spudski

The music

52 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

In fairness Cornick did well enough on Tuesday to keep his place.

He didn’t really get much chance in a poor team performance at the point he came off.  I felt sorry for him.

The sad thing is...Cornick is being played for his defensive contribution on the right, rather than his striking ability. Says it all imo.

Imo, they've all looked at the likes of Pep, read way too many coaching manuals, and are trying to play a style of football that is high risk, with often players that aren't suitable to a system and with a lot less technical ability, mental strength and less experience. 

Many over complicate matters. 

Looks impressive amongst their peers...but not so much on the pitch when trying to gain points. 

21 minutes ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

He won't make those changes because at that point 'the plan' is working so in his mind, no need to change! 

The plan should have been to close shop and protect Pring after going in the lead. 

4 hours ago, Robbored said:

Which is exactly what Manning didn’t do in the second 45 at Portman Rd. His opposite did make changes which ultimately won them the game. The pity is that Manning got it spot on the first half when they hardly got out of their own half but failed to react when their substitutions came on.

Mannings inertia was mind boggling……………

 

My biggest gripe...is ' reacting'. 

When are we ever pro active and make the first moves? Give the opposition something to think about. 

After going 2-1 up I would have immediately changed tack. Get Pring and Mehmetti off. Roberts and King on. 

Would have completely changed the game imo. 

Just now, W-S-M Seagull said:

If he can't impact anything then why do we have analysts sat in the stand? With one of them being who he specifically brought in. 

Exactly that. They are constantly looking at info during the game and giving it to the coaching team.

You can set up as much as you want to how you think a team will play against you...but if the reality during a game is different to how you thought, then you have to be adaptable and impact the game by changing. Whether that be at set pieces, formations, players. You have to be able to manage and make an impact during a game. 

You don't win points in the training ground. 

5 hours ago, Spike said:

I mean what's worse? Saying nothing and the fans get pissed off because they're not communicating or coming out and essentially telling the fans they don't think there is a problem and we've just been unlucky?

At this point I just see Tinnion as guy with a 3 inch paint brush trying to paint over the cracks only to realise the "cracks" are the 'Grand Crayon'. The worst part is Tinnion will be here as long as the Lansdowns are meaning nothing will change. Too many high positions taken by guys with no clue how to run a club and egos too big to admit it and get the right men in.

Fixed that for you

2 minutes ago, mason said:

pity the players who have to listen to him everyday

You've got to be a special kind of 'up yourself' (or delusional ) to have the balls, to tell half our squad how they need to better themselves, considering his experience and theirs. 

He's an AI coach just spouting coaching terminology. 

In all my years of following City, I've never felt so negative towards a Coach and those that employed him. 

******* hell he's annoying. 

10 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Yes, we can.  I see a group of capable players trying to play a way that doesn’t work effectively.  There are some good bits, but some bad bits too.  I guess more importantly I see a way of playing that plays into the hands of our opponents too…and I think it’s more about that than our own players.  It’s like our opponents know what we are gonna try to do.  That’s a huge generalisation of course.

It’s only Russell Martin that he’s schooled really…and that didn’t surprise me.  Let’s hope Luke Williams as Martin’s disciple can be schooled too.

Totally agree Dave...you've only got to look at the body language of the more experienced players to see frustration. 

Mehmetti meanwhile thinks he's won the lottery. 

11 minutes ago, petehinton said:

In fairness, the first part of this has happened a few times with 18s & 21s I believe - not sure that’s in a typical technical directors remit!!

I remember Cotts doing that as well at U21 games. Some players even cried.

2 minutes ago, LondonBristolian said:

It is but, even there, there are 4 teams below us in similarly dire form. In that sense, I'm pretty optimistic that 8 teams won't overtake us between now and the end of the season so I don't think we are going to go down. I do, however, think we're risking being far closer than we should be and that's utterly inexcusable with the players we have. 

Maybe...fingers crossed.

