spudski

Your post in response resonates with me. So similar. I guess I found solice elsewhere before you. Trust me...I still feel something, wouldn't be writing this otherwise...but I do wonder how many feel totally disconnected like me. Bearing in mind this decision was made after Pearson was appointment.

I was the same for many years...and like you didn't have an answer. Then for whatever reason...clarity. Getting to midlife and realising there was more to life than following City. Whats the point of feeling depressed every weekend? There literally hasn't been many times where it's been fun. Where it hasn't had a negative affect on your mood. Since SL.its been empty promises. Premier League in the waiting. Really? How stupid are we? Same old mistakes every season. One step forward, two steps back. Sad reading all the emotional posts on here, realising how much it means to so many and actually how many hours of their life they spend following or having an interest.

Just interested compared to myself so no malice. I guess I'm an average supporter. Played football, and lived for football all through my formative years and into 20's. Found girls, beer and marriage. Watched and played...found other interests etc. Continued watching city when life circumstances allowed. On and off season ticket holder. In later years when watching rather than playing became the norm, meeting with pals, having some banter and a few beers and watching City took over for fun...that was what we did. After so many years of following...owners, managers, players, excuses...at what point did it become a chore, rather than something that was enjoyable, where you worked all week and went back to work on Monday feeling good about life? I read this forum and speak to mates and there is an underlying theme. It's ingrained...from youth, from family...years of following, often through habit. Stuck in a rut, nothing better to do, anything to get away from the missus. Escapism...thinking of the good ol' days. Let's face it...so much is compared to the past when circumstances at the time were fun. And we constantly compare to the past. Now...being middle aged. I ask myself...why am I so interested? Watching and supporting a team I have no control over. The deeper you get involved, the more it affects your mood. You watch, listen, read other people's thoughts. Some are so into it... literally sharing every thought and passion on a forum to randoms!!! I guess that comes from life circumstances. Some feel the need and release...others don't. After many years...I've stopped going. Cancelled my season ticket and now go to watch semi professional football. I love it...breath of fresh air. City is massively ingrained in my soul. Grandfather, father and me. Everyday i think about the connection and good times. I watch from afar now, occasional game, read this every day. So it means something. I question myself. Why do I care,why do I bother, why do I put myself through the emotions every weekend that affect my mood? Gone from really into it, to absolute couldn't care less tbh. Regardless of results, it's been shit for many seasons. So without sounding like a complete knob...why do you care? How does following City make a difference in your life. Have you ever thought why am I following this shit and allowing it to affect my life so much? You get one life...the owner and players enjoy everything away from football to the enth degree. Yet you work all week to watch and accept this shit accross the board, for years, thinking it's going to be enjoyable, entertaining...and just what we do. If you don't do it...you aren't a real supporter. Well I think real supporting is now confused. It's moved on. We are now £££££££s...nothing more. Go back to 82...Cooper etc. Nothing compares...but we still compare that ethos, work ethic, support, family feeling. Excuses after excuses after excuses...it's literally laughable. Yet we all sit as supporters writing on here our feelings and research. Hours of our life... Just a thought...

How does any fan not know that ? ?

Blimey...just had a moment. Seeing her dressed like that. Memories of 1991 at the Fleece watching River City People with Sinead O'Connor and Peter Gabriel watching at the back. They were the days...Fleece, Bierkeller, Thekla etc... https://youtu.be/yDVbbVhMMvE

Depends on the coaches he brings in imo. He's a good man manager and motivator but imo he needs decent coaches around him.

It's going to be difficult I think. Experienced players getting older and past their best, youngsters still not got enough under them for next season to be relied upon. Who's going to want to come here on lower wages that has the ability to play as NP wants and get us improve our situation. Bumpy ride this year and next imo.

Players Mental strength and confidence low!!! In their own ability or in what they are being asked to do by the manager? These players individually have the quality to do much better. Imo, the coaching team should be getting more out of them. Or are some of them under the impression they aren't good enough under the new regime and won't be in future plans... For me...regardless of who's playing, have been set up poorly on some occasions. NP mentioned after the last game our inability to stop crosses coming in. This has been going on for years. I've never known a team allow so many balls into their own box. Nearly every team exploits our weakness...the wide spaces between full backs and wider midfield. Diagonal balls, after drawing us across the other side of the pitch. So slow to move across and defend. It's so easy to play against us...it's basic...and I don't know why they don't resolve the problem.

