headhunter

To see how bad we are run we need to compare our cost base with the likes of Blackburn, Coventry, Millwall and Luton. None of these have parachute payments and no one [?] to bail them out each year. How do they do it and maintain a position on a par with us?

It is down to Steve 100% as he took his eye off the ball. I'm no fan of LJ, for me its Ashton who's the villain. Young Jon just doesn't have the where with all to see through a snake like Ashton

Very windy day which City capitalised on in the 2nd half

"are Scott and Benerous even going to be here after the transfer window" was one of Gary Owers comments and asked to pick a side for Luton preferred Pring ahead of Atkinson on the left of a three. In the conversation with Latham he was far more candid in his opinions than when he was writing for the Evening Post

We've been busy on the FBC PODCAST getting the opinion of others more informed than our hyper-critical selves. Richard & Gary pull no punches with their assessment of the club's position: RICHARD LATHAM: https://foreverbristolcity.podbean.com/e/mid-season-review-with-richard-latham/ GARY OWERS: https://foreverbristolcity.podbean.com/e/mid-season-review-with-gary-owers/ Also on Spotify & Google Podcasts Merry Christmas everyone and thanks for all the helpful comments and shared opinions.

Just recorded one with Gary which will be up later today.

Glad you enjoyed the ones so far. Just uploaded one with Richard Latham - makes for a good listen IMHO!

In these latest episodes of the FBC Podcast DaveP speaks with Chris & Gregor who each give their typically candidate assessment of City's season so far, look forward to the new year and transfer window speculation. It's by no means all doom & gloom and Gregor didn't dismiss DaveP's fantasy transfer window signing! Chris: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-y55x4-115e5e3 Gregor: https://foreverbristolcity.podbean.com/e/half-season-review-with-gregor-macgregor/ Also available on Spotify & Google Podcasts

OK, so we won't be signing a striker in January who will challenge him?

Why the *uck was Martin on for 90 when fresh legs of Conway may have perked things up

Ian , Mark and DaveP are joined by Derby supporter Mike Stewart in discussing the 1-0 win vs. The Rams in this latest episode of the FBC Podcast On Saturday's EFL programme on Quest Colin Murray plagiarized what I had Tweeted 3 hours previously with my "Fortress Ashton Gate" comment as City extended their unbeaten home run to 4 and a first half pitch invasion by a Derby fan was reminiscent of Everton supporting Eddie Kavanagh doing something similar at the 1966 FA Cup Final although he was brought to ground better than our stewards attempts on Saturday!! Mike gives his insight on Derby's financial woes we makes for a good listen and even Ian comes across in a relatively joyous mood!! Listen here or on all the other platforms: https://foreverbristolcity.podbean.com/e/fortress-ashton-gate-and-who-was-eddie-kavanagh/

1976 - was there, stood quite close to it [the clock].

Listen Live: https://www.podbean.com/lsw/voj3TKjf6G?lsid=8G0kyt2NIOG [this link is only valid 4.00-5.15 PM today - recording on a new link later]. We knew Williams would be out but this was another performance that ranks amongst the worst we've seen from City since June 2020.. Ian, Mark & DaveP will discuss the match action and read out any comments you make on this thread. We hope Bakes is OK. Who would you have as a 33 year old striker: Eddie McGoldrick or Chris Martin. Didn't you just know Sharp would make it 4 in 5 against us after he came on!!!

Listen link: https://foreverbristolcity.podbean.com/e/some-improvement-a-c-performance/ also available on Spotify etc. In our centenary episode Mark, Ian & Dave P debate an improved performance against Blackburn which would have earned a higher mark had a refreshing first half of energy & attacking football not been followed by a 2nd half drop back towards a standard we've sadly grown accustomed to. For 70 minutes Williams was outstanding and when he's fully fit he's so good that we can forget about relegation. Great to see Scott & Benarous start, shame about the individual error from Kalas and if it had gone in and we'd held out for 11 minutes that header by Wells that brought a stunning save from Kaminski would have given City 3 points they may have just about deserved. When was the last time we restricted opponents to a single digit shot count? We also preview Stoke and discuss Nigel's controversial pre-match presser Higher than a C+ or was it a B- ??

