spudski

How I see it...too much focus is being put on investment. With FFP...an Investor could have far less money than SL. We'd need an investor with enough money to invest in ' projects' outside of FFP... however...the one difference is wanting someone with good decision making, an understanding of football ( not just business ), no jobs to sons with no experience, no narcissistic tendencies, bringing in football people to run the business and having little say in decisions. Having sound judgement and a plan. I'd also want to get rid of Bristol Sport. The latter, imo, being the biggest stumbling block to an investor.

I couldn't agree more...:laugh:...even with a lack of confidence, he came across as absolutely useless. So many basics wrong. How did he ever get a contract before...just wait until the end of episode 6. You'll find out where he ends up. I also thought the ex Birmingham keeper was useless as well.

Imo MA was like LJ...a yes man. Towed the party line. The more you say yes, the more leeway you get. Rock the boat a little, be constructive in criticism, have a strong or different opinion...then less given.

Regarding whether SL knows what a good manager is...imo, he knows full well. Knowing and appointing one is the difference. We don't know how many have applied in the past, who's been approached and who's turned us down...just the ones reported on. Imo...he appoints people he likes and feels he can work with, and feels he can still have influence on. You only have to see his input is still there, when he did the Scott deal...because of the amounts involved. Even though he pays an experienced CEO to do that. NP and SoD are similar appointments, where the Club needed ' treatment'...they buck the trend a little...and as Cotts found out, cross the line regarding finance and go against the ' party line' and you're out on your ear. When NP eventually departs I can see another 'LJ type' coming in. SL doesn't like giving total control away imo. And doesn't trust people fully.

I've said for a while now, I'm surprised no one has come up with a programme of analysis on coaches and managers. We have analysis and scouts for players, but as far as I'm aware, there is nothing on the market that details coaches and managers.

I finished the last episode last night. I won't spoil the outcome as to whether players get contracts or not. Yes there are some sad stories, just goes to show how fragile life as a footballer can be. Again I won't spoil the outcome for both these players. ?

There maybe a third thought Harry....which you may have not considered. Perhaps SL is happy with the philosophy, and identity, and the way we recruit. Perhaps he thinks the players we have recruited are fine...but thinks NP isn't getting the best out of them. Perhaps he's holding back and seeing how well we do in the first half of the season. Whether he considers NP is getting the results with what both consider a better squad and view that we should do better than last season. If underachieving he's let go and replaced and new manager gets funds. Or NP is doing well and more money is released in January for a final push. My gut feeling...with injuries so far, and expected return dates, we'll be another mid table side. We need another striker and midfielder now imo.

...anyone else watching this? I'm three episodes in. Worth a watch. https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/mediapacks/boot-dreams-now-or-never

It's ironic that he leaves Utd by ' mutual consent'...probably had to ask his agent what consent meant...

Don't go giving Jon ideas ??

Ive got a gut feeling from comments made recently, that much of the money made won't be released. NP in his last year of contract. Talking of life away from football. SL talking of building a ' nest egg'. I feels like both are keeping their cards close to their chest, waiting for different outcomes. NP says he thinks with these present players at hand, that we will do better than last season. SL maybe watching how well we do up to Xmas. And if doing well may release more funds in January. Or if underachieving...bring in a new manager and give him the funds to use.

I've been saying this for years...I really don't understand where the idea came about, that playing loud music creates an atmosphere. It does the complete opposite. It stops people from communicating and any build up of chants/ songs. People either stop talking or shout over one another. This happens at many events, and then you often get a ' compere/host' turn the volume down and shout down a microphone for the crowd to ' make some noise' ??? This study/ observation agrees. https://theconversation.com/the-roar-of-the-crowd-how-fans-create-electric-atmospheres-164280

I think you maybe reading it wrong. Having a work/ life balance is essential for clear thinking and focus when needed. We had the opposite with LJ who is 24/7 football. Imo...it does you no favours. It becomes a mess. Overthinking. I get the impression NP is jaded with certain aspects in modern football...but not football itself. As you get older, you don't suffer fools gladly and the bullshit that goes with many modern day scenarios. He maybe older, but as implied in interviews, young at heart and demeanor. I think its a positive trait to still have drive to enjoy life experiences. I'd be more worried if he just looked forward to putting his feet up and doing nothing.

This interview was started earlier today in another thread. It seems to have gone under the radar a little. When I first read it...I thought he was quoted as saying ' play offs minimum'...but read it again...it's not quoted, it's a statement by the journalist, where NP responds that he needs a good season as it's the last year in his contract. He's made a few interviews recently talking about his life outside of football. This one again underlines it even more. I get a gut feeling this maybe his last season as manager with us. It's all pointing that way. Just in the way he speaks about doing other things in life...and not just living for football.

Hadn't realised who's account it was. Just saw the compilation of poor passes and distribution and thought it was worth sharing. Him and James? put out some useful videos on twitter. I don't know who James is either ???

Hopefully it's a collective one off. I just read the Bristol Live post match interview with NP. He says twice that he sees us as a better team than last season, and that we will do better than last season. We maybe better collectively, however imo, the standard of teams in the league is stronger this season. One negates the other. Personally I don't think we are stronger to push for top 6. We needed to get stronger as a collective just to keep mid table standard. The strengthening isn't that great...that it will increase our chances imo. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/nigel-pearson-discusses-bristol-citys-8691105

Re the poor distribution, passing and crossing.

Soooo nice...looks like it's based on the early 70s Adidas Telstar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adidas_Telstar#/media/File%3ATelstar_Durlast.jpg

Getty images has loads of photos from that day if you are interested.

That's a good spot. Definitely badges on those shirts, so that will help the chaps narrow down the year on the badge. I also noted whilst going down a rabbit hole, a few photographs of City team photos online, from pre 1905 of us wearing white shirts. Seems White shirts was our away colour back then.

I've got a copy of the 1909 cup final ' programme'...easy to buy online. However...this is a rare find. The programme for our semi final game played at Stamford Bridge. When were known as the Bristol Babes. They had some weird humour back then. https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/graham-budd-auctions-ltd/catalogue-id-srgrah10038/lot-06e26ffb-3a56-4053-831e-aef30136e081 The original 1909 cup final ' programme' set a world record. https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2012-05-15/bristol-city-programme-could-fetch-20-000

Our CEO may have also been involved. Maybe we'll never know. However I think it's telling that SL only mentions himself in getting the deal done. No mention of CEO or NP. It comes across as very narcissistic. As in...as it's so much money involved, only SL could be trusted to get the deal done on our best player and taking the glory for that done deal. I respect SL...but sometimes he does come across as ' it's all about me'. Maybe not intentionally... however...

We used a 235 formation ?? Close up of crowd Great picture of our win against Derby at Stamford Bridge in the Semi...big crowd. Billy Wedlock was 5'5" and 10 stone 6.

From what SL says...he did the hard negotiating, and that Alex Scott had a few harsh words towards SL in the weeks leading up to finalising the deal. And in SLs words it could have been handled better if Bournemouth had got ' excited' during the negotiations. Reading between the lines...Alex wanted the move to happen quicker and that SL and Bournemouth banged heads over a final figure.

No John, it's Utd v City