Jump to content
IGNORED

The next few months will tell us the future of OUR club.


Recommended Posts

I see no scenario resulting in SL selling Bristol City. To do so would destroy his Bristol Sport concept. He has made his very considerable fortune in the finance industry and will do nothing which will tarnish his hard earned reputation. We will comply scrupulously with FFP regulation. I believe that he is developing a blueprint to show the British footballing world how a football club can be run profitably and sustainably but, to coin a phrase frequently used by another football club owner, these things take time.

Next season, he will be able to move his plan onto a new phase which will be exciting for all concerned, not least us supporters. He needs to have assembled the right team at all levels, to accomplish his plan and he has done that. In MA/LJ he has people whom he trusts and have completely bought in to his vision. They both know that they are part of something which promises to be really special and which can progress their careers to new levels of achievement and earnings. Both are here for the long term. 

In Lee’s presser, he mentioned “In my presentation to the board ...” which to me was very revealing. I can’t recall ever reading similar words from the manager/coach of another club.

Our club is being run on very different lines - as a business. When I worked, if I wanted to make a capital acquisition running into £m’s, I had to get approval from my board, presenting to them the reasons for the purchase, the expected return on investment, the revenue effects upon budgets taking into account depreciation and/or amortisation etc. All such proposals would be carefully scrutinised before approval was given. I would be questioned ad nauseam until I had given the board the confidence it needed. I sense that Lee has to do similar. 

SL is building Bristol Sport and our football club upon the business structure and principles which he knows best and which have given him great success. He is not adapting his business principles to the accepted norm of the football world (where owners can sell stadiums to themselves in order to fudge accounts); our football club is adapting to his principles. . 

Sticking to the rules - any rules can sometimes be frustrating but sound business rules and principles are there for a reason. We should all rejoice that they are now the lifeblood of our club. Fans of clubs such as Bolton Wanderers  will look upon us with envy. Deep, deep down so will the blue few.

The problem is, we’re all impatient; we all want jam today. What SL is creating takes longer but will be more likely to keep us in the Prem when we get there (note I said when, not if). 

SL will not leave our club. He’s here for the long term. We’re not a money making venture for him per se. Yes, he wants the club to generate profits, not to line his own pockets but for reinvestment. SL already possesses the riches of Croesus. We don’t need to sell O’Dowda for an extra couple of million so that SL can buy Maggie a new car!

Neither do I want SL to sell up. I don’t want a ‘rich’ sheikh to come in, with absolutely zero connection to the club or the area, only to be his train set to play with, derail then finally put back in a box, shoved in the loft and forgotten about. 

Anyway, that’s enough from me. Love you all (not you @Robbored).

SL x

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Rudolf Hucker said:

I see no scenario resulting in SL selling Bristol City. To do so would destroy his Bristol Sport concept. He has made his very considerable fortune in the finance industry and will do nothing which will tarnish his hard earned reputation. We will comply scrupulously with FFP regulation. I believe that he is developing a blueprint to show the British footballing world how a football club can be run profitably and sustainably but, to coin a phrase frequently used by another football club owner, these things take time.

Next season, he will be able to move his plan onto a new phase which will be exciting for all concerned, not least us supporters. He needs to have assembled the right team at all levels, to accomplish his plan and he has done that. In MA/LJ he has people whom he trusts and have completely bought in to his vision. They both know that they are part of something which promises to be really special and which can progress their careers to new levels of achievement and earnings. Both are here for the long term. 

In Lee’s presser, he mentioned “In my presentation to the board ...” which to me was very revealing. I can’t recall ever reading similar words from the manager/coach of another club.

Our club is being run on very different lines - as a business. When I worked, if I wanted to make a capital acquisition running into £m’s, I had to get approval from my board, presenting to them the reasons for the purchase, the expected return on investment, the revenue effects upon budgets taking into account depreciation and/or amortisation etc. All such proposals would be carefully scrutinised before approval was given. I would be questioned ad nauseam until I had given the board the confidence it needed. I sense that Lee has to do similar. 

SL is building Bristol Sport and our football club upon the business structure and principles which he knows best and which have given him great success. He is not adapting his business principles to the accepted norm of the football world (where owners can sell stadiums to themselves in order to fudge accounts); our football club is adapting to his principles. . 

