Sandhurst Red

I'll say this. Since our time back in the Championship and across the 8 last seasons, that was about as complete an away performance that I can remember. 

What excites me most was Manning saying, we've just got started. We've still got more levels that this group can find.

15 minutes ago, Mad Cyril said:

I remember as a lad at away games my old man would always get us tickets in the home family stand. There is nothing better as a young spermer than the thrill of taking that home family end. Be sure to pack a Stanley, a few darts and a billiard ball in a sock. Wait 10 minutes into the match, then jump up and scream " who wants it you *£#&@s?", sparking out the nearest 6 year old.

Enjoy!!

Sounds like someone enjoyed Southampton away a few weeks ago ...

21 minutes ago, transfer reader said:

But that's exactly what you're criticising him for, calling that approach all over the place.

 

You went against your own point in the very post that you made it

I think we have a new found OTIB keyboard warrior in our Seagull member, who would argue that Black is White tbh. 

I have no issue with this.

Other teams that have used data to a high level in the last few years and seen success.

Brighton
Brentford
Burnley

You can become over reliant on it, but give the guy chance to get across his methods. It feels like some held Pearson in so high regard they fail to remember some of the awful football, and results we had under him. Even more so, any lack of consistency in terms of results. Other clubs would have disposed of Pearson long before we did. I can't stress enough the superb job NP did, in terms of rebuild the club and actively change the ethos/mess inherited and for that we should all be grateful. 

Manning has been here for around 30 days and already people want him gone. He's not even had one transfer window and we are missing arguably 6 players who would argue their case for a starting place. Just be a little more patient and see how this evolves. 

Sadly seems to always happen at big away games where we sell out.

It's not right and the minority won't change but last night the behaviour from both sets of fans was pretty awful tbh. Where we were (near the front left of the stand) there were some exchanges with an absolute moron of a Saints fan who was wearing what can only be described as a pink salmon jumper. 

The personal abuse he was subjecting toward some of our fans was embarrassing but worse, the stewards did NOTHING. All of them just stood their, as if it's not part of their job - shrugging their shoulders.

Then on the way out, an isolated saints fan who was minding his own business near the away exit (only recognised by having a Southampton Bobble Hat) had a group of 10-12 young lads verbally abuse and then physically intimidate him because he supported the opposition. He perhaps didn't help himself when he told them to "@#£& off" when they called him Pompey Scum, but then what followed was just pathetic yobish behaviour. All of this was infront of my 8 year old (we've done over 15 away games in the last 3 seasons) then turning to me saying, "I used to love going away with you Dad, but I hate this part of the experience". At no point did they even consider to tone down their behaviour or language thinking of who else was around. 

If you were one of those... Take a look in the mirror, give yourself a pat on the back for being a complete moron.

26 minutes ago, RollsRoyce said:

Why is it accurate? Accurate to support your opinion maybe. But accurate? It is as one-sided as you want to make it, much like some of the other stuff. But as you will then know, if the real truth came out, then the story would be quite different.

You do seem to have come alive Sandhurst Red. Got your tank out. 

I'm just going off what I've been told, not meaning to stir or cause issues. 

As ever, two sides to every story but relationships were strained for time behind the scenes, that there is no denying or conjecture.

3 minutes ago, Scrumpty said:

The relationship between Nigel and the owners (AND senior management) have been strained for quite a while (hence absence of a new contract). As we know, Nigel is a forthright character, who called it as it is (rightly most of the time), but he didn’t always toe the line.

As an employer, it’s great to get ‘constructive’ criticism from employees, especially those with Nigel’s experience. But there’s a point where criticism ceases to be constructive and becomes divisive. Nigel often crossed that line in THEIR view, hence the breakdown in relations.

How do I know this… I have contacts, but here’s some recent points that caused ‘friction’.

1. Scott money. Nigel was instrumental in the development of the summer strategy (recruit early, knowing Scott was going). So he knew the budget and knew he wouldn’t get more once the sell went through. He went along with this for a while, but then gave interviews that were PERCEIVED to undermine the owners (who stuck to the strategy).

2. Loan physio. Yes, that was (on the face of it) a random appointment, but Nigel’s recital of the situation didn’t go down well, again giving the perception that the owners didn’t know what they were doing. He may well of been right, of course, but the public airing and presentation of the same weren’t well received.

