Kibs

The difference being, I don’t think there were 9 sub spots when Cotterill was in charge.

I thought it was interesting position to take. To be fair, there were occasions Nige only selected 8 subs, and there are 3 very young players on the bench so it’s not as though they aren’t getting a sniff. Aside from the fact that 9 subs is ridiculous, or am I just old fashioned

Manning said in an earlier interview that academy players wouldn’t always sit on the bench just to make up the numbers. He said he wants them to earn the right to be there, not just be there due to us being short on numbers. Not saying whether that’s good or bad, just thought it was worth clarifying.

I mean, you could say the same about Manning couldn’t you? Agree about Roberts though, not seen anywhere near enough. Thought he looked decent in his early appearances.

My opinion - It was for NP, it’s not for LM. Like it or not, I bet that’s the case.

Me too! I was very content with where we were, and positive we were headed in the right direction……..just cursing our luck with injuries!

We’ll agree to disagree then Rarely happens in the Championship, especially if you’re a mid-table team, which we are. Games tend to ebb and flow and you need to take your chances in those periods where you are on top/playing well. And we haven’t.

I think our performances deserved more than 5 points from 5 games….hopefully that’ll catch up with us to.

It’s an impressive turnaround. They’ve just won 3 in a row. When did we last win 3 in a row?

Stop with your logic. He said exactly the same about QPR. “One of the worst sides ever in the championship”…..and they’ve just won 3 in a row.

Yes but it works the other way too Dave, and for me it’s even worse. People who gave NP plenty of slack are not willing to do the same for LM because he has replaced their man. They actively look for and find fault in every possible thing he does…..and it’s tedious. It’s making this forum a really hard place to read and discuss things because every bloody topic goes the same way. FWIW, I don’t believe LM will get more from this squad than NP. And what’s gonna really annoy people, I think he’ll be backed financially because JL and BT will feel their man has to be seen as making progress. I also don’t align to the view that’s being pushed about LM taking over a team/club in a good situation. We were bang out of form when he arrived, we can’t score goals and the injury situation is still ridiculous. Such a shame this whole situation has created so much division in the fanbase because I really felt the team and vast majority of fans were fully invested and together. It’s going to make it even harder for LM to succeed sadly.

The point at QPR (apparently one of the worst sides the championship has ever seen according to a few after our draw)is not looking so bad now. As mentioned, back to back wins, something we haven’t achieved for a VERY long time, funny old game!!!

Yes enjoyed the Pre-match press conference. Good response to the empty spaces on the subs bench question - could fill it with academy players, and we may see more in the future, but part of getting in the first team squad is “earning it”. I liked that. Also like what he had to say about Tanner. Real blow losing Naismith We could really do with one or two back to help us through the December schedule.

Not a dig at anyone, because it affects us all, but it just goes to show how unconscious bias can play such a big role in our opinions. Southampton unbeaten in 10 now btw since their poor start to the season.

Because you stated “The early signs are we have gone backwards”….is that not referring to the arrival of LM and/or departure of NP? Or is there some other major event that I missed? Apologies if there is.

How the hell have you arrived at that conclusion? Even if you were stupid enough to form a judgement over 3 games, 1 of which LM had just arrived, 1 of which was against one of the form teams in the division and the other was away at a team 4th in the table, and expected to go straight back up……We gained 4 points over 3 games which is 61 points over a season…..more than we’ve ever achieved under NP I believe, and more than he was on target to get this season!!!! But of course you don’t have an agenda I feel bit sad for you tbh, if you were genuinely expecting us to mount a top 6 challenge because you believe the crap we were fed from BT/JL, I can’t help but feel you’re going to be very disappointed!!!

Theres lots of points to counter the view that this is a problem pattern. 1. Its far more common in the Championship for games/performances to swing, rather than a team dominate the whole game. 2. This criticism was also levelled at NP a lot (playing well for half a game/periods of games). 3. We have played 2 top teams in three days with significantly fewer, and lower quality resources available than what they have, to change the game and momentum of the game. 4. you have to take your chances when you are on top.

Get in! 4 points from two tough games. Solid start. QPR away - apparently a gimme against “one of be worst this league has seen” Absolute rubbish by the way, new manager, nearly took points from Leicester, decent point. Anyone see Rotherham take points off Leeds on Friday? It happens. Or are Leeds that bad? Some claiming the the first 40 against Boro today was dreadful!!?? get real FFS. You do realise there are two teams in a game? We have no divine right to outplay anyone in this league, let alone the in form team, and one of the better teams. Absolute madness. Yep, gutted to see Nige go, but it’s not Liam Manning, or the teams fault so let’s get behind them rather than hold them to some unrealistic standards. You never know, maybe we could threaten the play offs after all. COYRs

Who cares. Do you really think we should be “controlling the first half” against one of the best teams in the league anyway?

Yes and rightly so if it happens. We should absolutely expect to see progress. But what the fans say or do (especially on here) won’t make any difference. Barring an absolute catastrophe, which I don’t think this group of players would allow anyway, Manning will be given every opportunity to succeed because BT and JL will not want to be seen as being wrong.

I don’t see it, not after Boro and Southampton. Yeah the vocal minority will be on here kicking off for sure but I think the majority of fans are both sensible and intelligent enough to realise that: 1. They are very difficult games. 2. We don’t actually have a squad or team that should be challenging for promotion. 3. JL and BT are full of shit.

Pressure from who? Certainly not the people that employed him and gave him a 3.5 year deal. I’m pretty sure that unless we get relegated, he’ll be given every possible chance to prove them right. We know just how stubborn the Lansdowns are.

Good. He looked a terrific signing when he arrived. Hopefully Manning can turn him a round and ensure it’s not a load of money wasted.

I won’t criticise the interviewer, because I’ve never interviewed anyone in my life in this context, but I find it a hard listen when they continually ask leading questions - much like the in house City stuff.

Naismith has played centre midfield , I remember him playing there, very successfully so too. Played CM alongside James in a run of games last season. We beat Birmingham 4-2, drew 1-1 against Blackburn, then beat WBA in the cup, won 3-0, he was outstanding. Also played the following game at Preston where we won 2-1 but he went off injured.