Sticking to the rules - any rules can sometimes be frustrating but sound business rules and principles are there for a reason. We should all rejoice that they are now the lifeblood of our club. Fans of clubs such as Bolton Wanderers  will look upon us with envy. Deep, deep down so will the blue few.

The problem is, we’re all impatient; we all want jam today. What SL is creating takes longer but will be more likely to keep us in the Prem when we get there (note I said when, not if). 

SL will not leave our club. He’s here for the long term. We’re not a money making venture for him per se. Yes, he wants the club to generate profits, not to line his own pockets but for reinvestment. SL already possesses the riches of Croesus. We don’t need to sell O’Dowda for an extra couple of million so that SL can buy Maggie a new car!

Neither do I want SL to sell up. I don’t want a ‘rich’ sheikh to come in, with absolutely zero connection to the club or the area, only to be his train set to play with, derail then finally put back in a box, shoved in the loft and forgotten about. 

Anyway, that’s enough from me. Love you all (not you @Robbored).

SL x

Top, top post Rudolf

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, STeveOELlis said:

I'm fearful for the next decade should we keep slipping up and Bristol Rugby keep yo-yoing. Even SL has a tether

Bears have avoided the yo-yo....SL will be expecting progress now, no more flirtations with relegation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, STeveOELlis said:

I'm fearful for the next decade should we keep slipping up and Bristol Rugby keep yo-yoing. Even SL has a tether

Well Bristol Rugby won't be yo-yoing at the end of this season! 

And with getting on for 20,000 ticket sold for this evening (albeit discounted tickets), one of the clubs under the Bristol Sport banner appears to be hitting target.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, STeveOELlis said:

I'm fearful for the next decade should we keep slipping up and Bristol Rugby keep yo-yoing. Even SL has a tether

Bristol achieved Prem safety with 3 games remaining! I fully expect them to cement their position as one of the better Prem teams in the coming seasons rather than worrying too much about the trap door ( which, in a likelihood will either disappear thru' ringfencing or see a return to bottom Prem v. top Championship play-off to decide who plays in the Prem the next season) 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

An addition to my previous posts is a warning to many on here about writing young players off too early. Some appear to believe that when a player gets to his twentieth  birthday that if he isn't a fixture in the side, he will never be.

There are very few in my long time watching City who have progressed into the first team as nailed on regulars before they were 18.

I can only remember a few. Derrick, Merrick, Gow, Doherty and maybe Matt Hill and a few more. But over seven decades that is a tiny number.

Don't write off young players. It's easy to do and not very clever or respectful of how much hard work they put into it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, cidered abroad said:

An addition to my previous posts is a warning to many on here about writing young players off too early. Some appear to believe that when a player gets to his twentieth  birthday that if he isn't a fixture in the side, he will never be.

There are very few in my long time watching City who have progressed into the first team as nailed on regulars before they were 20.

I can only remember a few. Derrick, Merrick, Gow, Doherty and maybe Matt Hill and a few more. But over seven decades that is a tiny number.

Don't write off young players. It's easy to do and not very clever or respectful of how much hard work they put into it.

It is funny how people almost seem keen to write players off. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, RedDave said:

Feel like a broken record:

Spending big doesn’t increase your chances of success necessarily. If it did then Norwich and Sheffield United wouldn’t be going up. Both of their XIs last Saturday cost less than £5.5m.

Spend smart, not big.

and keep buying for the future

Totally agree, however....Its the wages that are key in this divison rather than transfer fees. I would guess that both those XI's wage bills are far in excess of our starting 11.

You can pick up some incredible bargains on transfer fees (esp in Europe) for players nearing the end of their contract if we are prepared to pay the wages.

Surely paying inflated signing on fees to 'exceptional/ international' players is one way round this

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, cidered abroad said:

You are taking pessimism to new depths.

If, in say 5 years, we're yet to be promoted, I can imagine SL becoming very very impatient. That has always been a concern for me. 

Ultimately, if, in that case where we haven't been promoted in 5 years, that would be largely SL's fault, in my honest opinion

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, cidered abroad said:

The changes in how our club is run, managed, recruitment, youth development have been quite dramatic since McInnes and O'Driscoll set out to modernise Bristol City. Even if their first team results were poor, they began the job that has been continued by Cottrell, Johnson and Ashton.

