INCRED

1 hour ago, Southport Red said:

If poor Ayman’s rotten luck ever improves, he would also feel like a new signing. 

Based on the multiple times I have seen Ayman play I don’t get the expectation that he would command a place in the first team 

He’s had a nightmare time with injuries and the lad has talent but when he last played for the first team he was physically lacking 

I sincerely hope he makes a full recovery and gets back to playing but he’s yet to prove himself capable at this level 

48 minutes ago, Numero Uno said:

I do think Manning had a go at changing it more quickly to start with then 5 points in 6 games probably shifted his attitude a little. You can certainly see what he is trying to implement in terms of midfield players like Knight and TGH breaking lines but it relies too much on Dickie atm (Norwich blocked off his "passing lanes" and Sunderland went full on individual press) albeit Vyner's passing was better last night tbf. I think we are seeing gradual change now.........which I also think is the correct way to go about things WITH THE PLAYERS WE HAVE.

What Manning is doing right now feels right.....a further improvement on Pearson's slow improvement (might end up being a quicker improvement given funds by the hierarchy). It's pointless saying what about "top 6" and "front foot".........let him manage but never forget that we have two idiots in charge!!

With reference to blocking passing lines, when Atkinson is back and fit, his passing and surges forward will bring a new dimension and open up options when we are building play as well as having both Dickie & Atkinson as threats at set pieces. I think Vyner is a decent defender but Atkinson trumps him in what he brings to the team both defensively and going forward 

4 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I was very impressed with Hull n the opening 20 that night….and then very impressed with us for much of the rest of that game.  We should’ve taken the 3 points up there too.

They are a good looking side though, but they aren’t good defensively.  That will be their Achilles heel.  You are always gonna be in the game with them.

In Hull’s last game v Boro they looked vulnerable at the back and they got away with it that night but not this time with us. A dangerous attacking team that play good football but you always have a chance against them 

Just now, Andrew_V1 said:

Huge win. Sunderland and hull back to back like that is impressive. Let’s hope we can strengthen in January then see where that takes us.

 

And get McCrorie, Atkinson & Naismith back into the squad 

A couple of attacking signings and all of a sudden things look far more rosy

A big coup if we get him now with bigger clubs interested. Depends if he wants a clear pathway to first team football or not. 
 

obviously liked what was said and what he saw before the medical scuppered the deal in the summer so you would like to think some assurances and commitments were agreed between both parties 

For me he is an Alex Scott clone and could become a very valuable asset if he progresses well and stays free of injuries 

39 minutes ago, Lew-T said:

Doesn’t get any easier either. Hull will be extremely tough 

I fancy us to beat them also. Time for us to go on a festive winning streak 

Get Atkinson, Mcrorie, Wells & Naismith back fit and a couple of new faces and watch us rocket up the table

1 minute ago, cityexile said:

Sunderland looked like a play off side, we didn’t, but sometimes the result is everything. Feels like a huge three points, and whilst looked second best for the second half, had to work extremely hard to keep that clean sheet. Get in.

And well done Max.

33% possession & their 18 shots 

Sometimes it’s not all about the stats & data!!

Marking non existent, strolled into space, no one within 5 yards and slots in 

Our final ball is abysmal, decision making in the final 3rd is poor 

We are winning the ball back in good areas but not making the most of opportunities

2 minutes ago, Super said:

Anyone else's red button not working?

Just stopped and now Sunderland game 

Manning would have been given a brief and target to achieve, he would also have been advised as to the budget available in each window 

I’m not expecting any significant improvement until February at which point I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t go on a decent run and finish the season strongly 

The summer will see 3-4 incomings and the same leaving 

2024/25 season will be the season where I think Manning will show his value and we will finally have a front foot attacking team that will make an impact 

Is Manning losing the good will of the supporters if he loses three on the bounce?

Could go 7th with a win tomorrow 

1 minute ago, Denbury Red said:

If this style of play is the way we are going to play in the future then the football is much more entertaining!!

