bcfcnick

He quite rightly rejected the Club suggestion that resting a small squad in international breaks was the cause of injuries. But I think the Club primarily wanted to remove NP due to his health issues and, who knows, Curtis defending his colleagues won't be a factor against him. Unlikely, I know. I wonder if Radio Bristol and James Piercy will do a precis of the censored bit. It just makes the Club look even more amateur/North Korean.

I think it's more likely that Tinnion wouldn't entertain it than Curtis turning it down. In the interview, he did say managing/being a head coach is something he would like to do. He's been brave enough to be as impressively honest as he was but if he was offered the opportunity I think NP would give his blessing and probably watch with wry amusement As I mentioned, unlikely in the extreme but it's my preference and I could see it being successful.

I know, I think there is more chance of Anne Widdicombe being appointed but I think he'd probably make a success of it.

The Club can't turn the clock back but in my view (most will disagree) the pragmatic thing would be to give Curtis Fleming the job until the end of the season unless the next two games suggest otherwise. It's not going to happen but a lot of coaching is about communication and motivation and he has those skills in abundance. The Club can reevaluate at the end of the season. He strikes me as infinitely smarter than Dean Holden and whoever comes in now will have to work with the current crop of players. Also, Tinnion will be doing the recruitment in January. Fleming comes across as a passionate man but someone who can form good relations with anyone in a positive way. No doubt Tinnion won't want any connections with NP hanging around so it's unlikely in the extreme if he is the ultimate decision-maker. Curtis just comes across as an impressive man in press conferences and for the things he does outside of football. It could just give a twist in the tale from a poor decision horror story to an uplifting next chapter if he is given a chance and makes a success of it. https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/23671221.middlesbrough-legend-curtis-fleming-work-combatting-racism/

It's interesting how the odds get so short on relatively little money for those who aren't even under consideration. I'm considering putting a tenner on Delia Smith to see if she gets in the betting odds. Mind you, I think I'd have preferred her rather than Frank Lampard with her half-time motivational skills.

I like Fleming and, more importantly, the players appear to. So, unlikely as it is, I hope he stays on in a coaching capacity (not head coach) and gives some continuity with the players. It will be interesting to see if there are any changes to personnel (not that there is much scope) aside from those expected back and, also, any formation changes.

It's supposedly 150 and in the top 0.5% with Einstein coming in at 160

One of the biggest fallacies is that a great player makes a great coach. I suspect SL holds that belief hence the flirtation with Gerrard and he likes a name regardless of quality - David James being the obvious one when he was past it. Some of the best football coaches are those who retired young and took their coaching badges early - McKenna being a prime example. This generally applies to all sports although tennis with the likes of Lendl provides an exception for various reasons as the coaches are primarily focusing on mindset and small tweaks for the grand slams as the players will have their technique honed already. There was always this thing about Frank Lampard having a colossally high Einstein-esque IQ and perhaps he has, but it just doesn't transfer to football coaching skills. If SL and co are intent on going down the head coach route then they just need to pick an inspiring young coach in the McKenna mould. If they want slightly proven then the likes of John Mousinho should be a target but then again he'd need a lot of persuading to move from Portsmouth.

A list of assistant managers from the Premier League with some interesting names and potential candidates (Pep Lijnders etc.) It worked for Ipswich of course but it wouldn't be the cheap option or easy to lure anyone. https://www.football365.com/news/premier-league-assistant-managers-leicester-man-utd-lijnders

Yes, I remember that and I think he also added "It's a strange Club in many ways." What I liked is that he changed his references from "this Club" to "we" and "us' in recent times meaning he had addressed the issues with Club spirit, team (in the broadest sense on and off the pitch) togetherness and other values such as working hard that go with his management. As he changed things I am sure he felt an increasing affinity with the Club and brought fans along with him. He certainly wasn't an egotist and I note in his statement he was dismissive of pecking orders and referenced the 'Bristol City family'. In the absence of any owner or CEO communication, he made fans still feel connected. I think Tinnion and the owners will want a pliable coach rather than one who is his "own man." I hope I am wrong as that's a sure recipe for an uninspiring appointment.

