Edgy Red

2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

We wasted the summer opportunity to strengthen when Alex Scott was sold.

I still think the Phil Alexander SoTC interview was the beginning of the end for him and Nige.

Its happened, they are both gone, and 4 of the back room staff (Orme was leaving anyway) too.

We are still Bristol City, for me it’s really tough to guess which direction we go as it stands.

+++++

Don't want to really mention recruitment, but we’ve been recruiting to a plan / profile for 2 years now, it’s a profile that shouldn’t really make much difference who is in charge.  But I think that looks like a bit of lip-service as it currently stands.  Hey ho.

Its all about opinions Dave. I liked Nige but i really didn't see how the football was evolving in his 3 years in charge, however i appreciate others have a different view.

I understand what Manning's philosophy is and i just want to get behind the team. It may end well, or it may not!

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

It's a well thought out post mate which is backed up by evidence and asks questions. 

Thanks for your contribution tho. 

It is my opinion that this squad is the best squad that any manager has inherited over the past few decades. If you disagree then fair enough please do give an example as to why you think it's not? And which squad was better that another manager inherited? 

I think we should be doing better than we are. Saturdays game being a case in point. 

But..... isn't this actually Nige's squad? With the exception of Twine (who has played 1 game) and Mebude (who looked Dire on Saturday) this is the squad that Nige built.

So, from what you are saying, Nige was underachieving too?

Results and performances under Manning have continued to be inconsistent, as they were under Nige, however Manning has only had the job for 3 months.

Lets just get behind the team and give him some time.

14 minutes ago, Jimmo said:

Got to be Tinman's song for me. Loved belting that out as a kid. 

Yep... Tinman is a s******d for me too

Just now, Natchfever said:

I wonder if Williams is looking north.

Matty is still absolute quality imo.

Possibly... i like Williams but his injury record has been pretty poor for the majority of his time with us.

We've got some talented midfielders in the squad now and i think James would help their development

1 hour ago, Natchfever said:

Hes still champ quality.

Others may disagree but i would rather we keep James than Williams this summer. I appreciate that Williams has produced some decent performances of late but James is Mr Consistent.

Knight, TGH and Bird would benefit from him still being around too.

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

Manning "the plan worked well first half" 

So why did we change that plan then? 

Maybe, and this is just a hunch, Middlesboro are a decent side and Carrick gave his players a rocket at half time and they improved in the 2nd half?

I would guess that Manning was worried about players tiring after the tough schedule we have had recently and so changed shape to make us more solid. In hindsight, it didn't necessarily have the desired effect, but as per my first paragraph, Boro were always going to come out firing in the 2nd half, regardless of what formation we deployed.

Lets just enjoy the win

I might be in the minority but i'm happy to watch us in The Championship. I don't think The Prem is all its cracked up to be and is so heavily obsessed with the Big 6, that it wouldn't be as enjoyable as people think. Don't even get me started on VAR!

I would rather see us in a few Cup quarter/semi finals, playing attractive football with a sprinkling of local boys in the team.

I think as i've got older its become more about the day with my mates, and while a City defeat still ruins the weekend, i don't feel like i did 30 years ago.

I go to games with a number of mates who support other clubs and they all enjoy coming to The Gate and the matchday experience that we have.

Currently it has to be 4-3-3. Unfortunately Tanner isn't good enough and it allows us to play a front 3 and therefore hopefully creat more at the top end of the pitch

1 hour ago, Jerseybean said:

Listening to BT got me thinking about next season and who (of our established squad players and newcomers) I see as definitely part of the future.

So here goes, I’m sure this will divide opinion.

Players that I see as being definite ones for the future include:

Max O’Leary

Cam Ping

Rob Dickie

Zak Vyner

George Tanner

Jason Knight

Mark Sykes

Taylor Gardner-Hickman

Tommy Conway

Ross McCorie

Rob Atkinson

+ the new recent recruits

Those that I would happily see depart include:

Anis Memheti

Harry Cornick

All the rest I would be on the fence about that includes:

Nahki Wells

Joe Williams

Matty James

Andy King

Sam Bell

Haydon Roberts

Kal Naismith

My sense is Williams, James and King won’t be offered new contracts, Pring, Conway and maybe Vyner could be tempted by pastures new and move on. Plus a couple of others, perhaps Wells and Naismith depart.

Let the debate commence.

With the players we have secured in the recent window it looks like a new midfield with Murphy, Knight, TGH and Bird being the core.

Depending on outgoings I fancy our defence will remain as is, Max, Cam, Zac, Rob D, Rob A, Ross and George.

It’s been clear for sometime that we need another striker and as BT indicated a 23-24 year old physical and pacey forward would be ideal. Then, again depending on outgoings/incomings, they’d be joined by Conway, Sykes, Bell, Wells, Mebude (if he stays), Twine (if he stays)

I agree with almost all of your choices apart from Mehmeti. I think there is a player there who is comfortable accepting the ball and he deserves some time and a run in the team. He may come good, he may not, but we don't really have anyone else like him.

The only other one i'm slightly unsure about is Tanner. If he's a back up right back then maybe, but i just don't think he's good enough to be starting regularly.

1 minute ago, Engvall’s Splinter said:

I actually don’t think people are surprised by the result. It’s the manner of the defeat. 

Completely agree, it was very poor, but just 3 days ago we played well at an inform Coventry and got a good point.

We don't have enough players who can handle the ball. Twine was brought in to improve that and he's already injured.

