Offside

That’s Not My Name - The Ting Tings.

Yep, they were a massive distraction. Much too bright.

On Saturday I couldn’t distinguish between the colours of the kits worn by the Blackburn keeper and their outfield players. In the second half whenever he caught the ball my first instinct was that we’d get a penalty for handball ??.

Loved that incident. That’s the sort of thing that makes fans really warm to a player.

A much improved performance. In the first half we played some nice stuff and deserved the lead. For the first 30 mins of the second half it was our usually habit of failing to retain possession. The long throw in is becoming a concern - we seem very susceptible to being caught on the break. Positives today: COD and Bakinson both had a decent game. Scott stuck to his task in an unfamiliar role and his set piece delivery was impressive. Vyner looked solid. Williams’ return is a big plus. Benarous looked much better today. We finished the game strongly.

Completely agree. It was frustrating that their goal game from a mistake, but for what felt like a long spell beforehand we did our usual thing of failing to keep hold of the ball and inviting pressure.

That’s awful news. Best wishes, John.

That heat map shows how much ground he covers. His work rate is excellent, most noticeably when he tracks back. If only all our players worked so hard to win the ball, or at least make it difficult for the opponent. I also note the reference to his passes carrying a “high threat”. He has been more creative at times this season, like his drive into the box at QPR for Martin’s goal and his pass that led to Weimann’s winner v Barnsley.

I don’t mind the occasional earlier kick off or Friday night game, but I much prefer 3pm on Saturdays.

The key thing in my opinion is the return of Williams. For all his strengths, James lacks mobility and Massengo is still young. They both need Williams to help bring out their qualities. Plus he gives us more bite. I’d go with: Bentley Tanner Kalas Atkinson Pring HNM James Williams Palmer Wells Weimann

Sad news. RIP Gerald.

Like other posters, it’s in my blood. I’ve been going to games since my dad starting taking me in the early 80s and my kids are now season ticket holders. I can’t imagine life without it.

Get well soon, Nige. We look forward to seeing you back at Ashton Gate.

The lack of urgency when we have a corner really annoys me too. And the way none of players move when we’ve got a throw-in. I also get annoyed when Bentley takes an age to decide what to do before lumping it long.

It hurts more and more. I hate the predicament we’re in at the moment. Losing to last minute goals is bad enough in itself. When it’s a habit to concede in injury time it’s even more sickening. And when it’s on top of a run of really poor performances stretching back for couple of years, it’s even worse. I really don’t know where we go from here. When LJ went we (me included) were crying out for experience. After Holden’s exit we went for an overwhelmingly popular choice in NP (I was thrilled), but our football is still as bad as at any time I can remember in 40 years of supporting the club. I was hoping NP would at least drill the team into a coherent shape, but we are a mess. A complete soft touch.

Completely agree. We tend to stand off players or get out-muscled. Other sides always appear to be physically stronger. We need to get in their faces more.

I’m feeling very pessimistic about this game. We have been so lightweight and lacking in shape, and with Williams and presumably James out injured we’re looking threadbare. I really hope the players prove me wrong show some grit in adversity. And wouldn’t it be good to see some organisation to our play.

It also concerns me how far Dasilva is away from their player who puts the cross in. No pressure on the ball whatsoever.

Get well soon, Nige.

Whoever is picked and whatever system we play, first and foremost the players need to take responsibility for making it as difficult as possible for Coventry. Some of the goals we’ve conceded recently have been so cheap. A couple of examples: Barnsley’s goal - their player who got the assist outmuscled our player (James)? too easily. Birmingham’s first goal - yes it was a deflection, but we didn’t make it difficult for him to shoot. Birmingham’s second goal - straight from a big punt from the keeper, we were brushed aside too easily. Far too often we are outmuscled or give opponents space to pass/cross/shoot. Our full backs are regularly left exposed.

Agree, it is truly awful. We often can’t even make basic passes and there is so little movement.

We are playing as poorly as I’ve ever seen us, and it’s a blessing that the sides currently in the bottom 3 are quite far adrift of us. We feel like a makeshift side. I was expecting that this season. But we are so very low on quality and we don’t have much to compensate for that at the moment, like a coherent style of play. I was hoping NP would be able to deliver that, but after some encouraging signs early in the season our performances are falling apart to a degree I was not expecting. Will we be relegated? Possibly, yes, we look like a side bad enough to end up in the bottom 3 and confidence is shot. We can barely string any passes together and are often wide open. I’m just hoping the teams below us will continue to find it difficult to pick up points.

I was very happy when Pearson was appointed and he has all the credentials, but our form is very worrying. Our performances are a mess I was expecting him to get much more out of the players.

It was very important (and exhilarating!) to finally end that winless run of home games. But the performance was dreadful and we need to start being much better both with and without the ball.

Definitely felt like a turning point.