Waconda

5 minutes ago, harrys said:

Two perfect examples, 9 points off both of them now but the gap is far bigger than that as we all know, PNE were capable of doing the double over Bournemouth while we just downed tools twice, Swansea have had some great victories recently and were described as playing “champagne football” by the sky commentator last week, both these teams have bright new managers and also lost their best players in the summer to be replaced by free signings

Proving that it is possible to rebuild your squad AND be competitive at the same time.

Excuses will be found though however ludicrous.

On 04/04/2022 at 10:18, The Bard said:

Amazing.

I've been told that he's been offered a contract.

That's by someone who is normally reliable.

Well it might well be they are wrong this time.

Tanner constantly a yard too far away from his man, doesn't stop enough crosses in the first team and doing it here also.

James Morton the best player on the pitch by some stretch.

Decent pick up for someone of the Cheltenham, Swindon level.

10 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I guess this is why for quite a period back in the day when I was playing WL, there were no Cornish teams in the league.  The WL had become quite Bristol-heavy and their travel was too much and one by one, they’d started to drop out.

The recent league restructures won’t help Keynsham’s case.  I think Brislington were moaning about the make up of the opponents, and wanted to go into the Hellenic?  I might not be 100% correct in my facts, but it was something of the ilk.

It changed during my time.

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

Back pedal?  Still got me stabilisers on

So i hear….don’t blame him.  His dad didn’t have a great time there.

Didn't think of it at the time of hearing this but perhaps he sees an opportunity closer to home opening up in the near future ?

Not ITK but a terrifying prospect for some on here.

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

 

 

All very valid comments, some of which I agree with.

As I said, it just wouldn’t surprise me, he’s “very out there” in the media at the mo’, and I could see SL picking up on that.

Turned down the Peterborough job recently.

54 minutes ago, Dr Balls said:

Pat Nevin is always insightful.

I was at medical school with Chris Sutton’s brother. Chris Sutton is not an idiot, but at times he deliberately tries to be contrary just to get the debate going.

And Jonathan Pearce is the perfect foil for that, as he be also likes a good discussion.

Yep

5 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Not easy to articulate, just a combo of things that might all add up.

I think SL will react, they’ll have a disagreement and Nige will tell him some more home truths and tell him “I’m off, I don’t need this shit”.  He’ll leave honourably, with no pay off and enjoy his health.

And it would not surprise me if Lee Johnson takes us into next season.

Who have you been talking to ?

The best commentary duo IMO.

great analysis with comedy moments.

"Gallagher plays like Robbie Savage ....... but with talent". 

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

Yeah, doesn’t feel like blind panic when they had him “on trial” for 2/3 months before committing to 3 years.

the other way of looking at it is that it was actually Blind Panic hence the reluctance to commit long term straight away.

Fire fighter type appointment in their eyes ?

Just now, DaveF said:

Hes a bit of an odd choice for blind panic though? Comes with a reputation of being a very prickly character, you'd think blind panic we'd find ourselves someone who is more of a 'yes man' as not to rock the boat?

They just done the "Yes" man, pivoted to the other extreme maybe ?

Human nature perhaps.

14 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Yep, agree a good post.

I’m happy to stomach another season like this, many aren’t, as is our choice.  At the end of 22/23 we should no longer have any player here who isn’t wanted here. FFP won’t be an issue, and then we hopefully see the growth from the foundations laid.  It might happen next season, but we need to get this summer out of the way first, and see where we are.

But we can’t afford to go down.

If our board (I mean owner really) can’t stomach it or doesn’t like a bit of “feedback” from Pearson, they should act now, but I’d seriously question why they chose him in the first place?  Maybe the truth hurts?

I do feel like SL has lost his appetite anyway.  The sooner he finds new investors the better.

 

Footnote: I’m resigning myself to Pearson not being here in August

 I’d seriously question why they chose him in the first place?  

Blind panic would be my guess. 

I wasn't against his appointment at the time but have been extremely underwhelmed since.

Though to be fair we have not gone down.

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

He played as the focal point in his first season for the opening set of games when Diedhiou was suspended and scored 5 in 5 iirc.  Had Pato off of him first few then Taylor for a couple.

I think Weimann is best playing central, whether that’s as the main striker, a secondary striker, a no10 or an “eight”.  He’s been less effective playing wide in the main.  JonDolman (who seems to have left OTIB - hope you’re ok Jon is you’re having a peek? Would agree with me.

As do I.

Him and Semenyo would be my front two (when possible obviously)

2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

If only we’d taken Roofe from Oxford rather than O’Dowda

Strange one as I thought ODowda was a real good signing at the time and he has gone on to play Internationally fairly regularly.

Some coaches see a lot in him and he has been decent in flashes for us and I liked him at WB before the last injury but has to be let go in the Summer, could get better and more consistent for the same money probably ?

