Taylor10

I wish Alex all the very best. The most naturally gifted player I’ve ever seen play for us. What a talent he is and I will follow his career with interest. I genuinely hope he goes on to achieve all he deserves in the game.

Absolutely gutted he has gone but I am really struggling to understand those that genuinely believe we could have kept him. We are so far down the pecking order in the football food chain it’s untrue. I have to ask what makes anyone think we could keep him or any other of our players past or present that have developed and improved whilst here?

This one is harder to take than most and without going over old ground too much in years gone by we haven’t had any kind of succession planning. Hopefully now that’s changed and we can improve the squad, which let’s face it needed doing even with Scott. Unfortunately it’s the reality of football and has been for some time. Brentford are the obvious and excellent example of what succession planning can do and if implemented correctly what can be achieved.

I am well into my 30s and as a supporter we have achieved so little in that time. How anyone thinks we can genuinely convince players to stay here rather than play in the prem is beyond me. 
 

I trust we have got a good deal but we now need to be smart. Crucial remaining few weeks of the window which will now shape our season. All the best Scotty, you will very much be missed.

27 minutes ago, Rob k said:

Why? Maybe he doesn’t want to uproot his young family to Germany….

If i was Kane, im seeing that contract out and getting ridiculous amounts to play for a PL club next season with a chance to break the PL record. IMO this is down to Levy trying to force a move to a non PL club and Kane is well within his rights to say no. 

Bang on Rob. I hope he stays and goes on a free. That’s Levy’s problem. 
 

I hope he stays in the prem and breaks the PL record. Would seem daft to leave now. Bayern/German football is not what it was I’m not sure it would be a good move. Not sure how anyone can blame him, or claim him to be a bottler mind….

44 minutes ago, Bris Red said:

Laughable if that happens IMO and will show what Kane truly is, a serial bottler..

A serial bottler!? Can I ask why?

22 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

I think Bells rating is coloured by the (well taken) goal. He missed a very good chance first half without making the keeper work, and when he broke second half again the effort was tame. Pring didn’t have a good day but I don’t think Sam helped him much, and he wasn’t a great outlet. Take the goal out and there wasn’t much there from Sam today.

Don’t get me wrong, he will have better games I’m sure. We were poor today but I just felt he was the only one going forward that looked like he could make something happen. A poor miss in the first half but he got in behind a few times. Not a polished performance by any means but he was our only threat going forward.

I thought Zak was poor first half but absolutely exceptional second half. Sam Bell just shaded him for man of the match for me. Very willing runner and took his goal well. Notable mention for Dickie too. Other than that I have to agree regarding the negatives. Although probably lucky to get a point in the end.

Also with Weimann going off injured, If you include Scott (for now) along with McCrorie, Naismith, Benarous & Atkinson that’s pretty much half a starting line up of key players still to come back. Ok so not ideal they are unavailable but a positive given that will strengthen us when they return.

Buzzing for it. Can’t wait. 2-0 City.

Southampton look decent as expected. Early days and they will lose players of course but their squad is so strong at present. This Sheff W side are very poor though.

3 minutes ago, petehinton said:

Was probably the transfer rumour that I was most excited about, and confirmed transfer (along with Dickie) I was most pleased by. But, like Piercy’s brilliant Bristol Live article last week, I’m gonna predict he’ll become most fans favourite player in the very near future after the season starts. 
 

Talk about an engine. I get tired just watching him, and we’ve only been allowed to see him live in a City shirt for two games. Feels like he just clicks everything together in midfield. 
 

For those who haven’t seen him yet, or those who don’t watch pre-season games to save themselves for the real stuff, I almost feel excited for you to see him play. Seriously. He’s like Brownhill and Korey Smith’s Irish love child. 
 

Incredible business by the club to get him in, can totally see why we were so set on him, went back for him with multiple bids and why Tinnion was grinning ear to ear “good to see you…..GREAT to see you” when they met at the HPC in his first day uncut video that the club put out. 

Don’t give him the Pete curse!!

In all seriousness though he’s going to be massive for us. Bigger than HNM’s hair!! Already looks incredibly shrewd business.

20 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

On the flipside we are increasingly cohesive as a unit, our young players such as Bell and Conway are a year on in experience and players such as Mehmeti and Cornick will have had a full pre-season.

Tanner and Pring  McCrorie and Roberts is quite a good range. Knight has a bit of a goal threat too or can do.

Less injuries wouldn't go amiss. We need less medium term injuries if we are to operate a relatively tight squad.

This is if Scott stays.

Two or three new signings..if Scott goes, in priority positions surely is a bit of a must. GK, CB especially left sided and a midfielder.

