real_bristol

Thoughts on the game, watched on Robins tv. A strong first half performance defensively, conceded too many set pieces but defended them very well. Needed to be quicker in tempo on the breaks, a game crying out for Weimann in that sense, but that could have been at the expense of a strong 1st half defensive display overall. Correct decision to keep with the same team for the start of the 2nd half. Another stupid set piece goal to concede, goalscorer unmarked in the end. A shame after probably 50 corners on the bounce which we’ve dealt with this game up to this point and v West Brom. So we were forced to make attacking changes. Wells was fairly quiet so swapping him for Conway seemed fair. Weimann for Williams also fair for his energy. Martin for Semenyo fair but I’m less certain on that one because I think Semenyo was knocking at the door. He was a threat with the ball at his feet 1st half, but not as involved in the air as Martin is. On the flip side Martin is no where near as good as Semenyo with ball at feet, and does not have his strength with pace. The subs seemed to click right away, the link up play between the 3 subs was good and a goal seemed to be coming. Their game management ultimately cost us because it affected our tempo. The second goal, Klose clearly off the pace but we were all out offence at that point so it’s forgivable. A draw would have been a fair result. It’s clear that we’re trying to get clean sheets now, probably due to the loss of Naismith. I also feel we’ve lost our tempo and “mojo” up front and because of our options he’s becoming a bit of a tinkerman, but I also feel he’s making correct changes at the right times. If we’d have equalised today, I feel we would have taken at least a point if not more. Most importantly, no need to panic, our young guns are earning valuable experience right now and are getting stronger game by game. Nigel Pearson is essential for their development and the longer term ambitions of this team.

Thought Semenyo was a handful again today against another physical defence. Not long after the scuffle he got taken down via a horse-collar tackle by one of them who got booked and then subbed. AS did well to keep his cool, as I think they received instructions to wind him up. One of the first names on the team sheet for me.

Thoughts on today. It can be argued that both goals were max’s fault, parried the 1st into 3 Millwall players who should have been marked. Shouldn’t have come out for the 2nd in hindsight. Although I wouldn’t want to put it all on him seeing as he saved Adobe’s soft pen. We need to: a)stop conceding set pieces b) defend set pieces Too many passengers again, including Scott IMHO and we’ve lost our mojo up front. No need for a meltdown though, just need to tighten a few things up.

Always thought you could play them both in a 4-4-2

Mods, remove this thread…or let yoyo2345 rewrite it! He’s shite I’ve changed my mind!

“Awful” mind ?

Absolutely, one of Nige’s greatest achievements….with us.

Yeah heck of a shot I thought after the defence backed off him, either side of the keeper and it’s going in

IYKWIM?

A little surprised he hasn’t got his own thread after Tuesday’s game, so thought I’d start one. Thought he was excellent, whether it was a tactical decision or not he was pressing well for most if not all of the game. Was a real handful against the best defence in the league. The cunning Cunningham could not deal with him which was enjoyable to watch. If I had to pick faults it would be that he spends a little too much time on the ball and takes a player on rather than pass, but I wouldn’t want to discourage him from taking them on. At times yesterday Preston looked shit scared of him, and again, every time he picked up the ball I thought something was going to happen. He’s a joy to watch this lad and dare I say it, ol’ Tony is almost back to his best.

Great post this. Something I never really look out for as I watch all our games on the telly now which follows the ball for the most part. If Andi does get rested I’d like to see Massengo tried in the AM role. With his energy I think he would do well when we engage the high press. He just needs to work on his delivery/final product with the ball IMO. Bit of a confidence player but then, aren’t they all.

There were times yesterday when he looked like he could still turn the game on it’s head i.e. he’s still very quick in transition but maybe a rest would do him good. He’ll get that during the World Cup

I definitely feel better hearing Nige’s post match. He’s taking responsibility, not sure his subs were the best but I’m glad we have a character like Nige in the dressing room to shake some of the “passengers” out of it. All things considered getting rid of him now would not be the best financially.

Not sure that this is an apples to apples comparison. FF played 2 of his 6 seasons in the 3rd tier with us DB hasn’t played any at that level. Theres a tendency on this forum to compare the double winning squad with championship squads that we’ve had since. Not the same.

