The Original OTIB

Mehmeti worries me here. This is a game for discipline. Him in front of Roberts? That is our weakness right there for a team that kills teams down the flanks. Happy for Anis to have a stormer tracking back and winning tackles.

2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Tanner travelled, looks like he’s back in the squad

bench

10 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

 

Droopy activating block into counter

2 hours ago, Davefevs said:

West Brom are normally very organised, they don’t get transitioned on easily, but maybe we will lull them into a false sense of security this afternoon.  They are a team that grind you down and build pressure.  They are a bit of a different team to anyone else in this division.

Okay, I’m basically saying I’ve no idea how this will play out, but Corberan is probably the best coach in this division!

Pack the midfield, 5 across, balls in behind and don't waste set pieces. Stop them building wide so can't leave gaps by bombing on. Through balls early rather than too much width in our attack. All easier said than done. Could be a good game for TC if played this way.

Just now, IAmNick said:

A lot of "I demand to speak to the manager!" energy in this thread

Head Coach.

Looking forward to the half and half shirt as our third kit next season.

59 minutes ago, phantom said:

I wonder how many threads about Liam Manning will be created tomorrow evening if we lose to WBA

26

On ESPN + 

10 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Yes, very noticeable how high Tymon (LB) and Naughton (RB) played in their early build-up phase. But I guess where they differ from Saints is that one of Grimes or Allen always (virtually always) sit in, sometimes both.

Our success came (eventuality) behind Tymon didn’t it?

Hope Tymon goes to AEK one day.

17 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I find it surprising that he’s comparing “setting-up” the same for Southampton and Swansea, but expecting the same “results” (not WDL).

My simple view is that Southampton overcommit players and therefore counterattacks are not just on, but likely to be a good chance to create good opportunities.

Swansea don’t overcommit / didn’t overcommit.  Under Martin they did, but he’s not there.  Even if Luke Williams has a possession based approach, he doesn’t bomb players on willy-nilly, they still stay in a good structure.  And in staying in that good structure they are also well placed to press and win it back.

 

They do keep 2 hugging the touchline (Swans).

Just now, Lavington Robin said:

If only we played 2 up front like in this game ?

We couldn't take the excitement.

9 minutes ago, The Original OTIB said:

actually, the best bits are on the radio, audio link:

Wed, Mar 13, 2024 ( 12:00 - 12:30 )

https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1710324000/1710331200/

12:30 - 13:00

https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1710324000/1710333000/

Bit about Todd Boehly: "needed adult supervision in that (de facto sporting director role) before throwing all that money around". Need people who know what they are doing!

actually, the best bits are on the radio, audio link:

Wed, Mar 13, 2024 ( 12:00 - 12:30 )

https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1710324000/1710331200/

12:30 - 13:00

https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1710324000/1710333000/

Interesting overview of the professionalism at an elite club, but also the emphasis on fans, community and togetherness. The type of issues (succession planning, for example) discussed should be an aspiration though. For clarity, before the usual suspects jump, no, I'm not a Liverpool "fan", only ONE TEAM form me, and no, not advocating American ownership. Just thought it would interest some. The audio link has more of the substance but you'll have to wind past the adverts:

few extra bits in the longer audio version:

https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1710324000/

20 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Same at all clubs however Sunday in particular was a warning. A warning that seems not to have been heeded?

Yes I know that! Attendances clearly is not true. Should have said TICKETS SOLD are up. 

1 minute ago, Red Army 75 said:

Bristol City Director Gavin Marshall said: “We appreciate the fantastic support City fans give the team week-in, week-out and average home attendances are now at the highest level for over 40 years, a record high for the modern era. We recognise that prices are going up to reflect some of our increased costs, and we really value the financial commitment from our supporters
 

Highest for over 40 years. So we will hit you in the pocket. Cheers Gav

Tickets sold true, but ATTENDANCES, not so true 

31 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

Key dates here:

I’d urge everyone, even if they are renewing, to not do so until the last possible minute before the deadline. We’re kind of prisoners to this shitshow but it’s better the money is in your account until 23rd April than theirs and it’s the only small protest we have!

 

They won't be able to cope with a last minute dash in such numbers.

2 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Is Murphy the new McCrorie?

Murphy's law is active at this club ay the moment.

11 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

As I said last night, LM’s Cardiff press interview, suggests he’s not just doing a pre-season.  If he was, he’d have been shown in the video with Stokes.

Here’s the transcript.

Basically, LM and BT are not aligned, one is trying to brush it under the carpet as pre-season, the other is trying not to give too much away.

You can form your own opinion on it from what has come out.

My opinion is that he’s picked up some form of injury / issue.

+++++

But I don’t think it’s another Levi Ives situation! (You’ll need a good recall for that one)

 

Why not just be honest? We're not trying to hoodwink an opponent about an upcoming fixture, etc. AlI I can imagine is that they do not now want an injury back story if he us underwhelming and they might move him on.

In other news, Birmingham slip closer to oblivion. Could it be this year at last? 

6 minutes ago, The Original OTIB said:

McKenna: Lost 4 in 23 first season, 4 in ENTIRE season winning promotion. Trump levels of misinformation.

Got a tune out of Bakinson as well ! 26 games from loan move in January 2022. 

21 hours ago, Red from afar said:

You couldn't make it up

McKenna: Lost 4 in 23 first season, 4 in ENTIRE season winning promotion. Trump levels of misinformation.

2 hours ago, The Original OTIB said:

I think you or someone else has made that speech before. 

Just asking how he was getting on, nothing more, nothing less. He could have come from The Falkland Islands for all I care. Was billed as highly rated on arrival, maybe the usual hyperbole. Regardless, he may be developing, maybe not. Hence the question.

Not sure what the confusion is. Just an update asked per below ( wrongly move to ex players):

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

Surely he’ll just piss in that little bag he’s carrying around!

Loo-ey Vuitton.

3 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

The odds of Acey, Ap Sion or the other guy from Guernsey (forget his name) making it have to be slim to none.

The population of males on the island 15-24 (so the broad scouting range) is 3400 - so about 1/3 bigger in that age range than Yate and Sodbury. To get one player who can play championship from that number is pretty good (and that’s been borne out by the number of footballers from Guernsey historically).

We appear to be trying to get four through. I’m not saying it won’t happen - but statistically it would be staggering.

It’s a strange pond to fish in.

I think you or someone else has made that speech before. 

Just asking how he was getting on, nothing more, nothing less. He could have come from The Falkland Islands for all I care. Was billed as highly rated on arrival, maybe the usual hyperbole. Regardless, he may be developing, maybe not. Hence the question.