I think you're unduly pessimistic but we will need some luck too of course.

I agree we could do with a new CB pop, but not sure why we need another ‘lefty’ as such. When both fit Atkinson & Naismith can play there. Also Dickie can in a 2. I think we need another Dickie/Kalas type that can play either side if any but  GK & CM great priority for me.

If big Rob was fit I would say we were well stocked at CB, given McCrorie considers himself a CB & Roberts started there. Trouble is with Big Rob not back until what Nov earliest it does leave us slightly light.

I guess this would then give us flexibility to play Naismith in midfield when all are fit/available but I’m also not convinced that’s where Naismith will be used or even if he will be best there. 

Either way we have good options now. As for 442’s prediction I have no problem with that or staying under the radar as such.

RIP fellow red. Life can be so cruel. My thoughts are with all concerned.

18 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

If you ignore Kal Naismith early career as a winger, he’s a CB….he’s not played much in midfield across his career.

FWIW whilst it feels like a right and left foot pairing is the optimal pairing, it really depends on the individual.  Kalas is absolutely fine playing left side, body shape / position is perfect for receiving passes, and also shows his man inside when being attacked.  Bailey Wright looked all at sea at LCB2.

FWIW pt2, McCrorie played LCB2 for Aberdeen, with Bates as RCB2.

And of course we have Roberts before we start to think about Pring.

I therefore think we cont need to be in any rush to bring one in.

It will be interesting to see how it all works out. A lot of people assume we won’t be using Naismith as a CB but as you quite rightly say he’s rarely played in midfield throughout his career.
 

Would it really make sense to sign another LCB when we have Naismith, obviously big Rob when fit, McCrorie can play either side in a 2 and I also believe Dickie could play as a LCB although not as comfortably as the others mentioned. Roberts/Pring could if stretched as well and who knows, Araoye may yet emerge.

I think our signings so far have given us flexibility. 

RIP Chris

thoughts with all concerned. A true City legend ️

Awful news 

RIP

RIP Bob. Thoughts with all concerned.

4 minutes ago, petehinton said:

Okay 46 games get almost 100 points, only to concede 2 goals like that in the play off first leg. 
 

Football heritage. 

Amazed they have got that many points. They have looked a pretty average side every time I have seen them play this season.

2 hours ago, spudski said:

....and one that we should lock in with a huge wage. Just so he doesn't get poached.

Brian Tinnion.

His work getting these kids up to Championship level and more, in a very short space of time is phenomenal. 

It won't go unnoticed.

Genuinely amazed we aren’t getting greater exposure and more coverage on the academy front and the success over the last few years.

Tinnion is a legend. His work is absolutely phenomenal and we are lucky to have him.

Outside of the prem I am struggling to think of a club that’s consistently producing such a conveyor belt of talent or as such s clear pathway to the first team. We have obviously had some tough times in recent years but Tinman and the club have got this seriously right. 

Just now, petehinton said:

He has absolutely lovely eyes. Fair play to him

love it Pete

RIP Pele. The greatest of all time. 

Way before my time, but as a kid growing up I loved watching the footage of him that the old man had. Many hours spent learning and studying him as a player that truly made me fall in love with the beautiful game. A true legend.

33 minutes ago, TonyTonyTony said:

French defence isn’t great. Yes they are fantastic up top but we can do them damage

bring it on

This. Honestly think we can do a job on them. Plus they are missing a lot of key players.

9 minutes ago, AppyDAZE said:

They had one decent, if not great, half (the 2nd vs USA)

Other than that, they've been possibly the worst side at the tournament.

But oh  sooooooooo proud.  ffs

Only goal scored from the spot as well. Done themselves proud though!

37 minutes ago, cidercity1987 said:

Page 'first half we were outstanding'

 what were they doing in this cup ffs

Hilarious. Won’t have a bad word said about this team mind

They are absolutely trash but this whole ‘proud to even be here’ stuff is a little wide of the mark no? Pretty much most of tonight’s starting line up either play or have played in the prem. 

Get in!!

where’s the red wall now

Just now, Super said:

Oh great Alex Scott on our screens again.

Glad I’m not the only one that’s grown tired of her

Just now, DolmanGaz said:

really didn't look like he touched it. mccoist has such a hard-on for him though

You or I were just as close to touching that from our sofa. Absolutely no where near it.

1 hour ago, AppyDAZE said:

Robbie Savage last week...

What's wrong with all these England fans, they've only beaten Iran.

The likes of Bale, Kieffer Moore & Sorba Thomas might want to focus on themselves a little more in the future before obsessing over England. 

However, that game on Tuesday could now be a cracker & no matter what people think will be a hard game for us.