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My only issue with this, is the people that are saying he was only on "hundreds"; and that he was on a "sizeable bonus" for being involved in matchday squads. I of course treat that with a pinch of salt (as per earlier posts), but the fact is his last appearance on the bench was against Luton (a) on 25th Jan. Prior to that he hadn't made the bench for the previous 7 games. If we were looking at a parting of the ways, then surely we could have done something in January; and at least given ourselves some other potential options in that position of the pitch. You know how fixated I've been about our full back positions for the last few seasons. We've just been poor from both a defensive & offensive point of view for a number of seasons. With no manager able to grasp the need for change/upgrade in those positions. As an aside, has any defender (other than Baker, and Tanner) actually scored for us this season? Really is a paltry return from Corners, and set pieces isn't it. @Davefevs I'm guessing we must be at the bottom of any stat table with regard to defensive player's offensive stats? Either goals or assists?

I think it's the concept of financially we seem to not be in the position to sign any players on loan or otherwise. We have this experienced player on the bench, who NP would rather play a 19 year old striker in that position instead; as well as countless other players. If we were going to have a mutual parting of the ways, then surely January would have been a much better time for the club; to allow them potentially to explore other options. The reaction to Simpson is more an outpouring of the fan's frustrations over the season; and the decisions being made. Any other year, then absolutely Simpson leaving would have been a footnote. Now it is seen as an event to galvanise people's feelings over. For what it's worth, the decision to send £1.6m on a L1 CB; when you know you have failings in other areas; now also seems somewhat of a mistake. Compounded of course by the further signing 300k signing of a L2 RB. I know they are signings for the future, but in hindsight were they signings we should have been making with the overall squad so unbalanced? I know we've been unfortunate with their respective injuries. But little did we realise at the start of the season how that money could have been spent across the board. Almost as if it would have been better to keep our budget intact; and see how the season pans out. Before possibly making some additions either short or longer term in the Jan window. Anyhow that is, as I said above Hindsight is a wonderful thing......

I think he means Ashley Williams, or at least I hope so.

25 bonus related appearances according to those in the know then...? Those 18 appearances on the bench, when everybody knew he wasn't coming on were just bizarre...

Yes, he's had his injury problems in the past. But was solid last season for teams in this division; and has certainly been probably a 6/10 for me this season so far. It's just he looked off the pace on Saturday, and a bit rusty. Certainly not the time to play him as a sweeper. I was surprised we didn't play Williams in that role. James for me, hasn't got that bite your legs mentally that Williams has. At the start of the season a James/Williams centre midfield must surely on paper be our first choice partnership?

Definitely didn't look match fit on Saturday; and was off the pace. The way Chong turned him for that first goal (after James was slow to push out, and left Chong in areas of space) was the making of a player that hadn't played for a while. Not sure what to make of him at the moment. I thought James might come off for Massengo at some point. But of course we were forced to make the two subs at H/T due to the RB fiasco; and Klose injury; so NP's and was forced somewhat.

I agree @Simon bristol If people really think that Simpson was only playing for a few hundred a week, then they are a bit deluded. He would have had to rent in the City, or at least make a move for during the week/matchdays. Even if he was still living up north, he would have had bills to pay. No-one of his ilk will be playing for hundreds. It just wouldn't make sense for him financially. If however his basic was in the hundreds, but his contract was based on inclusion in the first team; all of those times he was on the bench; and never ever came on would make more sense. Albeit a further waste of money on our part The only players on those sort of contracts (hundreds), are the Under 23s on their first professional contracts, who are still living with their parents. Even player's like Conway, Towler, Edwards, Pearson would be on more than that (not that much more of course).

James??????

Nice one @Curr Avon ? I'll catch up on the podcast with you soon.

