Twentyman vs. Ashton Match Thread

[Lrrr]

36 minutes ago, John Galley said:

Was the City doctor and Bristol Bears last season but this season does only the rugby, don’t know the name of the new doctor.

Point being it seems we go to someone the club trusts even if they're based further away (solihull) then local places

[phantom]

11 hours ago, Street red said:

http://www.solihullsportsinjuryclinic.co.uk/meet-the-staff.html.

Not unless it's this place with a man called John Williams that's treated des walker Peter Shilton etc in the past going by the website,Still doesn't explain why we can't use any in Bristol

I had to laugh at the list of people treated, where has this guy been for the past 30-40 years

Treating the likes of Peter Shilton, Ian Taylor, David Busst, Des Walker, Frankie Gavin, Tommy Langford Paddy Doyle, Nathan Woodward and Meghan Beesley and many Golf Pro's John is well respected in the field of Sports Injuries.

9 hours ago, Lrrr said:

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/academy/our-staff/medical/

?

Two different people

[Lrrr]

1 minute ago, phantom said:

Two different people

Fair enough

[grifty]

I thought Ashton came across pretty well. The anti-Ashton brigade were going to gun for him whatever he said.

He uses buzzwords and cliches but he comes across as very knowledgeable of a variety of situations (I wouldn't expect him to know why we have had so many injuries, that's for a medical professional to determine) relating to contracts and the stability of the club.

People moaning about being defensive, etc but you just have to look at the hatred for him on here, IF he knows tis, of course he's going to be defensive and guarded because whatever he says will be taken out of context and used to beat him with forever.

[phantom]

3 hours ago, Hxj said:

I'm definitely not picking on anyone and I appreciate that the world ends at the M4, just west of Bath and just south of Weston-super-Mare for a lot on here.

However some of you might br aware of like I am from personal experience that there is human habitation near Soihull, oh and that there are all different types of CT scanners and MRI scanners.  I had the 'privilege' of an MRI in the local hospital (which is even further north than Solihull), about a year later I had an MRI scan (for unconnected research purposes) at a specialist research MRI scanner at a university, even further north.  Having seen both scans I can assure you that the imaging of the latter was far far superior, oh and the skill of the radiographer and radiologists used is also important.

So are 90 minute trips up the M5/M42 a couple of times over a serious injury a major conspiracy, or just some common sense to get the best for the players?

Everything that you say is correct, but the question is why go so far afield when there are suitable facilities much nearer

[Harry]

2 hours ago, Lrrr said:

I think dr John Williams is the clubs doctor, as poster in the link a bit higher up he’s listed as doctor under the academy and if the picture is correct could swear I’ve seen him for first team where more serious injuries and occur. So seems it’s a case of sending players to see someone specific rather than for the facility itself 

 

1 hour ago, Lrrr said:

 

8 minutes ago, Lrrr said:

Point being it seems we go to someone the club trusts even if they're based further away (solihull) then local places

Not the same John Williams in Solihull. 
So definitely not the ‘Club Doctor’ link. 

[phantom]

9 hours ago, Robin-hugh-blind said:

Didn't listen, if anyone has a link would be useful.

 

15 hours ago, phantom said:

For anyone that missed the conversation 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p093nvs3

 

[Leveller]

10 minutes ago, grifty said:

I thought Ashton came across pretty well. The anti-Ashton brigade were going to gun for him whatever he said.

He uses buzzwords and cliches but he comes across as very knowledgeable of a variety of situations (I wouldn't expect him to know why we have had so many injuries, that's for a medical professional to determine) relating to contracts and the stability of the club.

People moaning about being defensive, etc but you just have to look at the hatred for him on here, IF he knows tis, of course he's going to be defensive and guarded because whatever he says will be taken out of context and used to beat him with forever.

I didn't listen to it, but we know that the majority on OTIB just have a fixed dislike for him because he's an administrator and a "suit", so are just looking for reasons to slate him. Every utterance will be twisted and looked at under the microscope to find a negative slant. Personally I have no strong feelings about him either way.

