Floatn Over

A united fan base, “father figure” manager and overall ambition; in combination they can go a long way.

I was not anticipating the “one or two signings” comment, worrying that seemed to be casually dropped in without clarification. Also the Seb PH comment, really good if he can step up, would be great, hope it works, but it’s a big with respect to Newport level.

Apart from the word “fine” in the penultimate paragraph a very good post. The spade work was done by Nige.

BT’s influence on how/if we are able to release the purse strings in the summer worries me in that it will all be directed towards acquiring young players to develop. Max Bird might be able to step up but whilst the philosophy of acquiring from the likes of Aldershot and League of Ireland is good and needs to continue, surely it must not be applied fully. We need to bring in some Championship experience and I have no faith that BT will go down that route with part of the allegedly available nest egg. In his Radio B interview one of the statements was about the importance of getting a “big number 9” that is/may be right but (a) where is that player going to be recruited from and at what age and (b) little point if others to provide the service are not going to be brought in. Out of our reach wage wise for sure but someone like Chris Wood would perhaps do this club good but this level of experienced player would frighten the life out of BT and possibly LM also. BT confuses IMO the success of finding and developing young players (and selling some on) with the success of the club on the pitch in the present.

I spent a day recently working with someone who is a big Ipswich fan. A knowledgeable guy who knew his football and was very complimentary about us and that we really should be enjoying some success. In discussing Ipswich this season he puts it extensively down to solid driven motivation, everyone from the programme sellers, to the people selling pies and pints, ball boys, players, management team, directors and yes Mark Ashton and in turn supporters have developed a focused belief. The players are good but they’re not that good in his view. There is a buzz around Portman Rd describing it like church bells ringing. He expected this season to be one of consolidation but he’s enjoying every minute even finishing work early midweek to drive ridiculous mileage to away games he would have probably given a miss in the past. Thats the difference and what we do not have. We had it under GJ, getting to the playoff final. However……..he is worried that they’ve overspent with recruitment and the reinforcements they brought in taking into account wages etc, to an extent that they must now get to the prem’ or this will bite them firmly in the arse. Watching tonight’s game just brought this back to mind, so we either drift along or how do we get what they’ve got ?

Fully agree but also Points 2, 4 and an amended point 5 (to trust 2 and 4 to run the show without meddling) could be implemented on their own.

This club needs a traditional manager figurehead, it’s just more us. Nige was one, so was Alan Dicks, Garry J, Cotts. Let’s get back to that, not try to be revolutionary. Unlikely to come here but I’d go Heckinbottom with a proper CEO

Nige back would be lovely but can’t see it. I think Paul Heckinbottom as a manager would get better out of the current squad.

One would like to think as a business, keeping customers (us) happy would be paramount as once they’re gone there’s a strong chance they won’t come back, and seeing numerous posts on this forum still going strong late into the evening after today’s performance should be alarming. Its the arrogance of this club now that’s really getting to me (I’ve been attending since 1959) There is an increasing trend that our views do not matter, we’re being told what to think, they (we all know which two) know best on literally everything, we’re wrong as its all going to plan (yeh right), give it time, wait until the summer window and we’ll bring in a “big number 9” and even something like the “front foot attacking football” put out as some sort of softener to disposing of Nige does not get delivered, we even bring in a coach who does not play that style ! There is lots of lively good debate on this forum but what’s clear is the fanbase cares about this club and collectively we understand more than we’re given credit for, like the current set up not being a good fit. Do not lose the fanbase, get us back on side.

What a ridiculous comment from IG. So he’s saying this is it now for 3 years. Sunderland with Beale. Sunderland with LJ. Southampton with Jones. Let’s not forget Watford.

I think he’s worse than LJ for throwing players under the bus and that’s going some. Just rank bad man management. Slam the dressing room door and do the shouting and pointing at players in there (Warnock style) if he feels players are not responding, not in a press interview, then come out and take the responsibility. Comes across far too superior and shows no anger after losing a derby in that style, imagine a Cotts interview after that today. Shocking PR Also be nice to hear from BT for once, all very quiet now.

I’m pinning some hope that now LM has firmly hung up his hat in BS3, from his career viewpoint he needs to achieve something here. Get us playing like v Southampton after recruiting in the summer but consistently then he and the club will be on the up. Anything else will not help his CV

Just watching MOTD, some shots might actually help.

Paragraph 3……hits nail on head.

I share your thoughts entirely, just seeing us and those shirts (shame we don’t have kit like that now) in the top flight was so special, a struggle for much of the time yes but still etched in my memory. I still cling to the slight hope it will happen but it needs a passionate management team (CEO, D of F, Ambassador, call them what you like) with that and BCFC as a belief and vision. This is not a knock at LM, the coaching side is a separate issue. The problem is, certain persons would need to hand over some controls and drive, so I’m not holding my breath on that.

This is the point I’m struggling with now that “the future” is back as the catchphrase and the narrative has been smoothly changed for us to lap up again. In 1976 I was there watching Clive Whitehead’s goal deliver the prize. Different times of course but is repeating this really the aim or “rinse and repeat” and continually sell the gems to the likes of Bournemouth.

Far too much power IMO. Nige had probably worked him out and so the trap door was pulled. Notice how BT’s narrative has changed from needing to get better out of the current squad and front foot football now, to recruiting for the future. Of course the future has no expiry / judgement date. Really hope I’m proven wrong but I’m not convinced.

A trend that’s really annoying me is the regular “likes” and RT’s on X by BT of anything related to Bournemouth and our former players. Yes, good luck to them of course but it’s water under the bridge now. Different times and a long way back of course but if we had sold Gow, Merrick, Tainton and Tom Ritchie to the Bournemouth equivalent of that time we would not have made it then to the top flight.

No club calendar this year ? In a Bristol Calendar Club store today, I could buy Gas, all the major club ones including some Scottish ones, Wolves displayed prominently on the front row plus Luton as I recall. The sales assistant was quite bemused when saying “they’re not doing one”. Quite embarrassing. Perhaps they were printed but had Nige on the front

It would take some organising but venting the frustration and anger right up to the team and LM coming out of the tunnel then switch to instant positive vocal support to half time, revert to the former during half time (it’ll be heard from the boxes for sure) then positivity through the second half. My big worry is negativity in game will be turned back on the fanbase, they’ll blame us but not themselves if it goes wrong but let’s not allow that to happen.

Changing style mid-season is a big gamble. That surely is for a summer and full pre-season. If it works with consistent wins coming soon then all fine, as said elsewhere wins cure most things. If it does not, prepare for the hierarchy to point fingers at it being the fault of the fanbase. Sign and/or loan in the quality in January to capitalise on what LM is seemingly attempting and perhaps, but we all know that’s unlikely to happen as it does not fit with financial sustainability. I’m worried.

But but…..that’s what a certain Technical Director said was missing, Front Foot I recall mentioned.

I’m still very down about Nige going out the door but we need to support LM and the team. If we don’t the “circus” will rapidly point fingers from on high at the fanbase “you are not giving him a chance” etc etc, at the first opportunity will be the cover. IMO we need to be careful now as a fanbase. This has to work, I really hope it does, they have gone to great lengths to say it will, hopefully we have good times ahead but let’s not make anything less our fault.

The compo ££££ will be significant surely so for that alone cannot see it. Also wanting to jump ship after 8 months, highly concerning.

Now there is a name we’ve not considered. Seriously though this whole situation is all getting so farcical, amateur and embarrassing. Just appoint a Manager who knows the game and shape this club into where it wants allegedly to be….oh wait we had one of those a few days ago.