Don't disagree over the Palmer, and Wels comments. However Simpson was part of the matchday squad for at least over 20 games this season. If his contract was based on his selection for that squad however, then it is still a sizable amount that we have wasted; in my honest opinion. And that of course would have had an impact on the issue of bringing in a short term replacement (loan or OOC ) in that position.

I think it has to be of mutual benefit to both parties. Otherwise it turns into a Winston Bogarde situation from the past. With the player just playing out his contract, and a possible loyalty bonus at the end of it. It should in theory save the club some money. I wonder whether Simpson has another gig set up elsewhere to go to.

Given that he was on the bench for a sizable part of the season; but never/rarely was bought on. That sounds like an even bigger waste of money. Just put exactly the same above you @GrahamC

Not sure I would Williams to that. I thought he was superb in his first spell, not so much in the second. Like Williams, Mariappa started well; and then like the rest of the team fell off a cliff. I agree with you though, these short term OOC players( not O'Neill of course ) demonstrate what a mess we've got ourselves into trying to plug gaps; rather than any sort of forward planning.

Never recovered from WBA away, and the worst effort at a back pass I've ever seen live. Particularly after NP subbed Tanner off after 30 mins for doing exactly the same thing (albeit he got away with it at the time).

Possibly using the money saved for another OOC Klose type short term signing?

Possibly using the money saved for another OOC Klose type short term signing?

Just put a post on the FBC podcast topic about our RB situation. This is just pathetic timing isn't it? If you were going to come to some sort of agreement over Simpson then surely it has to be in the January window to allow player, and club the opportunity to explore other options. The first week in March is neither here nor there. Unless of course he's just had an offer from a mate over in the MLS to play over there?

I think my issue with the RB position is this:- The two current RBs from the start of the season are both available, but now deemed not good enough. We have had to come up with some sort of deep lying sweeperesque solution to combat our failings in that area (as well as others of course). Other systems/formations have also been tried as the 3-5-2 formation (that apparently is our best defensive formation) is quite clearly not working either We had had a 19 year old striker playing there, who; I'm sorry is not up to the job. At times we have had to take one of our most creative players out of his natural position in CM (England U19's position) to cover there. The coaching team has also had a predominately left footed LWB playing there as well to plug the gap, as there is no-one else. When it comes to finances to cover a loan signing, yes I know money is tight. But we did actually sign Klose on a short term deal to cover at CB. A position that in my mind is not as pressing as the RB. His point about Tanner coming back, is that he is still learning. So even when he comes back, NP considers we will still struggle in that area. Using NP's rationale, (and the above points) that we will only get a loan signing in that either improves the team, or is to benefit the team; it is quite clear. We've dropped a bollock there I'm afraid. Using @GrahamC's points here. Yes, I agree that that we probably believed we were safe due to the unusual circumstances of a number of clubs below us; and has thus chosen not to spend the money on a loan signing there. But due to that decision making rationale we have created a chaotic chain of events that have led to us losing any momentum that the winning run at home afforded us. And thus we limp until the end of the season, not finishing it on any sort of upward trajectory. I still think we need a couple of wins as well, by the way. Not sure where those are coming from at the moment. EDIT: With Simpson now gone, possibly using the money saved for another OOC Klose type short term signing?

To be honest, although we are of course poor defensively from set pieces. It still gets me going how we set up at Corners. How many goals have we conceded at the front post all season? Yet, yesterday we haď Semenyeo defending there for the second goal (previously COD). In previous seasons that would have been Fammy there of course. But i'm not sure why we don't have someone like Martin or one of the CBs there. Teams in the Championship will be aware of course of our failings defensively from crosses, and set pieces. In the same way we have tried to change formations, there doesn't seem at face value a change from the standard zonal marking of the Centre backs + Martin; leaving other players to "attempt" to go man to man (rather badly obviously). Unless @Davefevs tells me i've got it wrong. We've been running that scheme most of the season. If that's still the case, then it falls into the lap of the coaching team unfortunately.

