CheddarReds

4 minutes ago, JoeAman08 said:

I really felt for Joe Low tonight. Awful debut. Perhaps up there with Marinovic except Low is a young academy lad. Booing him from our singing section on a throw in is bang out of order. A real lack of awareness from that portion of the crowd. Needed all the confidence he could get. 
 

Tonight was bad. A spine of Martin King and Klose was bound to get overrun. Low was stitched up a bit playing wide of a 3 imo. All that said, give credit to Lincoln. They came to win this game and thoroughly outplayed us. 

Would be no surprise if those booing him will be the first to get upset when a Joe Bryan, Bobby Reid, Lloyd Kelly or Alex Scott decide to move on to bigger and better things.

I was at Bramall Lane as a neutral and it was great. 

I was impressed with both teams (for the most part) and to their credit they both set up to win the game rather than nervously settle for a point each.

Burnley did a good job of making the pitch big in the first half. Benson Manuel was impressive, unsurprisingly for those who have kept up with Burnley's results this year. However, they were quite a small side compared to Sheff Utd and it showed. It felt like Sheffield United won a lot of 50/50 duels just where they were bigger and stronger.  If anyone's seen the highlights, it's very noticeable for the goals - Burnley just couldn't cope with McBurnie (who was outstanding) in particular from set pieces**. Burnley's keeper, Muric, was massive but didn't seem comfortable from set pieces (perhaps due to a lack of help) but was also really keen to play long flat passes out to Cork in the middle third where possible which was quite interesting. I expect Burnley to get caught out doing it a couple times this season. Felt like Burnley missed Brownhill and Rodriguez. Ndiaye also showed glimpses of brilliance for Sheff Utd, as per. 

Not exactly a hot take but I'm sure both teams will be right up there this year. 

** more proof that an aerially dominant centre half for a manager doesn't necessarily result in aerially dominant team!!!

Here's a link for those that want it:

Nigel Pearson's astonishing bitter attack on Sheffield United's 'high maintenance' Reda Khadra - YorkshireLive (examinerlive.co.uk)

Perhaps this is an example of a player Pearson wanted who fits the "maverick" description. 

Re his comments, probably just a mix of emotions after the result - he's only human

I enjoyed hearing Pearson's thoughts on VAR and officiating. I thought his criticism of PGMOL, VAR application from the VAR officials and refereeing standards generally was fair, and doing so while appreciating a few top referees and acknowledging that officials need further support meant his stand came across as fairly well balanced. 

After some of the poor refereeing and misfortune we've seen in recent seasons would we as fans be more onboard with the prospect of VAR in the championship? I think if this question was asked a couple seasons ago the answer would've been a resounding no from 95%+. 

Feels like Carrick would be a decent manager - no justification really. Just vibes.

2 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Quite interesting that Woodgate in as assistant having been sacked by them as manager previously. 

Spoke to a Boro supporting friend who said this hasn't gone down well with some fans!

United are better without him in that starting 11 anyway

1 hour ago, ExiledAjax said:

Pearson changes players. Johnson changed systems.

Pearson has a smaller squad with fewer options. He's simplified things. Sometimes, when the 352 doesn't work or is let down by individual performances, he changes a player or 3 to compensate.

Johnson had so many clubs in his bag that when his busy bees lacked that little bit of quality he was able to switch to a 4222 magic box and back again. 

Both are reactive, both make changes, but the one we have now allows for consistency of system despite inconsistency of personnel. It's far superior as it actually allows an individual's failure to be a positive. They come out of the team, watch someone else play the same role and if that new player does better than there's a role model created. Retaining the same system allows the group as a whole to grow and develop within a known framework.

It's much better than lurching from formation to formation with no player knowing where they stand - literally and figuratively.

Glad you said that first sentence as I was thinking it while reading this thread. Your post is a fair summary.

The comparison between Johnson and Pearson could start an interesting debate on team selection based on qualities vs management (ofc it isn't binary). I tend to like the idea of picking players and (sometimes) systems to react to oppositions strengths and weaknesses. Though Pearson's doing a great job of changing the mindset within the squad. One way he's done that is providing the challenge/ opportunity of if you play well you keep your shirt but if you step in then you have to take your opportunity. 

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on Massengo but I felt there were a few times tonight where his pass was too slow or wasn't the right weight. 

Those slowed us down and Scott gets those details right almost every time

It's just like watching Tommy Conway

Naismith is very calm on the ball playing in his role, which has resulted in a few mistakes but has also benefitted how we progress the ball. From what I've seen this season we're more frequently playing through teams and I think part of the reason is Naismith. Yes, in the sense he can play those passes but more so that because Naismith is patient the opposition sometimes push higher up the pitch leaving space in behind, or an individual switches off and we have taken advantage of it by playing forward. 

Obviously the frequency of the mistakes he's made leading to goals is a concern and if it continues at this rate I can understand why some might become more and more frustrated.

