Jerseybean

Thanks. I stand corrected Mr P I’d overlooked the game CF was in charge, 23 it is.

The prediction thread about our remaining eight games relates

Manning compared to Pearson. Manning has now been in charge for 24 league games, here are the stats comparing his 24 league games with Pearson’s last 24 league games in charge. Nigel Pearson Won 8 Lost 11 Drew 5 Liam Manning Won 8 Lost 11 Drew 5 Yep, identical and Pearson was sacked. A few references follow which apparently informed the decision to sack NP and appoint LM. We currently have a squad deemed capable of winning promotion/ being at the top end of the league (JL/BT) 100% the aim this season is promotion (GM) “This squad should be at the top end”, “the aim is promotion and we wouldn’t have made the change if we didn’t think we could achieve that”, “there would be no point in making the change now if we were happy to just bumble along for the rest of this season”. We (the Board) know (apparently for the first time) what we want from our new Head Coach which will include playing in a particular way (see next point) (JL/BT) We (the Board) know our style of football, throughout all teams, we will play progressively, on the front foot, pressing, attacking, showing aggression and pace (JL/ BT) The Board opted to sack an experienced manager, citing recent results as the reason (at the time we occupied 15th place with 18 points 5 wins, 6 defeats and 3 draws) our form in the six games pre the sacking was lost 4, won 2. LMs last six games = lost 5, won 1 (scored 4 and conceded 9 ) We were only five points off a play- off spot when NP was sacked and only three points before the Cardiff game, which we faced with an injury ravaged squad. We are in a really good place as a Club and it is set up nicely for somebody to take forward (BT) ‘We aren’t doing as well as we wanted to and that’s what the decision was based upon’ (JL) We had a three year plan with NP and the objective for this year was to be challenging at the top end of the table (GM)

Highlights: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/highlights/highlights-west-brom-2-0-bristol-city/

Coming across for the Huddersfield game so really hope you and @Cityboy1954 are wrong!

Half of our remaining games are against teams who are currently below us, our record against such teams is poor. Lose those four and the current mood among many fans will get much worse.

Given the mess we are in a bit of light relief seems appropriate. So captions invited.

The ‘great divide’ section of this article is relevant and worth a look, https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-verdict-process-proving-9170907 Personally, I do now want Manning out, although initially I was minded to give him this season I have - based on the evidence - changed my mind.

City have had 32 managers/head coaches since I started to support them, as below. I think SL has been involved in the tenure of 23 of these. There have inevitably been some good, bad and indifferent appointments in the last 60 odd years. However, I can’t recall anybody who has so swiftly fallen out of favour, so quickly, with so many of the fans, as Liam Manning. I’m sure some may disagree and I’d enjoy hearing what others think about this. I attribute this to the following: Team and individual’s regression His style of play and our performances Results His predecessor being generally popular among fans and many feeling badly disaffected by his sacking and the rationale for it His personality His inexperience at this level Only one of those factors is not directly about him (NP) and I don’t see anything to suggest that any of the others, other than him gaining more experience in the Championship, is going to change if he stays. He was appointed to get more out of a squad which was (although contested by many on here, including me) deemed good enough to compete at the top end of the Championship. He has failed to do that. If he stays and is backed with a budget the Club will be investing in his way and his team, meaning we are landed with his style of play, personality and inexperience. The time to act is now. 07/11/2023 - present Liam Manning 20/10/1985 29/10/2023 - 06/11/2023 Curtis Fleming 08/10/1968 24/02/2021 - 28/10/2023 Nigel Pearson 21/08/1963 16/02/2021 - 23/02/2021 Paul Simpson 26/07/1966 05/07/2020 - 16/02/2021 Dean Holden 15/09/1979 06/02/2016 - 04/07/2020 Lee Johnson 07/06/1981 15/01/2016 - 05/02/2016 John Pemberton 18/11/1964 03/12/2013 - 14/01/2016 Steve Cotterill 20/07/1964 28/11/2013 - 02/12/2013 John Pemberton 18/11/1964 14/01/2013 - 28/11/2013 Sean O'Driscoll 01/07/1957 13/01/2013 - 14/01/2013 Tony Docherty 24/01/1971 19/10/2011 - 12/01/2013 Derek McInnes 05/07/1971 04/10/2011 - 18/10/2011 Steve Wigley 15/10/1961 01/07/2010 - 03/10/2011 Keith Millen 26/09/1966 11/05/2010 - 12/08/2010 Steve Coppell 09/07/1955 18/03/2010 - 10/05/2010 Keith Millen 26/09/1966 26/09/2005 - 18/03/2010 Gary Johnson 28/09/1955 05/06/2004 - 09/11/2005 Brian Tinnion 23/03/1968 01/07/2000 - 30/06/2004 Danny Wilson 01/01/1960 05/07/1999 - 12/01/2000 Tony Pulis 16/01/1958 15/10/1998 - 30/06/1999 Benny Lennartsson 14/12/1942 27/03/1997 - 28/10/1998 John Ward 07/04/1951 15/11/1994 - 14/03/1997 Joe Jordan 15/12/1951 21/01/1993 - 14/11/1994 Russell Osman 14/02/1959 09/03/1992 - 21/02/1993 Denis Smith 19/11/1947 01/07/1990 - 24/02/1992 Jimmy Lumsden 07/11/1947 15/03/1988 - 09/09/1990 Joe Jordan 15/12/1951 01/07/1982 - 30/06/1988 Terry Cooper 12/07/1944 03/01/1982 - 30/04/1982 Roy Hodgson 09/08/1947 01/10/1980 - 03/01/1982 Bob Houghton 30/10/1947 01/07/1967 - 31/10/1980 Alan Dicks 29/08/1934 01/07/1960 - 30/09/1967 Fred Ford