The Academy had been badly neglected, so it was a miracle that Bryan and Reid came through. The recruitment of under 23's has therefore been very unusual in an attempt to quickly create in three or four years what would have taken twenty if done very slowly.

 

Good points, well made.

O'Driscoll in particular did some very heavy lifting behind the scenes to move our club forward.

It was very remiss of me not to recognise the effort he made in that area.

Thanks for reminding me.

It's also greatly appreciated that this thread is an example of how OTIB can express views and suggestions on such an important subject.

There have been some really good posts and idea's thrown around, without decending to bickering and abuse.

Thanks to all.

Except the usual suspect........

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Lansdowns are gonna have to make some big decisions soon.

Do they stick or do they twist? LJ has taken us as far as he can with the resources given. Not sure SL is really up for the Prem due to the extra ££ needed to bring in some real quality in key positions AND to backup other over worked players in other positions.

LJs Presser tells quite a lot about frustrations.

Interesting times ahead I believe?

Good post @SX227

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, GasDestroyer said:

The Lansdowns are gonna have to make some big decisions soon.

Do they stick or do they twist? LJ has taken us as far as he can with the resources given. Not sure SL is really up for the Prem due to the extra ££ needed to bring in some real quality in key positions AND to backup other over worked players in other positions.

Interesting times ahead I believe?

Good post @SX227

So LJ has improved our league position year on year, but you don't think he can take us any further, and you think the billionaire owner doesn't want to get the 140mil for being in the Prem because he might have to spend some money, even though he has already ploughed in/underwritten about 100mil in recent years....

Tell me, just how do I apply for a Visa to visit OPPOSITE LAND?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Rudolf Hucker said:

I see no scenario resulting in SL selling Bristol City. 

I, too, struggle to see what the OP sees here.

After many years of toil, struggle, reorganisation, philosophising, pillary, bedsheets on bridges, "advice" on here relayed to him by his missus, and one oh-so-near-miss, on the verge (quite possibly) of the greatest glory of his years involved with sport in Bristol, he walks away, taking his boy kicking and screaming ("da-aadd! I hate you dad!") Really?

When you see SL beaming, and basking in the glory of - promotion (from tippet L1); beating Man Utd; being talked up by national media during cup semi - you sense he might just fancy being around for a promotion to the Premier League, with all the attention that entails. To walk away now (or in the next 18 months) and let someone else come in and have that pleasure? After all the ground work put in?

I can't see it, myself. If it was me and my boy, and my boy was not exactly good for much else (possibly), and I didn't need the dosh back, I'd be sticking around. I wouldn't want to miss only the third promotion to the top in over one hundred seasons (if, indeed, that is what awaits us, ever materialises; no certainty there).

But the OP may know things I do not about this. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

30 minutes ago, GasDestroyer said:

 LJ has taken us as far as he can with the resources given.

Don't think he has, a couple of different results like Wigan, Ipswich and a couple of different referee decisions (Villa, Weimann's goals, Semenyo not being sent off) and we could easily be in the top 6. Also count the fact that we spent in basic terms about £11m last summer. If LJ is allowed to invest just £11m again we could get three £3m players and a couple of youngsters, if we didn't have much in terms of outgoings (I think we'll see a few anyway) then the squad will improve overall. Depends on how much breathing room we have in FFP for the next season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, GasDestroyer said:

The Lansdowns are gonna have to make some big decisions soon.

Do they stick or do they twist? LJ has taken us as far as he can with the resources given. Not sure SL is really up for the Prem due to the extra ££ needed to bring in some real quality in key positions AND to backup other over worked players in other positions.

LJs Presser tells quite a lot about frustrations.

Interesting times ahead I believe?

Good post @SX227

Agree and disagree.

We DO need to spend some more and perhaps to put that icing on the cake. We can't go nuts though with some £30m splurge, or we risk sanctions under FFP. Embargos, 9 point deductions etc as we still have on our books that £24m loss from 17/18 (for FFP purposes that's about £20m).