[Cidre Monita]

Much as I dislike him, there was very little you can expect him to add when put a little under the spotlight. It was a fair balance, he was trying to explain , the understandable, lack of clear financial visibility going forward. A few other areas where it was clear we are not joined up. Not sure I would want the current setup navigating our way through multiple new signings and players in the summer though. Next season going to be interesting for many . Also of note the salary cap, which is useless, if it is not a budget cap. More detail needed there, who it includes , on pitch , off the pitch etc. etc. 

Did sound a bit like James Corden addressing the England squad though. 

[Robin101]

Do think the dislike for Ashton comes primarily from the fact he’s a ‘suit’ and symbolises the modern game which a lot of fans don’t like. 

Not sure the bloke personally has done much to warrant the attacks he gets on here. 

And as for ‘Bristol’, seems to me it’s a very recent thing that fans get annoyed at this. Find it odd personally.  I remember an FA Cup game against Middlesbrough when we came from 2-0 down about a decade ago and there were massive ‘Brrristol’ chants. Don’t think I’ve heard it since, not sure who decided ‘we’ hate being called that. 

[Harry]

29 minutes ago, grifty said:

I thought Ashton came across pretty well. The anti-Ashton brigade were going to gun for him whatever he said.

He uses buzzwords and cliches but he comes across as very knowledgeable of a variety of situations (I wouldn't expect him to know why we have had so many injuries, that's for a medical professional to determine) relating to contracts and the stability of the club.

People moaning about being defensive, etc but you just have to look at the hatred for him on here, IF he knows tis, of course he's going to be defensive and guarded because whatever he says will be taken out of context and used to beat him with forever.

 

14 minutes ago, Leveller said:

I didn't listen to it, but we know that the majority on OTIB just have a fixed dislike for him because he's an administrator and a "suit", so are just looking for reasons to slate him. Every utterance will be twisted and looked at under the microscope to find a negative slant. Personally I have no strong feelings about him either way.

Let’s be clear. I don’t dislike Ashton because he “uses buzz words” or “is a suit”. 
I work in a corporate industry, I talk to CEO’s every week, I wear a suit to meetings where I myself use so-called “buzz words”. 
This is not my problem with Ashton. 
My problem with him is not the fact he’s a “suit”, it’s the fact that he’s self-centered, arrogant, deceitful, rude, lacks responsibility, lacks empathy, and I think he’s taking us in the wrong direction. 
 

Please don’t be persuaded into thinking it’s because he’s a suit. Nothing to do with it. 

[RedRock]

Superficially, I thought it was very good - on both sides. Probably more incisive questioning than from an average interviewer and reasonably comprehensive responses from the interviewee.

Didnt manage to listen to the last bit... but wonder if there was any discussion of Jon Lansdown and his ‘due diligence’ role in assessing Mark Aston’s performance and those of his (self-appointed) teams?

This is a crucial part of the structure. Otherwise Internal ‘Inquiries’ are just like someone marking their own homework. 

If Jon isn’t doing it, Steve being less ‘hands on’ ...then clearly to remain healthy, with well- performing teams they need to be externally assessed...as Ashton I’m sure himself would say ‘it’s industry standard custom and practice’.

A Director of Football would ********* help! 

 

[headhunter]

2 minutes ago, Harry said:

 

My problem with him is not the fact he’s a “suit”, it’s the fact that he’s self-centered, arrogant, deceitful, rude, lacks responsibility, lacks empathy, and I think he’s taking us in the wrong direction. 

I'm guessing you haven't sent him an invite on LinkedIn!!!

[Alan Dicks' Barmy Army]

15 hours ago, Hxj said:

Well just listened to it all.

Clearly the version on BBC Sounds is not the one broadcast live.

I don't recall a single fudged answer or one which sounded wrong.

You may not like the man or his answers but he dealt with everything.

Hello Mark, glad you went on the radio last night

Amazing that some posters still blindly back everything the club does and says

[Steve Watts]

42 minutes ago, grifty said:

I thought Ashton came across pretty well. The anti-Ashton brigade were going to gun for him whatever he said.

He uses buzzwords and cliches but he comes across as very knowledgeable of a variety of situations (I wouldn't expect him to know why we have had so many injuries, that's for a medical professional to determine) relating to contracts and the stability of the club.

