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

[Robbored]

3 minutes ago, Paul Turnip said:

It's possible to be honest and respectful at the same time. Poor excuse.

And what would you know Paul?  Do you grasp the concept often termed as  ‘cruel to kind’ or ‘tough love’.’

My career choice suited my personality traits perfectly.

[steviestevieneville]

2 hours ago, Robbored said:

And what would you know Paul?  Do you grasp the concept often termed as  ‘cruel to kind’ or ‘tough love’.’

My career choice suited my personality traits perfectly.

Professional *** were you ? 

[INCRED]

So we look to have achieved our highest league position for 10 years, average attendance at home above 21k but in summary LJ and the club have got so much wrong hmmm!!!!

Lets go out and spunk £40m on more experienced pros and see where it gets us - league 1 like last time??

[Wrongagain]

3 hours ago, INCRED said:

So we look to have achieved our highest league position for 10 years, average attendance at home above 21k but in summary LJ and the club have got so much wrong hmmm!!!!

Lets go out and spunk £40m on more experienced pros and see where it gets us - league 1 like last time??

If our tired midfield had been relieved with the likes of Morrel and Fammy had been given some support we would not be hoping on other results on Sunday - the job would have been done!

One player has excelled in the last 2 games but has been a waste of space when picked all season, the Midfield has only been relieved for cup games and our only forward has been isolated since the 7th  game of the season!

Sorry, it has been an improved season, but, we could and should have been nailed on for at least the playoffs!

The Bears could be playing in Europe come season end, was that not the prediction for us?

Disillusioned? Yes I am, satisfied with mediocrity I’m not! 

[KeepUpLino]

15 hours ago, Robbored said:

The OP is waaay too long and  full of incorrect statements. Of course I went back to sleep.......

God you're boring rob!

 

[cidered abroad]

47 minutes ago, dave36 said:

If our tired midfield had been relieved with the likes of Morrel and Fammy had been given some support we would not be hoping on other results on Sunday - the job would have been done!

One player has excelled in the last 2 games but has been a waste of space when picked all season, the Midfield has only been relieved for cup games and our only forward has been isolated since the 7th  game of the season!

Sorry, it has been an improved season, but, we could and should have been nailed on for at least the playoffs!

The Bears could be playing in Europe come season end, was that not the prediction for us?

Disillusioned? Yes I am, satisfied with mediocrity I’m not! 

Even though I have agreed with others positive comments and made positive posts myself on this thread, I admit that I feel very frustrated that two good opportunities to get promotion to the Premier have been blown away by last seasons "boom & bust" and this seasons dreadful home form.

So much to be positive about but yet again, we are left here while clubs that have been up there before, leave us as also rans. 

Yes, I know that on Sunday, lots of "IF'S" happen, we might get into the play offs. But its more likely we won't.

[PooPants]

I don't agree with a lot of this but a very good post.

Pretty pissed right now but the one thing I'll pick up on is Djuric. When he played I thought he did well. He wasn't here to score, more of a provider in that he scared defenders, made space and set up others. The odd goal was a bonus.

[Frenchay Red]

1 hour ago, cidered abroad said:

Even though I have agreed with others positive comments and made positive posts myself on this thread, I admit that I feel very frustrated that two good opportunities to get promotion to the Premier have been blown away by last seasons "boom & bust" and this seasons dreadful home form.

So much to be positive about but yet again, we are left here while clubs that have been up there before, leave us as also rans. 

Yes, I know that on Sunday, lots of "IF'S" happen, we might get into the play offs. But its more likely we won't.

I really don't think we are good enough yet. Different standard of course, but in L1 under Cotts we looked the part and we just got better as the season progressed and ran out as champions and were clearly the best in the league.

At the moment we are not as convincing under LJ and have dominated very few games. But nevertheless have gained enough points to be in with a chance. Also we are improving each season and with a few quality additions, next season could be the one. So fingers crossed for tomorrow and if I doesn't go our way then there's every chance for next season.

[poland_exile]

I would completely disagree that our future stands to be defined in the next few months for the simple reason that tomorrow is always a day away - there's a slim chance our short-term fate will be, but I personally would say 'future' means anything in football from five to five hundred years (and beyond!).... The next few months most likely won't even decide how next season pans out (as proved by last summer's exodus which, as it turned out, was a false flag). 

Further, there are swathes of this post that I completely disagree with. Despite that, I have to tip the hat and say the appraisal of this season so far is just about the most measured, thoughtful and accurate I've had the pleasure to read on this page. Fair play. 

[Tinmans Love Child]

On 03/05/2019 at 06:44, 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remind me, how many years you’ve worked in professional football, I just wanted to compare it to LJ?  

We will get our highest finish for 11 seasons this year, improved year in year for 5 straight seasons, the owner has pumped millions into the infrastructure, yet that’s still not good enough for some?

If you are around my age (40) or above you will have seen many many seasons where the football was awful, no money was spent (or too much was spent), and you could never have imagined where the club is now.  We’ve come a long long way to be competing as we are, just enjoy the ride! 

[Judda]

20 hours ago, Dredd said:

Don’t agree with everything on the OP but there are some absolute spot on points being made there. Some serious money wasted

True but you have to remember EVERY signing is a risk. You can research all you want but there's lots of reasons why a player can look a good fit on paper doesn't always work out when they come to a club...

[Major Isewater]

8 minutes ago, Judda said:

True but you have to remember EVERY signing is a risk. You can research all you want but there's lots of reasons why a player can look a good fit on paper doesn't always work out when they come to a club...

None of this matters as a poster on here wrote the other day it’s the fans fault that we’re not in the Prem.

Maybe we should all be researched ? 

[Judda]

3 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

None of this matters as a poster on here wrote the other day it’s the fans fault that we’re not in the Prem.

Maybe we should all be researched ? 

Don't research me.... you'd be horrified!!!

[JamesBCFC]

16 hours ago, dave36 said:

If our tired midfield had been relieved with the likes of Morrel and Fammy had been given some support we would not be hoping on other results on Sunday - the job would have been done!

One player has excelled in the last 2 games but has been a waste of space when picked all season, the Midfield has only been relieved for cup games and our only forward has been isolated since the 7th  game of the season!

Sorry, it has been an improved season, but, we could and should have been nailed on for at least the playoffs!

The Bears could be playing in Europe come season end, was that not the prediction for us?

Disillusioned? Yes I am, satisfied with mediocrity I’m not! 

No it wasn't.

 

And when did year on year improvements become mediocrity?

[reddoh]

14 hours ago, Major Isewater said:

None of this matters as a poster on here wrote the other day it’s the fans fault that we’re not in the Prem.

Maybe we should all be researched ? 

I have just been researched and I have DNA for an extra £70,000 they will tell me if its right or wrong, should I try and crowdfund this?

[Chappers]

The next few months are just another few months in the Club that SL owns, and we support. Summer will be some ins and outs and just see what next season brings. And if we did go up, that part becomes more predictable!