DaveInSA

It doesn't matter if its 2 or 3 up front IMHO. What matters, is you have players with the intellect and awareness to know when to be close together (in a 2) and when to spread the play (as in a 3). You also need to know when to drop off and when/where to run to create space. The past few years the movement from midfield and attack has been abysmal. And i'm expecting a radical improvement in ball retention from our own throw ins.

I’ll be there tomorrow. Looking forward to it. 3-1 city.

Which is surprising, because Jon is an expert in elite performance and injury recovery.

Tongue in cheek Fevs. Maybe we sold an additional curry goat last week. Clubs gets probably 20p. Which might buy us a second hand subbuteo forward.

The budget will have changed based on football making more.

I’m suffering from a severe case of cognitive dissonance. The board and technical director say we have a top 6 squad. They sack the previous manager because we were 8th. They also say that there is no money for players, that the wage bill is maxed out and that what football makes football spends. The new guy comes in and I’m expecting a magical turnaround, because we are told we have a top 6 squad and we want to play high intensity front foot football. The new guy should therefore be able to make a silk purse out of a sows ear. The evidence suggests however : that we are a mid table squad. With mid table results from the old and the new manager. We have a squad of committed players, who aren’t yet good enough to compete at the top end of this division. In addition we actually do have money to spend and might be in the market in January. Which is all very Bristol City. And I wouldn’t support anyone else.

Me neither. And I bet the Luton Town fans didn't see this last year too .

I just watched the highlights. Stuff to improve for sure. Something I picked up on was the Tanner error that led to their second goal. If he is positive and goes on the outside, it's not a problem - he's already beaten the man and he's away. Just a poor decision from him; when he's turned inside their lad easily can nick the ball.

Rods have been made for backs by the senior hierarchy at the club. What I would expect from today is a winning draw at the least. We have nothing to fear, anyone can beat anyone in the Championship. 1.5ppg over the next 13 games yields 20 points. Takes us to the end of January on 42 points. This is a slight improvement of NPs season to date figures. Can he do it - let's wait and see.

it isn't blue. its aqua.

yeah that's true. he got into great goalscoring positions, but you just knew he wasn't going to score.

I'll raise you a Liam Robinson

to be fair. he comes across pretty genuine. he's no charmer. he doesn't overly inspire. he's still very young - only 38. when i was 38, i would also have been genuine but dull, i'm still dull now. as you go on the journey of life, experience means you develop certain skills. and some don't ever develop at all. TBH, i'd rather he was a great coach, who delivers great results and progress. he doesn't need to be a great interviewee.

Missing the obligatory good to get the lads on the grass and implement the coaching from the classroom.

We’re not where we need to be. and Henderson. all you need to know. I place no emphasis on qualifiers anyway. The main thing is making it. Business end of tournaments is where you win or lose.

I thought this was interesting. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/nov/16/chaos-controlled-southgates-chance-to-transform-englands-midfield?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other Maybe the ball playing midfielders are actually here already? Or, more likely. The ball playing midfielders that Manning likes, may be easier to find than we thought?

Nais-myth

I met JP at a mate's house in South Africa during the world cup in 2010 - he was based in Cape Town at the time and wasn't scheduled to commentate, so had the afternoon off and came down to see my mate. I seem to recall we watched the England vs Germany game. Possibly the biggest disappointment of all time. and strangely he didn't commentate at all during the match A genuinely top bloke who knows loads about the game. He had a couple of beers was totally down to earth and was pleased to meet a fellow fan; albeit an exiled one.

This is well interesting I've always believed that formations are irrelevant in football - after all, the game isn't played rigidly with banks of players (3-5-2) like table football . I'm fascinated by tactics shifting to accommodate the players' strengths - if Manning can do this with BCFC, we will be in for a treat. I've often thought that we're too static, too predictable, too dull in possession (at least at AG) - part of the reason for not going that much anymore. It's so frustrating to watch and very easily countered by the opposition. If our players have the intellect, discipline and drive for a much more nuanced approach, then I am all for it. Especially if it clicks and the games become "fun" again.

@petehinton and @Davefevs I just wanted to say to you and the rest of the team behind the podcast - that it is really rather good. I like the balance. And listening to last nights the contributors seemed to suggest to me that although the way NP was fired and the fact that Manning is an "unknown" were balanced with the possible upside of "whatifs" FWIW, Manning has a big job on his hands. HIs appointment is a big risk. But like some pointed out - he has credentials way better than LJ and DH. I thought his press conference was well presented, there was no bull-sh!t bingo and he has bags of experience - albeit not at this level. I'll judge him on performances - if we keep up or improve the win ratio for season to date IMHO he will have done a good job.

I'm underwhelmed. Best of luck to Liam. Poisoned chalice though isn't it. I'm expecting a top 6 finish. I'm also expecting him to do this with no new players, as our squad is good enough. I'm also expecting him to be fired before his 3.5 year contract is over. And all of that is football under the Lansdowns.

Well the Lansdowns for a start. And according to some Tinnion too.

Which then goes totally against this EP article https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/lansdowns-put-faith-concept-bristol-8888252, which sketches out that the ENTIRE CLUB is structured around 4-3-3 (of course this article might also be wrong) I'm no technical or tactical wizard, but if Manning wants to change it to a 3 at the back then we're ripping it all up and starting again. Which would be actual peak Bristol City under Steve.

I'll be well amazed if Manning can achieve the bold bit where Pearson couldn't with the same players. I'm pretty certain Pearson wasn't asking the players to play in their own half and slow the game down.

So about 6 more hours of ridiculous conjecture; crazy arguments about 3 vs 4 at the back; and very little in the way of excitement.