Ashtongreight

1 hour ago, marcofisher said:

Problem is the board think they know better and decide to go away from a Cotterill/Pearson type (who do know better). This entails a change of play style that the squad is not equipped for, reinvestment is required (which the Lansdowns apparently don’t want to do anymore), and therefore it is set up to fail for the new coach, who is not equipped with the appropriate players to play the style of football he wants, or just as often in the last few years, is found to be no better tactically than the Manager types who instilled some structure. Plus in the case of LJ, no better at bringing players through the system than Pearson was.

I didn’t agree with Pearson going but I also don’t think Manning is a bad appointment on paper. The problem is that we spent 3 years under Pearson building in one direction, and just when he finished clearing the junk, raised some money through bringing through and developing Scott and Semenyo, and instilled some fortitude in the team, we decide to chop and change back to the Head Coach route again. Now we have to reinvest and clear the decks somewhat again to be able to give Manning the players he would need to play in the way he wants, and there is no guarantee that works with the limited Championship experience he has.

For all the noises about not wanting to continuously pump money into the club, it doesn’t really make sense to rip it all up and start again when you finally had some stability in the club. Are we going to go big in January/Summer to get the players in that suit Manning? Otherwise we will be stuck with a pretty poor cocktail of a group of players that suit playing one way and a manager that wants to play another.

We don’t want to pump money into the club non-stop so let’s keep ripping it up and starting again, you can’t really make it make sense can you?

Excellent post, spot on.

1 hour ago, Silvio Dante said:

1990s Deep Heat. Without a shadow. Even if your leg was falling off, a rub of cream into the hamstrings and you were good to go.

You know what, I think you’ve found the reason there are so many ACL injuries these days, I bet they don’t use deep heat!

4 hours ago, joe jordans teeth said:

He’s doing nothing wrong but the whole club needs a shakeup,like I said before it’s jobs for the boys,you get the feeling that any new manager coming in gets told he’s a bit of a city legend so you can’t get get rid of him 

Why would a new manager coming in want to change the kit man?, coaching staff makes sense, but kit man?, as others have said he’s a good influence on the players morale, provides continuity and works tirelessly in the community. What’s not to like. 

7 minutes ago, grifty said:

Nothing or no-one to criticise! I’ve said it’s unfortunate. If you can show where I’ve criticised the club on this please? You are the only poster who has at least entered a conversation about it rather than resorting to insults or anger so thank you!

One of the higher transfer fees we’ve paid for a player in the last few seasons in a position we arguably have been light in and he hasn’t played a minute for us. 

There isn’t anything anyone could have preempted? But have have had 0 return on our money (so far!).

if he’s just getting back on the grass with the physios now I guess it won’t be until the new year where he may be in contention for a subs appearance? Hopefully a few appearances towards the end of the season and a good pre-season and he’ll be first choice next year!

The amount we spent on him is kind of irrelevant because his injury couldn’t have been anticipated. The only time we’ll know if it was wasted money is when we see him play and can judge his quality, as that’s what the fee was based on. 

The only bright spark in an otherwise dull game, he was excellent, never a penalty and good to see it not affect his game. 

A mile offside, why does it take so long. 

Never a pen, thought the Maguire one was though, evened itself out I guess.

The international break will give him time to assess the squad and impress on them his ideas. In fairness to BT & JL that’s why they acted when they did, its no coincidence. However where it falls apart is the reason for getting rid of NP in the first place,  and the expectation therefore, that LM will have to do better to justify their decision to replace him. 

If we’re ever in a position where Vyner, Dickie and Atkinson are all fit, will we play 3 at the back? If not who is left out? 

3 hours ago, Port Said Red said:

What I do know is that Pearson told the players after Scott left that he was happy with the squad and that any noise from outside was just that.

Now that might have been done to give the players confidence of course, especially as some seemed to think we were almost a one man team.

