Mendip City

The boat might have sailed. Depends whether his boat or Niger’s is out of the harbour first! He could yet get another opportunity with another manager.

I think you’re right about him not being back for the weekend - even if he’s there it seems almost impossible to believe he’ll be anywhere near up to speed. The club is in a tricky position but with 3 games in a week coming up, things will probably come to a head.

It’s so tricky for all involved. The real issue to me is that this isn’t like a broken leg where you are fit or not fit…. If NP is back to work on Monday morning, he won’t be straight back to full-time work…. surely? How does this all fit with an all-encompassing role like football manager. A move “upstairs” is sensible….. however he’s not the man for corporate dealing/agents etc. He’d be helpful to an inexperienced manager…. However an inexperienced manager is the last thing we need! IMO we need Warnock…. and the last thing he needs is a young un like Nige telling him what to do!!! in short…. It’s a bloody nightmare!!! get well soon Nige!

Agree…. Trouble is no one will know how temporary or permanent this will be. That’s going to make decision making harder but you’d imagine the we longer the situation (and poor form) continue the quicker big decisions will need to be made.

If it is Long Covid then I guess that’s the nature of it, he can do bits and pieces but not a full role…. Lack of energy etc. The question for the club is - how long can we run with a part-time manager? The suggestion seems to be that we have been in this position for a month or so…. And the end product hasn’t been good so far. It’s all speculation and his health is the only important thing. If he can’t carry on, so be it, we’ll have to replace him and keep paying him - it’s no different to the out of favour players we end up paying to do nothing or, for that matter, a player with a long-term injury.

It is good!

Agree with all the comments. I’d knock Pearson down to 4. Big job and illness but still the record is shocking.

I was about to agree with you…. But then…. My memory is messing with me but didn’t Pulis go to Portsmouth and not actually get sacked? regardless - your point stands, I don’t even remember any rumours. For all the chat about LJ no one ever came in for him.

Agree about GJ (as above). John Ward seems to get increasingly underrated by City fans. Ge was, ultimately, undermined by the board… he got us promoted playing good football and, it’s not really relevant to this debate, he is a really good bloke.

I got as far as the Johnsons…. The one with a promotion and play-off appearance scoring lower than the one with successive mid-upper-mid table finishes (and had full access to Steve’s wallet!). What nonsense! Also agree, I can’t think of any measure of his City performance that, at present, puts Pearson ahead of Holden.

Agree. He’s up to this standard…. Just. I think he’s not been helped by being shunted around the pitch. If he’d played in one position only, he’d probably be more consistent. For my money, the best I’ve seen him play is in midfield. Then right back, then right of a centre back 2 or 3. Playing him left centre back last week was asking for trouble and unfair on the player. It’s interesting that if you were playing a right back at left back, he’d be cut a lot more slack. Not sure Vyner at left centre back is any different really. If I was him I’d be worried that becoming “Jack of all trades” is not doing any favours.

The various managers were Lee Johnson…. Think Steve Cotterill always played him when fit. Fielding had gone by the time Lee was replaced.

Having now checked Wiki. It turns out Ian Leigh played in that 80s game where Bournemouth beat Man U in the FA Cup - and kept a clean sheet.

He must have been absolutely shocking. To remember one loan player from that far back! I can’t remember most of our current players but that guy has stuck! Unbelievably I didn’t use Wiki!!! He’s left a nasty scar on my memory ??

Blimey that’s going back a long way… from Bournemouth if I remember rightly. Played one game I think.

Yes….. with SOD….

100% agreeing both an interim/locum and Warnock. (Some of us have wanted Warnock for years). I’m never confident of City’s ability to deal with things like this. Other clubs seem to work behind the scenes to get managers in place. Standby for another global search…. Reflecting on last night’s interview the one question I don’t recall being asked is “who will be in charge for City’s next game?”. Is it definitely Fleming? Might it be Nige? Do we have a plan?

Spot on

I agree. Wonder whether Nige wouldn’t agree to something like that. Warnock would be ok with it until the end of the season. He’s all about short term challenges like that.

I really wonder whether someone like Warnock has knocked us back.

This is a fair question. In normal business, for a role as senior as this you’d replace him or get some sort of locum in (firm “no” to Shakespeare who would have been logical). If we don’t take action, then the danger is we rush NP back…. Not good for him or the club.

In my opinion…. He’s gone. The cynic in me says this interview was arranged with the expectation of something far more concrete to say…. has someone turned us down??? (Apologies for the speculation overdrive). Literally the only firm statement is “no” to Shakespeare…. Surely short-term Shakespeare would be sensible if you expected Pearson back?

This is nonsense. If NP has long Covid so bad that he can’t work, realistically he won’t be healthy enough for months. I’d imagine conversations are going on with replacements during the international break. Horrible business but we need a leader fully firing within the next few weeks - I can’t see how that’s going to be NP. Feel for Richard Gould. This is not easy. Well done Geoff for asking challenging questions.

Agree…. Can’t recall exactly what was said but it wasn’t convincing or positive.

I’d love nothing more than to see City be successful - but I’ve no expectation. Failing that I’d love nothing more than to watch entertaining football - but I’ve no expectation. As a kid watching Terry Cooper’s teams - I was spoilt, entertaining and passionate teams playing positive football. (By the way - where is the TC tribute? I was hoping the ridiculous name of the training ground might be changed). I travel down from near Preston and watch most home games. It’s a habit, a way to keep in touch with mates and home. I enjoy it. Well, I enjoy the weekend at home, a few beers, mates. I don’t enjoy the football. The Fulham game was entertaining…. Can’t think of any others at Ashton Gate this season. I’d love to say it’s still my club (our club) but in all honesty I’m watching Lansdown Football PLC rather that the football club. We’re so corporate and bland. I don’t care much for the current regime, team or manager…. I guess I care because I want change and to enjoy it again. Watching football should be an exciting rollercoaster ride…. This feels like a slow, predictable, slightly embarrassing fairground ride that you been on before…