Many thanks ETR i managed to get it on WBA TV in the end.

What follows is not about anything other than what I feel is in the best interests of Bristol City Football Club. Having supported my team for 60+ years I’m not about to waste any energy on blaming, finger-pointing or bad mouthing anybody. I acknowledge and respect that as the major shareholder and the individual who has invested millions in our club, Mr. Lansdown is the key decision-maker. In reality the views of us fans count for very little, nevertheless this is a fans forum, so here goes. On the evidence of the last 27 games LM is not the person to take Bristol City forward. Having watched each of these games I have seen a team and individuals regress and observed a very rigid and repetitive approach from the Head Coach, in terms of his in-game management, general demeanor and public statements. When he was appointed, I was prepared to give him until the end of the season in the hope that he was the man to take us forward. I have now changed my mind. I see absolutely no benefit in retaining his services. In fact, I would hope the hierarchy are seriously considering relieving him of his duties in this international break. There would, in my opinion, be a few real positives if they did so. they would regain some respect from the fan base, many of whom were disaffected by the sacking of Pearson a new manager or Head Coach would have the rest of this season to assess the squad and plan for the future. Although the hierarchy clearly stated that we had a squad capable of competing at the top end of the Championship at the time of Manning’s appointment, that is not what has happened With eight games to go, we effectively have nothing to play for this season, however, the next eight games could be vitally important in terms of informing our approach to next season. I would certainly hope that is with somebody new at the helm. Had we not sneaked a narrow win against Swansea City (with another poor home performance) the pressure on LM would be even greater. Now is the time to act.

OK, let’s have your predictions for our final eight games, my (optimistic thoughts) are below. If I’m right we will pick up eight more points and finish with 55 points (four less than last season.) Home Leicester L Blackburn D Huddersfield W Rotherham W Away Plymouth D Sunderland L Norwich L Stoke L

‘We’ve got the ball, we’ve lost the ball’ reminded me of the half time stat shown on WBA TV which was we won 57% of our tackles, while they won 100% of their tackles.

Todays post match interview: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/manning-on-baggies-defeat/

He was certainly not very flattering about us!

Thanks 22A tell you what the WBA commentary was pretty unflattering about us, including ‘terrible’, and ‘fortunate to have stayed in the Championship so long’. Anyone know why WBA TV could show the game while Robins TV couldn’t?

Sorry to ask but how do you get the match to play on this site please ETR?