I suspect the detail in this story may have influenced the lack of extension to Pearson's contract. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-nigel-pearson-health-8849140 If it is, I strongly disagree because firstly, Nigel has done a brilliant job; transforming the culture, reducing the wage bill substantially yet improving the style of football (when injuries allow), and he has brought the best out of young players of which two (Semenyo and Scott) have brought in £30m for the Club. The recruitment has been pretty astute as well given the wage constraints. He's put a lot of emphasis on character as well as age and ability with the result that we have a committed squad and the same togetherness and culture that he developed at Leicester. He gets plaudits from most former players he's managed and many believe he built the foundations for Leicester's success. He is clearly committed and wants to finish the job he has started. We are lucky to have him and it's a mystery why SL doesn't appreciate this. There is no indication he can't continue to do his job effectively despite his back/neurological issue and as he says himself, his style is leading via observation rather than that of a hands-on coach. It's also a health issue that is hopefully going to be resolved. It would leave a sour taste both with Nigel and the fans if the issue was left until he has recovered. He's a leader, respected by the players, an authoritative figurehead and pretty much the sole spokesman for the Club including a few issues that SL and JL should take responsibility for. Football and businessmen can be ruthless but SL needs to recognise the fantastic job Nigel has done and do the decent thing that also happens to be in the best interests of the Club.

I see Kal being a successful manager in the future with his teams mirroring his personality and playing confident, attacking football. There are a couple more seasons in him as a player first though. I don't doubt that Luton going up to the Premiership adds an extra motivation for him to do likewise here.

Spot on, but I don't think that was Keef's reasoning. Nice guy but not the brightest spark.

Good luck to Keith, an amiable man and decent coach but I don't think he is a natural manager. Always mystified me when he was doing the support pundit on Radio Bristol when we played Crystal Palace and he repeatedly called us "Bristol.' I doubt he was trying to cause deliberate offence but it just seemed weird given the number of years he was here.

Two world class finishes by Tommy. I wouldn't start him against Leeds simply because he's just come back from a long injury and we can't afford to lose him. Bring him on fresh early in the second half against tiring defenders. I bet on him to be the highest scorer in the Championship before his injury and I still wouldn't count him out.

I'm reasonably content with the policy as I love the current set-up with academy players being given a chance. What grates , however, is the lack of praise (and contract for Nigel Pearson and his team and the absence of any willingness to communicate with fans. They have done a fantastic job against the odds. The absence of praise is beyond poor. Of course, I'd like to see City in the Premiership but progression in the Championship with committed developing young players from the lower leagues and our academy players getting a chance is also very satisfying to see especially with the style of football Pearson is implementing. One caveat being is that I would have liked a striker brought in given Wells is the only option right now. It's Pearson and his team who have put the Club on the path of relative success and enhanced the values of players despite a significantly reduced budget. Their efforts have brought in significant transfer fees by nurturing young players and giving them opportunities. The staff brought the best out of Alex Scott, Semenyo, Conway, Pring, Bell and Vyner and only that success has allowed Steve Lansdown to cut the budget. Pearson is continuing that approach with Yeboah getting some opportunities. It's hard to fathom why SL can't bring himself to acknowledge and appreciate that. It's not just good fortune either, Pearson has got the set-up right so the youngsters with the potential to step up train with the first team. Not only that, but the recruitment has been exceptionally good with the likes of Knight, Sykes, Atkinson all being astute signings from the lower league at a relatively low cost and wages. The achievements of the management team shouldn't be underestimated and they aren't by the fan base. It's poor of Steve Lansdown not to acknowledge that and brainless not to offer an extended contract. It's also noteworthy that Steve Lansdown has done no interviews within the Club media or even with the external Bristol media. He did give an interview to a Guernsey paper but that almost rubs in his disconnect with the fans. Despite others saying he is not good with the media I think that wasn't necessarily true in the past aside from the occasional unnecessary or clumsy dig at fans. I think generally there was a lot of goodwill and appreciation towards him despite some odd managerial appointment mistakes. Investment in the stadium, the training ground and sustaining the Club for many years is something he should be applauded for. It's a pity he has gone down a route (with his attitude to Pearson, appointing his son to an unsuited role and generally distancing himself from the fans) that has already lost some goodwill. It's all reversible of course and if we are in touching place of the play-offs and he offers Nigel a new contract and increased budget then all will be well. Football is fickle like that. For now, I'd be more than happy with contract extensions for Bell and Conway then see where we are in January.