How many clubs, even in the PL have what you term "a real football man involved at the highest level"? There is a guy in Bristol that could play an over arching role at the club on a part-time basis and that is Richard Scudamore. Richard Gould is an exemplary administrator without the football wannabe traits of Mark Ashton. With neither he nor Pearson wanting to deal with the characters who dominate the shady world of agents I fear for City's recruitment going forward until we get an experienced head in that position.

Ward - 96/97 won 6 of last 7 to put us in play-offs where we lost to Brentford 1-2 [h] then 1-2 [a] Podcast [FBC] - thanks, glad you like it. Ian isn't everyone's cup of tea, he can be quite bombastic! He's our Piers Morgan - you love to hate him but you still listen

Good for you / your company! I guess they are operating in a steady state - assumption by me but let's say its your Production Manager who's off. One of the Shift Manager could probably step up to cover? In City's case if they just go with the flow and take a similar approach there's every chance it could cost them £10M if they got relegated

When I recruit interims for client companies you tend to over recruit. Yes, there are many out of work but you go for the best which in football terms means you start at Warnock and move up from there. i.e. Flynn ex. Newport would be a budget option [no record at this level].

OK, maybe I was being over zealous in saying NOW but do you have confidence in Fleming and Ball to improve our form if, say, Nigel was given until January 1 [opening of transfer window] to regain his strength? Many have said on here about the impact of long Covid - we could be talking about 6 months, not 6 weeks. Also, this health issue has been bubbling since his last absence which was reported as contracting Covid for a 2nd time. The diagnosis this time has not been spelled out but suggests the debilitating symptoms of long Covid or issues linked to his bout of rheumatoid arthritis last year - from an article written by Henry Winter 7/11/20: Pearson takes a mix of steroids, pills and homeopathic medicines to strengthen his immune system, to keep him moving.

Right here and now there is no time set for Nigel's return. OK, its a free weekend coming up but then City face 3 tough games in 8 days. Just 1 or 2 points from those and the spectre of relegation will loom larger. City must have a footballing leader at the helm. Nigel will not be fired as that means paying off his contract. I am sure like any employee there is an occupational sick pay scheme such that it is likely he would be on full pay for six months and then half pay for a further 6 months. After that is when the negotiating starts for agreeing a sum to terminate the contract based on inability to continue work. With SL in charge you can rest assured City will do the right thing. The optics of relieving him of his duties would not look good. A normal business would take stock of the situation and if, say, their FD was going to be absent over a testing period [for year end, company acquisition read relegation battle in football terms] an interim would be hired to address the issue. I know this as I have helped companies do this in my day job! I suggested Warnock over the weekend as an interim but, not unexpectedly, that bought hoots of derision on OTIB although one or two are now coming around to the idea. A less contentious, and dare I say more popular choice, would be Joe Jordan who could call on Harry Redknapp to sprinkle some stardust on matchday [they worked together at Spurs]. There will be no clarity on this until we know just how long Nigel is going to be absent for and then there will be those that say even while he's been here results suggest he's not improved things so why have him back? One final point on Warnock, his win % over the past 5 years is not too shabby compared to Nigel's.

How long would you say is acceptable for him to be away from day to day control?

100% agree with this

Gould has the media presence of a politician - vague non-committal. Should go far!

As the OP on this thread yesterday morning so much has happened!! The 5.00 PM press call is going to be very interesting and it could be one of three outcomes in my opinion: a] Nigel has resigned through ill health b] Nigel is taking a couple of months off to recover from long Covid and Craig Shakespeare is joining the coaching staff c] Nigel is taking 6 months leave of absence but remains very much part of the Project; Neil Warnock has come in as interim Manager with the sole objective of preserving City's championship status If Pearson has gone, gone then who do we trust to keep us up? Craig Fleming, Michael Flynn [local & available] or Neil Warnock for 6 months?

And who is going to buy the players you list?