Sorry i wasn't able to be on the pod today @headhunter. Was doing the English Taekwondo Championship in Worcester with the youngest one. I said to @GrahamCbefore the game that this felt like a step too far for Bell. But in fairness, James was extremely culpable for the first goal; as was Semenyeo's marking for the second. I thought Scott had a good second half (he obviously scored of course), as did JD for me over the course of the game. The annoying thing was taking Scott out of the centre to correct the RWB situation. Lost that creativity, when he gets on the ball. James didn't look fit, and when asked to play the reverse sweeper role, you could just tell (unlike Williams against Boro) that it wasn't his game. I also thought Atkinson played well on his return to action. Kalas had a bit if a nightmare against Chong's movement, and pace. Does feel at the moment that the momentum of the home run has now been lost; and we are coasting towards the end of the season again. Pearson's interview for me was a bit lethargic, aka "what can i say, that you haven't heard before from me?" There's no point reading the riot act to the players. I'm sure they pretty much know the upheaval that's going to take place in the summer. I completely agree with all the points made over our finances on other threads; but the RB scenario for me is a bit unforgivable, and was crying out for a loan in that area. I know NP's views on bringing people in on the short term. But christ, we are playing a 19 year old forward there at the moment; or a LWB who is unfortunately very left footed. Whoever we got in, surely they would have improved our squad in that area.

Jesus, this is what we were talking about on the phone. Even with player sales, and a lower playing budget; the unspecified "operating costs" of Bristol City are like a giant millstone around our neck. There must be a need within the club to address this issue. Either by once again creative accountancy; or by other means? Do we have any idea what the approx £25m operating costs of City, that exclude the playing budget actually involve? And of course why are they double, or even more; than reciprocal clubs in the same division? What are the costs of repaying Lansdown's loan each season as well?

So the saga continues over creative accounting by some clubs to stay with FFP. As we were talking about before, the premise of potentially punishing a club that has been open & transparent about it's finances; whilst getting outmanouvered again by others leaves a bitter taste. This Birmingham scenario is similar in my eyes to the Forest owner moving money/players between Olympiakos & Forest at higher than their actual worth to manipulate P&S.

Where's their playing budget in that Dave? Is it the £15.7m administrative expenses?

I don't think Pearson does himself any favours either with this "If they're not on the bus, they I will get rid of them" mantra. Times have changed in the transfer market, and clubs will be looking at some players (Wells, Palmer, JD with Birmingham), coupled with NP's words; and try to have us over the barrel. We can't afford to do a Nagy with them all at present, so this needless "They will be gone" statement is empty in my opinion.

I was away yesterday (half term, and watching the eldest son playing senior football again); so i haven't seen the "highlights" of the game; or listened to the podcast. I think it's easy to get caught up in the emotion of another evidently poor away performance. However, for me; we've done well to be where we are, with what we have; and what we can afford at the moment. This summer brings huge challenges around players contracts, and whether to sell one of the 3 main prospects to potentially eliminate the risk of us breaching FFP summer 23. This is our longest stay in the division since 66-76. Yes we were fortunate last season finished when it did, and this season's points deductions for Reading and Derby. But there are still a number of other teams in a worse points position than us. Defensively we've been poor for two seasons now. The new defensive signings have either been injured, or poor; that's football. We need a change in that area in the summer. Let's see what happens with decisions around Kalas, JD & Bentley. At present the team, and club as a whole are going through something like a Debt management plan, or IVA that an individual goes through. Having to make really difficult financial decisions for a few years because of mistakes/circumstances on the past. We will recover, and move forward again. But unlike teams like Sheff Wed, Ipswich, Charlton, Portsmouth and others; we've managed to stay in what is possibly the hardest league in football. I'm fairly stoical about it all at the moment. Although in some regards another difficult season, it's been wonderful to see the development of Scott, Semenyeo; and to a lesser degree HNM. 2 more wins needed i think, and roll on the summer.