Tomo

I first went to Ashton Gate with my father during the 77/78 season and was a proud owner of the legendary home kit worn by my heroes. It must be going back about 15 years ago that the club had 'those replica shirts for sale' in the club shop. Admittedly, they didn't have the Umbro Badge and the Stripes down the arms, but it was my first ever City top, so I had to purchase the home and away replica. I've not really worn them at all since purchasing, but, once my mancave was completed, I had an idea... Let's ignore the Anglo Scottish Cup, that was the pre-season before the 76/77 season kicked off. The league is always the most important thing and we were back in the top flight again, waiting for Arsenal away (I'm not exactly sure what kit we wore in pre-season but that doesn't matter anyway). It was Paul Cheesley who scored the very 1st 'league goal' at Arsenal in that away shirt and 3 days later at home to Stoke, Donnie Gillies replaced Cheese (famous injury) as the 'only sub', to score the very 1st 'league goal' in the home shirt. Whilst, I was not attending games that season, I still thought it would be a brilliant idea to get them signed by these 2 great men. That I did, and both Donnie and Cheese were absolutely amazing. I spent over an hour with Donnie having a beer and talking about the good old days. The Canvas Style shirts are now perfectly displayed in my mancave. If anyone is interested in getting their old shirts looking amazing for a display, just PM me. I have a contact. Donnie and myself spoke about my very 1st game sat in the Dolman on my 8th Birthday (30.12.1978) when we hosted Manchester City. During all my previous visits to Ashton Gate (77/78), I was literally 'hanging on for dear life' holding onto the railings at the back of the open end. The Dolman Birthday Experience was so memorable, I decided to revisit the Matchday Programme and get confirmation of the 12 players in the squad that day. Ping, using a chalkboard and 13 old panini stickers, another display was born... Thanks to Donnie and Paul - Legends!

It's certainly interesting that many fans are saying that we are playing 'better football' under Liam and I tend to agree. However, having more possession of the ball and looking 'better on the eye' doesn't mean we are more effective. In fact, our new style of play is proving to be less effective than before. The points tally proves that. I hope that turns around quickly but I'm struggling to see more than 1 point per game looking at the next 4 fixtures. Worrying.

I never intended for this topic to turn into a NP v LM debate. It's more about where we are verses what the board quoted, when making a managerial change so early. I think the football under Liam is pretty sexy at times, but also sometimes a little boring. I can see what he is trying to do and I applaud him for that. Some are saying, it's a tad harsh to completely focus on PPG and I get that as well. However... Managers are ultimately judged on their league position and the points attained. At this time, we are more relegation fodder, than a top end outfit based on those fundamentals. I am behind LM. Let's see where we are after 'his 20 league games' and continue this very interesting debate of where we are and how it looks going into next season.

17 from 14 now...1.21PPG Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with a point against Coventry tonight... Let's see where we are in a month's time....

I remember having a video/dvd of all the late 70's footage (filmed by the club via Jonathan Pearce and his Dad). God knows where it is now. Probably in the loft somewhere. Surprised it's not available on YouTube?

Great points made. Ultimately, our PPG collectively (forget the split and who the manager is/was) stands at 1.32PPG after 28 games and indicates that if we follow that trend over the next 18 games (which I think we will), we will end up on 60 points. Pretty much identical to last season. I think that's where the current squad is, nothing more, nothing less. It still reverts back to the board, badly handling the change of manager situation. Their 'story telling' to the fans was insulting, as none of us really believe that our current squad is a 'top end' outfit. Let's get behind Liam and hope he receives 'the financial backing from the board' unlike the previous manager who had no real backing in the summer after losing AS and having a depleted squad when the injuries set in. The beef is not with the manager(s).

I'll give him longer as most fans know that he is working with a mid championship table squad of players, not a top end outfit, like quoted by JL, His PPG at this time is worse than when he took over, but he's here to stay and that's the end of it. The reasons 'for change' were not accurately quoted and the fans are still annoyed with that false claim, which is understandable. Unfortunately, the reality is, Liam will face more pressure from the fanbase, all because the board blasted out the wrong message when making the managerial change. Fevs will give you the stats

13

The original post was not an attempt to compare our old manager to the new one. It was more about the board stating that the 'current squad' are capable of being at the 'top end' of the table. I have been told that Jon Lansdown never actually quoted the words 'top 6' when our old manager was sacked. However, if using 'top end' or words to that effect, most fans would assume that JL and BT thought that our current squad of players could reach the play offs this season. The team have not shown any sign of that over the last 13 games, in terms of points attained (yet). The more you think about it, JL and BT had no other 'reasons they could quote publicly'. They just wanted to start again and get rid of Mr Pearson for their own reasons. Unfortunately, the message they delivered to the fanbase was a poor one and most will see them as accountable, if we fail to reach the 'top end' of the table this season (which seeks likely at this time).