Anybody found a reliable stream please?

Anybody found a reliable stream please?

Genuine question Super, is it silly that our Head Coach’s communication style is not clearly understandable to fans like me who really would like to know what he actually means. Furthermore, if I (and other fans) struggle to understand him what must the players be dealing with on a daily basis? A key attribute for a leader/coach is excellent communication skills.

Having suffered years of failing to understand lots of what LJ said I’m now trying to come to terms with Manning speak. Here’s my best effort at an interpretation / translation of recent LM comments. LM I’m not on social media, so I genuinely don’t hear it but I’m not stupid, I get the industry, I signed up for it, right?” Manning said. “Unfortunately with football it’s changed where three/four games and it’s where the world is at, short-term and everything straight away.” = Football is a results based business. Our poor recent results, understandably, are a cause for concern to everybody. I have now presided over 26 games as Head Coach of Bristol City and everybody including the fans rightly expect that our results and performances should have been better and there should be more evidence of progress. LM "For me, of course I want to win. It hurts me. I don’t want to go home having losses but I don’t see the point of wasting energy getting down about it. I’ve had to scrap, I’ve had to fight, I’ve had to graft to get where I’m at and they’re the behaviours: treat people properly, that doesn’t change, come in, drive a standard every day, deliver the work we deliver.” = Umm….I don’t like losing and whatever happens I will keep doing the same things, I believe it’s important to treat people properly. Genuinely hard to know what ‘they’re the behaviours’ ‘drive a standard every day’ and ‘deliver the work we deliver’ actually mean. LM “I’m fortunate in that I’ve got a lot of good people around me, the staff have been great: Hoggy’s been terrific, Krausey, Brian, Pat, Ciss (Khalifa Cisse) - there are loads of good people who see the good work that’s happening every day and that’s the only way that you change it.” = I work with good staff, things change when you constantly and consistently do good work. LM “Am I emotionally fully all in? You only have to ask the people around here with the way we work and the hours we put in. My energy has to go into the players, they’re the most important people.” = I can’t answer that question, please ask others. If it’s about hard work and long hours then we are OK.

Top chip shops….https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/bristol-chippy-named-one-uks-9167763?utm_source=bristol_live_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Bristol+Live+-+Daily+Newsletter_newsletter&utm_content=&utm_term=&ruid=eda3a0ce-34ec-4a85-96cd-ae68727a6b80

Interesting……https://brummieroadender.com/baggies-preview/baggies-play-at-3pm-shocker/