3. Contract situation. Nigel gave the impression that no one had contacted him about a contract. The feeling was that Nigel knew the full situation, but was selective in what he chose to publicly disclose, again painting management in a poor light. 
 

I’m old enough to know that listening to one side of a story can be misleading. I don’t know what really went on, but I know enough to say that Nigel wasn’t dismissed for football reasons alone - that would be crazy, hence my original comment.

Spot on. Very well written and accurate post. 

11 minutes ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

Where as quite a lot of us thought we were now at the stage where we were about to take big steps forward. There had definitely been a change since last season.

Take away the above usual injuries and I believe we'd be in the play offs now. If he was given a bit of the Alex Scott money then these injury problems wouldn't have been so much of a problem.

Pearson has been there and done it. We showed signs we were going in the right direction. 

Nothing about Manning suggests we will kick on under him. It's a huge risk. 

I respect others opinions that we may be able to kick on under him, however those who have concerns should also be respected.

Completely understandable and logic based on resume and prior results, would suggest NP was better placed to deliver success again.

It's right we have concerns and he will not be a Messiah and will definitely get things wrong, but I'm hopeful and optimistic about what he will do, and we can progress forward. We'll never know what may have happened under NP, but as a fan base, we owe it to the new manager to get behind him and not be as dismissive, as some are. 

3 minutes ago, Scrumpty said:

They didn’t think he had hit any sort of ceiling and I wish they’d be more open about his departure. Really think they’ve shot themselves in the foot with this ridiculous line.

What really happened or the real reasons perhaps we'll never know, but from JL's interview, it as least the party line... For now. 

12 minutes ago, Ryan said:

Why is there so much talk about him being young and progressive like its something weve never done before? LJ and Holden were young and progressive. LJ dismantled one of the best teams we have had in 40 years and left Holden a bloated squad that could easily have got us relegated. Now we get to do it all again.... it doesnt fill me with any kind of excitement. 

A good and balanced point. 

When you also add in Simpson and Downing and their constant youth experience (especially at England level) it should have worked.

You answer your own conundrum if I can say, Holden inherited a mess and his lack of experience to remove it, coupled with a COVID era where football and supporting was a very different experience, ultimately cost him his job. 

I'm not surprised to see Simpson doing so well with Carlisle and Holden will achieve more in the game. 

For us too much expected, too soon and something the Lansdown's have never taken responsibility or accountability for. 

Just now, One Team said:

Amongst some of the comments I disagree with on this thread this was well thought through and positioned and I read it with interest. 

I will quite happily eat some humble pie in 6 months time if he gets us promotion. If he doesn’t and he’s sacked will the people that think this is a good appointment do the same? 

Regarding developing youth players and giving them a chance no one has done that more than Pearson has done that in the last 10 years; out of necessity perhaps, but he still did it and those players appreciate it. 

Pearson did a very good job. But I think the club felt he had hit a glass ceiling. 

Not taking anything away from what he did, we have MUCH to be thankful about during his era, this was about ensuring we now kick on again.

1 minute ago, frenchred said:

How can it be a perfectly acceptable if not a very good choice for us. You talk in riddles and bullshit!

Nearly every team plays roughly the same way, Pass Pass pass to boredom, no keepers kick long and no one leaves anyone upfront when defending a corner

Thinking coaches are gone, they all have the badges that tell them how to coach and that's it, boring

Thanks for the constructive response. Not sure how I'm talking in 'riddles and bullshit' so feel free to elaborate.

I respect your opinion, but I would heavily challenge you about all teams playing the same, and how they work through attacking transitions with ball at feet and into defensive shapes. A good example of that yesterday was Forest v Villa. 2 very different playing sides. Forest tactically set-up and outplayed Villa, and had to work hard to execute it. 

Just because the coaches have the same badges means very little. 

The best teams reflect an identity of their manager, and play to a certain approach. This is what I reference about the game changing. If you genuinely want to know more, read Tim Rich's book about Bielsa. 

2 minutes ago, Kingswood Robin said:

I go along with nearly all of that. The only thing I'd disagree on is NP being old school. I think that's the perception, but I found what he said to be very progressive. He cut through the crap and was brutally honest about what's needed for a high performance culture. The most successful organisations are the ones that encourage people to be honest about what's wrong and speak out, no such thing as a stupid question and so on. That's the impression I got on how Nige ran things. 