And you're spot on he doesn't like loans and made a point in the press conference this week of saying he liked the Taylor Gardener-Hickman loan as there is the option to buy.

Sykes has an Irish feistiness to him and that's a good thing. He affects the game and adds a goal threat too. Naismith at centre back is like having an extra creative midfielder in the side. Yes, he might make fans' hearts skip a beat every now and then but he has confidence and ability and it's not a coincidence we play more cohesively when he is in the side.

Both Nigel and SL are singing from the same hymn sheet and these public utterances will be for a different audience than the fans. If they both said that now we are loaded with the £25m and plan to splash the cash then it wouldn't help negotiations for targets. We already know that the Club are targeting at least one midfielder (possibly two) and I'd be surprised if a goalkeeper wasn't recruited too in this window if one that fits the criteria becomes available. The 'spin' isn't completely inaccurate because there is a salary cap and a profile of going for lower league players who may be in the age bracket and have the ability to step up so salaries and transfer fees are not going to be extravagant. NP has signed up to that approach in addition to bringing on academy players and has implemented it brilliantly as well. He also kept on message about the £25m or more fee. So I don't see any big issue here although I wish SL would give a bit of praise to Pearson once in a while. SL is loyal to managers (and has been to NP in difficult times) but he and Jon Lansdown do always trot out the under-achieving line. Pearson is building rock-solid foundations and paving the way for future success just as he did at Leicester. Semenyo and Scott flourished under Nigel which has enabled the Club to climb out of a financial hole. A little appreciation of that and other transformations within the Club from Steve Lansdown wouldn't go amiss nor would an extended contract offer either.

Great win and a battling performance. A new improved contract to get Zak to extend would be one of the best uses of some of the transfer cash.

You can't keep a player who no doubt wants and has the talent to play in the Premiership. More so with a contract that means the £25m is optimum. Given the lack of competition for his signature the Club have done really well and I have little doubt the likes of Brian Tinnion have targets for a goalkeeper, striker (now Conway is injured) and possibly a goal-scoring midfielder. Due to the academy prospects and the likes of Pring being able to step into left centre-back very capably (as can Naismith) with Roberts playing full-back then I don't see the need for a centre-back given the relatively short-time before Atkinson comes back. With all the success in the Academy and no doubt more to come, I'd like to see the best academy prospects given four-year contracts with an additional one-year option. Some won't be a success of course but it makes sense to protect the Club from losing potential future multi million valued players without too much outlay.

KIng - going to be a top quality coach and is terrific with the younger players but no longer a player who will get us into the top 6 James - of an age where going through a season playing twice a week isn't realistic Knight - great acquisition and a regular starter Naismith when fit - says it all Benaurous - he has to be very carefully nurtured back for his won benefit. He's got flair, potential and could be another star for us but just got to be careful this season Williams - not a two games a week player but useful part of the squad with a lively personality and good performer on his day So I'd suggest the acquisition of one more player. Won't be many Scott's hidden away but I'd like to see City take a chance on a young flair player. We've been smart both in the transfer market with recruiting young players and developing our own academy players (big plaudits to both Tinnion and Pearson for that) and I have confidence they might pick up another gem with just a bit of the money coming from Alex Scott's inevitable move. For sure the Club will have targets lined up.

Sorry, just a dummy run of my Alex Scott post for a week or so. Good luck to Joe, he must have something to be selected for the Welsh squad and it's just a pity that his time in a City shirt will be remembered for a slower turn than an oil tanker with engine difficulties.

Good luck, I don't think we'll see someone with his pedigree grace the field in a City shirt anytime soon.

Condolences to his family and friends. Earned an England under-23 cap and was a terrific player and I have fond memories of watching him in my childhood years.