16 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

I’m not sure Weimann up front on his own has ever worked has it?  He’s scored a ton this season but not from that position 

In that game yesterday with the chances presented he would have done better IMO but obviously just guess work.

Fairly sure Rangers play with more than 1 up front versus the Pub Teams that make up the rest of this League.

Swap Weimann for Roofe and Rangers get something from that game.

These two  "flat track bullies" could be the type of clubs that are interested in Weimann, able to afford him and being of interest to him.

2 minutes ago, redsquirrel said:

i admit to not being up on the tactical side of things but i thought it was a better shout than AW when pearson did that, someone did it with korey smith a few years ago, memory not to good but think that went ok.  appreciate your point though  when we had already had JD over there with Pring on the left

Apologies but I was replying to the potential long term damage to the confidence of a very young player being put in such horrendous situation.

It was a needless thing for the manager to do.

This is what pre season friendlies are for.

53 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Yep.  I always quoted that LJ needed a “Lenny Lawrence” type person in between him and Ashton, a mentor there 24/7, not a Marwood / Dalglish distant “guide”.  As you say, someone to bounce off of, someone to squash the hair-brain ideas.

I think we will see some changes in staff in the summer.  Whether it gives us the right set up who knows?  I think Pearson likes to watch and evaluate, not knee-jerk into change.

 

Think you are right.

A defensive and set piece coach are a must.

5 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Not necessarily.  Depends on who you’re after.  Balogun allegedly cost Boro £1m loan fee and 15% of his £40k p.w wages for a 20/22 week loan in January.  It’s fair to deduce from our published accounts that Mawson and Sessegnon cost £750k in loan fees last season (don’t know the split), plus their wages.

Buying a player, and spreading the cost of the fee over the term of the contract can be cheaper, plus you have a player that can be sold too.

What we do need to be is smart with any player we recruit, whether loan or permanent signing.

 

Never been keen on loans, for every Fleck you get a Kent.

Needs to be a player who really wants to come on his own terms, not shunted here for experience. I think is the key.

Can be done but very detailed work needs to be done in recruitment now more than ever.

1 minute ago, redsquirrel said:

and why not?, the kid was playing really well at the time,no harm in trying him there to see if he could do it. its been a weird season and i think a lot of the inconsistencies  could be down to being comfortably placed in the table for the best part of it. not like every point was crucial if you understand what im  trying to say.(not very well i agree)

Don't disagree with most of this apart from -

no harm in trying him there to see if he could do it

1 minute ago, REDOXO said:

You give players games and experience. Pearson has a free hit to play young players for match day experience and try them outside of their comfort zone, much like LJ and Bobby Reid. You know that you’re a professional. 

Comedy gold.

4 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

If you seriously think that 11 gets us higher up the table then you're in need of psychiatric help. 

Or perhaps your amateur analysis is superior to the proven professionals we employ. Who knows.

Of course we're all frustrated by the season we've had, by the inconsistency, by the glacial pace of progress. But...

O'Leary? If the opposition get a decent shot on target, it goes in. Unlike if Bentley is in goal - to blame his distribution on the team's lack of fluidity in possession is nuts - what about the 10 outfield players??? The idea Kalas has the mobility to play how modern full backs are required to - up and down, up and down - is a nonsense. Never mind the fact, if he had played RB this season, it would have fatally weakened central defence as the options there would have been what exactly? No Baker, Atkinson unavaible for long periods, Klose only been here 5 minutes. Vyner???? The non centre back Pring??? You pick Klose and Atkinson when in fact they've only been available to Pearson in the last couple of weeks when - guess what - he's picked them! That naive midfield will get bullied, bossed and run all over the show. And with no-one up front who's any good at actually getting hold of the ball and keeping, those 3 players make a useless combination. Chris Martin is no-one's idea of Lionel Messi but his unfashionable strengths are the sort of glue that holds every team together.

Enjoy your Football Manager. 

Nigel Pearson lives in the real world.

Enjoy your Football Manager. 

Nigel Pearson lives in the real world.

Yet played a 19 year old centre forward at right back in a Championship game despite having other options available to him.

That "real world" you mean ?

2 hours ago, Davefevs said:

No, we’ve not been getting our share for much longer than the Preston game.

Do you have stats on how much we have the ball in the opposition penalty area compared to other teams ?

A "league table of penalty opportunities" if you will.

I don't see us doing a whole lot of dribbling inside or into the opposition penalty area but may be mistaken.

Time in control of the ball in the opposition area versus penalties given would be a great stat.

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

If I’m being honest, I’d rather have a fit King than James.  James has had a few good games, but I saw more from King in his small amount of minutes than James in terms of being a better fit for City.  Then again, James carried his foot injury for a while.  

James played injured for a fair while before he went on the injured list, officially. So credit there. needs to be a squad player next season if we are to improve IMO.

Would rather have Pack back for that position if we can make it work.