spudski

LMs appointment suits JL and BT. JL isn't going to feel intimidated by him and Tins knows with his age and experience can manipulate and control him to his advantage. Tins knows he's landed in leprechaun shit...good academy manager...but now he has way too much influence. Not justified or qualified. But it suits JL as he is a 'mate' learning on the job. LM comes across on the coaching pitch as ' one of the lads'. Slapping backs and hugs...he doesn't hold any presence or 'I'm the boss their will be consequences ' etc attitude. Most of the players have achieved more than him, and played under managers and coaches better than him, and some that have won the Prem. They will have heard it all from better coaches. And they are expected to respect him and his ideas. A nobody...employed by nobodies that got given a job by their billionaire dad and another that lives off scoring a winner against a crap Liverpool in the Cup. Says it all really. So miss having the presence of NP here. Run by cowards.

As Lizz Truss said after becoming Prime Minister...you can be sacked as Prime Minister, but not if you are head honcho at the Bank of England. It applies with us...regardless of who's running the ship, its those who are unaccountable and make the decisions that can't be sacked. Manning is way out of his depth imo, and by the week comes across more and more like LJ in his decision making. Many will be thinking the same but will sit on the fence so as not to be wrong.

Next year's shirt sponsor is rumoured to be CrocksRus

Who knows mate...looks like it was a massive brawl instigated by a woman hitting, scratching and screaming. Seems a lot missing from the whole story. I'm sure more will come out as the case is yet to be finalised somehow

Couldn't agree more

Well if you get time, they'll be greatly appreciated. No worries if not...all good. Thank you

I'm not trying to justify his actions, just pointing out how easy it is to go to prison from injuring someone. If he had a bump on his head, the sentence would have been less. Like I said fine margins. The Mirror called it a rock...then quoted this... In January, Antwerp's public prosecutor told a hearing: "According to many people involved, Ilias Chair lashed out at Niels T with a stone and knocked him unconscious. The consequences were dramatic for Niels T.

You're guessing and presuming...it might have been right where he was stood. And we don't even know whether the guy who was injured did the same thing. Like I said, you only hear one side when they are seriously injured.

@Curr Avon these are very much appreciated. Thank you

It's not a ridiculous comment...you've just misunderstood the post. You'd go to prison if you punched someone and broke their skull, or they fell and broke their skull. Or even worse died from their injuries. The fine margin is the outcome. Blimey...I remember being pelted with stones at the Ninian Park car park, both sets lobbing em. But that was considered high jinx back then.

Just goes to show how lucky or unlucky you can be in an altercation. He's hit him with a stone...I bet he wouldn't have intended to break his skull. Yet you can punch an opposition fan and push him down the Dolman steps...and he survives any damage...yet could end so differently. Small margins in heated red mist.

Used to play footy with a lad who had lost a bollock. We nicknamed him Orinoco. As in...Womball..

In all honesty Noggers...how many sports these days do you watch and come away thinking I've been thoroughly entertained? You get the occasional ones...but on average, most sports are dull as dishwater these days. Everything is too perfect. Technology, science, coaching etc, has pretty much nullified any ' entertainment'. Because its the imperfections that create excitement in sport. The more precise and ' perfect' it becomes...the less entertaining. If LM set up as you'd like...there would be lots of goal mouth action...in our own box. It's just how it's become. Television hasn't helped either. Full saturation.

Yes that's a given. Opposition coaches have said we play with a clear identity. The QPR coach spoke about it, and how he nullified it. Limitations are already to the fore in how he's trying to play in the final third.

The best teams, have the very best players. As top coaches have said, if you've got the best players, they will win regardless...

Love these pictures mate. Excuse my ignorance, but did you take them? Official photographer?

Yes I've seen it mate, and like you and Dave have also alluded, can see how easy it is to defend against if disciplined. And as we rightly say...the further up the pitch, the harder it becomes as the space is compressed and the opposition are more compact and generally have more players in that area. He very much comes across with an ingrained philosophy ( a one trick pony ). Other coaches will know how to defend against it. And as I've mentioned earlier, when we steal possession and counter, when the opposition are out of shape, or less numbers, we are affective. Not when we are trying to break down a well organised and disciplined opposition in defence.

It would be hilarious if someone set up something like this, to get fans reactions straight after games. The instant post match reaction bollox spouted and Natch flying could be far more entertaining. Just for shits and giggles...

Very much like your post. His style of play is agonisingly easy to see. It's very very basic as well. And as I've said countless times, proven by stats...that reliance on crosses to score goals is the least affective method, and so easy to defend against. In saying that...football can be overcomplicated. If we had the same movement and passing angles created in the last third, that we often create in the first thirds, then it could be more productive. But right now...if opposition teams are disciplined and not drawn into places we are trying to draw them ( to create holes/space) then we struggle to break teams down. We are most productive when other teams are in offensive mode, when we steal possession and counter..

I have that same feeling.

You need structure, but within that structure you need players to be able to express themselves, but when doing so, making the right decision, and realising if the reward is worth the risk, or will it leave the team open to being exploited. Scott was perfect at doing this...all within structure. We are structured, easy to read. We don't have anyone capable of opening up defences on a consistent enough basis.

Whilst I respect your reply RR...I think it's pretty obvious how he wishes to play. He spoken about his methods and it's obvious to the eye. It's actually easier to pick out than when under NP. I can now watch games, and it's so structured that I can call pretty much where each player is going to move after each passage of play. As others do and have pointed out. It is that drilled and structured.

I agree...his ' obsession ' with Mehmetti is not justified imo.

My biggest worry with Manning, is I don't trust him to make the right decision on who to select from a squad that is nearing full fitness...apart from now Bell and Atkinson. I know we call it a ' squad game', but I have a feeling he will rotate often. Trying to keep everyone happy and making the right choice on match day, from a bigger squad to select from I can see being his Achilles heal. I'm getting vibes of it already. I've not been particularly enamoured by some of his selections and also some of his subs. If he also continues to make Mehmetti his number 1 pick nearly every week, then I can see us just doing what we've been doing...being pretty in our own half and toothless in the final third.

Highlights up https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/highlights/highlights-bristol-city-u21-1-1-millwall-u21/