible to play in different positions, and, at no time was I down a rabbit hole trying to equate the situations of years ago with the recent exposure of the young lad. Merely stating a fact that it's been done before and, expanding it as a point of discussion, which worked. What I find strange is, a "professional" slagging off a fellow professional, suggesting he be sacked/removed/moved on/got rid of, whatever you want to call it. Plus denouncing in a brash way, anyone who supports that person while disagreeing with your version of events on a public forum. That I would suggest is embarrassing.

I made the mistake of looking at the City Site for the points totals on the printed table, didn't include last nights results. It's actually ten points above us. To be quite honest, I couldn't give a toss about either of those clubs, the grass always being greener elsewhere. Do you honestly think either would have been able to do with getting rid of was it, fourteen players? And, would any of those mentioned ever chosen us over those clubs, at this time? Our problems are much deeper and I'm pleased we have an experienced manager just about keeping us afloat. Everything spoken about regarding who would have done this, or who would have been better is all hypothetical. They aren't here, they most certainly wouldn't have come here and who'd have known if they'd done a better job here, or even a worse job. Pure speculation.

Bradley Orr. Midfield to right back.

Charles Charlie Charles was rubbish in goal but, Brilliant with the ball at his feet.

I'm sure another young hungry coach will come along shortly, that's what happens. Would we make the correct selection though? Swansea and Preston are currently 6 points better off than us, not too great an example. Of course they could get automatic next season. I'd think the Forest squad was superior to ours and, added to in January, something we couldn't afford to do.

England problem for years, the pressure of having to have the best player from the best team as guaranteed starters, regardless of the impact on the team.

You're not suggesting that Bell was selected to play there, without first being tried on the training ground, or occasionally in the under 23's, are you? That would be high risk.

Why do some people on here think that some players, maybe being described as a striker, think that for some reason, they can't adapt and play in a different position, as and when necessity dictates? I've seen many posts moaning at team selection where so and so has been played at wing back or, shunted to full back, or wherever. It just seems like another tool to have a bash at the manager. If you've ever played the game, it is quite possible for a player to be adaptable and have the attributes/skills to fulfil a number of positions. I've seen lots of cases where players have started out as a striker and ended up as a quality defender, or even a defender turned into a keeper. I understand this happens a lot on the training pitch to see if those players are adaptable, or give them a different perspective on what's required elsewhere. It's all part of their football education. Most recently people were moaning about Sam Bell being used as a wing back. I expect the reality is, like others, we/he won't know his best position for another couple of years yet, along with the likes of Scott, Pring, Towler, Benarous, I believe even Weimann is classed as an out and out striker, when he's more versatile than that. And Scotty was signed as a fullback, I believe. I'll name a few more: Whitehead, winger to fullback then centre back. Burns, striker to centre back. Cashley, full back to keeper. Feel free to add any more that have changed position.

DC and GC on the dark side were two and the legacy carries on for a while after. Haven't both those teams got players that play for pens?

Good post and a reasoned summing up of the current position, though I'd add that, reducing the wage bill has been harder than first thought, with some movement in January expected, both ways. This has probably impacted on the three year plan. Also, not unlike last year, selection has been difficult due to the sheer amount of injuries to a smaller, less experienced squad, resulting in inconsistency in selection, formation and results. I think this more than anything else has impacted our season. I also wouldn't be surprised to see a parting of ways, as Lansdown doesn't seem to enjoy people running his team/club, who know football and aren't afraid to call a spade a spade, ultimately being a challenge to his authority. I expect another young hungry inexperienced manager, sorry head coach, to be appointed by Lansdown, as he's previously stated his preference for young and hungry employees.

Even those shares being less at this particular time, as they do fluctuate which I'm sure you know, he'd have still made considerably more just sitting on his shares, than investing in BS. That's possibly why Peter Hargreaves has managed to double his personal fortune compared to SL, in the same period of time. Or there abouts.

In regards to the seniors getting a discount, I know a lot have a good disposable income but, there are also many that survive on a pension alone. Even with private pensions topping up some, there are still many on reduced income compared to those working. If prices were kept the same across the board, many long term supporters would be denied the access to attend games. Leaving only those that are working and well paid and those retired and well catered for financially. Personally I only receive £177 per week, as my only income. I do get a free bus pass though. So without discount, I won't be able to attend. This is probably a long term aim of the owners, to attract a support base from the more well off sections of Bristol's community.

Yes, something along those lines and, JW didn't play him in the league match, so he got upset. Understandable in one respect but not to react as he did. I think we had him on loan and if he'd have gone to play for Grenada, he'd have missed games for us in a months loan/trial.

Got my year wrong, twas 1981, just after relegation.

I think I got mixed up from our 1982 demise and our 1980 demise, they merge into one. It must have been the 1981 Gloucester cup match just after our relegation from the top flight, I know it was at AG.

Much later for that reply.

**** me, we must have upset a lot of people over the years, being as nearly everyone has Roverz as their favourite team. Well, according to the habitual liars that's the case. Strange how Roberts came here on a months loan (I think), and from what I remember, threw his toys out of the pram because John Ward dropped him, he only managed 3 appearances. At the time, he wasn't good enough or consistent enough for us as we mounted our promotion challenge. But was good enough for you and the third tier until, you never matched his ambitions and he handed in a transfer request. I think he had a bit of an ego issue.

First heard in a Gloucester cup match at AG in 1983. There was a crowd of 13,000 but a very high ratio of lads and, the emotion from the previous years struggles produced a noise from that chant that has stayed with me forever.

I remember the headline in one of the nationals, "Butchers of Bristol". Yes, the game made the national papers, probably not many other games on.

Nick Higgs takes them out in a spare suitcase and hands them to the locals.

Can't we employ the players part time and to make up their hours and good pay, employ them as a maintenance team. Think I've posed this question before. Why can't players be paid for work outside of football, everybody else is entitled to, unless written into their contracts of employment?

Irrelevant? I was making a comparison of what can be achieved regardless of age or experience.

He's 25 and had lot's of chances to take over the reigns. I know this is exceptional but, Pickford made his debut for England at 23 and has been almost ever present in that time. I'm genuinely pleased for him that he's been selected and it could be the spur that drives him on to work on and improve aspects of his game. But I remain convinced that he lacks certain attributes to be anything other than he is now, a stand in. I expect him to find his level lower down the leagues.

Other way around please. Then bring in another keeper to provide proper competition.

And he'd be a very lucky chap.