Kid in the Riot

It doesn't sound like a split dressing room at all. It sounds like there are a couple of players that don't want to be at Bristol City, for whatever reason, and that as a result they will be moved on at the earliest opportunity.

Both sites won't be completed for many years, probably 5+ years from now. And given SL is already on record as looking for outside investment and The Athletic are now even muting a full takeover, then I think things will likely happen before the projects are built out. Don't forget that in practice Ashton Vale technically as nothing to do with Bristol Sport/City, and even the sporting quarter is technically a separate site to Ashton Gate (though clearly will be intrinsically linked to the stadium). Any deal could easily be done on the proviso that the sporting quarter development is built-out. The Lansdowns may well want to retain ownership of the arena and hotel elements.

Agree Pezo, I don't think the Lansdowns are choosing Flyers/Bears over City. They are simply waiting for the proposals at Ashton Vale and the sporting quarter to gain planning permission. Once that is achieved, they have their exit strategy.

I'm surprised people keep mentioning Wells. Since he's come back from injury he's started pretty much every game, looks decent and is clearly busting a gut.

Footage here from 1m 20 onwards of him in the dressing room at Watford. Even though it's only a short clip, it's clear to see he is a very different character in the dressing room:

A fair point. It would be interesting to know if Marshall is a shareholder. I suspect he would be, however you are right that it may not be substantial, or not as substantial as Lansdown and Griffiths', at least.

That's absolutely right. When they walk away from Bristol City, I am convinced the Lansdowns will do so having not made a substantial personal financial loss, and with the sporting quarter and Ashton Vale elements, may in fact walk away with a handsome profit. The company that submitted the sporting quarter application has three named directors, by the way: Martin Griffiths, Gavin Marshall and Jon Lansdown. All three stand to be enriched considerably by that project. Marshall seems a decent enough guy, but seems to have come from nowhere. I'd be interested to know how and why he has got himself into a position where he stands to make a considerable amount of money from a Bristol Sport project. It appears that the Lansdowns are now "looking after" a few of their closest allies, as the end of their reign nears. Nothing illegal or even morally wrong with it, necessarily, but something that I feel people need to be aware of. Griffiths, Marshall, and Steve and John, will surely walk away with millions between them from this project. Yet to most City fans they are viewed either as club employees or benefactors. That's certainly not the full story...

or is that "he's taken us as far as he wants to take us"? It's difficult to know with the Lansdowns, and it's probably time to recognise them as a collective. Whether it's in terms of day to day decision-making or a horrible worst case scenario, it's not just Steve that is, or would, make decisions involving the football club, it is also Maggie and Jon. Some may consider it inappropriate to speculate in this way, but should the worst happen to Steve, I believe Maggie would inherit his shares. And so forth. Therefore, it is important to recognise that Bristol City FC, RFC, WFC and Flyers are owned by "The Lansdowns". Steve owns 99% shares in Bristol City FC, yet I still see people banging on about there being "a board". The board is Steve, Maggie and Jon, because guess what? They own 99% of the club. Brian Tinnion, Lee Johnson, Mark Ashton, Nigel Pearson, Richard Gould - employees, nothing more. Their say, pretty much subservient with their level of power at the club. Over the past 20 years The Lansdowns have presided over the football club and been key to all decision making, including the appointment of managers. When I say "key", I mean appointing every single one of the football managers and agreeing to every single signing made by the football club, without exception. Ah, bar one Steve Cotterill, who was only appointed following an extremely persuasive case put forward by recruitment specialist Keith Dawe. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure very persuasive cases were put forward, by someone, of why we should sign Gustav Engvall and Sammy Szmodics, however the buck stops with the man, and his family, that sanctioned these signings. And sanctioned the people that were put in place to make these signings. Recuitment has been an unmitigated disaster over the past three years, and ultimate responsibility must be laid at the door of the family signing off this wastage. As we head back towards L1 for a potential third relegation under The Lansdowns, the question has to be asked: Have they taken us as far as they can, or indeed, as far as they want to take us? From where I am, it's a resounding yes. And I'd go further and say they would be quite happy with us being a big fish back in L1. Derby County are about to be sold for £50m. It got me thinking. The Lansdowns picked up the club and ground for comparative peanuts. Mel Morris still owns Pride Park so that is not part of the deal. If The Lansdowns were to sell Bristol Sport including the ground, I would hazard a guess that it wouldn't be too far off the £150m+ they have invested. Further to that, I would speculate that once the sporting village is complete they would break even AT WORST on their investment. This isn't supposed to be a hatchet job, just an honest appraisal of The Lansdowns running of our football club. From where I'm standing, I hope what I read today in The Athletic, and what I already knew to be fair, is true and help or potentially a full takeover is on the way.

No manager, ever, will put an emphasis on formations. Secondly, literally a manager's primary job is to create a "culture" and winning environment. That's their main job.

You'll have to let me know which sporting greats don't come across as a bit of a cock sometimes. I would suggest there are none... Clarke is up there for sure. But longevity is key to being a great for me and sadly, like Senna, he cannot claim success over a sustained period.

I always like to think the best of people in the UK but I have to say it seems fairly obvious to me that the fact he's mixed race is an issue. He's a global megastar and great ambassador for this country yet seems to get minimal respect back home. He's likely to go down as one of our greatest ever sportsman so I guess some might have to come to terms with that.

Don't really understand how or why Lewis' greatness is still called into question. Comparing era's is of course hard. But especially if he wins an 8th title this season he surely has to go down as the greatest ever. He's not dull like Schumacher was either, he's a proper box office racing driver.

Done it twice before, last one for @gamonstag when we got a police escort from the bar at Bristol Airport to the plane ? Enjoy!!

In all seriousness, Kane's numbers are beyond belief. He will surpass Rooney's goalscoring record in at least 30+ games less, and in about half the time, in terms of years. His goalscoring record for England will probably never be bettered. It's that good.

And only Tony Pulis from that list went onto bigger & better things as a manager.

Yes, I think so. We spoke to his agent

Exactly that. Villa a stepping stone to the Liverpool job. Fair play to Lansdown for at least approaching Gerrard's representatives last summer, what an appointment that would've been. I think he'll do a good job at Villa.

Hi, would you like to buy Zak Vyner?

Castle School loyal

K, well we've beaten Posh and Barnsley. Hull to come in Dec, so we'll see.

Get well soon, Nige. You are kicking our club into shape and we need you back, when fit and healthy. I've been with an exiled Sheff Wed fan this evening and he described you in one word - legend.

From a selfish perspective, they are down. So only two relegation places up for grabs! Reading look set for a 12 point deduction, which would take them back to 10 pts.

Regards the Posh game, our xG in that game was one of the highest in the division that weekend, whilst Peterborough's was the lowest. That means we created lots of good chances and restricted them to next to nothing. So, on that measure at least, we certainly deserved the win.

Worth noting that both Bears and City (Steve Lansdown essentially) signed up to the newly reduced salary cap in rugby (£7m to around £6m) and also voted in favour of the FFP regulations. The Premiership and football league are effectively members clubs which Steve is a fully signed up signatory of.