Better Red

The ‘truth’ is the public are just not as interested as the press would want everyone to believe.

Its a massive opportunity for the press media to push the look at us we are equal in how we represent to women. Again that is ok it’s a new sport and needs pushing and they are doing a good job.

I have not seen a flag on a car or any flags on houses etc. No one wearing shirts etc.. 

Pubs, supermarkets etc will not generate 5% of what the men getting to a WC final.But that is OK it’s a different sport at the moment.

Will it get to the same level as the mens game - No I don’t think so but again that’s ok.

The question is if winning the World Cup can’t grab the public imagination nothing will. Again that’s ok.

At some point everyone just needs to except it’s always going to be second behind the mens game. Again it’s no surprise to anyone that’s the case.

The financial returns will always be different again that’s Ok it’s market forces it’s not about equality.

Its good for ‘Football’ overall that the womens game is developing.

Lets have equality at every opportunity but also we have to temper that with market forces. 

7 minutes ago, Harry said:

In terms of general recruitment, I was thinking earlier this evening about our recruitment of strikers. 
I’m talking actual strikers here, not players who play on the wing but make up a front 3. 
Here’s the list of ins and outs (first team players only) in the last 6 seasons :

2018/19 In None. Out Reid. 
2019/20 In Wells. 
2020/21 In Martin. Out Taylor. 
2021/22 In None. Out Diedhiou. 
2022/23 In Cornick. Out Semenyo & Martin. 
2023/24 to date In None. 
 

So, in the last 5 (now into 6th) seasons we’ve signed 3 strikers, aged 28, 30 & 34. 
 

Yes, we have Conway and Bell who have come through. Arguably Bell isn’t an out and out ‘striker’ and is more of that wide man in a front 3 type. 
 

But I certainly think the recruitment of strikers over the last few years has been left wanting. 

Great post.

Also not really sure Cornick is a Striker really so that makes it look even worse.

Most clubs would have at least 5 in that period.

We have had Martin and Wells.

Its because largely are scouting in shit.

Brownhill, Webster in recent times you could say have been scouted and  been players we have sold on to better things 

and not much else if the truth be known.

Are net loss on signings outside those 2 over the past few years must be nothing short of a disaster. I would guess close to £30/35m + in signings out with no return. 

27 minutes ago, tin said:

Read my post again: I clearly referred to transfer fees only (not signing-on fees etc) and in the calendar year (2023), as that is when Semenyo and Scott were sold.

@Fubermade the point originally, so you might want to check where he got his figures, but by my reckoning he ain’t far wrong — Mehmeti (£1m), Cornick (£300k), McCrorie (£2m), Dickie (£600k), Roberts (free), Knight (£2m) — so an estimated total £5.9m. 

Whether it’s £5m or £6m spent is neither here nor there; my point was it’s still bugger all of the transfer fees we’ve received this year and more funds (either wages or transfer fees) should be available after Scott’s sale IMO.

Naismith as well add another 500/600k

Thats getting closer to £7m plus signing on fees and like I say we have pretty much done the Seymenyo money.

Club will bank circa £10m min from Scott to balance books.

Plus BM will have paid say £15m upfront.

That leaves maybe a few million max to reinvest if Nige is lucky.

11 minutes ago, tin said:

It’s pretty clear we are recruiting players who a) have potential and we can develop to sell on for a profit, and b) will fit into our strict wage structure. That limits who we can realistically target  and clips the wings of the recruitment team IMO.

Generally, we’ve done that pretty well. As someone else said, Nige has generated £35m in transfer fees in 2023 and spent about £5m so I’m not sure that’s a fair stick to bash the recruitment team with. But I share the frustrations that we should be aiming higher, and that’s down to SL loosening the purse strings. 

£5m ? Nearer £10m with signing on fees etc… 

We have spent all the Seymenyo money already

I thought the game was fairly even.

They had a bit more threat upfront and more shots on goal.

Bell through the middle is actually mental.

How anybody thinks that could work does not know football -Sorry Nige

Cornick is never worth a start. Not sure what he actually is and I don’t think he knows. I would off load as a make in a deal for a Striker if possible.

Today could be a good result if it brings a sense to the men upstairs.

