Merrick's Marvels

Not long ago, Pearson used an interesting word when talking about the Academy and specifically defenders. He said, whilst the Academy was producing some good players, he'd like to see a few "thugs" coming through. Thugs! Now I'm pretty sure he didn't mean that literally but rather as an indication of the sort of mentality, personality, character he'd like to see in the team, particularly our defenders. Moore is the polar opposite of that. I've always said, he's the sort of nice, polite lad you hope your daughter brings home. He's son-in-law material. That's not what Pearson's looking for mentality wise - even before you consider a player's technical ability, what have they got between their ears? This may also be why Cundy is getting a chance to prove his worth - Pearson likes his character, so he's giving the lad a chance to play some games and prove his worth.

Pearson said last year that he prefers to go abroad for pre-season if possible, so this seems likely now that covid restrictions are being removed. PS. It was Botswana not Gambia.

And Pearson can't work with no money??? His entire career proves otherwise - as he has repeatedly said whilst here. Presumably you've not been paying attention. Never mind the fact that, with no money, he's developed untried players into assets worth circa 30-50 million quid this season - and at the same time kept us in the Championship! For your information, no City manager's ever achieved that before. But wait, there's more. How about putting a fit for purpose medical team in place? Or maybe you thought Andy Rolls was doing a great job anyway. And all the while talking to us like adults, giving it to us straight and, most importantly, with no personal agenda - just wanting what's best for our football club rather than for himself and his position. Not good enough for you? Get a grip. Yes, some of our football's been rubbish. But then, it was under other City managers too, at first. But, given time, they proved a great success - Alan Dicks for starters. So maybe give Pearson some time too, eh? Maybe you're not familiar with the particulars of Alan Dicks' success. Maybe you're an impatient Generation Zer who wants everything now, now, now. Or maybe, you just love chattin shit. Because there's no lack of belief where it matters. But if there is where you're sat - after just 1 season of disappointment - I'd humbly suggest Bristol City isn't the club for you or any other snowflakes either. Times hard. The road will be bumpy. Buckle up.

Today showed what you can achieve without paying anyone 20K a week. That's certainly something worth building on.

Your memory might be better than mine!

Pearson said on Wednesday that Williams won't play both games. He said, basically, Williams can only manage Sat to Sat games at the moment.

Christ, we've had so many donkeys it's unreal.

Yep and well before their cup run in 97. Would have been a great signing. But the Board wouldn't give Joe the money (£700K??).

And "Sexy" Sexstone - a mixed bag then!

Mr Whippy or Mr Shitty?? Who knows!

Typical from someone born in Somerset - bloody Wurzel nonsense! Some of us are urbane, urban, metropolitan sophisticates, dontchaknow.

Two can play at that game!

Oh I get it, you've been able to read and respond to all the negative posts but somehow missed the ones from the people who, with the patience of Job, have explained in detail why you're talking nonsense. You'll read those later? Once you've come up with some more nonsensical argument to the contrary. Like I've already said, you'd be well off learning how to distinguish between the "likely to be true" and "likely to be bollocks" stuff you find on the internet (funny how you didn't respond to that). If you don't, modern life's going to get a bit much for you.

You really want to judge how good or otherwise he is by using statistics? Without taking any context into account - the teams we've been playing, the level we're playing at, the state of the club when he took over, the fact he's been here 5 minutes as opposed to those other managers you're comparing him to? Idiot. On the ignore step you go. Yes performances have been poor. Agreed, we probably should be doing a bit better. How much better? Play off better? Of course not, so on the ignore step you go. The rest of your rambling post isn't even anything to do with Pearson, so... like I said. Idiot.

Yes he did. And as someone who's prepared to support Pearson for a good while longer yet, ie. the coming summer transfer window at the very least, I agree it was rude. Just as some of his other replies to media questions have been. But, seriously, who gives a funk? Seriously. "Oooh I can't stand him cos 'es so rude". Get a funking grip.

I demand the return of the turd emoji!

Interesting. Thanks for posting. But does he mean "I intend to fulfill my 3 year contract but I'm not sure the club will have reached the Prem by then"? Or "It's a 3 year plan but I accept I may not last that long"? As always, you can read into it what you want - confirmation bias at It's finest. Lots of "we" in there today, though. Good to see.

Yep. Just some people can tell the difference between the "likely to be true" and the "likely to be bollocks" stuff. You should try it, some time.

To which Twentyman should have replied - "It might be useful in a team where no-one else is showing much leadership though, Daniel"

We can't afford him. It's that simple.

Does someone really have to explain, yet again, the constraints under which last summer's transfer business was done and the fact that this summer might just be the manager's first real opportunity to re-shape the squad - even that coming with the caveat that the necessary changes are all dependant on players leaving first?????? Do they? Do they really need to explain all that, yet again?????????? You can lead a horse with no name to water but you can't make it drink.

He needs to find his new Wes Morgan. Unlikely that's from within the club, on current evidence.

Always, imo. After finishing 8th in the top flight First Division and reaching the FA Cup Final in the same season, it took just 2 years to get relegated. It takes a special kind of incompetence to be doing that well and then go backwards so rapidly. Talk about taking your eye off the ball. 10 years later, we were 8th in the Second Division and unlucky to lose an FA Cup semi-final. 2 years later - relegated, finishing plumb last. Wait! Next season promoted - as Div 3 Champions. Hang on - immediately relegated again, plumb last. 3 years later - promoted again as Champions. The Roaring Twenties they called it - when City were barking mad. Not much has changed in the meantime, imo. I agree with Silvio's comment - "I think the reason we’re viewed as a “strange club” is that inherently there is a heck of a lot of potential which just doesn’t seem to be realised". I think this is why Pearson took the job - he sees it as an interesting project with unique, rewarding potential for the person who gets it right. Question is, has he begun to wonder if he's bitten off more than he can chew?

What on earth do you mean "goes to the press"??? He's asked a question and gives an answer, often a direct answer. No giggling, no bullshit, no ego, no attempt to blow smoke up the arse of "the Lansdown family". Just unvarnished honesty, as he sees it. And yes, his attitude is that you and I can take it or leave it. So what? Running to the press and telling tales? Nothing to do with it.

Not caused by the owner but an admin over-sight at CEO level, a classic clerical cock-up of the type BCFC used to specialise in, you know - forgetting to insert a sell-on clause when flogging Andy Cole, failing to put Liam Rosenior's contract offer in the post on time. The CEO had an agreed timescale in which to notify certain players they were surplus to requirements next season. If the players didn't hear anything, their contracts were automatically extended. The CEO's office forgot all about the deadline.... thus the club have to keep players they don't want and lose ones they'd rather keep to remain within FFP (sound familiar?). Club and Head Coach subsequently issued statements that are just waffle and leave everyone none the wiser (sound familair?)