 

Ohhh Tommy what a chance

Got to admit, it’s a very good performance so far. Just lacking that finish but you would be hard pressed to work out who was 4th and who was 12th based on this match 

I like how well we are pressing and defensively we look fairly solid 

Very fluid in midfield with lots of movement and passing angles and options 

6 hours ago, Nugget said:

Wonder if that was one well avoided like Hoban etc or if we will be back in for him again / going to better things. Couldn’t find the original thread on him but it seems he very nearly joined from St Pats in Ireland 

Not sure why the deal broke down but BT was very keen on him apparently 

Whether it was the fee, personal terms or a medical issue is anyone’s guess but the club saw him as a potential Alex Scott Mk2 

I think he’s in his final year of his contract so maybe he will be a better option in January?

Just now, eardun said:

Not really. What he did say was that you are always going to have fans who don’t like a big decision like that. But he said the club needed to get better at explaining their ongoing strategy and where we are positioned so that a big decision like that doesn’t look like it comes out of the blue - there should be some ongoing context so fans get it more. 

I think Manning is a new breed of coach that the club felt we needed. NP in all honesty was a man for the moment to install some structure & discipline and transition us from what was a car crash of a situation for the club which became exasperated by covid and a significant financial burden 

Manning spoke very well and his awareness of the game constantly moving and changing and being at the forefront of adapting to this probably fits with the clubs vision going forward 

We as supporters need to be patient, I’m convinced we will bring in players in January either loans or permanent or both. We have gaps in the squad that need plugging as well as future proofing for players that may not be here after the summer

I enjoyed NP as an old fashioned type manager but the time was right and we are well positioned in the league to kick on

As JL said, we need luck and players available to give us a chance of achieving a top 6 finish - Let’s see what develops over the next 5-6 months 

Totally unreasonable to critique at this stage of the season , take a look back at the end of the season and post again. 
 

I dare say views will be very different on some if not all 

13 minutes ago, joe jordans teeth said:

He hasn’t got the gift of the gab but in my experience the people who have are bloody clueless so can’t see nothing wrong here 

He’s definitely no Joey Barton

We can’t complain too much 

3 goals in a 5 goal thriller so far 

Manning ball is more entertaining than Pearson ball 

On 23/11/2023 at 19:54, Midlands Robin said:

Have we spoken about Ian Baird yet?

His last act as a City player was to leave the field giving a two fingured salute in a pre season friendly following our relegation from the 1st Division. (Championship)

The led to my favourite One Team in Bristol Cover. "Yes Ian, we know which division we're in but whose fault is it?"

 

Yep, the day he waved goodbye to the Atyeo and out of AG

Absolute garbage player 

Just now, pillred said:

Caroline Baker, she is a breath of fresh air.

I am definitely warming to her

5 minutes ago, cidercity1987 said:

Might win with 12 on the field then 

1+9+1 = 11 
 

it was when I went to school!

4 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

Anyone been able to see any discernible difference in the first ten minutes? I haven’t. But that’s not to say someone with a better football brain than me hasn’t. 

We are playing 1-9-1 

1 hour ago, pongo88 said:

I can’t imagine Benarous ever playing for City again, and possibly it’s the end of his career at professional level. Some players are doomed from a fitness / injury perspective and nothing can be done 

I fear the same for the lad and it could be the end of any career at this level 

Dear oh dear referee, that is never a pen 

not only has the ref failed to give about 5 yellow cards to them but he has just made the biggest balls up in his career 

3 hours ago, Silvio Dante said:

It may sound silly, but in a game of small margins I don’t think Liams demeanour will do him any favours (and again I’d note that what he is like with the players will be different to how he projects to the fans).

If you read any Oxfords fans views the consensus is that he is relatively dispassionate in interviews and gives little away. It certainly won’t be “box office” like Nige, and although he wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, he was a character who many warmed to. 
 

I don’t want to rake over the circumstances of his appointment again, but it is a fact that he’s not coming in with a lot of “new manager currency”. A relatively dour interview style won’t be something that galvanises and gets fans onside - and I think he needs that positive on the pitch start all the more in view of that.

Perhaps a Joey Barton like character would be more to your liking for our Head coach?

10/10 entertainment value but crap as a coach