I absolutely would  expect him to know this.  Because he should have ordered a full investigation as to why this actually is happening and therefore should be fully appraised of the situation.  The fact that he's not launched an inquiry into it is frankly staggering.

People moaning about being defensive, etc but you just have to look at the hatred for him on here, IF he knows tis, of course he's going to be defensive and guarded because whatever he says will be taken out of context and used to beat him with forever.

Maybe if he does know this and is concerned about how things will be taken he would be better served to try and change people's opinion of him.  As it is, I believe he's a narcissist who is fully aware of people's opinions of him, but considers those people to simply be wrong.

 

[Alessandro]

9 minutes ago, Harry said:

 

Let’s be clear. I don’t dislike Ashton because he “uses buzz words” or “is a suit”. 
I work in a corporate industry, I talk to CEO’s every week, I wear a suit to meetings where I myself use so-called “buzz words”. 
This is not my problem with Ashton. 
My problem with him is not the fact he’s a “suit”, it’s the fact that he’s self-centered, arrogant, deceitful, rude, lacks responsibility, lacks empathy, and I think he’s taking us in the wrong direction. 
 

Please don’t be persuaded into thinking it’s because he’s a suit. Nothing to do with it. 

I was about to write nearly the same thing - for me Mark Ashton has made his own bed here at BCFC, so to speak. He now has to lie in it.

I don't care what he wears or how he speaks, it's what he speaks. I don't even care if he is arrogant if he is good at his job.

My problem with him, (despite the fact he is the club's spin doctor) are his unravelling lies and manipulations of the truth. It's one thing withholding sensitive info, it's another plain faced lying to the fans. I don't see conspiracies, I see inaccuracies. 

And underlying all of this, is, as i've said before, I don't think he is bringing enough to the table in his role. Too many of his "areas" are underachieving, IMO and he frankly doesn't have a good answer to any of those key questions. He is making poor decisions, poor appointments, wasting money and time. That's my frustration, nothing else.

[Phileas Fogg]

7 minutes ago, Harry said:

 

Let’s be clear. I don’t dislike Ashton because he “uses buzz words” or “is a suit”. 
I work in a corporate industry, I talk to CEO’s every week, I wear a suit to meetings where I myself use so-called “buzz words”. 
This is not my problem with Ashton. 
My problem with him is not the fact he’s a “suit”, it’s the fact that he’s self-centered, arrogant, deceitful, rude, lacks responsibility, lacks empathy, and I think he’s taking us in the wrong direction. 
 

Please don’t be persuaded into thinking it’s because he’s a suit. Nothing to do with it. 

Yes it’s far too simplistic to think people dislike him because he’s a ‘suit’. It’s possible to be a ‘suit’ and communicate well too. He seems unable to do that.

[Robin101]

What exactly would you all have liked Ashton to communicate yesterday then? 

I thought he genuinely did try to answer honestly, without coming out to say we’ve offered Diedhiou £45,550 a week and his agent is telling him to push for more? ETC.

[exAtyeoMax]

MA gave the excuse that they haven't offered Walshie a deal because of the ripple effect…why give Fam a deal then?

[exAtyeoMax]

Interesting about ST renewals, won't be for a long time yet. Possibly not till next season

[Hxj]

8 minutes ago, Alan Dicks' Barmy Army said:

Hello Mark, glad you went on the radio last night

Amazing that some posters still blindly back everything the club does and says

You are more than welcome.  I love the posters who worship the ground I walk on, but I get far more enjoyment from those who hate everything I am responsible for as CEO, that is the whole club.  I mean I am so dedicated I even changed my name to get some free advertising, what else can they want!

[The Journalist]

17 minutes ago, Harry said:

 

Let’s be clear. I don’t dislike Ashton because he “uses buzz words” or “is a suit”. 
I work in a corporate industry, I talk to CEO’s every week, I wear a suit to meetings where I myself use so-called “buzz words”. 
This is not my problem with Ashton. 
My problem with him is not the fact he’s a “suit”, it’s the fact that he’s self-centered, arrogant, deceitful, rude, lacks responsibility, lacks empathy, and I think he’s taking us in the wrong direction. 
 

Please don’t be persuaded into thinking it’s because he’s a suit. Nothing to do with it. 

