real_bristol

Bloody hell. This thread feels like we’re fighting to reach the bottom. Sifting through a haystack to find the only bad news needle hidden there. I’d go as far to say the negativity of the mainstream media my be the culprit here.

There are improvements since Liam took over. An unbeaten streak for one. How long was Nigel’s best unbeaten run compared to Liams? Then factor in that one bloke had years in charge and the other has had months. Then factor in the number of transfer windows. If we’d have won on Saturday we’d have finished above Coventry which would have been a huge achievement when you look at the season they’ve had.

Nige got the best out of a lot of mediocre players but he couldn’t get as much out of Mehmetti as Liam has.

And as for Tins are we really going to let a few mistakes on social media cover over everything he has achieved with the club as a player and in his academy roles. Look at some of the players he’s brought through. Scott, Semenyo and others featuring regularly in the first team. He may need more guidance than he’s getting and needs to learn from his mistakes, I acknowledge that, but I’m not sure cutting ties with him completely would do us any favours when it comes to player development. 

Anyone know the last time we scored direct from a free kick? Micky Bell?

Hope we’re not being too hard on the OP! I understand why the question was asked and the answer is Cardiff!

I had a lot of time for Nige and was against his sacking initially but not any more. R kid has done enough to earn himself a preseason with this squad. Yes the inconsistency is still there but in hindsight I could not see that going away with Nige, it was a problem he had for all of his time here. There are also positives to build on. Mehmeti’s  development under Liam, and his record against the better teams to name two. Roberts is having a fairly good run as well. 

I know what you’re thinking, it’s this kind of hope that kills us/ makes us City fans. But at the very darkest delusional depths of my brain there is something telling me that Liams appointment could yet be proven to be a master stroke. 

Bayern Munich 1985-90. Just has to be with the adidas three stripes and originals logo IMO. Our red though, I think theirs is darker. 

Home: red with white stripes

Away: white with red stripes

Third: Purple with lime stripes

Something like this:

https://www.footballshirtculture.com/vintage-football-shirts/bayern-munich-1987-88-adidas-home-shirt.html

6 hours ago, REDOXO said:

effing Manning on the radio saying he needs players that want to learn! My lord! 

Not heard the interview but this is disappointing to read. We were not at the races today, with no urgency whatsoever. The last two games were both difficult to watch and I’ve always felt that sort of thing falls on the manager.

On 14/02/2024 at 05:11, Open End Numb Legs said:

I agree with the sentiment. There is a bit of me though that is excited by seeing how we CAN play, the potential, so last night still means something to me. Apart from the Leeds game, the boss now has something to point at in training, a short collection of good performances, the hint of a blueprint, not just results. 

I get that. Two great results against two good teams this week. I just really, really don’t want us to p155 all that away v QPR. 

Great result but means nothing if we get nothing from QPR on Saturday. As our main man Manning has already identified, consistency is key.

There was a time when a smitten young lad proposed to his girlfriend at half time and a few of quick witted City fans in the Atyeo started chanting “you don’t know what you’re doing, you don’t know what you’re doing…One of my faves. 

Really pleased for him when I think back to that WBA away game a couple of years back. Gives 100% every time. Hopefully more to come from him as well.

4 hours ago, Fuber said:

Think it comes down to squad balance.

As a whole we don't have a creative enough squad - that applies to all of Williams, James, Mehmet, Bell, among others.

Namely because we, under NP, were more interested in focusing transitions and counter attacks. Don't need creativity if the opposition are over committed.

None of them consistently have the vision or ability to thread thirty yard through ball or beat a man.

We have five players out of contract out of season allowing some changing of the guard. It's then that Tinns will need to earn his keep.

Based on the evidence this window - that's not something I have any faith is going to happen. Yet.

Who are the 5 OOC? (Sorry if this has already been asked).

3 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Well, not even Liam Manning is putting it down to Liam Manning.  Worth watch this week’s interviews.  He was asked about Cam’s upturn in form (subjective opinion).  His reply?  “Nah, we’ve left him alone pretty much”.