Alright kid? I don't care about shots, possession, home or away statistics. I look at PPG and we are achieving less atm. Fingers crossed, that improves bud.

Link?

Valid points. However, are there any top championship sides that would even consider signing those 3 players at this time....? Probably not.

We played our 1st game back in the top flight on the 21st August 1976. That's 47.5 years ago... Why would we expect it again anytime soon...depressing. Tomo

Our previous manager built the current side (upto this squad of players) and Liam's current results are worse. Simples. Forget what happened previous seasons as that was a shit show of players who we had to offload....I want Liam to succeed more than anyone but the simple facts are, we are no better and the board claimed that we were a top 6 squad....my beef is with the board, not any manager. Its another crappy reset and the rebuilding starts again, mostly shopping in the lower leagues no doubt...it's mistake after mistake from the owners imo. Cotts rebuilt with lower league players as we were a lower league side. We are not a League 1 side now...

Wow, I have just revisited this post after having a busy day. Fair shout to all those who have put forward their opinions. The bottom line is, at this moment in time, the managerial change has made little difference. In fact our PPG is worse (for this season), since the appointment of Liam. Those fans saying that Liam needs a couple of transfer windows, to improve the squad, are not wrong. Our previous manager could have made milestones and achieved this goal, had he been backed by the board in August 23 and January 24. We all want Liam to succeed but in the most simplistic of terms, JL and BT said that they sacked the previous manager as he was not achieving the results from our 'top 6 squad'. Deluded.

Liam's current statistics prove that Jon and Brian were so inaccurate, claiming that we had a Top 6 squad. I think we may better last season and possibly hit 65 points, but if we finish with less than 59 points, oh boy, it really shows how deluded the board were in their statement a few months back. Stats don't lie. I sincerely hope we are better in the next 18 games, but regretfully, we are probably more likely to mirror last season in terms of points and our league table position.

Liam has now had 13 league games in charge and banked 16 points in the process, which equates to 1.23PPG... not great reading is it! That's below what the average was, this season, before Liam was appointed, but let's try to focus on Liam in this thread and look forward, not back. Of course, Liam has had 2 great FA Cup games, but it's the league statistics that's the most important. If we continue at this rate, we will end up on 59 points and probably be positioned in and around 14th, which is the exact same position and points total we achieved last season... Can we do better over the next 18 games or shall we accept that we are likely to be mirroring last season?

Scary times for the pyramid game....

City V Forest then... Looks like next Friday according to this... https://www.thefa.com/news/2024/jan/12/emirates-fa-cup-fourth-round-schedule-confirmed-20240112

Classy

I won't comment on Max. With regards to Mark Tovey, he's always a good listen as is the podcast as a whole. I am a strong 'off air' text contributer and have alot of time for Dave P. One thing that I did pick up on though and I would probably have to listen to this particular podcast again to be sure (as I was listening live), the panel start off saying how strong our bench was against Preston and later say that we don't have enough quality on the bench to change things. Slightly confusing and a contradiction

A new manager is appointed to improve results and develop the current crop of players who, according to the board, were in a false position due to Nigel Pearson. No windows were required when Steve Cooper took over at Nottingham Forest. Mr Gay can say otherwise but that's Ian. If he wants to wait for 3 transfer windows to see improvement, that's his call... So far, our results have not improved. Manning is currently sitting on 1.25PPG

What's everyone's thoughts on our current club media content..? My son always ploughs through the club's old YouTube video's that he enjoys watching... He said that our current stuff isn't much fun for kids to watch. He's 13 years old. Here are a few examples of how things have changed. Flint v Pack having a laugh but what is the Luke Ayling signing on video about ? He's just got a scarf above his head and dressed in normal attire... The current video content does appear to be more focused on adults but at least we now have players dressed in our merchandise when they sign for us, albeit there isn't any of it in stock at the club shop for the kids to buy

I thought a new Manager is appointed to improve the team with its current crop of players...not have various windows to do that. Look at Steve Cooper when he was appointed at Nottingham Forest. Those saying that Liam Manning should not be expected to improve the current team is laughable.

Jon & Tins thinking that we were a top 6 outfit is worrying...