The International break after this. Back at our place in September it finished goalless, in a game of two halves! We won the first half. They won the second half and a draw was probably the right outcome. Both teams hit the woodwork and Vyner and Naismith made crucial last-minute challenges: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/home-top-featured/highlights-bristol-city-0-0-west-brom/ Andi Weimann joined them on loan in January, as did Northern Ireland striker Callum Marshall from West Ham United. In February they signed former Sunderland and Inter Milan midfielder Yann M'Vila on a short-term deal. The 33-year-old France international was a free agent after leaving Greek Superleague side Olympiacos in July, https://www.wba.co.uk/news/albion-sign-experienced-midfielder-yann-mvila-short-term-deal More significantly and arguably the best transfer business done by the Baggies was the acquisition of Mikey Johnstone on loan from Celtic. Johnstone has scored six goals in his first nine games for the Baggies – most of them spectacular! Mikey Johnston: Celtic winger relishing West Bromwich Albion promotion challenge - BBC Sport The Baggies are also celebrating new ownership after a tumultuous number of years in Chinese ownership, with the acquisition in February by American businessman Shilen Patel, who became their chairman after a deal to purchase an 87.8% stake was agreed. The takeover by Bilkul Football WBA, owned by Florida-based Patel and his father Kiran Patel, was approved by the English Football League, https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/meeting-shilen-patel-new-west-28779411 Last season they just missed out on a playoff place, finishing 9th on 66 points, goals from Wells and Williams secured all three points for us when we last played at the Hawthorns, https://youtu.be/Y1E4mjbM9fA It will be a tough ask playing at the Hawthorns with West Brom boasting one of the best home records in the league and also one of the highest number of clean sheets with the young Palmer in goal proving difficult to beat alongside the giant defensive pairing of Cedric Kipre and Kyle Bartley. Our allocation of 2,009 tickets have all sold and they are expecting a full house. Their match review: https://www.wba.co.uk/news/matchday-38-albion-v-bristol-city-preview LM’s presser (health warning, the usual, ‘yeah, no, to be fair’ cliches, are all delivered in a robotic, vanilla, sterile, uninspiring, personality-void manner): https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/maning-on-baggies-trip/ Scott Twine is expected to be in the squad, George Tanner perhaps too. Head-to-head record Won: 17 Lost: 24 Drawn:17 They are 6th in the form table with 3 wins, 2 draws and a defeat in the last six games last Sunday they won 4-1 away at Huddersfield, while we are 19th in the form table with 2 wins and 4 defeats. They are looking good for the play offs with 63 points at present. Officials Referee: Tom Nield Assistants: Matthew Smith and Blake Antrobus Fourth official: Adam Herczeg The Hawthorns is the highest ground above sea level at an altitude of 551 feet (168 m). Those who have worn both shirts include Bob Taylor, Chris Brunt, Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Andi Weimann. Here’s TG-H pre-match: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/gardner-hickmans-previews-hawthorns-return/ Pubs and pies Good Pub Guide link: https://thegoodpubguide.co.uk/?s=&gpg=West bromwich The Royal Oak,171 Holyhead Road, Birmingham, B21 0BD, https://www.theroyaloakbham.co.uk The Vine, 152 Roebuck Street, West Bromwich, B70 6RD, https://www.thevine.co.uk their food is particularly recommended Park Inn by Radisson, Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, B70 6RS The Cook House and pub, Congregation Way, West Bromwich B70 7PU, https://www.cookhouseandpub.co.uk/en-gb/locations/west-bromwich?cid=GLBC_40537840 about a five minute drive from the ground Back in 2017 West Brom boasted the Premier League’s finest match-day pie experience. Try one of these for a good pie: Robinson's Bakery, 117 Hill Top, West Bromwich B70 0RU, https://robinsonsbakery.com Greggs, Birmingham Rd, West Bromwich B71 4JZ, https://www.greggs.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local Poundbakery, 196 High St, Sandwell Centre, West Bromwich B70 7QS, https://www.poundbakery.co.uk Hawthorns guide: https://footballgroundguide.com/leagues/england/premier-league/the-hawthorns-west-bromwich-albion.html Baggies banter There are various explanations for why they are called the Baggies. One theory is that, after settling at The Hawthorns in 1900, their stadium initially only had two entrances – one behind each goal – so gatekeepers would collect spectators' money in large bags. The crowd would shout 'here comes the bag man', which later spawned the 'Baggies title'. Another suggestion is that the name was bestowed on Albion supporters by their rivals at Aston Villa, because of the large baggy trousers that many Albion fans wore at work to protect themselves from molten iron in the factories and foundries of the Black Country. Other possible explanations include that supporters took large bags round to pubs to help save the club from extinction in 1905, and that the club almost going bankrupt at this time saw many of their large players replaced by smaller players, who made the same kits look far more baggy in their skins than in the predecessors! The highest number of points that West Brom have garnered during a single season is 91, a total which they achieved in 2009 under the guidance of Tony Mowbray. Remarkably, this haul was only good enough for second in the Championship as Newcastle United stormed to the title. Their total of five FA Cup triumphs is only bettered by nine teams in English football. The Baggies most recent title in the world’s oldest cup competition occurred in 1968 as Jeff Astle scored the winning goal at Wembley Stadium against Everton. Albion boast a significant number of famous fans among their ranks of supporters including: Adrian Chiles, Frank Skinner, Lenny Henry and Liam Payne of One Direction. Continuing the music theme, rock legend Eric Clapton sported an Albion scarf on the cover of his album 'Backless' to show his love for the club. Clapton also sponsored Albion's UEFA Cup tie against Galatasaray in 1978. The most goals West Brom have scored in a season is 105 (in the 1929/30 season.)