Personally speaking and finances permitting. I'd settle for Kalas, Da Silva, some trading- say Reece James on loan he's an RB isn't he and someone like Vydra from PL on loan. Keep key assets though and get value for those we can but aren't sure about, e.g. Baker and maybe even Diedhiou. Another CM wouldn't go amiss either, though I still believe a genuine central '3' would help Pack and ultimately us. If further cash saved with contract expiries and we feel there is another area that needs looking at str

We could with a bit more luck either in front of goal or with officiating decisions though have got higher- sealed that playoff place. Hit woodwork 21 times, Semenyo red, Weimann disallowed goals- 2 or 3 of which were wrong, appalling penalty to Aston Villa, Tettey non red card v Norwich at AG...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Robbored said:

Dave....some posters on here just over exaggerate pretty much everything City related and this thread is a perfect example. Personally I find that this type of thread irritating, especially first thing in the morning!

Im not the only poster on here whose been around City for decades and we’ve witnessed massive ups and dismal lows and to post about the ‘future of our club’ is simply frustrating.....whatever happens in the future is utterly uncertain.....so why try to make predictions? 

Of course having become an established Championship club City are now in a position to push on next season and LJ said yesterday that he’s going to the board with a ‘bold’ proposal to fund his ‘trading’ over the summer. That proposal may well involve as many as seven new signings and will certainly mean some of the existing squad moving on - so plans are in place to seriously push for promotion next season. 

Who knows what will happen should LJ get what he wants this summer but still fails to reach the PL next season?  Perhaps the OP can use his crystal ball and tell us?

 

Talk me through these “massive ups” you speak of.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, SX227 said:

First off - will done Lee Johnson. I had significant doubts and was happy to see him sacked.

It's clear now that he has the potential  to be a highly successful manager.

Well done to most of the players - some are absolutely out on their feet - but still trying. Some are totally raw, but giving it their all.

Some are utterly frustrated with their role and not playing - but are staying quiet and persevering in the 'two's' until they get a chance.

Some will not be here next year, but have not complained about extended loans, or playing with the kids.

It points to a settled managerial style, with any bad elements removed.

This has to be down to LJ and JM.

It's been a long, long time since one of our lot was in the papers for the wrong reason - and if they were, they went.

 

What now?

 

I think this is the moment that will define the future of our club.

 

The Lansdowns

 

If Lansdown will not spend big (as FFP is firmly now on our side) then there are only 2 reasons.

1) He doesn't want promotion and is intending to sell OR

2) He does not have 100% faith in LJ and the recruitment team

The logical outcome will be new owners or a new manager, as LJ will not and cannot stay after his presser, where he has basically demanded to be funded.

 

It is however, a double edged sword

 

Recruitment Team

There has been a slew of articles about the detail LJ goes into about his preparation for signings and games. The drones, the software, the grass-measuring.

But someone, somewhere is getting it wrong.

 

Established Players.

For every Kalas and Webster  there has been a Diony or Kent. 

Why is this?  Surely we are conducting social media checks? Background checks, family interviews (ala Tammy)?  Diony's in particular read like a horror show regarding his mental state, and Kents previous loan was a disaster. Yet we went ahead,signed them, and blew the play-offs.

This year - nothing except recalling an unproven loanee -  was that lack of faith in the system by SL and MA or a deliberate ploy to have a go next year? 

 

The outcome - more extensive checks on established proven players before committing to a deal. If there are no suitable players available - say that.

We tried - we had the money, the DNA was found to be wrong so we walked away.

That is EXCELLENT management.

Not lack of ambition.

 

Bit-Part Players

I really don't understand the thinking around this particular group of players.

If they were not good enough - why were they kept on?

Defensively:To me - Da Silva, Pisano, Kalas, Kelly, Webster and Hunt were more than enough.  Bailey Wright, albeit a loyal servant, and Baker are surplus - who decided, at considerable equity value and wages, to keep them on?

Midfield - Pack, Brownhill and Paterson were run ragged throughout the year, yet Morrell, Walsh, O'Dowda, Watkins and Hegeler (remember him - the Top Flight German chap) were never even considered for more than 2 games at a go.

Palmers loan was just baffling as he never started more than 1 game (I believe).

We need to be more ruthless.

Play them or move them on.

Pack has needed a break for 2 months - with Korey out, Pack had to be interchanged - I'd imagine not sleeping with a young bub at home  ain't helping.

 

Forwards: - Fammy has been smashed all year as a lone power-forward. he must be battered from head to toe yet still scored 26 from 72 starts at City despite being subbed off TWENTY SEVEN times. A good effort.He is as exhausted as Pack.

Weimann - put him as a central top - two and he scores for fun - 9 goals.

Out wide, well not so good.

