Kibs

I think he’s more likely thought, he’s only got a couple of sessions before the first game, and probably doesn’t want to overload/confuse them with new patterns of play in possession when there is a significant break coming up, which will provide a much better opportunity to get started on the “in possession” stuff. So no, not weird.

Probably in the minority, but I still think there is a player there in Mehmeti. Admittedly, more based on what he did in his first few games. Very low on confidence now, rarely had a run of games, just played a match here and there. Feels abit like Szmodics in some respects (although he had even less opportunity), came on for a game, didn’t perform, hooked for the next 10. I’m not giving up on him yet!

Just his way I think. Exactly the same in the pre-match interview. Doesn’t seem to be an issue when is out working with the players and talking to them - either individually or as a group - just have look at all the content the club pumped out on social media this week.

What a signing he has proven to be. Great player.

I blame the manager, he’s had 2 sessions with them, what more does he want! In all seriousness though, it’s a massive concern and lack of goals was my biggest worry when we sold Scott and didn’t replace him - not that he scored many goals as such, but his ability to get us up the pitch, beak the lines, create in the final third etc

But what happens when both teams have a new manager? Like today.

Liverpool snatch a point at Luton last Sunday, but Bristol City should have no trouble winning at QPR

You know there’s two teams involved in a game of football, right?

I couldn’t agree more. This place is absolutely mental!!

If only football was that simple eh?

I noticed that Sheffield Wed, who we scraped past against 10 men last Saturday, pre Manning, got smashed at home 0-4 by Millwall. Maybe, just maybe, we’re not as good as JL and BT think???

Not bothered at all. We’ve been struggling for goals and lacking quality in the final third for weeks, not just today. Last week was shite too. QPR, new manager as well, desperate not to lose at home. Pearson was doing a great job with a distinctively average squad. Manning is going to have the same problems. Hopefully in a few months he’ll have a couple players in to suit how he wants to play and have had a reasonable amount of time “on the grass”.

I’d argue it was more to ensure Pearson doesn’t win 2 on the trot rather than anything to do with Manning

We need to find a way to score more goals if we’re to accumulate a good return of points. Been a real struggle lately.

I think we were “doing fine” in the grand scheme of things, but It had been a pretty poor run up to his sacking (mitigating circumstances granted). Even the more recent wins had not been good performances. For me, the second half against Ipswich and perhaps the Stoke game are the only decent “performances” in the last 7 or 8 games - and we lost both! I think Pearson had us pretty much exactly where we should be with the resources he had available, and I really struggle to see how anyone is going to improve that without a fair bit of investment.…..so I suppose my expectations of Manning are pretty low, and I’m a bit worried he’s on a hiding to nothing!!!

Yep the squad he worked with in Belgium likely cost more money than the others - equally, the team finished significantly lower in the table the seasons leading up to his arrival, and they finished lower the season after he left. Interestingly, Nigel Pearson was sacked by a team in the same division for being in the relegation zone. And Nigel Pearson didn’t turn out too badly did he

Ban him I say, lock him in his office until they’ve all gone home!!

How on earth did you come to that conclusion, you could only see the back of their heads!!???

I have no doubt that we will make a couple of signings in January. The club have got to keep playing it down. Nobody is going to come out and say “Yeah we’ve got £25m burning a hole in our pocket, and we can’t wait for the window to be open!!!”

Struggling to see too much wrong with that and nice to see Pearson finally getting a little bit of recognition.

The massive gamble is the sacking of Pearson IMO (and team), not necessarily the appointment of Manning. Best of luck to him though, really liked what I heard from him today and despite the crap that JL/BT came out with about budgets, injuries and promotion, my expectations for this season have not changed one bit. Top half and I’ll be content. Clearly the “promotion” stick will be used to beat him, and some posters can’t wait to use it, so just a reminder…..it wasn’t Manning that sacked Pearson

Oxford have just tweeted this:

Didn’t want Pearson to go, but I’m okay with this appointment as a decision in isolation. So much happier with this than a Rowett, or a Jones etc. If you listen to some of his interviews, it’s very clear that culture and character are high on his agenda when signing players and building a squad - much like Pearson. Good luck to him.

At least we’d get more airtime on the Football League show……Frank Lampard’s Bristol City