Great advert for attracting further signings in the summer though. Not. 

9 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Agree, Spud.

Flawed philosophy for Bristol City.  Wrong choice of head-coach.

We are trending downwards, after a reasonable start.

Far right column, is 6 game rolling xG goal difference average.  Whether you like or hate xG, goal difference and xG Goal difference are useful barometers in isolation, but better when combined with other things.

The worrying thing for me is that the view that we’ve slightly worsened in attack but slightly improved defence, and it’s balancing itself out…is changing.  We are now trending towards a slightly worsening defence too.  Couple that with a worsening attack, does not make good reading.

But forgetting this, we need a result ultimately.  I’ll worry about trends when (hopefully) we are safe(r).

 

Thanks for sharing Dave.

All the stats are showing a downward trend where it matters sadly. We can also see that with our eyes. 

I fear a relegation battle if this continues, as others below us are picking up points apart from Rotherham. Sunderland and Stoke will improve imo. 

Next season doesn't look great. 

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

Swansea:

Average attack

Below average defence

Very slow build-up, possession based

Medium / above average pressing intent, but very effective

Sounds like a bore fest waiting to happen against our lot. 

Qué...a 6 goal thriller

20 minutes ago, Spike said:

Manning isn't improving us, in fact our best football is in the areas that Manning is trying to cut out from the previous Manager. 

The longer we have the more I think we'll see this and the more we'll only confine to pick up points when the opposition attack us and the player instincts over ride Mannings tactics. 

I don't see Manning going anywhere soon, the board would have to admit they ****** up and we have bought a few players to start next season which suggests Manning is in those plans. 

I'm not looking forward to the near future, we'll have some good games based on what the players were taught prior to Manning but the longer he coaches us the more we'll see our best games fizzle out. We can't keep relying on the opposition to play the way we want them to in order to be in with a chance. 

As the Ipswich manager pointed out, we now have structure in defence and block many channels. He said we were fit, and dangerous when we countered. 

No mention of possession football and an ability to break teams down, which is what Manning said he wants to do. 

Instead...when we do play with the ball, it's so incredibly easy to defend against. 

Opposition teams are structured and disciplined. They aren't going to be drawn into moves out of that structure. Tbh...when watching, our defenders and DMs are now going through the motions of moving the ball side to side, without even looking to see if they can draw players. 

Then it's the same old crap...knock it wide, and either attempt a cross, or cut inside. It's incredibly predictable, and the way Manning talks, makes it sound like Rocket science.

The only time we really trouble sides, is when we block and regain possession, and quickly attack on the counter...when the opposition aren't in defensive shape. 

Manning has also admitted in interviews that his way of playing is considered the hardest in football to do well, high risk for reward, is known that you have to have the right players to play that way to succeed and it's easy to play against if disciplined and structured. Also leaves gaps for the opponents to exploit wide in the channels. 

His philosophy is too ingrained and comes from his background. 

It's grim reading when you look at the form table over the last 10 games.

https://footystats.org/england/championship/form-table

What he doesn't mention in the article, is what he did/ does to change the circumstances and fine margins in his favour. 

Lots of coaches say this about the championship, but never discuss how to beat those margins. 

Tommy is a good striker, and imo at his best in a three or two. 

He's a ' natural' goal scorer. 

Our Muppet in charge has come in and told him all about pressing and defending. 

He'll be in constant contact with Alex and Antoine and know about the other side... he'll be desperate to leave and I don't blame him. 

Long gone are my days of wanting to see Bell, Conway, Scott, Benourous, Semenyo, Pring winning promotion together

56 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

Ipswich are second for a reason and all credit to them for responding from behind. Weak manager? We played aggressively for the majority of the game but visibly tired and were beaten due to Ipswich's subs. We couldn't match their pace and power. The players gave everything tonight for Manning. Lost the dressing room? No chance. We'll improve if we keep playing with that drive and fantastic pressing.

