AshtonRobin21

I actually had this conversation with a colleague in work earlier this week. We were discussing where we currently are as a club, and what would happen if Nige were to leave/be sacked. We highlighted our own opinions as to who we would like to take over, and the many factors that would play a part in that appointment (finances being the main one). I would personally like to see us go down the route that MK Dons have gone, where a young manager with a clear style of play is appointed, with a recruitment policy in place. MK Dons have had an excellent season, and a large contributing factor is that they sign talented young players, whose contracts have expired and are signed for small compensation fees. Scott Twine being the stand out example. Kane Wilson (Forest Green - Right Back) would be an example of who would be available this upcoming summer window. Combined with this are players promoted from the academy, something we are well stocked with as the likes of Scott, Pring, Bell and Conway have shown. However, we agreed that this type of appointment is unlikely to happen under SL and JL's leadership. Instead they are likely to revert to Johnson as he is out of work, and we have been on the decline since he has left. NOW BY NO MEANS DO I WANT THAT TO HAPPEN!!... but it does seem like a decision Steve and Jon would be likely to make. Luton and Peterborough are examples of clubs that have reverted to previous managers that fit the ownerships wants/needs. Luton being the positive example, a hugely successful season, positive football that has been embedded over a number of seasons, and has seen them develop at a rapid rate. Peterborough being the other, and more likely mirroring where we currently are as a club. SL and JL have both proved over their tenure to enjoy 'comfort'. Minimal risk, and a manager who is aligned to their way of thinking, and likely to follow the way that they want the club to run. Now history shows during his previous tenure, that Johnson likes to spend excessive amounts of money. Was Mark Ashton a driving force in this? Was Johnson on board with all signings? (Chelsea loaners etc.). I would certainly be interested to see him work on minimal/no spend. Yet, during his time at Barnsley and Oldham, LJ developed a reputation for developing talent, and securing bargains that represented future value. There's no doubting that towards the end of his time with us, the football on show was utter dross. We were struggling to show any attacking intent, and the fighting spirit we once showed was gone. For years rumours have circulated that SL is not keen on signing former players. Albert Adomah, Cole Skuse, and many others have been rumoured to be close to re-signing for the club, but SL has reportedly blocked the moves. Would the same apply for a former manager? We know that the SL has spoken publicly of how well he gets on with Gary and Lee Johnson. I can't help but get the feeling that we will be seeing LJ return at some point in the future.

The Ihiekwe, Raggett, Moore type of defender is a must in my opinion this summer. We need warriors at the back, but who also have leadership qualities. My preference would be that our captain is an outfield player (not suggesting Bentley has done anything wrong). I would expect 2 free agent centre back's to arrive. I think it would be easy for people to see the negatives from Nige's comments, however sensible business is certainly possible to achieve this summer. I think Michael Smith could also arrive as an additional attacking option. Martin has been driven into the ground this season with the amount of minutes he has played. We simply don't have an alternative currently, whereas Smith would provide that competition.

I've mentioned this previously on the transfer forum, it is possible for us to have a successful transfer window this summer due to the sheer volume of free agents available. Right Back - Kane Wilson (Forest Green) Centre Back - Elliott Moore (Oxford) Centre Back 2 - Michael Ihiekwe (Rotherham) Defensive midfielder - Rinomhota (Reading) or Will Vaulks (Cardiff) Midfield cover - Marlon Pack (Cardiff) possible Andy King replacement. All are available as free agents in the summer. Kane Wilson would require compensation due to his age, however this would be a fairly low fee.

5 minutes of added time.... And not a single groan from a Barnsley fan.

We've all seen some bad performances over the years, but this really is as bad as it gets! This is against a team who have been in the relegation zone for almost all of the season. We can't even string a pass together. An utterly embarrassing performance.

I don't think Barnsley's defenders look all that comfortable when we attack with the ball on the ground. A switch of Wells for Martin might suit.

Get in there boys!!! A little bit of everything in that performance, heart, determination, going in hard to every challenge, and of course a bit of luck. The referee didn't really do either team any favours. But what a feeling, a late winner and a clean sheet. And finally an away win. Up the city!!

Wow that was not good viewing! A lot of poor performances tonight. Massengo's passing has been way off, Bell looks to be struggling up against Maatsen, and Martin is running into positions he shouldn't be. A stern teamtalk from Nige incoming. This game is crying out for Joe Williams.

Progression should be fairly clear for all to see.. - Attacking intent - Development of youth - Unity between Players, Staff and Fans - Playing with passion (most of the time) - Huge improvements from players such as Semenyo. Still a couple of areas to work on, defensive changes will be made in the summer. But Pearson is 100% the man to take us forward. If we can see an upturn in our away form, to match our home record, then we will be in for a much more exciting season next year. Players such as Weimann, Martin, Williams, James, King, Bentley, Klose and Kalas offer a strong experienced core to the squad, and all seem determined to play well for the manager. However, I have been most impressed with how Nige has got the likes of Semenyo, Scott, Massengo and Pring to settle in amongst the experience, and it is that blend that is making us exciting to watch once again.