And this is it. It really irks me, too, when fans use the 'you just hate him because he's a suit' defence.

It's such nonsense. I don't like him because he's not authentic. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. And, while I know plenty of people at senior management level just like him, I also know plenty who aren't. You don't have to be unpleasant to be the chief executive of a business. It just so happens that he is.

[Harry]

17 minutes ago, Robin101 said:

What exactly would you all have liked Ashton to communicate yesterday then? 

I thought he genuinely did try to answer honestly, without coming out to say we’ve offered Diedhiou £45,550 a week and his agent is telling him to push for more? ETC.

It’s not to do with what we’ve offered Fam. It’s to do with 5 years of lies and self-interest. 5 years of TOTAL power and control over everything, of removing competent people doing good jobs, who care for the club, because they won’t toe his line or they see through him and challenge him (speak up against Ashton and you’re out), of a self-interested recruitment policy resulting in the club now going backwards despite increasing wages threefold, of the spin he works into every situation to protect/benefit his own position, taking no responsibility for anything, of his rude nature (I know many people who work, or have worked or met with him and he’s well-renowned for being rude and bullyish to people but switches to a nice and well mannered guy once Steve walks in the room). He’s simply not a very nice person and he doesn’t have the clubs best interests at heart - he cares only for himself.
It’s not just because he can’t say what we’ve offered Fam on the radio!! It’s a whole world of shit that’s gone on for 5 years. 

[phil_clevedon]

38 minutes ago, grifty said:

I thought Ashton came across pretty well. The anti-Ashton brigade were going to gun for him whatever he said.

He uses buzzwords and cliches but he comes across as very knowledgeable of a variety of situations (I wouldn't expect him to know why we have had so many injuries, that's for a medical professional to determine) relating to contracts and the stability of the club.

People moaning about being defensive, etc but you just have to look at the hatred for him on here, IF he knows tis, of course he's going to be defensive and guarded because whatever he says will be taken out of context and used to beat him with forever.

Agree entirely. The guy can't win. On the one hand people are moaning that he's invisible and doesn't communicate, then when he does, both through an extensive interview with the Bristol Post and with GT on BBRB, he gets slated. The minute he'd finished fans(?) were on Twitter saying they don't believe a word he says... Not much point in him doing interviews then is there?

Whether individuals dislike him or not is frankly irrelevant (and entirely personal). The question should be, is he doing his job and is he doing it well? There will be a variety of opinions on that, but in my view, the evidence of the last 4 years or so suggests he's doing a pretty good job. We've signed some good players (yes, and some duds, but show me any club where that never happens), we've traded well (which is part of his job), the club is probably one of the best run (off the field) in the Championship, and I believe we are making progress on the pitch, albeit more slowly than we would like, but we're an impatient lot us football fans! 

Was the appointment of the new head coach handled well - no, probably not, but how much of that was Ashton's fault and how much was it down to Steve Landsdown building our hopes and expectations up with his comments in that interview at the start of the process? In any event, given Covid and the extensive injury list, I actually think DH is doing a pretty good job so far.

Could the club communicate better with fans? Yes, almost certainly, and Ashton accepted that and committed to try to do better. 

COYR

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, RedRock said:

Superficially, I thought it was very good - on both sides. Probably more incisive questioning than from an average interviewer and reasonably comprehensive responses from the interviewee.

Didnt manage to listen to the last bit... but wonder if there was any discussion of Jon Lansdown and his ‘due diligence’ role in assessing Mark Aston’s performance and those of his (self-appointed) teams?

This is a crucial part of the structure. Otherwise Internal ‘Inquiries’ are just like someone marking their own homework. 

If Jon isn’t doing it, Steve being less ‘hands on’ ...then clearly to remain healthy, with well- performing teams they need to be externally assessed...as Ashton I’m sure himself would say ‘it’s industry standard custom and practice’.

A Director of Football would ********* help! 

 

A very good question!

1 hour ago, phil_clevedon said:

Agree entirely. The guy can't win. On the one hand people are moaning that he's invisible and doesn't communicate, then when he does, both through an extensive interview with the Bristol Post and with GT on BBRB, he gets slated. The minute he'd finished fans(?) were on Twitter saying they don't believe a word he says... Not much point in him doing interviews then is there?