However, his experience, leadership, communication and positive defensive contributions in that back 3 combined with the benefits that come with his playing out from the back make his position pretty safe if I were picking the team.

It'll be interesting to see how quickly Kalas gets back into the side when he returns from injury, and how it changes our defensive positions/ shape.

The people who, when we have a manager like Johnson, will say 'we need an experienced manager like Pearson'. Then we get a manager like Pearson and they say 'he's a dinosaur and we need a up and coming manager with new ideas'. 

People who think they're better supporters than others because the make more noise at the game. 

But I'm sure all of us are guilty of some of the suggestions in this thread  

Not sure I buy this whole argument of 'we only play well for spells so it's not good enough'. While I'm frustrated that we seem to disappear for spells in games, especially late on, and it's to our detriment, there are very few teams in world football that will control a game for 90 minutes. Watching the EFL highlights last night, every game the commentary was pretty much 'Team X started well and opened the scoring, but team Y got a footing in the game after HT to level it. Team X made a good sub and he scored the winner'. The momentum swings in games of football and if you're expecting us to look in control of the game for 60/ 70+ mins then you're expecting a promotion pushing side and I think that's unrealistic in our circumstances. 

I'd be interested to hear what posters calling for time on Pearson's reign expect from Norwich, Middlesbrough, Coventry, Luton and West Brom this season. Those 5 teams, along with us, make up the bottom 6 (yes, I'm aware 3 of those 6 have a game in hand). And I'm sure a lot of people on here will still look at those teams and expect them to move up table in time rather than over react to a few poor results. So why are we any different?

While the goals we conceded against Sunderland gave me flashbacks to last season's defensive woes, we were just incredibly unfortunate against Hull. What can Pearson do about that penalty decision or the deflection? DaveFevs is right, the results will come. 

In short, let's not overreact. The trend since Pearson's appointment feels like an improvement, both on and off the pitch. After years of LJ/ MA doing a lot of talking but often not backing it up, Nige is straight talking, Gould is happy to do his work quietly and efficiently in the background and I have very little doubt in my mind between them they will leave the club in a much better way than they found it. 

16 minutes ago, maxjak said:

I wonder...Pearson gets the players to watch games  back, to see their mistakes and how to improve their performances?  Do referee's ever get put in front of a recording of their performance by assessor's,  to point out their error's and the  Pheck ups they make during games?    Surely there has to be more responsibility by paid officials if they are failing to do their jobs properly?   The odd mistake and oversight is reasonable and acceptable...........but not blatant disregard of the rules and incompetence?

Some info on this here:

"Game-changing" Luke Ayling hailed after making Premier League history at Leeds Pride - Mirror Online

Thought this was worth a share. Good stuff Mr Ayling. 

Unreal. Amazing achievement and the impact will be felt in UK football, sport and society for years. 

On 21/07/2022 at 23:33, Nogbad the Bad said:

Bristol City F.C.

1) What will be City's final league position?  10th

2) How many points will City get this season? 65

3) Will City score 60 (or more) League goals this season? Yes

4) Will City concede 60 (or more) League goals this season? Yes

5) Who will finish as City's top scorer? Weimann

6) How many League goals will City's top scorer (whether the player named in Q5 or ano.) get? 14

7) Who will finish as City's 2nd top scorer? Semenyo

8. How many League goals will City's 2nd top scorer (whether the player named in Q7 or ano.) get? 12

9.) How many academy graduates will make their City debuts this season in League or Cup competitions? 2 

10) Will Duncan Idehen make 15 (or more) League appearances for City this season? No

11) Will Joe Williams make 25 (or more) League appearances for City this season? Yes 

12) Will Stefan Bajic make 10 (or more) League appearances for City this season? No

13) Will Antoine Semenyo still be a City player on the last day of the season? Yes

14 Will Han Noah Massengo still be a City player on the last day of the season? Yes

15) Will Tomas Kalas still be a City player on the last day of the season? Yes

16) Will Nahki Wells still be a City player on the last day of the season? Yes

17) Which month will Antoine Semenyo make his first on-field appearance for City this season? September

18) Which month will Ayman Benarous make his first on-field appearance for City this season? March

19) Will City sign a striker either before the end of this window, or in the January window? No

20) Who will be City's player of the season? Kane Wilson

21) What will the Official attendance be for the first home game against Sunderland to the nearest thousand? 23k

22) What will City's Official average League attendance be this season to the nearest thousand? 20k

23) In which round will City be knocked out of the F.A. Cup? 5th

24) In which round will City be knocked out of the Carabou Cup? 3rd

25) How many City players will be sent off in all competitions this season? 2

26) Who will be the first City player to be sent off this season? Rob Atkinson

27) How many penalties, in all competitions, will City be awarded this season? 6

28) How many penalties will City score? 6

29)  Will any City player score a first team hat trick this season? No

30) Will Nigel Pearson still be City's manager on the last day of the season? Yes