Taylor is better than Taylor actually thinks he is - but really until he gets a solid run, won't believe in himself.

I really think this is why Taylor is a world-class shit-housery champion - he simply does not believe he belongs in the Championship. He has only started 23 times, yet been subbed in or out SIXTY TIMES - hence the paltry 6 goals.

This is the same guy who scored 16 in 27 in League 1 - he can play.

He needs to believe it.

Outside those 3 we rely on the odd goal from midfield. Which ain't happening too often.

 

It was obvious from pre-season we were 2 strikers short - especially after the Djuric/Engvall fiasco's.

So again - who is calling the shots?

If the coaches deem them not good enough - pay out their contracts if the players are willing, seek out a loan so they get game time, or simply sell them.

Something is wrong here - seriously.

Is it a power-struggle between coaches (unlikely), is it interference by Ashton or is it plain bad recruitment?

Is it signing players to be seen to be doing something rather than signing no-one?

 

The Outcome:

Either LJ is signing the wrong player for the role he wants them to play OR

The recruitment team aren't doing their homework properly OR

Some signings are not of LJ's choice.

The answer is simple - LJ must clearly identify the role he wants a player to play in the team, and the recruitment team must deliver a shortlist who 100% fit that role. No more 'clubs in the bag'. No more trying to force a player into another role and hope we have another Reid type fluke.

LJ and JM must recieve a quality list of proven strikers from a UK or European club.  A history of scoring over more than 2 or 3 years. At a minimum.

Djuric was a prime example - 7 in 14 for Bosnia sounded incredible - but when you look closely he played for Cesena when they were in Serie B (he was loaned out when they went up and re-signed after relegation the next year) and only scored 23 in ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY FIVE GAMES.

Injury or not, that was never enough to be a 20+ Championship scorer, as his 5 in 22 in Serie B for Salernitana indicate.

His international Goals were against Wales + Cyprus,in the Euro qualifiers, Luxembourg in a friendly and Japan and Denmark (sounds good) but in the Kirin Cup - a competition literally made by a Japanese brewery as a 'friendly' invitation-only promotional competition.

Who did their homework?

As for Engvall - god knows.

The point remains - we CANNOT go forward without much better diligence

 

One's for the Future

 

Joseph Wollacott, 

Aden Baldwin 

Hakeeb Adelakun 

Sam Pearson 

Mohamed Eisa 

Antoine Semenyo 

Hakeeb Adelakun

Taylor Moore

Zac Vyner

Rory Holden

Opi Edwards

Jake Andrew

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans

Saikou Janneh

George Dowling

Smith (x 2) Nurse, Morton, Richards,Hinds

The failed Bakinson transfer

 

How many millions of ££ have the club blown here? At least £10,000,000.

We bought some of these, if not most, and have invested considerable time and money.

Joe Bryan, and a very lucky 1 yr wonder season from Bobby Reid leave an absolute ton of pressure on Kelly, Vyner, Semenyo, Janneh and Moore to become 1st team regulars (I still don't count Kelly as a nailed on starter) to even begin to balance the books.

Adelakun,Eisa and Moore cost £5,000,000 - result Zero.

They are not kids anymore.

Much younger players are playing week in week out in the Premier league.

We cannot compete with Prem Teams for yound kids - so we need to stop going for £1,500,000 punts and FOCUS.

 

We have had kids literally under our nose who are playing regular 1st team football - and playing very well.

We have Kelly here - probably best of the bunch.

Moore at Southend may well be relegated this weekend  - the same guy who made it to England U-20 level and was subject to a 10,000,000 Euros bid from Lyon in 2016. He has played 5 games for us, and 83 games out on loan

Vyner has been relegated at Rotherham - and become a bit of a whipping boy. He has played 8 games for us and looked good - so we have loaned him out for 64 games.

Eisa cost £1,500,000 to play 5 games and disappear.

Hakeeb Adelakun, who after a pretty unremarkable 139 game 16 goal career at Scunthorpe was bought for an alleged £1,000,000 to also play 5 games and disappear.

 

The Outcome

 

This is the big problem - lets be real here - yes we may get get lucky and produce 2 or 3 players from above who will, at best balance this years books.

At worst, Kelly will have had his head turned and leave for a fee which may look good now, but be awfully cheap in 3 yrs and cost us 100+ games.