Whether individuals dislike him or not is frankly irrelevant (and entirely personal). The question should be, is he doing his job and is he doing it well? There will be a variety of opinions on that, but in my view, the evidence of the last 4 years or so suggests he's doing a pretty good job. We've signed some good players (yes, and some duds, but show me any club where that never happens), we've traded well (which is part of his job), the club is probably one of the best run (off the field) in the Championship, and I believe we are making progress on the pitch, albeit more slowly than we would like, but we're an impatient lot us football fans! 

Was the appointment of the new head coach handled well - no, probably not, but how much of that was Ashton's fault and how much was it down to Steve Landsdown building our hopes and expectations up with his comments in that interview at the start of the process? In any event, given Covid and the extensive injury list, I actually think DH is doing a pretty good job so far.

Could the club communicate better with fans? Yes, almost certainly, and Ashton accepted that and committed to try to do better. 

COYR

The lies claims are because some of the stuff he said last night contradicted things we’ve been told previously

[Rob k]

2 hours ago, Harry said:

 

Let’s be clear. I don’t dislike Ashton because he “uses buzz words” or “is a suit”. 
I work in a corporate industry, I talk to CEO’s every week, I wear a suit to meetings where I myself use so-called “buzz words”. 
This is not my problem with Ashton. 
My problem with him is not the fact he’s a “suit”, it’s the fact that he’s self-centered, arrogant, deceitful, rude, lacks responsibility, lacks empathy, and I think he’s taking us in the wrong direction. 
 

Please don’t be persuaded into thinking it’s because he’s a suit. Nothing to do with it. 

This...loads of us have to wear a suit, attend corporate functions, talk the talk blah blah blah 

I don’t like him because he’s not done a very good job and he’s a compulsive bullshitter that sells his staff out 

[Major Isewater]

Ashton comes in for a lot of stick mostly for his image in my opinion.

What We all have to bear in mind is that this guy deals with multi million pound deals against similar type of people and often comes out on top.

He swims with sharks and more than survives.

As much as I find corporate speak utter ‘round dangly things ‘ I also appreciate that that is his field of play.

 I can also find ‘ football men ‘ unbearable with their cliches, terrible grammar and manners but that is their game.

Overall I think he has done way more good than bad for this club , and let me be clear about this ( couldn’t resist) we are better off with him than without him whatever anybody thinks.

 I don’t like his persona but I don’t have to so long as he is managing the club well.

 

[Guest]

18 hours ago, BigTone said:

Stop getting sensible and logical Your Maj.

Really what is the world coming to.

It's a bit irksome when 'City' are called 'Bristol' but I don't get hot and bothered under the collar about it.

For some? This is a post about MA so everything he says will be forensically examined, a doctrine check carried out and any deviations paraded as blasphemy.

It looks like GT get's a sainthood in the process.

[Phileas Fogg]

14 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

Ashton comes in for a lot of stick mostly for his image in my opinion.

What We all have to bear in mind is that this guy deals with multi million pound deals against similar type of people and often comes out on top.

He swims with sharks and more than survives.

As much as I find corporate speak utter ‘round dangly things ‘ I also appreciate that that is his field of play.

 I can also find ‘ football men ‘ unbearable with their cliches, terrible grammar and manners but that is their game.

Overall I think he has done way more good than bad for this club , and let me be clear about this ( couldn’t resist) we are better off with him than without him whatever anybody thinks.

 I don’t like his persona but I don’t have to so long as he is managing the club well.

 

How would you define ‘managing the club well’? In his time we’ve seen clubs with equal or fewer resources out perform us. We’ve done fairly well, but probably about minimum for what you’d expect considering expenditure. 

Also, how would you define ‘comes out on top’? Whilst we’ve received some good fees for our players, we’ve also had many slip through our net and go elsewhere. 

[BigTone]

7 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

How would you define ‘managing the club well’? In his time we’ve seen clubs with equal or fewer resources out perform us. We’ve done fairly well, but probably about minimum for what you’d expect considering expenditure. 

Also, how would you define ‘comes out on top’? Whilst we’ve received some good fees for our players, we’ve also had many slip through our net and go elsewhere. 

That's football.