Mendip City

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…

Don’t say that…. It means Lee will be available soon.

https://www.imperial-yachts.com/charter/superyachts-for-charter/flying-fox looks like the Flying Fox has had a “minor” face lift ????

Personally I hope that Richard Gould and, ideally, SL sit down with Nige as soon as he’s fit enough. It’s time for a frank conversation about his fitness and appetite. If this job is going to make him ill or prevent him getting better then we should part ways. Similarly if the illness(es) prevent him giving 100% we should part ways. His demeanour doesn’t seem great of late. The results, form, performances aren’t great. I guess I’m saying that if I was his boss I’d want some convincing right now… If I wasn’t convinced… I’d be looking to get Warnock in for the rest of the season and try to breath some life and passion into the club and that other great Warnock trait - a siege mentality.

Steve Lansdown doesn’t like him, does he? taking account of Steve’s footballing judgement…. Warnock is almost certainly the right man for City….

Yes. Right now, it feels to me we desperately need, as a minimum, someone with presence up front - who can also help defend set pieces at the back…. a Diedhiou type…. But that will be expensive! As you say, unless things dramatically improve, we need that on 1Jan not 31 Jan.

This is it…. Our standing still for decades is just so dull. At least those clubs are, or have been, on a journey. Assuming history repeats itself we will be back a the third level before long having never really threatened to leave the division through promotion.

Worrying that I’ve no idea what formation or line up we will go with. Nige seems no closer to knowing his best line up or shape of team. I really don’t think he’s got a lot to work with but trying to get a settled system and play our way through it would seem the best approach to me. Oh and what a waste King and Simpson have turned out to be.

And with three City cast offs: Joe Edwards James Wilson Kieran Agard my how we’ve progressed….