The money wasted on the rest would pay (as an example) for KALAS, DA SILVA and PALMER should they decide to join.

Obviously we need to sign up young kids - that's not an issue - academy kids come and go all the time.

It's the fact we pay money - even back to good old Arnie Garita.

That was funny at the time, yeah?

NO

It was an example of a piss poor organisation having to pay £50,000 plus 2 yrs wages and accomodation to a guy to keep Kodjia company.

BCFC couldn't find a french speaker for free in Bristol?

An amateur player?

No we decided to pay the best part of £250,000 on Arnie.

To Talk to JK.

 

This has to stop. No more 'punts'.

Whoever was responsible for these signings need to leave.

Spend the money on securing the best local kids, better junior coaches, and identifying a young hungry player ( @Harry may have a view on this!) and sign him.

No more 20 - 23 yr olds who have had average careers and might make it - stock up on academy kids, and buy really good young players for whatever they cost.

And then play them.

A complete overhaul of our development setup is needed.

A thorough review of any young player suggested as a signing over a long period pre-signing with the minimum requirement being that the player be Premier League Standard within 12 months.

Otherwise, what is the point.

Cull the list - Vyner, Moore, Jahheh, Semenyo and Woolacott stay - I'd release the rest.

AND LEARN NOT TO DO IT AGAIN.

 

Conclusion:

 

LJ must learn a few more things.

Stability in position and partnership means more stability overall.

Kalas and Webster should never have been separated.

Play 2 specialist strikers at home every time.

Be clear on who you want in, and who you want out - and stick to it.

Stop the Tombola when you lose a couple.

Stick to what served you well.

LJ and JM must have 100% authority over every aspect of the team - no interference from Ashton or The Lansdowns.

 

Lee Johnson has earned his chance.

Lansdown needs to back him, and step back.

If he fails with 100% control, then LJ will walk I'd suspect.

If SL won't back him - then Lansdown needs to sell-up, and LJ needs to find a new job.

Most L1 clubs would take him if they had the chance, and I suspect there is a big Championship club with an owner that wants to spend who would consider LJ if he quits.

 

So here we go boys and girls - next year in the Championship (as much as I'd like to think play-offs are a go - they really aren't in truth) - we will either have LJ's well funded hand-picked squad of new players, and some new backroom staff...

Or LJ will have walked and SL will have confirmed his intentions for our club to change hands.

 

Either way - next season shapes up as the one that will define us as a Football Club for years to come.

 

Image result for bristol city players celebrating promotion

 

 

 

 

 

Hakeeb Adelakun, so good they named him twice!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, SX227 said:

First off - will done Lee Johnson. I had significant doubts and was happy to see him sacked.

It's clear now that he has the potential  to be a highly successful manager.

Well done to most of the players - some are absolutely out on their feet - but still trying. Some are totally raw, but giving it their all.

Some are utterly frustrated with their role and not playing - but are staying quiet and persevering in the 'two's' until they get a chance.

Some will not be here next year, but have not complained about extended loans, or playing with the kids.

It points to a settled managerial style, with any bad elements removed.

This has to be down to LJ and JM.

It's been a long, long time since one of our lot was in the papers for the wrong reason - and if they were, they went.

 

What now?

 

I think this is the moment that will define the future of our club.

 

The Lansdowns

 

If Lansdown will not spend big (as FFP is firmly now on our side) then there are only 2 reasons.

1) He doesn't want promotion and is intending to sell OR

2) He does not have 100% faith in LJ and the recruitment team

The logical outcome will be new owners or a new manager, as LJ will not and cannot stay after his presser, where he has basically demanded to be funded.

 

It is however, a double edged sword

 

Recruitment Team

There has been a slew of articles about the detail LJ goes into about his preparation for signings and games. The drones, the software, the grass-measuring.

But someone, somewhere is getting it wrong.

 

Established Players.

For every Kalas and Webster  there has been a Diony or Kent. 

Why is this?  Surely we are conducting social media checks? Background checks, family interviews (ala Tammy)?  Diony's in particular read like a horror show regarding his mental state, and Kents previous loan was a disaster. Yet we went ahead,signed them, and blew the play-offs.

This year - nothing except recalling an unproven loanee -  was that lack of faith in the system by SL and MA or a deliberate ploy to have a go next year? 

 

The outcome - more extensive checks on established proven players before committing to a deal. If there are no suitable players available - say that.