Yeah a decent start. Because of how well we’ve been doing and how great we have been to watch, and with some hindsight, I’m a little disappointed we didn’t get anything from the last two games. That said, that’s two of the hardest out of the way and I think the QPR game now is winnable. Actually if we don’t win I’ll definitely be disappointed, which shows how far we’ve come.

I don’t disagree with you. In fact I almost typed, “but it’s not as simple as that, is it” after my previous post. There’s no right or wrong answer, unless you’re Sir Alex Ferguson perhaps. Surely it depends on taking each game as it goes. I like what you’re saying about the 50/50 chance of the game going 3-2 or 4-1, makes sense. If it was me coaching the Blackburn game, I would have swapped like for like. Reason being is by doing that you can put an attacking player in a more defensive position if needed and have them on hand to pounce when possession is turned over in our favour. Yes there is obvious risk to that compared to having an extra defensive mind on the field, but it’s a risk I’d be willing to take to tilt the odds of scoring again slightly more in our favour. Also, in my mind, stretching defensive players for a few minutes would enhance their development, would it not? Potentially meaning they will eventually have the ability to defend against two players rather than one. Within this there is also the question of confidence. If you pull off a great win with less defensive players it’s gives them confidence, similarly if you plant in their mind and the oppositions a whiff of panic, the opposition will be more inclined to make you pay, and what does it do to a defenders confidence by showing him he needs help? it would make me wonder if the coach trusts me to do my job. At the same time it may increase risk of injury I suppose. Honestly though, I’m no coach, just some thoughts. Have to say I’m enjoying this type of debate rather than others we were all having not so long ago!

Attack is the best form of defence.

Had it not been for Nahki’s brace, JD would have been my man of the match yesterday. Thought he was quality.

No contradiction and you’re right I was and am in support of him. I’m saying I can’t believe I had to defend him staying, not that I had to but you know what I mean. I think most of us could see the performances were much better after those first few games yet there were people on here questioning his position. I expect there still are.

In his post match interview Scott was saying that “Jamo” talks to him a lot (and Kingy). I imagine today James was in his ear coaching him and I agree with what you’re saying it’s a good combo and arguably a key part of his development.

I watched the whole game on telly. Have to say that must be the best first half of football I’ve seen us play for a long long time. We were relentless in the second quarter and TCs goal was coming. Our performance as a whole was good too, although I was hoping we’d kill the game off at 3-1. Really excited now for this season if we can maintain our form going forward. Can’t believe I was on here a couple of weeks ago saying that sacking Nige was a bad idea. Up the ******* City!

He asked for 3 years and signed a contract to that effect. That contract expires at the end of next season. We’re all expecting an improvement on last season and that still might come. I would imagine we would need to be on a significant run of losses for SL to even consider paying off his contract (keep in mind our finances). Lansdown appears to have promised him time and I for one support that as of now. Today was a weird game. If Conway finishes we could have won it. A point away at Wigan, who have momentum from being L1 champions, this early in the season, is not to be sniffed at. A draw is an improvement on the last two games and based on that we could be on an upward trajectory. A few things need to click in place on the pitch but I don’t think we are far from seeing that. Sacking him now would be a backward step.

Yeah the only similarity between O’Driscoll and Pearson is that they could both be victims of their own transition. Agree with everything Redoxo says here. I appreciate why some fans are impatient having watched smaller clubs fly past us in less time, but we really need to be careful what we wish for.

I happen to think he’s trying that now. - stepping out of the football side. Ok we don’t have a DOF but do we really need one, I don’t know of one club where that works. NP is not substandard, at least he wasn’t until he joined us.

Funny thing is we are right in the middle of trying out a new idea and philosophy. Lansdown himself has said what he tried previously has not worked and this is his new approach. More power has been given to the manager, owners have let him get on with it and it’s a totally different look to the Ashton-Johnson days which we’ve only just transitioned from. We are beginning to find our feet structurally and thankfully we are still a championship club. I’m not sure things behind the scenes could be any better than they are. Apart from maybe the manager/ first team coaches, who IMO need the time we promised them, what would you change?