spudski

Wish we wore those colours now. Looks so smart, especially with trim. Much prefer black shorts to white. Not many teams play in plain red shirts and black shorts. Loads in red and white. Think we did around 1982.

You could have a team of talented footballers that were less fit. Then you could have a team of fit athletes that were less natural and technical footballers. The latter is now the norm. Is it better...imo, no. How often do we watch players running a lot, but they can't pass, control, read a game. Basics. It's getting more frequent. It's happening in most sports...fitness over finesse.

Each to their own indeed...I don't think any of those I listed were 'circus tricks'...they were naturally gifted footballers who were not naturally gifted fitness wise...and would never be regardless of training...that was my point. Weimann hasn't got anything on any in that list, naturally or technically. His touch and feel, regardless of hours of coaching, isn't comparable. You can see coached players...they are different to coached and gifted. Even LJ said in his time here that Weimann wasn't technically good. You can see that. He maybe aware tactically and have movement and fitness, but his ' footballing' ability isn't the best. If it were... he'd be playing higher.

Imo...Britton is a natural goal scorer. Unfortunately that isn't good enough at Championship level alone. Snake is also a natural goal scorer but isn't deemed adequate enough for Championship level. Same can be said of many. Imo... Britton could train and play to the best of his ability under the best coaching, but will never reach the levels required, because of the limits on his body type. Some people will never get to a fitness level required to play Championship football, regardless of training. Same with JET...you find a level you can deal with consistently. Football at Championship level is all about, running and more running. Is Britton a better 'natural' goalscorer than Weimann...imo yes...but Weimann can run all day. The quality of 'football' has diminished over the years in the Championship, however the fitness levels have gone through the roof. There are many natural footballers lower down the league's that will never make the grade because of limited fitness ability. Look at Le Tissier...would never get in a championship side these days, regardless of training. The simple fact is...regardless of talent, if your body won't get to levels of fitness required, because it has limits, then you won't make the grade. On a personal note I'd rather watch a team with Jackie, Doc, Noble, Worthington, Le Tissier, JET etc, than a team of Weimanns...but that's the way it's gone. Would love the lad to prove me wrong...but my eye tells me he can't.

I'm not sure how any of us can decide who would be beneficial to sell or keep. Firstly...we need to know what type of football wishes to play. Do we know that yet...I certainly don't. Once we know that...you buy, keep or release, depending on who suits. Imo...you can't just buy and sell regardless. Massengo might be perfect for what NP wants...or he might be useless...we just don't know. Players on paper are one thing, they are completely useless if they don't fit a system. Galiticos don't work...a team works.

Problem is...anyone given the boot by him, was paid off and had to sign a gagging order. I remember talking to someone who had this happen to them, and they would only allude to certain things. I didn't press as it would have been unfair on them. There were no positives though. Impression was wanted to control of everything and take credit for things...even though on occasion he hadn't done it.

You could have a whole bunch of scouts watching games every day, for the cost ( nothing ) of someone in admin emailing the home club saying someone is in attendance...just need a club accredited badge or whatever it is these days and email to show on entering. Many knowledgeable people attend games regularly out of choice, that could easily report back to the club for nothing...just the time to email, nothing more...why would they not use copious amounts of people watching, then send head scouts and check deeper. Scouting is the cheapest form of finding gems at ground level, yet a dieing art it seems. It now relies on number crunchers who watch games and put on data bases. Football is like every other business...easily manipulated by other businesses looking to take a chunk out of them. Example... Top Club takes on a new direction in recruitment and technology. Finance (money) has a major influence on this. Others take notice and follow...then everyone follows. Follow my leader...whether proven or not. MA used to bang on about being ahead of the curve...it was utter bollox...head of the curve means looking to be doing what the top teams are doing...who have technology but also soldiers on the ground so to speak. We didn't do both well. Neglected scouting properly at ground level. The one thing I've noticed with this Club,is that it's become more and more closed shop. Less likely to look outside the norm. It has a fear. A fear of looking stupid. SoD was close to showing up the ownership. MA came in and closed shop so to speak. Scouting and recruitment is a joke. Has been for as long as I can remember.

I agree with Harry, that the recruitment could be far better. The majority of the players recruited aren't bad players. They go on and play well for other teams, or turn up here, look good, then digress. So it's not the players recruited perse The problem we have imo, is we buy players that don't suit the way the manager/ coach wishes to play. We've bought decent players, often with a sell on value in mind. Players with talent in their own right, that are then manipulated to play in a way that doesn't suit their best attributes. Never a team...always a bunch of individuals. We had a way of playing early doors when LJ took over. It went downhill when we stopped playing the high press with energy and introduced the likes of Famara. It then resulted in a mix bag of Bassett's all sorts. We lost our identity. Just a bunch of players with no particular direction. It's got worse season by season since.

I agree. Glad you noticed as well. Static headers of the ball very rarely win a header against offensive players on the move, mobile so to speak. The blockers often don't block. We see our headers of the ball static marking space. The offence lose their marker/blocker and often have free headers. Couple examples yesterday where it was easier to score for Stoke from those situations.

Cant remember...but HNM assigned to Oestagard was poorly judged imo

Exactly that...crap defending by HNM..again late reacting. And reactionary. Didn't read it, reacted late and just grabbed his man. Why the hell would HNM be assigned that player too? Utter madness. It's these type of errors that cost us. If it were me...at set pieces, if we are playing one man left upfield I'd choose HNM, imo, he's crap at defending inside the box.