We tried - we had the money, the DNA was found to be wrong so we walked away.

That is EXCELLENT management.

Not lack of ambition.

 

Bit-Part Players

I really don't understand the thinking around this particular group of players.

If they were not good enough - why were they kept on?

Defensively:To me - Da Silva, Pisano, Kalas, Kelly, Webster and Hunt were more than enough.  Bailey Wright, albeit a loyal servant, and Baker are surplus - who decided, at considerable equity value and wages, to keep them on?

Midfield - Pack, Brownhill and Paterson were run ragged throughout the year, yet Morrell, Walsh, O'Dowda, Watkins and Hegeler (remember him - the Top Flight German chap) were never even considered for more than 2 games at a go.

Palmers loan was just baffling as he never started more than 1 game (I believe).

We need to be more ruthless.

Play them or move them on.

Pack has needed a break for 2 months - with Korey out, Pack had to be interchanged - I'd imagine not sleeping with a young bub at home  ain't helping.

 

Forwards: - Fammy has been smashed all year as a lone power-forward. he must be battered from head to toe yet still scored 26 from 72 starts at City despite being subbed off TWENTY SEVEN times. A good effort.He is as exhausted as Pack.

Weimann - put him as a central top - two and he scores for fun - 9 goals.

Out wide, well not so good.

Taylor is better than Taylor actually thinks he is - but really until he gets a solid run, won't believe in himself.

I really think this is why Taylor is a world-class shit-housery champion - he simply does not believe he belongs in the Championship. He has only started 23 times, yet been subbed in or out SIXTY TIMES - hence the paltry 6 goals.

This is the same guy who scored 16 in 27 in League 1 - he can play.

He needs to believe it.

Outside those 3 we rely on the odd goal from midfield. Which ain't happening too often.

 

It was obvious from pre-season we were 2 strikers short - especially after the Djuric/Engvall fiasco's.

So again - who is calling the shots?

If the coaches deem them not good enough - pay out their contracts if the players are willing, seek out a loan so they get game time, or simply sell them.

Something is wrong here - seriously.

Is it a power-struggle between coaches (unlikely), is it interference by Ashton or is it plain bad recruitment?

Is it signing players to be seen to be doing something rather than signing no-one?

 

The Outcome:

Either LJ is signing the wrong player for the role he wants them to play OR

The recruitment team aren't doing their homework properly OR

Some signings are not of LJ's choice.

The answer is simple - LJ must clearly identify the role he wants a player to play in the team, and the recruitment team must deliver a shortlist who 100% fit that role. No more 'clubs in the bag'. No more trying to force a player into another role and hope we have another Reid type fluke.

LJ and JM must recieve a quality list of proven strikers from a UK or European club.  A history of scoring over more than 2 or 3 years. At a minimum.

Djuric was a prime example - 7 in 14 for Bosnia sounded incredible - but when you look closely he played for Cesena when they were in Serie B (he was loaned out when they went up and re-signed after relegation the next year) and only scored 23 in ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY FIVE GAMES.

Injury or not, that was never enough to be a 20+ Championship scorer, as his 5 in 22 in Serie B for Salernitana indicate.

His international Goals were against Wales + Cyprus,in the Euro qualifiers, Luxembourg in a friendly and Japan and Denmark (sounds good) but in the Kirin Cup - a competition literally made by a Japanese brewery as a 'friendly' invitation-only promotional competition.

Who did their homework?

As for Engvall - god knows.

The point remains - we CANNOT go forward without much better diligence

 

One's for the Future

 

Joseph Wollacott, 

Aden Baldwin 

Hakeeb Adelakun 

Sam Pearson 

Mohamed Eisa 

Antoine Semenyo 

Hakeeb Adelakun

Taylor Moore

Zac Vyner

Rory Holden

Opi Edwards

Jake Andrew

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans

Saikou Janneh

George Dowling

Smith (x 2) Nurse, Morton, Richards,Hinds

The failed Bakinson transfer

 

How many millions of ££ have the club blown here? At least £10,000,000.

We bought some of these, if not most, and have invested considerable time and money.

Joe Bryan, and a very lucky 1 yr wonder season from Bobby Reid leave an absolute ton of pressure on Kelly, Vyner, Semenyo, Janneh and Moore to become 1st team regulars (I still don't count Kelly as a nailed on starter) to even begin to balance the books.