In fairness he’s hardly going to say anything different to the players is he?,

I certainly was of the impression he wanted to use some of the Scott money on new recruits. His demeanour certainly suggested he wasn’t happy. Wasn’t that where the  “nest egg” quote originated?

2 hours ago, Port Said Red said:

In any walk of life the skill set required for someone to manage or lead a team is hugely different to those required to be a part of that team, luckily for me, as it kept me in work for 20 years training staff in the skills necessary to take those steps up the ladder.

I also spent the last dozen or so years training people to use Payroll and Finance software, two areas where I had little or no experience at all. But I knew what those people needed to know from talking to them and studying up in those fields. I had been trained to train people, which was my skill set and was confident that the techniques I had been shown allowed to me train almost anything, given enough preparation time.

So my question is, why didn’t you apply to take over from Nige?

19 minutes ago, BrizzleRed said:

When you look at it that way, what about Cott’s record in our double winning season?  Didn’t transfer to the Championship very well did it, though admittedly like Nige, he was hung out to dry by Guernsey.

Wishing LM all the best, but imho, it’s a hell of a punt and I really hope his skills at League 1 level are transferable to the Championship.  It proved too much for Cott’s so let’s hope LM has a bit more in the tank

It didn’t transfer well that’s for sure, as you said though he was hung out to dry, we’ll never know how it would’ve gone if instead he’d been backed in the way LJ was. 

3 hours ago, Tafkarmlf said:

 

If all the both of you want to do is look at perceived negatives then, sadly that's all you'll ever find 

And if you have an agenda, and ignore the facts, you’ll believe whatever you want to believe.

3 hours ago, Tafkarmlf said:

Well bully for you

It's not the teams it's the method and results

He's improved all of them 

JL promised we’d be excited by the appointment, I really don’t see how he could make that assumption, he really isn’t an exciting appointment, if you think he is, fair enough I’ve obviously got higher standards.

1 minute ago, Tafkarmlf said:

Exciting times

Liam's worked at Westham Redbull New York, managed Lommel , Oxford and MK Dons.

Plays high press, brings on youth players and has a very good win percentage.

Absolutely fits the description given last week.

Not seeing downsides 

I can hardly control my excitement. Look at the teams he’s worked for, very inspiring…not

1 minute ago, red panda said:

Even if they do that, there will the usual moaners asking why they didn't make the same money available to Nige!

It would be a valid point though. 

10 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Agreed but if the new manager doesn’t make top 6 they won’t be sacked is more the point I was, clumsily, trying to make 

But it will highlight these weren’t the real reasons Nige was sacked though. 

33 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

I think what's changed was that the succession plan that had been talked about when NP first got involved, changed on his side from "and then I will find you a new man" to "actually I think I would like to stay and see this through". 

My only evidence of that is memories of early interviews where he talked more like a external consultant than a permanent manager, that has changed radically this summer and this season.

I can see why, we have had many a player that has come to this part of the world and had to be crowbarred out again because it's such a "nice" environment in and out of the club, so why would that be any different for a Manager especially one who is getting towards the end of his career?

He has to my mind performed the radical overhaul of the backroom and "culture" that I hoped that Managers as far back as Gary Johnson would do, but I think that the skill set for that type of work is quite different from those needed working with the team on a day to day footing. 

He has said himself that he doesn't do much on that side, so maybe the club felt his work was done, he did what we needed and now it was time to move to the succession part of the plan that Nigel was supposed to do?

 

To not give him the chance after all the good work he’s done is a bit harsh. Whether it’s the right decision will depend on who succeeds him and how successful they are. 

1 hour ago, cidercity1987 said:

If its this guy I would be very confused as to why its not Williams instead.

Similar profile but the latter has total success for three years and knows the club compared to a guy who got sacked in the relegation zone 11 months ago

I’d be confused if it’s either 

1 hour ago, 1960maaan said:

That's what annoys me the most with Tinnions "tow the party line" video.

