Alessandro

Watford away and Southampton home performances in the league looking more like anomalies and we’ve seen many more performances like that today. Plan A was frankly awful and there was no plan B again and an inability to affect a game going against us, again. That squad today - as good as it’s been for years, we have to be doing better than that, so poor and the players just looked like they gave up there. A win % of 0.3 - This is why the jury is just still out for me on Manning. And that’s not me saying Manning is shit full stop - but me saying I’m seeing little to show Manning has the tactical x-factor needed to take this club from a mid table budget group to play off contenders. As always, I hope I’m wrong.

Mate we’re a mid table team with a mid table budget. There’s a reason everyone says “anyone can beat anyone” in the championship - we are like all the other mid table teams, capable of a big result but massively inconsistent. How do we beat these teams? Well there’s the million dollar question….the answer all too often is you get out what you put in…££££££

Well, well well. After a week of play off chat and didn’t the club play a stroke of genius appointing Manning…reality strikes. An impotent, over worked and under cooked first half display. Big half coming up - changes needed and time to show us your tactical nous Liam - this is a game we should 100% not be losing.

@Davefevs - I think, whether people agree or disagree with your opinion, you’re one of the most level headed posters on here and always seem willing to accept if/when you’re wrong. Ultimately you’re a keen fan, not an expert, nor do you pretend to be, despite your knowledge shown in your analysis work. You don’t need me or anyone to ‘protect’ you on here but IMO you don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I do think @Marina's Rolls Royce’s going after you quite so early in the fashion they have…well, I hope they’re as able to eat humble pie as they’re willing to serve it out - these things usually come around to bite back. EDIT - especially as I don’t think you’ve made many statements that could yet be classed undoubtedly as ‘wrong’. Long way to go….

A broken clock is right twice a day… As you seem so ready and keen to “remind” others if they’re wrong - what’s your opinion on Manning? Good or bad appointment? Expectations? You seem defensive of him and the Lansdown’s so presume you approve? Promotion under Manning? Why don’t you stick your neck on the line, put your money where your mouth is and give us some statements we can “remind” you of? Given you’re happy to be critical of others and clearly feeling bullish, 2 wins and suddenly everyone was wrong to criticise the club…hmmm

Pring/Roberts great dilemma to have. On the whole it’s great to see so many players lift their game with the competition for places we now have… Atkinson - actually realise now I don’t know what the latest is since his set back after his (nearly) return from injury?

Seeing that bench last night, you got a sense of that - looking stronger all the time. And we were missing Pring and Twine who likely go straight in the team and the likes of Naismith and Atkinson hopefully not miles off adding even more depth - hopefully in time for the run in.

Absolutely take a bow LM. Very positive signs now appearing - the thing for me is I think he is learning and adapting, which is absolutely key. You got a sense he came into the club with his idea of how he wanted to play already and didn’t deviate from it. But recently performances show he has taken a step away from that and adjusted the approach. That’s two big wins in a row with 30%-40% odd possession…perhaps a realisation…. Building on some of the style and foundations already in place in the squad and giving us another gear - 4 at the back, pressing at the right time, counter attacking football, excellent organised defence. Always felt to me under previous manager were weren’t miles off that kind of performance, 1 or 2 players off - if LM has been able to unlock it and can find consistency then we’re onto something IMO.

Gutted to have missed tonight as i'm out the country - but what a win and a great week...dare to dream. Keep it going COYR

Oh sorry, I give my opinion about what championship managers do and I’m trying to be a championship manager and when you give your opinion about what championship managers do your…what…not?! OK mate.

To suggest a championship manager is watching opposition managers interviews to understand their tactics, is...well...silly. All they have to do is watch the game, analyse the stats and learn all they need to.

I can see the potential rationale behind the switch - but Manning didn't come out and exactly clarify in his post match either. "we found a way" was the interesting comment for me. But I've got to say, I can only think some people didn't see the game. Or the second half. I notice the, pretty close, off-side goal doesn't get mentioned much. It's certainly not in the highlights from the club - Boro's highlights have more chances. Had that stood, we probably wouldn't have won that game, IMO. Having really looked a threat on the break especially towards the end of the first half (even when Boro still dominated the possession) in that system, I don't understand why we couldn't have continued in that set up, with a more conservative, energy saving mind-set, committing less people forward for example. But with that switch at HT we lost any foothold in the game and Conway's 6 touches in 40 minutes showed how little ball he saw. The fact both Manning and James said it was a little scary at times suggests they didn't exactly feel in total control or confidence in what they were doing. As I said in matchday thread, great 3 points, but going forwards, 4 or 3 at the back is one to watch.