Adelakun,Eisa and Moore cost £5,000,000 - result Zero.

They are not kids anymore.

Much younger players are playing week in week out in the Premier league.

We cannot compete with Prem Teams for yound kids - so we need to stop going for £1,500,000 punts and FOCUS.

 

We have had kids literally under our nose who are playing regular 1st team football - and playing very well.

We have Kelly here - probably best of the bunch.

Moore at Southend may well be relegated this weekend  - the same guy who made it to England U-20 level and was subject to a 10,000,000 Euros bid from Lyon in 2016. He has played 5 games for us, and 83 games out on loan

Vyner has been relegated at Rotherham - and become a bit of a whipping boy. He has played 8 games for us and looked good - so we have loaned him out for 64 games.

Eisa cost £1,500,000 to play 5 games and disappear.

Hakeeb Adelakun, who after a pretty unremarkable 139 game 16 goal career at Scunthorpe was bought for an alleged £1,000,000 to also play 5 games and disappear.

 

The Outcome

 

This is the big problem - lets be real here - yes we may get get lucky and produce 2 or 3 players from above who will, at best balance this years books.

At worst, Kelly will have had his head turned and leave for a fee which may look good now, but be awfully cheap in 3 yrs and cost us 100+ games.

The money wasted on the rest would pay (as an example) for KALAS, DA SILVA and PALMER should they decide to join.

Obviously we need to sign up young kids - that's not an issue - academy kids come and go all the time.

It's the fact we pay money - even back to good old Arnie Garita.

That was funny at the time, yeah?

NO

It was an example of a piss poor organisation having to pay £50,000 plus 2 yrs wages and accomodation to a guy to keep Kodjia company.

BCFC couldn't find a french speaker for free in Bristol?

An amateur player?

No we decided to pay the best part of £250,000 on Arnie.

To Talk to JK.

 

This has to stop. No more 'punts'.

Whoever was responsible for these signings need to leave.

Spend the money on securing the best local kids, better junior coaches, and identifying a young hungry player ( @Harry may have a view on this!) and sign him.

No more 20 - 23 yr olds who have had average careers and might make it - stock up on academy kids, and buy really good young players for whatever they cost.

And then play them.

A complete overhaul of our development setup is needed.

A thorough review of any young player suggested as a signing over a long period pre-signing with the minimum requirement being that the player be Premier League Standard within 12 months.

Otherwise, what is the point.

Cull the list - Vyner, Moore, Jahheh, Semenyo and Woolacott stay - I'd release the rest.

AND LEARN NOT TO DO IT AGAIN.

 

Conclusion:

 

LJ must learn a few more things.

Stability in position and partnership means more stability overall.

Kalas and Webster should never have been separated.

Play 2 specialist strikers at home every time.

Be clear on who you want in, and who you want out - and stick to it.

Stop the Tombola when you lose a couple.

Stick to what served you well.

LJ and JM must have 100% authority over every aspect of the team - no interference from Ashton or The Lansdowns.

 

Lee Johnson has earned his chance.

Lansdown needs to back him, and step back.

If he fails with 100% control, then LJ will walk I'd suspect.

If SL won't back him - then Lansdown needs to sell-up, and LJ needs to find a new job.

Most L1 clubs would take him if they had the chance, and I suspect there is a big Championship club with an owner that wants to spend who would consider LJ if he quits.

 

So here we go boys and girls - next year in the Championship (as much as I'd like to think play-offs are a go - they really aren't in truth) - we will either have LJ's well funded hand-picked squad of new players, and some new backroom staff...

Or LJ will have walked and SL will have confirmed his intentions for our club to change hands.

 

Either way - next season shapes up as the one that will define us as a Football Club for years to come.

 

Image result for bristol city players celebrating promotion

 

 

 

 

 

LJ, JM and Dean Holden btw

Link to comment
Share on other sites

40 minutes ago, ChippenhamRed said:

Talk me through these “massive ups” you speak of.

1976.......and then seeing all the top clubs playing at AG.

Various other promotions followed eventually by relegation.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, CyderInACan said:

Therein lies the dilemma. Does that then disrupt the group with the new players of alleged better quality earning a much higher salary than the mere mortals who carried us to at least 8th place in the previous (this) season? 

absolutely Reg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...