It shouldn't do, as when the ball is pinged diagonally, the midfield slides/shifts as a unit across the pitch...giving the extra man centrally. We are just too slow and passive when doing it. In the time the ball has travelled across the width of the pitch to the wide man, our full back should be on him, ready to pounce as he controls, and the midfield should be tracking the runners with intent. They don't...it's passive and symbolic having no affect on the outcome.

The problem we have regardless of playing 4 at the back with natural full backs or a three, is not so much the defence but the back up from midfield. So often you see the hole being exploited, with overload of players. More often than not, a full back having to deal with 2 offensive players, whilst our midfield adjust too slowly...worried they are leaving gaps centrally because one of the forwards isn't dropping quick enough. It's still very passive when dropping back from midfield...Massengo an exception. 442 would certainly help at the moment as nearly every team has seen our weakness.

I think the biggest problem we have when defending, is the gaps wide between defence and midfield. There is so much space to exploit. Just ping diagonal balls into that space. It's easy. All too often no defensive midfielder to cover and and full back left on his own to shift across. By then it's too late...you either get a cross whipped in and last ditch defending/ goalkeeping in the box, or a midfield runner, receiving ball from wide as he runs into the box. It's been like it for ages...and one reason why I'd revert to 442 with our present crop. We play so narrow...it's so easy to exploit. Basics...

I think you are missing the point and sentiment RR.

Why does it have to be more expensive? It doesn't. A season ticket guarantees your preferred seat and that you've been able to organise to sit close to friends. Potd...you get what's left over.

People aren't 'connected' to the Theatre like supporting a football club mate. People generally go occasionally as a treat to the theatre. Football should be accessible to the working man and shouldn't be penalised for not having a season ticket imo. Many have family or work obligations which come first, but would love to be able to support their club at the drop of a hat without having to fork out a small fortune to do so. The entertainment value compared to cost is far removed imo. I can fully understand why some would rather pay for TV subscription or go down the pub with mates and watch games and have fun. This is a good read...it's something we as a country need to do. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/tickets-2019-20-bayern-munich-borussia-dortmund-schalke-rb-leipzig-5342

You could...and I agree to an extent...however they are all legal activities. Beating the shit out of one another over a game of football isn't.

How do the CSF and other firms, who inflict violence and injury to one another, feel about using the NHS, hospitals, doctors, ambulances, police etc to mop up the self inflicted injuries? Do they think it's reasonable to be looked after, and use up the time of the services ahead of the general public who haven't gone looking for violence? Imo...if you go looking for it, don't expect others to mop up your injuries. Sort yourself out.

Can't believe people are comparing Tomlin with Jackie. Wtf ? I was in the home end, with many others at Leicester. Jackie was head and shoulders above anyone else that day. People have to remember we were shit back then. FFS...Andy Llewellyn was playing. The whole club was just a bunch of drinkers, Clubbers and chancers. Cole and Jackie were something else for us. You simply can't judge Jackie with others years later. The culture at our club was trash. Osman was a joke.

I'd love to know what he actually does on a day to day basis.

Putting your trust in MA to run the club, when you have a son as managing director of the club seems all at odds...what does he manage or direct? Serious question...you'd think he'd be the go between, eyes and ears for SL.

Your last sentence sums up my gut instinct too...hard one to call.

I don't see it like that at all mate. Both of those players are beasts, with unorthodox talent. Regardless of ' manager' it could go either way imo. Outside of a covid year I reckon a Prem club would risk £10 m on him. Right now, it's an unknown quantity value wise. A true gamble. I'd edge on the side of keep him as I see potential, but if £10 m I'd sell. I think post covid we have to play hardball as you say.

Hence my view in he's worth more in the market. I can see talent...but unorthodox. So a risk.

I think you've hit the nail on the head re Semenyo...unless something drastically changed. He's not a natural goal scorer, he's not a ' number 10'...is he an attacking me? Who knows...my guess is he'll have a career, but unfulfilled, because no one will work out his best position or how to play him.

She's pure filth ??? however...after Hutch got hold of Kylie I expect similar ??

How odd...it literally crossed my mind the other day as to who would come calling for Semenyo. Palace screamed at me...he is totally a Palace type player. Semenyo literally is the biggest dilemma I've ever seen as a player for us. He's so unatural it's confusing. He's big, strong, direct for his age, but has the composure of a 17 year old in front of Kylie when in front of goal. Literally watch every pass, shot or control ..tell me it isn't crisp, controlled or composed.....so, so frustrating. Like Harry...I'd be pushing for more.