We need desperately someone with more physicality upfront who will make the oppositions CB work and think about what they need to do.

No disrespect to Sam but they must have laughed when they saw he was playing through the middle.

Creativity is a problem but that is a ‘special’ type of player that is not easy to find or recruit.  

But we do need something that means James and Williams don’t play together as to much of the same.

I actually thought Knight was ok and not as bad as some have said.

One or 2 players in could make a massive difference to this season.

We are short Keeper and possibly a CB.

If Dickie got injured I think we are light.

Same for Max. Could just loan a keeper if he thinks max is good enough (I not as convinced)

All other positions we have a fair bit of cover.

We have at least 3 if not 4 plus Conway who could play through the middle up front - we won’t get another Striker.

Midfield we have at least 5 who could play in the middle three.

Squad depth is the best we ever had. Maybe not the best 11 but the best squad for a very long time.

They have been planning for Scott leaving and ‘paying transfer fees’ 

Despite the rumours I think we are pretty much done maybe 1 or 2 at best.

Another midfielder would be good if they play in the 1st 11 rather than one for the future.

Just now, Alex_BCFC said:

When is draw for next round 

Tonight after the game

1 minute ago, Cov 77 said:

Conway out for five months with a hamstring? 

Up to 12 weeks 

1 - 0 Cornick

Just now, redkev said:

I know his wages will be a massive step up from us but don’t get this Bournemouth thing 

12,000 max home gates , pretty poor away support , no real football vibe in Bournemouth it all feels a bit safe to me 

I said the same with Antoine & Kelly ,  think he could have done better myself and the other 2 , still prem I suppose though .

Even if averaged £40k a week for 4 years plus a few bonuses is circa £10m before tax…..

Scott £20m+ 

The fee has been agreed.

Medical now at Bournemouth.

We are there feeder club….

We should name rename one the stands after Bournemouth.

I make that circa £50m+ in last few years.

All it with out a penny sell on to any other club.
 

That’s just one club…

Let’s hope NP can reinvest at least £5m of that.

We lack a player(without Scott) in the middle who can pick the ball up deep and run with the ball.

Maybe Mehmeti could do that role. Has the pace ability on the ball - but can he find that pass at the right time and do the hard track back? Will need coaching.

We def need someone to feel that gap with it without Scott - if he is injured needs a rest we will struggle unless we find someone to fill that role.
 

Hoping for a good season.

Quietly optimistic we can challenge for 6 place.

Squad looks pretty strong and lots of competition.

Players Key to success this year

Conway - Will he get 20+

Max - Will he be 1st GK by Jan

Dickie - Stay fit & back to best

Mehmeti - Does he deliver on the promise (gives us X factor)

Knight - Will he give us that extra we need in midfield

Also Scott if he stays.

COYR

On 03/08/2023 at 19:07, Agard Days Night said:

Goes to show it’s not that easy!

The kits all look very good

I like the New Balance and Nike combo’s the best.

I would buy both away kits. 

They make look both kits we have at the moment look embarrassing.

Send those to the club.

They should just give you the job to design them and then they could be put to a vote.

WOW Bakinson in the Weds team.

They must be in trouble if he is the team.

Its like playing with 10 men with him in their side.

Saints could get 4 or 5

Laziest  player I have ever seen play for city was a disgrace. 
 

How on earth is in the starting 11 for them

West Ham won’t pay £25m for Ward Prowse. 
 

I think can rule them out for Pring.
 

They would be offering circa £3m - £5m at best based on that.

I am sure we would value him at circa £10m 

Never going to happen

Just now, Better Red said:

West Ham won’t pay £25m for Ward Prowse. 
 

I think can rule them out for Pring.
 

They would be offering circa £3m - £5m at best based on that.

I am sure we would value him at circa £10m 

Never going to happen

Should be in Pring Chat

5 hours ago, Cityboy1954 said:

If he overcomes those injuries hes quality .

It’s a bit early to say that.

We have barley seem him play.

He looked ok but in fairness to him he was very young. Played a few games and was sub a few times.

I am not saying he won’t make be a good player and hope he does

Just not sure we can really say either way at this stage.

