Mendip City

Agree…. Much as Ashton was a slimy so and so… JL had final say on all signings (as you say, he said this over and over) and SL had final say on spending. Ashton paraded around a lot but was, ultimately, chief negotiator….. Because of his persona, Ashton became an easy target to deflect attention away from the real decision makers/purse-string holders. Every time there is criticism of our spending through this period it needs to be shared between the 3 of them.

I assume Roger Milla was in the squad?

Happy New Year! 2023 could be our year! or not!!!!

Done. I’ve answered as best I can but atmosphere isn’t all about the stadium. Ashton Gate can be quiet as a library or rocking. The stadium doesn’t change but results/performances/apathy/positivity about the club do change and drive the atmosphere. On the assumption things are going well on the pitch, I find generally that traditional style stadiums are best for atmosphere while bowl lack something. good luck with the surgery and studies!

I’m a little to young to have seen him. Gutted for you that you didn’t see him. He was outstanding and I can watch highlights of the 70 World Cup Final over and over again.

RIP Queen of Punk and another who used her fame for good purposes.

RIP. The greatest. He changed our game forever and was a thoroughly decent human, unaffected by the fame and money.

I spotted 11 people heavily under the influence of sedatives at The Gate on Boxing Day.

Yeah LJ has two assistants/coaches and a goalkeeping coach. That’s plenty of senior coaches. I think that the same as Euell, Fleming and Mountain? Holden also had the same structure. In fact Pat Mountain is the only constant. Perhaps he’s the issue? ?

Exactly and he was going to work with the coaches he inherited…. Until he didn’t like them and got his own in. He already has his people here…. Or will he sack one of Euell or Fleming to bring in the latest “his man”?

Interesting post. I’ll add another possible myth. I keep hearing that it takes ages to change around the culture and that’s still a work in progress (despite having brought in players specifically to improve that - King, James, Simpson while he was here) and his own coaches. How long did it take Steve Cotterill to turn around the culture of a relegated club that looked heading for a second relegation? No time at all, pointing the right direction immediately and promoted a year on. How long did it take Gary Johnson to sort out the “soft underbelly”? That run of defeats at the start of his time - then it was sorted. Pearson has a book of excuses as long as your arm but we’re no more a problem club than many of our rivals…. Does Mark Robbins constantly moan about the hand he’s been dealt? I could accept it if he had some humility but his arrogance is so misplaced.

Almost like he was trying to get sacked I thought…. Wouldn’t be surprised if he felt success here now was a decent pay-off and early retirement. As for everyone suggesting Shakespeare - which of the coaching team NP brought in (to replace the existing coaching team he was going to work with) do you think he will sack? Euell or Fleming?

And Harry Maguire

Qatar…….

The RoI squad doesn’t include Max O’Leary. He seems to have spent a number of games sitting on the bench for them. Wonder whether he’s chosen to focus on us rather than drag himself around Ireland/Europe not getting a game?

Getting the poke…. Box entries…. Same thing

Agree unless, of course, you felt your job was on the line…

And this is a unique season… maybe not here but triggers will be pulled like crazy this weekend is my guess.

Will be telling should he come good somewhere else… He doesn’t even resemble the player I saw make his debut. one way or another he hasn’t progressed, who knows why, ability? Desire? Our inability to develop/get the best from him? good luck to him wherever he turns up next.

Given a 3 year contract just over 2 weeks ago but they’ve dropped into the bottom 3. Shows how Championship clubs think. The threat of relegation is too big a risk for them. We desperately need a win at the weekend to look like a lower-mid table club rather than a relegation threatened club. I can’t see JL/SL not taking the same action as Wigan should we lose. Relegation is just too costly. Especially with their newly appointed and trusted Tech Director to help recruit a new manager and oversee the month long break/mini-pre-season. Ideally we could do without the disruption so let’s hope we win on Saturday.

Or is this the first step in a post-Nige structure? Complete speculation on my part but the timing is interesting.

And Bentley. Shift one or more of those in January on free transfers and we might generate some of their wages to be ploughed into incoming free transfers.

Gary O’Neil - soon to be released by Bournemouth if rumours are correct. or what would people think of a Cotts comeback??? though I suppose if he’s added LJ also needs to be added to the list ??

Because he’s not going to get the job there and likely to be unemployed. Unlike Dyche he needs to build a reputation and is an up and coming coach. He’s a completely realistic target for a championship club with any desire to stay where they are.

Gary O’Neill isn’t getting the Bournemouth job… we could get him in quickly i’m sure.