Kibs

Not an ideal run in for Leicester either!!!

No easy games in the Championship….massive win for Plymouth.

Yeah I don’t think many teams park the bus against the mighty Bristol City, but they are aware that we can be a very effective counter attacking team. They’re also aware of our attacking deficiencies. And agree AG is definitely a place where teams fancy their chances!!! We’ve lost and drawn too many home games for what feels like several years now, another thing that has to change if we’re to make more significant progress.

No idea Dave, but it was so typical. All bad runs start somewhere. We had sub-par performance against a QPR team who were (and still are) improving. I think as many have pointed out, we still struggle against teams who play a certain way, especially at home. Thats not necessarily new, and I think that’s one of the biggest challenges for LM.

Its likely to be a big factor, and I hope that’s what has changed, because if it is, it’s more likely to remain that way. I do feel confidence plays a massive part though, perhaps even on the coaches part? You’re much more likely to retreat if you’re low on confidence or nervous than step up and press. You’re much more likely to pass safely, or pass sideways too.

I agree with most of that, and I’m happier with how we’re playing, but I don’t necessarily think that it has to be down to intent or all down to intent anyway. It could be intent, but there are several other factors at play too, and factors we’re not necessarily able to see or measure.

Playing devils advocate, how do we know the intent has changed? Maybe it’s the execution and understanding that’s changed? Maybe it’s the way that the message has been delivered that has changed? Maybe it’s partly down to confidence and opposition performance too? Maybe it’s the return from injury or upturn in form of a few players? Hoggs interview last week implied that the intent has always been the same.

you did sneak that in there didn’t you!, that’ll teach me to read twice!! Apologies

Honestly CR, save your breath!!!

And on the flip side, there is a similar lack of objectivity from the other side when we get beat. Edit: SD did say that already, note to self, read twice, post once!!

It looks like we will surpass last seasons points total and league position with arguably a weaker squad, which like it or not, would be progress. Credit to both managers. Imagine what could have been had NP been properly supported in the transfer market in the summer after Alex Scott was sold.

Yes, but we can (and will) dissect and over analyse every word which comes out of his mouth in interviews just incase he says something we don’t like, something which suits our position (on either side!) or is just a bit boring!!

Such a crazy league Blackburn put 5 past Sunderland Sunderland should have put a few past us Sunderland also go and draw at Leeds We put 5 past Blackburn

The sad thing is, this tit for tat will go on until either LM gets sacked, or wins us promotion.

A bit of both I expect along with some confidence returning

Yep, it’ll soon show if they aren’t up for it given most of the teams we’re playing still have it all to play for.

It’s an interesting comparison isn’t it

The use of Top 6 / Promotion quotes do crack me up. If JL/BT told you to jump off a cliff because it’s good for your health, would you do it? Or would you use your brain and reach your own conclusion? Our squad is weaker this season than last season IMO, certainly not stronger! Alex Scott was never adequately replaced, Antoine Semenyo was never adequately replaced - why on earth anyone feels we should even be competing for a Top 6 spot, regardless of the manager……I just cannot subscribe to that view. I could just never see where the creativity and goals would come from. Had NP been given the opportunity to use the Alex Scott money, I think we could potentially have had a bit of a go, but the second that was denied, I could never see us being anything more than mid-table.

My interpretation of his comment was that they send the team out with the attacking intent, but the Championship is so tight that sometimes how the opposition play doesn’t allow it. I was actually quite pleased to hear that, and accept it to a degree, but my concern is that they rarely seem to be able to figure out a way to change it. I’d like to see them be much bolder and braver in their approach (pre-game and in game), but I’m just not sure they have it in them! Maybe it’s just me, but the modern game/coaches seem to massively over analyse, overthink and try to be too clever. Im not really sure what sort of team we are now, or what we are trying to be. Its a massive summer for him, and I think even some of the more patient fans will lose patience pretty quickly next season if there isn’t early signs of improvement in performances.

This is a great post. And whilst we should of course aim high, it’s probably the most competitive league in the world. Theres not many teams above us that I look at and think “we should really be above them”, and similarly, there are a few below us who I think should probably be doing better, which leads me to believe we’re roughly where we should be right now. Losing Semenyo and then Scott, and to not adequately replace them (I know we couldn’t fully replace them, they’re too good) led me to the conclusion very early that we’d be mid table at best. Had we replaced them, I think we could possibly be abit closer to the play-offs. We’ve all watched loads of non City Championship games which are absolutely turgid, but when City are involved, it seems unacceptable. It’s just the league we’re in, good days, bad days, average players, very little between anyone on any given day. I think Mannings tenure has been underwhelming, but more in terms of performances than outcome - I know many will disagree, but I really think we’re pretty much where we should be with the “quality” of our squad. Will be a tougher division IMO next season, so without some real quality recruitment, I don’t see us mounting a top 6 challenge next year either I’m afraid - whoever is in charge.

6 months ago I’d have been happy to see him replaced and sat as our number two. Now I’m more concerned he’ll be one of the next ones off to better things in the summer! Delighted for him. Just goes to show how players can improve given the time and the opportunity, and how important consistent minutes are to help that development.

How about very average squad, with a very average manager?

Yeah definitely I also agree with an earlier comment (think from WSM) that’s it’s abit of a mentality issue too!

Of course I don’t, but I’m assuming Manning does….which is a pretty logical assumption isn’t it? I’ve already said it’s not the way I’d have gone. We don’t know 10% of what Manning does, and there are some things you have to trust that he has made a decision in his mind, which is right based on the information he has available. For me, this is one of those. Sorry if you disagree.

I think this squad is built to play on the break and without the ball, so it’s absolutely no surprise to me that we’ve played well in the games we have and struggled in games like today. It’s on Manning to work it out and change that.