1 hour ago, Gratz260689 said:

Premier league player in waiting, probably the second most talented player in our squad apart from Scott!! 

Conway miles in front of him

Pring  also better

For that matter most of the rest of the squad…

7 minutes ago, redkev said:

Have to disagree with you Dave I personally thought his performances were poor , every body still talking about the one game he played well , Preston away last season , says it all really 

4 Years.

Goals -  0  Assists - 2

Says it all - did not really impact to many games.

We all wanted him to be a successful.

He got plenty of chances.

Ran around a lot.

Simply not good enough.

Over rated because was young and French.

Massive waste of Money - Thanks LJ and MA.

Expensive gamble and looked a huge risk and it was…

3 hours ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Naismith has been picked every time he's been available. Sykes also. Don't see that changing this season. Can't see Atkinson being left out once he's recovered either. 

Left Atkinson out as injured.

Sykes is a fair shout to start but could play Cornick or Weiman  there.

Not so sure about Naismith I think James is he’s go to man with Scott.

I think he may want to bring someone in to play there with James.

Players who will likely start if fit.

4 places up for grabs and we have a lot of competition for those places.

Just 1 x Midfield & GK are light.

Up front we have 7 for 3 places so possible 1 to many unless 1 is seen as a Scott replacement.

                       MOL

 McCorrie Vyner Dickie   Pring

             James              ?
                     Scott

     ?             Conway            ?

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

It’s because your definition is firstly “your own definition” that moves in its definition to suit your opinion.  It’s more the arrogance and changing nature that annoys posters on here

- can’t score goals

- doesn’t score enough goals

- needs to get 10

- needs to get 10 league goals

What is the next milestone he has to hit?

His goals per minute over the last two seasons playing central with City are at a level that most people would recognise as being pretty decent for a “centre-forward” / “striker”.

Ive not included his international goal, but 17 goals in less than 4000 minutes, let alone all the other stuff he does as a striker in his all-round game, plus a £10m transfer to a higher league probably means a people think he’s a decent “striker”.

And not ever, ever, ever, getting 10 PL goals in a season, is irrelevant…the comments were made on the basis of Antoine as a Championship player, just beginning to break through as a central striker.

Lots of its and buts.

As for changing mind I have been very clear from the off set.

When he gets 10 goals (league) in a season I will except ‘I am wrong’ How can is say fairer than that.

10 is the minimum a Striker needs to get to be able to take on the mantel as a Striker. 

I don’t think he has enough composure in front of goal to be a ‘Striker’ (my opinion)

Conway on the other hand does and will make a career as a ‘Striker’.  I also think Bell is again better in front of goal but does not have the Strength at the moment to take on that central role as a Striker.

Seymenyo has other strengths - pace , power and when on top of his game is a massive handful and asset to the team.

Would I take him back - Yes

Would I play him through the middle - No

Why? because I don’t think he will score enough goals.

Simply he is better wide on the left.  In my opinion he will have a much more successful career in that position.

He is young and of course he can prove me wrong.

But for the moment I am not changing my opinion.

But equally I don’t expect you to either.

That’s the purpose of debate and a fundamental part of OTIB

If people did not keep bringing it up ( I have not ) then I would not keep having defending myself when others get personal or rude ( I note you don’t) but you do say ignore him ( that’s kind of the same) it’s instigating others and I would maybe think about that as I think it creates a bullying environment.

But again we have difficulty opinions that is ok.

1 hour ago, Dynamite Red said:

Stick him on ignore . Please don't derail the thread and give him attention.

Helpful

26 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Think there were plenty of rude, accusational posts initially.  

Wrong.

I just said he ain’t a Striker.

Only reason you posted above is because you disagree with my post.

Thats fine I don’t have a problem with that.

Find a post where I am name calling  or using rude derogatory words about others - It will be pretty difficult to find.

I will just thank people for their feedback when they do it to me.

But thank you for your feedback

12 hours ago, southvillekiddy said:

Lads, lads, lads, we can all get along. Why make enemies out of fellow City mad ****ers?

I never bring the post up.

I just respond

I never call anyone anything rude  in a post.

We all have different opinions and that is a big part of OTIB the debate.

Unfortunately a few on here don’t get that and result to name calling and abuse.