The Dolman Pragmatist

Everyone wants City to succeed, but opinions differ as to how best to achieve that. Nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately it appears that some of those who strongly support Pearson are unwilling to listen to any other points of view and resort to cheap jibes. I have mixed feelings about Pearson, so not surprised (or bothered) that opinions about him vary. It’s hardly the first time he’s been criticised for his handling of the media, after all. It was thought to be a significant factor in him losing a previous job if I remember rightly.

So we should be proud of our lack of achievement because it’s ‘ours’? We have significantly underachieved for decades. I love this club, but I wouldn’t delude myself by claiming I’m proud of the last thirty years.

Do you honestly believe that there are supporters who would get angry after good performances? That’s exactly the sort of ridiculous comment I’d expect from gas heads…

Yeah, fifth in the Premier League. Must be dreadful.

Southampton’s involvement in Bath has been pretty high profile for a long time, and one school in particular has a strong feeder-network to Southampton. What surprises me is how little attention City pay to kids in Bath. Admittedly they picked up Zak and Max, but that was ten years ago and very little since then. One particular youth team in Bath is probably the strongest at its age group in the region outside academies, but only one boy has been offered a trial by City.

I don’t disagree with you, but just on your final point, when I bought my first house income rates were 15%.

I don’t think it’s a case of people being against the culture change: it’s more questioning whether Nigel Pearson is the man to achieve that culture change while keeping our heads above water. I think fans have been remarkably stoical, given many of our performances on the field since Pearson took charge. At other clubs, fans protest and managers get sacked after a handful of games.

One Martyn Woolford One Martyn Woolford He used to be shite But now he’s all right Walking in a Woolford wonderland

Yes it was! ? it rather undermined my point ?

I think this is overanalysing. What is unarguable is that we started with a back four; three central midfielders; and three forward players. The fact is that 4-3-3 will become 4-1-2-3 or 4-1-4-1 , or any number of other permutations, as the players move around. No one can maintain a rigid shape during play. Pearson’s intention, by his own admission, was to play four at the back, three in midfield, and three up front. I thought the spell when Antonine stayed wide on the left in the second half was interesting, as that was when he really seemed to tear the Brum defence apart. No wonder their right back was the first player to be subbed.

When I were a lad, it was frequently described as the second ugliest building in Bristol (after Colston Girls School).

Spot on. To be offside you should be beyond the final defender when the ball is passed and when you receive the ball.

Bring back the PG Tips Chimps! ?

Cracking game at Twerton Park. Superb goal from James Morton, who played well throughout, and Olly Thomas looked a beast when he came on. First touch not necessarily the best, but he frightened the life out of the Eastbourne defence with his powerful running. First time I’ve seen him and he looks a prospect. How come James Morton is still only on loan though? Presumably he’ll never feature for City after so many years on the books.

What on earth were Southampton thinking of?

I’d like to think we will, but you stay up by winning games, not avoiding defeat, and we desperately need a winning run to put some distance between us and the bottom. There have been good signs in the last couple of games, but we are missing the Weimann of last season and the first few games of this.

W1 D4 L2 Pts 7 = 46 points in a season. Relegation form sadly…

Had to be Alec Briggs, surely?

The same happened with the men’s squad in 1966. Several of the winning team had to wait decades before their achievement was recognised. That said, the honours system is clearly corrupt and only values those people lucky enough to have well-paid jobs, or to be celebrities. The everyday achievements of ‘ordinary people’ are just as notable, but inevitably ignored. And I’m always a little perplexed by ‘services to charity’, which usually means asking other people to donate money!

Eloquently put.

Really sad to see a City fan describing anyone from the fan base who doesn’t agree with them as ‘brain dead’. I don’t agree with your perspective Bobbie, but that’s fine: a forum is all about opinions and I’m sure you’re not brain dead. At the end of the day we all want City to succeed.

Really? Please explain..

Red button just appeared on Sky

I notice that in another recent thread nearly 58% of 694 OTIB people voted to sack Pearson, with just only 42% voting to keep him. To me that suggests that the silent majority on OTIB seem to have lost faith with him. For me it’s all about this season now, i.e. who can keep us hope. Sacking a manager in the Eve if the transfer window is a huge risk, but then so is persevering with the manager with one if the worst records in our history. I admire those with strong convictions either way.

But then look at what Corberan is doing at West Brom with the same players…