Interesting, I did not hear that Fevs thanks for sharing. Sounds modest of him. LM can take the credit for “leaving him alone” then, and increasing his value IMO. I was just being flippant anyway. The raw talent was there, we could all see it. If I’m being honest if he was thrown up against two prem teams under Nige I’m sure he would have done equally as well.

Agree with the title of this thread. LMs biggest challenge is getting that level of energy and intensity into the league games, followed by some consistency. 

Improved under Liam you mean. It’s ok to say it.

He’s had 9 full training sessions for 12 games according to commentator yesterday. And we’re already seeing changes. Looking forward to what he can do given time.

4 minutes ago, Leveller said:

Competent but dull. Seems we’d rather retain the ball and recycle it to our own half than risk playing an attacking ball into the final third.

Which is fine if it means retaining possession. Thats Manningball. No point playing risky balls against a side like Millwall. They’ll defend that until the cows come home.

1 minute ago, old_eastender said:

Defo Sykes for Weimann. For me Weimann is a shadow of the player from 2 seasons ago, despite his well taken goal against Watford.

Yes. He obviously still has something to offer, ergo Watford. Right wing is not it. 

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

I’m ok with that first half - watching on RTV as Joe full of cold.  The RTV comms depressing though!  We haven’t played too bad, but Millwall set up to play on the counter.  We haven’t faced too many back threes in LM’s short time here, and their 541 w/o the ball is difficult to get down the sides, whilst making it hard to go central.  When we have been able to thread a pass through we can create.  Think the route is Vyner driving into the gap, that will free Weimann.

Agree with this. There was a passage of play where Dickie played the ball through the middle which looked promising and could be the way to break them down in the 2nd half

A little flat but mostly in control. seems like that is the way we play now as we suss out the opposition. Need to get Tommy involved somehow. Sykes on for Weimann please.

6 minutes ago, ORANGE500 said:

Mehmeti. Knight , Pring when going forward

Williams as well. If that pass for Weimann vs Watford isn’t creative, I don’t know what is.

Sounds like everyone is pretty adamant that JW won’t start three in a row but wondering if Manning would take a different approach to that if he’s given the all-clear by the physios. He came off after 75 against Brum and he didn’t seem to be gasping for air at the time. So much so that I think he might have been taken off too early as he was creating and putting himself about right up to that point. Something tells me LM might have been “saving” him for Millwall but we’ll see. With that said, for some reason I’m quite sentimental about our Joe and we all know that MJ is a bit of a master in that position so I’m confident in either. 

Would like to see TC have another start. I believe he needs more games to work up some telepathy with AM, MS, JK & TGH. Dropping him won’t do his confidence any good either.

5 hours ago, miketh2nd said:

Will be interesting how manning uses him when he is back 

Any idea how long that will be? I hope we haven’t seen the best of HR.

Thought this lad is worth a mention vs Brum. Hardly put a foot wrong IMO and I’m glad that we’re at least looking for an alternative to James because he won’t last forever.

Thought Joe’s passing was class and he gives us 100% which is all I want to see. Hope he keeps his run in the team going and stays injury free. Well deserved MOTM and he deserved 3 pts even thought we didn’t quite manage it.

1 hour ago, Red Cloud said:

however much I luvs our Nige, difficult to see how we would have gotten anywhere near 9 points from those 3 games

Agree with this entirely. Had massive doubts after the Blackburn game and was complaining that Nige would have got something from that game.

In contrast, I don’t think for a minute that Nige would have picked up wins against Hull or Watford. Also seeing spells of play where we look more comfortable and in spells more dangerous on the ball under Manning. I’d be interested to see the stats on unforced errors as well, especially in defensive areas. 

Loving Manningball atm

I felt his England team gave the nation a real buzz that summer of 96. England were back in tournament football after a 4 year absence. Some great memories watching those games. RIP El Tel. 

Fevs posted something on Twitter about Manning having a good set piece record with oxford. Could be a good fit