Pearson only cleared out the players who were out of contract. However, that doesn't account for the other players who remained contracted for this season. If no club makes an approach for them, then he cannot just choose to "get rid". Our financial situation hasn't allowed him to make his own mark on this squad yet. And the rebuild is still in the early phases. Please tell me which of our players are desirable to other clubs, other than our promising youngsters that we need to build around. Kalas? - nobody is touching his wages in the current climate. Bentley - A good keeper, but would cost in the region of £3m-£4m. Most teams won't pay that for keeper in this league. He wouldn't be a first choice for a Prem team. As seen in the January window, teams won't pay money for the likes of Palmer, Wells and Dasilva who are on big money. So your statement about Pearson having already had his clearout is nonsense. He merely scratched the surface with last summer's business. It will take another 12-18 months for the overpaid dross to be shipped out. And the process will not be pretty. Many who were once signed for big fees, will leave on free transfers or for a minor fee. And only when this happens, will we begin to see a genuine rebuild begin to take shape. Strap in, because we are only in the early stages of a very long process. If you cannot understand and appreciate a manager who is trying his best with the tools at his disposal, then you don't deserve to celebrate the success when it eventually comes our way.

I can imagine the response... "Hi Slippin Cider, Nige here. Thanks for your message regarding sorting the defence out. Unfortunately the transfer window has actually just shut. However I don't have a quid to scratch my ass with anyway. May I suggest showing some patience, as I have previously stated that this is a 3 year process at the very minimum, and our financial situation may only extend the timeline. I wasn't blessed with the best squad at my disposal when taking the job, and can only work with what I have got. Cheers, Nige."

Unfortunately we are going to get these types of performances. However, one particularly disappointing aspect of today's game is the lack of leadership or encouragement amongst the players. Each time we have an attempt go wide, the heads go down. Even at 3-0 down, this is a young squad who shouldn't be discouraged from taking shots on goal.

Exactly, now would be the ideal time. His stock is only going to continue to grow. Even in the current circumstances, we could likely increase his salary to around £7k p/w, and additional departure would support that. Would certainly prefer that we secured his future long-term, as opposed to a new signing who would likely demand high wages.

I would be keen to avoid our past mistakes and try to tie him down for longer to keep the 'premier league vultures' away. Perfect time to secure him for longer whilst he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Wouldn't at all be surprised to see him back here if his contract expires. He's very settled living in the area and clearly still has fond memories of his time here. I noticed him smiling and talking to our fans each time he was drying the ball when taking a throw in. In turn one small group of fans responded by slapping his arse when he was beginning his run up.

Semenyo can be the player to highlight what Pearson is bringing to this team. A player being coached in the right way, and being allowed to express himself. That was some performance from him today! A new contract would be the icing on the cake.

I would imagine that it's more a case of he felt he could still play at a top level and the right deal didn't present itself. This has been the case with many 'free agents' recently. Other examples would include players such as Hal Robson-Kanu who is still available, which again I would guess is because they don't wish to take their final contract in a poor division. If Klose signs here, he has a good opportunity to play each week, in one of the most competitive divisions in world football. As @Kid in the Riot mentioned, Klose was hugely popular during his time at Norwich, and was apparently brilliant in the dressing room and with the fans. I have a Norwich supporting mate based in Bristol, who follows them up and down the country, home and away every week. He was very complimentary about Klose.

Maybe now people will start to realise that a striker is not the priority. It's sorting out this defence.

He's in the mood today. That's a fantastic individual goal. The ability to take the ball on the half way line and drive forward like that.

That's an incredible finish. Semenyo playing through the middle is a completely different player.

Some of these markets are laughable. Bet365 have Steven Sessegnon at better odds than Semenyo to 'score any time'

Skybet are offering a decent 5/1 'request-a-bet' City to score 1 goal & city to have 4+ corners.

I'd like to see either Scott or Benarous in that '10' role behind the strikers. I thought Benarous caused them real problems in the FA cup match last week. Kept them pegged back in their own half for most of the first half. We certainly need to match them up from an attacking perspective. We cannot afford to sit back and invite pressure, instead we need to show confidence when attacking, as we did last week. I saw that Owura has returned from his loan at Exeter. I wouldn't be entirely surprised to see him feature at RWB at some point during the remainder of the season, if he isn't loaned out again.

The referee should be charged for his performance!

Warburton has a tendancy to recruit players he has previously worked with. Signed a couple of his former Brentford players, whilst also being linked to Harlee Dean. Wouldn't surprise me to see him come after Nahki if they were to lose Dykes.