Young City players: Bell, Conway, Towler, Kadji, Owers, Palmer-Holden,

1) Which of these 6 will make the most appearances for City, in all competitions, this season? Conway

2) Which of these 6 will score the most goals for City in all competitions? Conway

Gas: 

1) Final League position? 15th

2) Average League attendance, to the nearest thousand? 9k

3) Will Matty Taylor score against Rovers this season? Yes

4) Will Marlon Pack score against Rovers this season? No

5) Will Tyreeq Bakinson score against Rovers this season? No

6) Will Joey Barton still be Rovers' manager on the last day of the season? Yes

Welsh Rivals, Cardiff & Swansea

1) Will O'Dowda score for Cardiff against City? No

2) Who will finish higher, Cardiff or City? Bristol City

3) How many points will City get against Cardiff 0,1,2,3,4 or 6 ? 4

4) Who will finish higher, Swansea or City? Bristol City

5) How many points will City get against Swansea, 0,1,2,3,4 or 6? 2

Lee Johnson's Hibs

1) What position will Hibernian finish in the SPL this season? 7th

2) Will Lee Johnson still be Hibernian manager on the last day of the season? Yes

Ashton's Ipswich

1) Will Ipswich be promoted this season either automatically or through the play offs? No

2) Will Mark Ashton still be there at the end of the season. Yes

Steve Cotterill

1) Will Cotts lead Shrewsbury to promotion? No

2) How many points will Cotts' Shrewsbury take off Rovers 0,1,2,3,4,or 6? 4

3) Which club will finish higher, Shrewsbury or Rovers? Shrewsbury
 

Old Boys

1) Will Bobby Reid score 7 (or more) PL goals for Fulham? No

2) Will Josh Brownhill score for Burnley against City this season? No

3) Will Aden Flint score for Stoke against City this season? No

4) Will Kasey Palmer score for Coventry against City this season? No

Championship

1) Which club will finish top of the Championship? Norwich

2) Which club will finish bottom of the Championship? Reading

Attempting to get my hands on the trophy again! 

3 hours ago, The Humble Realist said:

Things have taken off for him  a bit since this was posted. 

Also got the 'Fozcast' now.

I notice a lot of watford fans really werent happy about him doing all this as they fought relegation but on the other hand is it so bad he has this interest outside of football? It's better than being out on the town every night or playing xbox til 3am.

Some pretty interesting insights into what goes on behind the scenes ,a LOT of money gets spent by football clubs doesnt it.  Hotels , great coaches,  planes the night before etc etc 

We wont be signing him but if we did would we all be ok with him posting and vlogging win, lose or draw?

I think it's great to see Foster work with other You Tubers to create content, as well as the more specific insight into elite level football you mentioned. He's bonkers but seems really likeable.

Re the bottom question, I think people criticising Foster for any vlogging after a defeat need to remember footballers are human. If you or I had a tough day at work making time for a hobby in the evening could make the prospect of the next day's work a lot brighter. I'm sure footballer's are no different and Foster filming behind the scenes stuff and his own hobbies (regardless of result) in itself helps reiterate footballers are as human as the rest of us.

Edit - I've seen some of Foster's You Tube videos but not listened to his podcast. Any good?

That's unbelievable. Wow.

Fair play Rangers. I watched the Roma vs Leicester game, Tammy did well which was nice to see.

It's the best performance n a City shirt I can remember from Williams. He looked like the player I thought we were signing. Lots of energy and talking, good range of passing, well anticipated pressing, doesn't shirk a 50/50. Great to see.

Well done Joe.

Every week we turned up expecting to comfortably win the game in style. What a great season.

Huddersfield - have been in the play off places throughout the season. Potentially an advantage they've played more than other sides. I tend to prefer having points on the board than games in hand. Could mean their squad are less burnt out come play off time. 

Luton - have had a couple spells of strong form. Do they have enough to stay there until the end of the season or have they peaked too soon?

Forest - hard to ignore with their games in hand and recent form. A comprehensive win away at Blackpool in today's early kick off. One of my favourites (yes I would have said that before today!)

Sheff Utd - despite some injuries to important players still a really strong squad. 

M'Boro - a game in hand, Wilder and Knill doing their stuff but a Boro supporting friend remains unconvinced by Balogun and Connolly .

Blackburn - fallen out the pack after a poor 2022 thus far. Any possibility of a resurgance?

Still enough games for other teams to get back amongst it. West Brom's form has turned and they've got a lot of quality. 

Haven't put a lot of thought into it really but what are your thoughts? Who do we fancy to make the play offs (and go up)? Always a great time of the year when the weather turns and you get the fight for the play off spots.
 

Hopefully the issues with WorldPay are sorted by the day season tickets go on sale so we can actually buy them!!

Weimann - POTY

Scott - YPOTY

Weimann's volley to win it at Cardiff away - Champagne moment