ciderwithtommy

And now he isn’t

Yeboah back in the 18s full time, not even close to the first team squad as it stands, and apparently very poor in the 18s match. Changing managers can have such an impact on players, both positive and negative, but sounds like his temperament will be tested

I find it strange that BT, or the wider academy, can’t have credit for players who joined later in their career path. Surely there is something to be said that we have kept our eyes and academy open to the best talent, including those late developers - of which there are so many. Pring, AS x 2, credit should be given that the academy spotted their talent and moved them forward quickly, the pathway was critical for all of them (Pring debatable on how he was treated by LJ). To try and pick apart the performance of our academy right now is just trying to fit an agenda, clearly it is producing.

As an example, tonight, Bell and Tanner 1st half had decent opportunities, particularly Tanners which was a 3/10 difficulty to put to the back post where we had 3 waiting and he scuffs is to the near post where they break on us. 2nd half so similar, almost baffling that they pick such a poor option each and every time.

I have never seen a team so incredibly incredibly poor at crossing the ball. In fact it’s so bad it usually ends in a chance for the opposition.

Best thing a striker can do is score goals, second best is miss chances to score goals, worst case is not having any chances at all to score. Tommy is always in category one or two of this, and he will come good. admittedly slightly simplistic, but he will do well for us, I just hope he doesn’t end up being a Manning/Tinnion pile on victim as and when we lose/play poorly, he is a top talent, local lad, and comes across very well. Up the TC!

First half we got the most out of our players / tactics that we could’ve hoped of against a superior team. And we didn’t take the chances. Second half the inevitable pressure came and we had no credit in the bank. Chasing games against Southampton is a nightmare and we never looked likely to pull level. There is a lesson that the younger players will learn. not sure why by I really, really dislike Martin, hope he gets sacked and steps on Lego

Wrong. law 12 - A goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent when in control of the ball with the hand(s).

Funniest of all is that the lower down the footballing pyramid you go, and looking at the report that league will be full of dross players, the expectation of a “perfect” or mistake less refs for lads who likely make mistakes on the pitch every 20 seconds, is just pitiful. please I beg refs to start calling out all the players mistakes and rinsing them, I’d pay to watch it. I know this is tongue in cheek, but that report is so sad to read.

I see it this way - James and Knight are doing exactly what they are asked to do. One calm and solid positionaly, one high energy tenacious non stop worker. It’s the third in the three that’s the issue, the one who links the wide 2 and one CF. Weimann not technically/aware enough, and no obvious choice. I think they need to go outside the club for a solution

He had an ok to good game from where I was sat. I thought the midfield were noticeably more conservative in possession today, coached that way I think. Under Pearson I thought we would force a ball that wasn’t necessarily on and then press it if it didn’t come off, whereas today TGH and MJ checked out and maintained possession, at times too cautious for my liking. also worth noting, Piercy I think, stating that TGH was not a player we actively tracked in the summer like Mcrorie and Knight, but one we moved quickly on. So maybe more of WBA circulating his name and us needing a player then any grand plan.

I actually thought tactically we were different, more “safe” with the ball and not as many/any bodies committed out wide for long periods of the first half. Sheff W with 11 I think win that game, a lot of work to do for the “top 6” expectations.

Agree to an extent. But it’s an issue now as we have a ridiculous injury crisis, whilst giving time off to our squad that is “unheard of at this level”. I know the convo can then evolve to “how many injuries were avoidable” etc but ultimately if we are giving more time off than average, and have a higher then average injury list there may be a problem. I would say, at the least, the leadership would want and be entitled to answers. Not implying for one second that DR etc are in the wrong either.

In fairness to JL, he says the time off afforded to our players is unheard of at this level. So maybe he’s talking to other clubs, our players, other fitness coaches, who knows. But it’s interesting for sure, sadly I would imagine DR and NP are not in a position legally to give their side of it.

Adam Nagy taken out of context - I think the quote was young hungry/Hungary players tbf. I am on the fence with JL, from what I’ve seen he strikes me as someone who wants the best for the club, and has had to learn on the job, maybe now getting more savvy I hope. The only thing that came out of it of real interest for me was the 9/10 days given off after each international break, and a concern we were detraining. That’s quite a statement. More comms needed in the future, but hopefully this is the start.

Bit of a nothing post by the guy tho isn’t it, nothing saying it’s true just buzz and bookies odds. Interesting

Not one journalist running it as a story that I have seen - have I missed any? If I haven’t , unlikely this is that close?

Would undo all the good work done here inside 12 months. Dreadful, dreadful appointment, so it all adds up for me.

Lampard would take us back 5 years at least. Matey with the lads, zero tactical insight, inflated wage bill and lack of value on the pitch from the big earners, would be one of the worst of the choices. So with that in mind, welcome Frank! Park street is that way

It won’t be Hinds, as he is being usurped by…. Mickey Bell in the u23s.

I listened to an amazing interview with a sports agent a few months ago. His advice was that in any sport, to build a link between fans and the team, there is one denominator - the truth. Fans aren’t stupid, in fact I know this may sound crazy, but some fans are smarter than the owners..,. Treat them with respect, and you will build something special. Lie or spin them, and they will feel deceived/like a customer. I 100% disagree with the sacking, however if the board had of said “we simply cannot work with each other any longer, irreconcilable differences and one of us had to go” then at the very least I would think ok, I get that, it’s a very very poor situation to get into, but ok. But to hang him on a promotion target is just simply untrue and puts us in a “do they think we are stupid?” Mindset. it’s a poor decision, but has been handled even more poorly. To look at it from another angle (their PR team should have been all over this), the justification they gave on his sacking now means the new manager HAS to be top 6 this season. With this squad and injury list, that’s a hell of a job.

Yep that’s him I would think. All I’ve heard is academy related as opposed to senior - was hoping his remit was kept there.

Can also confirm from people inside the club. Had hoped it was just nonsense. Is the agent the one who BT really doesn’t like to work with?

@Bcfcshags hugely appreciate your insight, what a sad state of affairs. One thing I would love to know is how involved / how Nige and BT have been getting along? I’ve heard a few things about BT that aren’t quite as rosy as I would like to hear (what a player he was for us), intrigued to hear your view…

Luke Williams - ticks all the boxes (SL’s boxes, no one else’s)