With respect RR... you've obviously never played sport to a high energy to exhaustion. It's not always about desire and mental strength. When you are constantly under pressure and relentlessly defending and chasing, the brain doesn't work as well as when calmer and more relaxed, as when in control and in possession. Less oxygen to the brain...it's going elsewhere in the body, muscles internal organs. Fans will often wonder why teams in possession knock it around at the back and players further forward don't make themselves available for a pass...it's to rest and recover...then a move happens and it's good to start again. Getting fitter obviously helps...but mix that with a more possession based game, the overall performance will improve. You can have leaders...but playing like we have the last two games is simply unsustainable over a season.

The past two games have shown great spirit, however the way we play is simply unsustainable to achieve consistent positive results. We have to learn quickly how to keep the ball better and possession. Or bring in players in January who can help with this. It's no coincidence we've conceded so often at the end of games. Players are fatigued both mentally and physically. You need possession as a time to rest and recover in games. We are constantly chasing, never having time to recover mentally and physically. This leads to mistakes and injury. It'll get harder as well in the winter months. Great couple of results...but it's simply unsustainable. Thankfully NP knows this as he alluded to it in his pre match interview. Whether he will be able to do anything about it with this lot is another thing.

I watch his interviews and it looks so controlled and thought through. He is literally biting his tongue, making sure he isn't saying what he really wants to say, for fear of repercussions. It's a mix of some fans get it, but a majority don't, but it's not their fault because they don't know the real truth in what he's dealing with. And judge on only what they hear. What a nightmare for any manager. Even when they leave they often can't say anything down to ' gag orders'. I look and think wtf...why get emotionally involved in something you'll never know the truth about. It's so superficial, yet so financially and emotionally involved, for everyone concerned, both sides of the fence. When you look at it from afar, it's all a bit mad. Fan gets emotionally and financially attached to a club that he knows probably 10% about...nuts really. NP and SoD are two managers that look away from the interviewer and scream ,' If only you knew the truth' indirectly to the listener.

I get the impression some players have been told that aren't good enough, or haven't been able to get up to speed so to speak and realise the enivitable. Have downed tools and are now just going through the motions. He's now left with a smaller pond to dip into. And some are injured. It's now very black and white imo. We have players NP doesn't want/ trust even after giving them a chance. Has been left with smaller options to pick from...some injured, and others wanting it, like some of the youngsters, but they haven't got the experience or talent to put in consistent championship games week in, week out. January will be tough imo. I think that will be the tipping point to our season. If we don't sell, don't recruit as wanted, continue to have injuries to key players in NP plans, then we are screwed. If you've got the likes of Palmer on the suggested wages he's on, not making an impact, then that's a massive blow.

Much prefer Brownhill in a more offensive role too. Now he really can read a game and intercept balls and quickly go on the offensive, plus an eye for goal.

Hope they find a way of making the roads more compatible for all the proposed electric cars and buses. So much heavier than normal cars. I've noticed over the past few years near me, how much the roads are ripped up by buses, in the spots they pull away or change gear. Roads aren't fit for purpose in some areas. Funny your car needs to be road worthy...but the roads aren't worthy for cars...only for tanks...and don't get me on speed bumps ????

From my observations HNM is Pro active offensively and reactive defensively. I think he reads the game better when being offensive. His willingness to run, block, get into position looks most impressive, but often it's because he hasn't read the pass, the move or tracked his runner. He does track his runner...after that runner has made his move. He doesn't read it...hence the energy tracking back or having to correct his mis timing. He's not defensively minded imo, and more effective as a high energy offensive midfielder. His physical fitness and energy and massive willingness to track, mark, defend often overcomes this weakness, but as can be seen in his last game, his late awareness led to a goal. Prefer him in an offensive position personally. Love his attitude.

Wow...some really thoughtful replies. Can't acknowledge all of them, but I'm glad it's made for an interesting thread. We all obviously care, that's shown in the comments. Thank you.

Totally agree.,see it everyday. Denial often means they know the truth but can't be arsed...but the undeniable fact was down to background, circumstances, confidence. It's why we end up in the mess we are when leading the country. So many followers that never question, but complain when it goes tits up. Same with us. Owners of clubs, leaders of country get complained about...makes headlines, yet within days it's chip paper. We as fans...if you keep going, financially, will make no difference, regardless of complaints on here.

Feel your pain.

Fair play Dave. Similar playing background. Would you feel so happy if every home 3pm KO...would mean an 11.30 am start and ball ache to get to the ground either by car or public transport? The majority of my friends have given up this season for a culmination of reasons. Mainly travelling. I think the Club and council need serious consultation. There are literally 3 main routes into Bristol. Every week there is a road closed, road works, detour, public transport cancelled, late etc. List goes on. Literally want to wake up Saturday, circumstances allow me to get to game, buy a ticket on gate and support my team Not plan a week ahead like it's an expedition to the South pole. And that's on top of the crap running of the club. Many feel the same. Some paid season tickets and been once.

A very interesting thought. I've never been a follower...part of the ' tribe'. I hated it. Always made my own groove so to speak. There is always a leader... someone that influences. Whether SL or someone who influences the supporters. You're either a leader, follower or someone who lives life by their own rules influenced by balanced views. I find it interesting how we as supporters analysis, react weekly, by performances every weekly. I think SL is lucky to have so many people under the spell so to speak.

I completely understand your feelings. Tbh...everytime I've moved and worked abroad, I've become more interested in my heritage and more proud. I remember for instance hating the Wurzels and our connection with them. Thought they made us look backward. Moved to Canada for a while and weirdly became the proudest Bristolian, City fan ..an got the wurzles. I get that everyone has a story, a connection, a reason. Just like myself. We all have some love...we wouldn't come on here otherwise. However...surely there comes a point where at some point we all go..that's it? I guess we all have a point. Circumstances, feelings, etc

I do the same...but now with my local none league team. I must admit... travelling and parking have made a massive influence in my decision. It was the tipping point so to speak .