Supersonic Robin

Easy to say "Be careful what you wish for", but you've got to recognise that new ownership could go either way. Maybe we'd get new owners and "do a Reading". Maybe we'd get new owners and "do a Brighton". To me, it feels like we're rather stagnant under the Lansdowns, and we need to roll the dice and accept the risk of new ownership if we want to progress much further.

It's difficult with a player like Mehmeti. I suppose he's not necessarily a player who's in the team to always make the "easy pass", as at some point you need to a bit more than that if you want to create chances. That's something I really like about him - he's very happy to take on that responsibility. On multiple occassions tonight he received the ball in a tight space, beat a player, and drove us up the pitch. Naturally, that means he's prone to losing the ball more than the average player, but it's a consequence of what he's trying to do for us. I agree that his decision making could improve, but that will come with coaching and with experience. The technical ability is clearly there, so with the right coaching he'll be so difficult to play against at this level.

We were effectively in the 3-4-2-1 tonight, with Mehmeti (left) and TGH (right) in the "2" behind Conway. Think Manning likes this system and it makes some sense - probably the most effective way to get as many of our best players on the pitch as possible. I'm almost certain that Twine would play in one of those 2 roles, most likely on the left. Therefore, Mehmeti would be the obvious player to be replaced by Twine. Might feel a little harsh though, given Mehmeti's good performance tonight. Assume Knight will play on the right of that "2" if fully fit.

We can......but only against teams above us in the table who will want possession and will attack us. Weirdly, tonight's result isn't that shocking - another good result against a team above us in the table (or English football pyramid). It's when we win 3 in a row against teams 16th, 18th, and 22nd in the Championship that I'll be shocked

The distinction is that Alex Scott was our own player, so when he left in summer we received £25m to improve.

Sure, but those are some bloody big ifs for a team in 14th who haven't looked anywhere near being a promotion contender this season.......

I was thinking similar things actually. The best strategy from here is if Twine can use training sessions to show Manning he'll be world class for us, but then make a conscious effort to play absolutely f****** awfully for the rest of the season and drive his price as low as possible. We'll then pick him up permanently for £1m at the end of the season and Manning can tell him to start playing well again

It's not really progress if we're forced to give him back at the end of the season, is it? If Twine looks like a top Championship player over the next 6 months, we won't get to keep him. If Twine doesn't have an impact over the next 6 months, we won't want to keep him. So what position are we in come summer? The same position we're in now, minus whatever fees we've paid to take Twine on loan, and having invested a few months of development in someone else's player rather than one of our own players.

As others have said, if it's just a loan then it seems like a waste of time and money

Gutted to see Andi go. One of my favourite players in all my time watching Bristol City, and criminally underrated by many IMHO. As intelligent, disciplined, and hard-working a player as you will see, but with some real quality to support it too. 5.5 years of service. 50 league goals (including a few absolutely brilliant ones). Played almost every position on the pitch at some point. Club captain. Behaviours & attitude that embody everything you want from a player at your club. The word "legend" is often overused, but IMO Andi Weimann is as close to a club legend as anyone we've had in the last decade. Genuinely wish him all the best. Thank you, Andi.

Gutted to see this. One of my favourite players in all my time watching Bristol City, and criminally underrated by many IMHO. As intelligent, disciplined, and hard-working a player as you will see, but with some real quality to support it too. 5.5 years of service. 50 league goals (including a few absolutely brilliant ones). Played almost every position on the pitch at some point. Club captain. Behaviours & attitude that embody everything you want from a player at your club. The word "legend" is often overused, but IMO Andi Weimann is as close to a club legend as anyone we've had in the last decade. Genuinely wish him all the best. Thank you, Andi.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Sure, but firstly, what's the chance of them even finishing in the play-offs? There's a number of decent teams who will fancy their chances to finish in 6th ahead of Hull. Then even if they do make the play-offs, what's the chance of them actually winning it and being promoted? Currently looking like they'd be competing with WBA, and two of Ipswich, Southampton, and Leeds. You wouldn't put your money on Hull with those opponents. Can't help but feel that this seems like a very specultive punt on Hull's part.

The chance of that looks rather low though.

Hull's approach seems very strange. Huge dependency on loans and continuing to bring more in. Wonder how they'll go about replacing these players when they return to their parent clubs at the end of the season.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one then mate. Think that's a very unfair review, especially the idea that he can't cross the ball. I'm sure you'd be in a very small minority in thinking that Yeboah offers more than Mehmeti too. For me, Mehmeti offers more than many of our other wide options - most notably Bell & Cornick. He has a lot to improve on, but also clear ability and potential - I'd definitely stick with him.

Personally, don't agree. He's already proven that he's too good to be playing in League 1. He definitely has to improve his decision making, but in terms of pure technical ability it's clear that he's comfortably at a Championship level. Yeboah is miles behind Mehmeti.

Think that's harsh on Conway. He's avergaing a goal every 170 mins this season. Not bad at all, especially for a 21 year old striker. I reckon a number of other Championship teams would be perfectly happy to have him in their starting XI.

No, multiple good performances. Much more than can be said for Bell, who has barely had a positive or useful touch of the football for us in months. With Sykes injured, Mehmeti is currently the best option we have out wide - like it or loathe it. Yes, it's frustrating that he gives the ball away at times, but that's the nature of having a player of his style who tries to make things happen. If it came off every time he tried something, then he'd be playing for Real Madrid. The strange agenda that some of our fans appear to have against Mehmeti is frankly laughable.

I don't think so. Our performances & results againsts bottom half teams have been awful ever since Manning came in.

Personally, I'd rather start Weimann than Bell. This isn't about Pearson though, more that Mehmeti seems to get a disproportionate amount of criticism compared to other poorer performers. Anis has put in some very good performances since Manning has come in.

But he did play Bell, who has been significantly worse in recent weeks......

Our results against teams in the bottom half have been dreadful under Manning so far.

No, but he was clearly the main culprit.

Yes, noticed that at the time and thought "he got away with one there"