You know criticism can be constructive? Debating the good points and the bad points is part of the game, the analysis is normal, good and bad. Why are people so sensitive about a few balanced, sensible observations? Odd. You can bet your bottom dollar the management and team won't be saying "3 points, job done, no point in discussing the game, we won" - they'll be debriefing and learning.

The issue for me is not him making changes or not - it's making the right changes. Today, it was the wrong one IMO and it nearly cost us again. Agenda, no agenda. Those changes are worth a debate.

Win's a win. A great 3 points to stop the rot in the league. All in all a good 'away' performance. Slight fly in ointment - first half 60/40 possession in their favour, 2nd 70/30 (and effectively lost the half 1-0) Manning's changes couldn't get us into the half at all, frankly made us worse and worse (why go back 3?!) and we very much hung on for the points, but good hanging on, none the less.

Well! It's a pretty nice first half - feels like the game isn't quite done yet though... Ironically, it's football reminiscent of Nigel Pearson that has got us the two goal lead - credit to Manning for the set up, we looked like a swarm of angry wasps combined with awful hesitancy by the Boro defence saw us snatching the ball twice in quick succession for 2 excellent goals. Knight composed, James classy. But from there, less good - Boro doing as you'd expect and sorting themselves out somewhat and then dominating possession for rest of half. They had a number of crosses, particularly down our left. - but on the whole we've been solid at the back, Max only needing to make one decent save. Credit for limiting their chances. When we did play a bit of Manning ball out the back, we've broken their press fantastically at times - but get well into their half, turn back and lose possession - very frustrating. Our best chances came on the counter or looking for another high steal. Quick mentions: - Tanner - deserves that RB spot for me right now. Cornick - best half I've seen from him - dominant in the air, running the channels well, good on the ball...set up Bell for a fantastic chance which he should have buried and ended the game. Next goal crucial.

Not distraught, but thanks for your concern! Nicely selected sample size - another sample for you: 3 wins in 10 games in the league. 0 wins in 6 games in the league. Stand by what I say, a few draws against weakened premier league teams can’t mask the, totally valid, opinion that feels we’re under achieving in the league…IM calm O

There’s short memories but it was only a few days ago the same players got battered by Leeds. Where was that endeavour then? They didn’t look so tired last night…. Fine, well done, we knocked one weakened premier league team out a cup this season. Nothing new compared to previous seasons. Franky I want to see those same performances, much more consistently in the championship please.

Is this concerning? Where is the joined up thinking? I was slightly surprised when TGH was made permanent - just felt not a Manning favourite and he was the one to immediately give way for Twine in the starting 11. Looking more and more like the Twine deal was right to be questioned, in terms of squad development - perhaps one to keep Manning happy and the others he has 'gone along with'? So looks like Tinnion is very much in the box seat for picking the talent for the managers going forward. Perhaps being harsh/overthinking, but it just doesn't all feel quite right, quite aligned.

Yep - but at least the successful ones have something to show for it!

Bristol City - "Building for tomorrow, when we'll build for tomorrow again"

If the fee is right and we've stolen a march on our competition here, i'm happy with that deal.

@W-S-M Seagull - like you my initial reaction was one of suspicion - mainly because I am suspicious of BT and JL right now. Having heard a few more details on here, I think we’ve made a pragmatic deal, albeit not ideal, with no major risk for any parties involved and have added something we need in the squad. One to reassess in the summer - for now I’m happy just see what value he brings on the pitch.

You don’t have any opinions? Or you prefer not to hear opinions you don’t agree with?? Always amazing how often someone comes on OTIB, a forum for discussion and opinions and complains about there being discussions and opinions….

Yeah maybe overthinking but just discussing it…probably one to reassess in the summer really - as I say, on paper a great addition, but I’m not a massive fan of the if’s and but’s, wait and see strategy. I prefer every player to have a plan for us and one beyond 6 months personally. Maybe Twine does have that and we don’t know about yet, as others have intimated. Also given the rumours about how the deal came about, the loan doesn’t seem unreasonable. It is a departure somewhat, as I believe under RG and NP we wouldn’t have made this signing in this form, even if we wanted or ‘needed’ the player. Time will tell what value he brings in the next 6 months.