Leeds, Leicester and Southampton are a class apart.

7 minutes ago, Ryan said:

We are terrible and going backwards. To everyone that wanted Nige out for a young 'dynamic' coach.You've got what you wanted, and I hope you are enjoying it more than me. 3 points from 18 is relegation form.  

 

If Nige was still in charge, the result tonight would have been exactly the same and anyone who thinks differently is living in a fantasy world.

Leeds pressed our back 5 as well as i've seen any team do. Sadly Tanner, and to an extent Vyner, looked like rabbits in the headlights when the ball came to them.

We were completely dominated all over the pitch and whilst our performance was disappointing, we have to realise that Leeds front 4 are worth the best part of 100 million on their own.

53 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Legendary spreadsheetmanship!

I still can’t see the need for the 3rd CB, when….

You can shuffle across the pitch as a four.

It was one of the things I liked in the earlier Manning games, where most of us were just crying out for Ross to return (in place of George) and give us the same option in the right (at RB) that Cam was giving us on the left (at LB).

I honestly think it’s a huge waste of ONE player that could be better utilised to create overloads anywhere else in the pitch.

I think he’s really constrained his attacking options by doing this.

 

+++++

Excel is dead, long live Notability and the Apple Pencil

 

 

I agree Dave... i think 4-3-3 is the best way for us to progress. A back 4 of McCrorie, Vyner, Dickie and Pring is more than capable.

Tanner has done well recently as the right sided centre back but it removes the chance to be able to select another attacking player when we play with the back 3/5.

14 minutes ago, Alan Dicks said:

Mehmeti

Bell

Cornick

Have i missed anyone?

None of them would be in the starting XI in an ideal world (Cornick off the bench) but injuries and the need to rotate meant they were tonight.

Mcrorie, Sykes and Twine would be the preferred options

We are where we are and Manning needs some time and 3 or 4 new faces of his choice. I am still positive in what he is trying to do.

1 hour ago, redkev said:

The first taste of if we ever get to the prem - premiership greed that’s why there charging £17 

if you read in one of the threads a forest fan says how much he enjoyed the gate / atmosphere etc etc then went on to say it’s ok when you get to the prem but it comes a huge cost and he doesn’t just mean money , limited away tickets , kick off times , plastic fans and an almighty bias to the big 6 teams , funny I was chatting to some brum fans a fair few years ago after they had been to the prem they said exactly the same thing - much preferred the championship 

double edged sword and all that

Completely agree with you Kev. The idea of reaching The Prem is great, but the reality is often how you have described it.

2 minutes ago, Bazooka Joe said:

Would we then play a clone striker up front?

Very good Joe

I genuinely don't think we're that far off from being able to challenge for the top 6.

Twine could make a difference and if we could add a Semenyo clone up front then it could all click.

With players like Atkinson, Naismith and Sykes to return, we're looking pretty strong.

I couldn't make it tonight so watched it on TV. I thought we handled the ball really well and were in control for large spells.

I am encouraged by what Manning is trying to do. It will take a bit of time and a few of his own signings, but i think the signs are positive.

Special shout outs for all of the back 5 and Mehmeti (first half), who i thought looked a threat.

Shaun Taylor is another who was similar to Wilbs.

I remember when he played for Swindle with that stupid headband and i thought he was a bit of a liability.

When we signed him at the age of 34 (IIRC), I honestly thought it was going to be a disaster.

He turned out to be one of the best bits of business we have ever done and is still one of my favourite players to have worn the shirt!

Its listed to be shown on the Betfair app too

What are the wages like out there?

17 hours ago, Silvio Dante said:

Outside of Osman (manager) we had Tinnion, Allison, Pennyfather, Shail and Welch there so five outfield.

I think missing were Llewellyn, Scott (was stated to be there IIRC), Rob Edwards (ditto), Stuart Munro, Dave Martin (probably in a fight somewhere), Liam Robinson (probably told where it was but missed the venue and ended up in Wickes) and Junior Bent (probably got there and the Ashton Road gates kept open and kept running)

So, outside of the senior man at the club and his son (for some reason), 4 of the remaining 11 turned up. Not exactly resounding.

Only just read this Silvio but thanks so much for making me laugh.

The comments about Martin, Robinson and Bent are comedy gold

11 minutes ago, Markthehorn said:

Slow start to his career last season but certainly is a decent young player.

Was in the Canadian squad at the World cup.

I am not sure we are very strong in any particularly areas tbh but seem to be much better as a team this season. 

Ryan Andrews and Yaser Asprilla are other good youngsters who will probably attract attention.

Not sure about our defence and up front is strange - Rajovic scores goals but is quite average generally.

2 big surprises have been Ben Hamer and Jake Livermore.

I thought you were a decent side Mark. You've got some big physical boys in that team, but also have some pace and ability in the final third.

Both teams had their moments but lacked a bit of quality/composure.

I will certainly keep an eye on Kone's development. I think you could have a top player there.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned as i've only just got home and haven't read the full thread.

The Watford number 11 Kone looks a real player. He was quick, athletic and technically very good.

I thought it was an average game and a draw was about right. We pressed more than Watford in the 2nd half but just lacked that final bit of quality.

On to Friday!

14 minutes ago, TonyTonyTony said:

Wow - this thread got mental.

Am i allowed to be pleased he has joined? TBH i couldnt give a toss if it costs the club a few quid - just give me entertaining football and if this lad is the spark - bring it on

Hallelujah Tony