 

No we won't improve...because we don't have a squad that can play that way, continually every game, over a whole season, with that intensity, without getting injuries ( we've had loads, another tonight).

We put in performances like that once in a blue moon. 

Our coach reacted to Subs again, instead of being pro active and subbing first when we went 2-1 up. 

He cocked up again...regardless of a better performance. 

He would of known the likes of Burns would be brought on in the second half.  And he kept Pring on with an injury. Roberts should have been on way before Burns came on. And Mehmetti should have been hooked as well. And put King on. 

He's reactionary rather than pro active. 

We could easily get dragged into a relegation battle, you only have to look at teams below us picking up points. Sheff Wed 4 wins on the trot now. QPR doing similar. 

6 points off relegation. 

1 minute ago, Robbored said:

That’s definitely true Spud and Nige knew it.

I remember JL bemoaning the ‘lack of progress’ publicly about a year ago. He got slated on here Iirc.

JL wouldn't be holding back money if BT was behind NP. 

You imo, are giving way too much ' authority's to JL. 

Imagine... ' High Jon, it's Dad...I see you want to sack NP? Yes Dad...he broke my crayons. Regardless of that Jon...have you spoken to Brian? Yes Dad...he wants to keep NP. But I'm going to over rule him. But Jon...you know **** all about football, that's why we've put Brian in place to run the footballing side. I suggest you speak to him and listen to his guidance....But Dad...he hurt my feelings...shut up Jon, listen to Brian.'

Just now, Robbored said:

Hmmmm……..JL is omniscient within AG, since his dad is pretty much retired. 

Not that it matters now but I wouldn’t be in the slightest bit surprised if JL took the decision in isolation.

Seriously RR...that's nuts. 

If BT had wanted NP here, and JL had sacked NP on a whim, because he could, BT would have gone nuts. 

The amount of time put into the players, recruitment, analysis, money, contracts etc etc...you just don't sack someone on a whim. 

This sacking was planned months ahead....hence no money being given to NP. 

They were just biding their time. 

JL won't be making decisions...he will be getting advice from BT. This was led by the footballing side of the club and signed off by JL and SL. 

3 minutes ago, Robbored said:

This reminds of “smoke and mirrors” scenario - how do any of us know how much Tinnion was involved in Nige’s departure? is he being scapegoated? Was he involved at all?

The bottom line is that none of us know what goes on within the AG hierarchy. It’s a secretive set as it is many professional football clubs.

Cmon RR...you can't be serious?

Of course he was involved. He's the footballing technical director. The guy running the football side of the show. 

JL isn't going to sack NP on his own. In fact it was most likely a directive from BT to JL to dismiss. 

Can you imagine JL saying to BT he's going to sack NP if BT supported NP. Not a chance. 

Just now, Davefevs said:

Thanks Spud.

As we guessed, totally ingrained.  Trying to play the hardest way, when you don’t have the best players at Bristol City, nor never will!  Absolutely nuts!

I did like this….talks of the 2:4 press (which we’ve seen), but ignores the 7th player in this pic.  That’s a pretty bad example to use.  

Cheers Dave, I would have said more re explanation, but at work, so snatching moments when I can. 

From when Manning took over Lommel FC in Belgium. Quote...

when I arrived were used to playing with a low block, hardly any possession and hoping to nick a goal on a counter-attack or through a set-piece. Our plan was to play football at the complete opposite end of the spectrum.

We had some difficult moments, because we were trying to teach them what is – in my opinion – the hardest way to play football. We wanted to dominate possession, create and exploit overloads, press high up the pitch and play attacking, high-intensity football.

https://www.cityfootballgroup.com/our-story/

https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/liam-manning-interview-mk-dons-west-ham-new-york-city/

It's worth noting that Manning shares the football philosophy set out at City football group...pretty much designed to feed Man City. 

Lommel FC tactics...

https://breakingthelines.com/tactical-analysis/steve-boulds-new-role-at-lommel-sk-a-tactical-deep-dive-2/