It was basically repeating everything Nige set up and aimed for. 

I'd be tempted to play Mehmeti , definitely worth a start and I was impressed with him at Cardiff. 
I do agree that Bell has been off lately, I like his pace and willingness to go outside the FB but a rest may help. 

Probably go.

            O'Leary

Tanner - Vyner - Dickie - Pring

                   James

              TGH - Knight
Sykes ------------------ Mehmeti

                 Conway 

This, with Naismith on the bench to swap with Vyner, but play LCB & swap Dickie to RCB, so Vyner & Naismith share the load first game back. Would stick with Mehmeti and bring Bell on as impact sub, along with Cornick

1 minute ago, Kid in the Riot said:

Certainly is the case. Absolutely no doubt. He has a season ticket down there now with his kid. I very much doubt he's still on the City payroll either, as he now works for the BBC.

Chris Honor still makes appearances in hospitality at City whilst working for the BBC, and was pretty critical of Nige's departure, btw.  Are they going to kick him out? Doubt it... 

As you rightly said earlier let’s see the full version before judging. Personally would have preferred to see a more experienced journalist like Twentyman interview him live though. 

I’ve a feeling this is going on for a while. We are going to have to go down the route of a young mid table League 1, league 2 coach who’s willing to have a go just to have the chance to prove themselves at championship level. Which begs the question, why get rid of a top quality championship level coach. 

16 minutes ago, JP Hampton said:

That story came from someone so someone is pointing the finger of blame tbf.
 Is there any proof players were rushed back? What evidence is there that that ever happened? Or that any player felt that

If Rennie had rigid time scales, most health professionals practice, is evidence based and with his vast experience that was no doubt backed up by that and not by some rigidity from self importance. 

I can’t think of any players coming back early and therefore causing reoccurring injury since he’s been here, my impression is the opposite, players return dates mostly seem to be later than first reported. Tommy seems the exception to the rule, but hasn’t had reoccurring injuries, just young and a fast healer. 

10 hours ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

I've been thinking all day about what I'd like to say to Nige if I could.

What I'd say to Nige is, firstly, I wish you well in sorting out your health issues. I hope a quick resolution can be found for you and that you are soon back to full health. 

Secondly I really hope that you continue to feel at home in Somerset. You are clearly very passionate about the area and I hope you will continue to enjoy it here.

I've never personally met you (unfortunately) but everyone that I know that has met you speaks extremely highly of you. 

For the first time in my time of being a City fan I genuinely felt as if under you, this club could go on to achieve things it has never achieved before and I'll forever wonder, what if? 

I feel like we were on the cusp of something special with you, despite the significant unnecessary restrictions put in place. 

Once again for the 1st time, I felt as if you had made us feel like a proper football club and not some billionaires sons toy. 

You have so much respect for the fans and the history of the club, one of the first things I remember you doing is encouraging the club to embrace its history because that history is the fabric of the club. One thing that sticks in my mind is that you were very passionate about the Ashton Gate 8 stuff and you spent time to understand the history of it all. 

Your very close friendship with Marina Dolman was lovely to see. 

You gave us a football team to be proud of. So many talented local lads came through under your guidance. I'm sure they will forever show gratitude towards you like so many of your previous players have done so. 

The pride I feel as a fan watching the likes of Bell, Conway, Pring etc pulling on that shirt is incredible. 

You created a squad mentality where the players gave it their all, despite whatever circumstance and as a fan, that's all I could ever want. 

I have friends that support other teams, they have ridiculed me over the past few months because I've described you as a legend to them. I don't care what they think, you saved this club from relegation and ffp sanctions and stopped us from being another Reading. 

You've put this club in a fantastic position to move forward. Unfortunately Lansdown is trying his hardest to undo all of that good work. 

But I have no doubt that without you, we'd now be in league one.

Thank you for everything you've done, Dave x

Really good post, my thoughts exactly, but much more eloquently put than I could have done.