I hope we don't find ourselves in a position where everyone's afraid to give the king bad news. 

I meant more in his style of play, and approach. There were signs of a change approach in how he set up defensive blocks and space control, but not to the level that successful sides are showing.

Ipswich showed that in abundance just 2 weeks ago. 

Just now, W-S-M Seagull said:

Like who? People at MK? 

All of whom only say very good things about him, including the current youth setup. 

Manning paid the ultimate price for players going and new ones coming in and arguably he overachieved the season before. 

In the modern game (unless you are LJ) you can't get away with a losing streak like he did, but I wouldn't be fooled by that blot on his copybook. They lost games, but were outplaying teams but didn't score when they had chances. 

7 minutes ago, handsofclay said:

Someone came on and said that it's definitely going to be Manning and provided a time frame for when it would be announced. That's all it seems to take.

Thank goodness social media wasn't around in the blitz. There'd be constant ITKs telling us when the next air raid was due. We would never emerge from our shelters. Although, thinking about it that wouldn't happen because if an ITK got it right about the next raid they'd be promptly arrested, tortured in the Tower of London and hung as a spy within a week. 

I've simply provided info that someone I trust has given me, from an outside club source

I'll take all pelters if it's wrong. 

4 minutes ago, Jose said:

On the flip side a manager sacked less than a year ago from MK Dons.

Paid the price for a summer turnover. 8 senior players left MK that summer and he recruited unknowns based on budget available.

Difference here is we have gneuine talent coming through the academy, talent in the squad and will have some budget, even if not huge.

Most managers have a blip on their record. 

3 minutes ago, petehinton said:

Would be very happy with this (if true) - probably up there as the best we could’ve hoped for, without the club having any eye overseas

From the person I know (not connected to City I hasten to add), it's been someone we've courted for some time. 

His win % is high. His teams play attacking and pressing football and he is well respected within the game for his approach to youth development.

Just because it's not a 'name' it surprises me how some on here have debated and reacted to him as a choice. 

He's very much of the McKenna mould from Ipswich, and I think he's a great choice personally. 

Will be formally appointed in next 24-48 hours.

It's Manning. 

A very positive and forward thinking appointment. 

1 hour ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Will probably be banned for simulation after he has scored/assisted vs us! 

Not conspiracy just that the FA will get round to looking at the weeks decisions on Monday basically.

Bamford may be in trouble.... would rather he not play us on Saturday TBH. 

Andy King will go to coach/manage at a very high level in football. He just has that professional side about him.

Post-this season, which is probably his last as player, we would be wise to keep him involved as a coach, and to help develop our younger players. 

I'll even go as far as saying that I can see him being a future manager for us.

13 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

Didn't realise until it was mentioned afterwards that he's the clown from the Hull game last season, but it makes total sense when you see his performance. He ignored a rugby tackle in the box on one of ours (Atkinson?) that day too, of course that was shortly after giving them one of the worst penalty decisions I've ever seen.

A total incompetent, and he got no help from his assistants either.

Genuine question - what are their roles in the modern game?

Aside from off-sides, you rarely see them actually get involved with any type of indication to the ref. Throw-ins, Corners, Fouls - they stand their with the flag and wait for the ref to make the decision and then use the flag to reaffirm the decision the ref makes - even when they are next to the situation, having a far better view than a ref that is 20+ yards away. 

Are others seeing the same as me? 

At the risk of staying the obvious, and probably written countless times on this thread. 

The officiating in this league is simply atrocious. 

1 hour ago, Taz said:

Ah Brownhill, we were never going to miss him were we......

Completely agree @GrahamC, he does seem a very well rounded and influential player, and one that will become integral to the way that we play.

The Brownhill comparison is a good one actually, because he just made the midfield tick over. It amazes me  that even to this day, there are so many that didn't, and still don't rate him. Think people have the opinion that because he didn't pop in with goals every few games that he "went missing", when in actual fact it couldn't be further from the truth.

If Knight turns out to be 80% of the player that Brownhill was, then we have a hell of a player on our hands.

Exactly this. Spot on.