DaveInSA

I never played football to any great standard. I was technically awful. But... I could do three things really well 1) Tackle - i'm not a big bloke. But i would never ever ever bottle a tackle. EVER. As a student we played park footy against a load of local Manchester boys. Effing rough. They totally respected "little Dave" though cos I got stuck in. Nailed a couple of them too. Just as I also got nailed. Spent a good few hours in A&E ? 2) Simple pass. Win the ball, head up and pass. Quickly offloading to a team mate in space. 3) Shooting. A loose ball on the 18 yard box was mine. I was never afraid to have a dig. I played without fear. My techical ability wasn't good, but I have a footballing brain, i knew my weaknesses and was constantly chatting to my team mates about position - where do you want me and where are you going? Basics innit.

We still have 845 midfielders on the books at the club. Through lack of fitness or injuries we've not actually fielded the three best midfielders that we have, in the same game. That said, the midfielders that do play, astonishingly don't have any impact on the game at all. Basically, wot he said...

Liam Robinson. Junior Bent. Thats all.

I imagine that he's trying to figure out who the passengers are - it's a much better view up there. It's been said on this thread numerous times... ...for me, this is on the PLAYERS. They ain't good enough. And they aren't a team. It's a total car crash. If we avoid going down, it will be nothing short of a miracle. I refuse to pay to watch this shambles. Nothing has changed since the loss at home to Blackburn - the last game I went to in Dec '19. There is zero movement. Ever. The players are lazy. There's no runs to pull teams out of shape in the midfield. It's like we're playing walking football against a team playing football. There's never a pass on. It's pathetic.

wot he said, then I almost said the same thing right afterward ?

I've said it before on hear, you can coach and coach and coach on the training pitch, but it means nothing if the players don't IMPLEMENT that plan, then they ain't good enough. There's something in this combination of players, individually they might be technically skilled, composed intelligent footballers. Put them together as a team and they're panic stricken loonatics. I only saw the first half, but it wasn't pretty (apart from the two goals). We panic. The defence lump the ball OVER the midfield to our attack. Who inevitably lose the ball; rinse and repeat. The midfield were absent, running around aimlessly. It's pitiful. And if that is what Pearson is coaching, then, "put my head in a paper bag and call me Russell". I wonder if the collective don't TRUST each other. Because SURELY, it's clear to everyone when we actuallly get the ball on the deck and pass it, we're actually not that bad? I think this is the connundrum the past 3 managers tried to solve. Unfortunately with FFP Nige has his hands tied with the personnel. 3 year project it is then. Hopefully we don't get relegated in the process.

He got sent off via the attacker died. and then got up again and lived.

I dare you ?

I thought this was a new boy band thread. It’s not as interesting as a new boy band thread. which in itself, would have been as interesting as Stanley Gibbons talking about the new royal family first day cover.

Bristol City fans. So entitled…. we are where we deserve to be. it’s laughable to think we can challenge in this league. Utterly laughable. we haven’t got the players who are anywhere near good enough. they’re mentally weak and have zero technical ability.

I give you: Dino Zoff Gianluigi Buffon

Totally distracted today by the OTIB. Pearson clearly doesn't rate the squad - so he's telling them. And also quite clearly he was furious. Some of these players are totally out of their depth. They cannot, cannot, cannot manage a game. I accept that Pearson takes some accountability - esp. for the subs, but what do / can you do if the players don't implement the plans. And this disease of sitting back and inviting the opposition to attack, has been around since the 'pox at Ashton Gate. This is going to be a very long season. Very long. And so will the next season, as we'll only be able to bring in 4-5 more players.

Forest have better players than us on the grass. I’ve seen so much hyperbole on OTIB in my time lurking in here. ‘We have a top 6 squad on paper’ is the classic. We don’t. We made a massive charitable donation to Chelsea, for three players who don’t perform at the levels they’re capable of. This is true for a lot of the squad. Football isn’t played on paper, it’s played on grass.

He was an absolute genius with a football. I laughed and laughed every game he played. He was that good. Ran rings around everyone, including those in a red shirt. Football isn't all about goals, XGoals, assists and whatnot, it's about having a laugh and witnessing something truly magical. Thanks Jacki for making some really dreay days at A Gate an absolute delight.

i'm a little bit sad that there are probably two worse teams than rovers in the football league. which is a shame.

let's be totally frank here. we're a long way from even being close to a "pearson" team, in terms of personnel. but my word what a change. the shower of shit we put up with last year, to now, is a massive, massive improvement. the progress is astonshing - fitness; commitment; results. the home win will come. i think we have the right man....we should ALREADY be planning his successor...

and TBF is header isn't that bad either ?

Wow, Norwich were in Europe...i hadded to check that...

I sense we'll get battered in this game, and emerge 1-0 winners - Andreas Wineman with the goal on 3 minutes.

sick note...

What’s not to like about OTIB? Last week “where are all the goals coming from” This week “I predict we will win 2-0 or 3-0” LMFAO. Tense 1-0 thriller…

Just like that. Simple. Inflicted the biggest defeat on Exeter at home in FOUR years. That’s like BCFC getting promoted and in the second season beating Liverpool at Anfield 4-0. :laugh:.

Just how, exactly do you think men's football improved? Back in the days of the amateur, it was rubbish. The pitches were mud baths. They had 9 forwards. And basically shoved the keeper across the line when he caught the ball near the goals. Then came the professional era, money, coaching, tactics and now we've got grass measurement, drones and all sorts of stuff to deliver the "fine margins" for victory. This has taken DECADES. Yes, women's football doesn't have the physicality of men's football nor the speed. But the games I've watched there's skill on show and they love the game. Women's football is a relatively new game, it will take investment to improve it. And as a father of two girls i'd love them to play at any level.

Jeez, what decade are you living in?

Forest will be a top team in this league.