mozo

It's interesting, I'm not sure what my one question would be... 

Would like to hear some suggestions?

Of course, under Manning we've won 5-0, 4-1, 3-2 (twice) and 3-1, so it's not likely that we'll become a dull 1-0 team next season.

Pearson used to talk about process too. Its obvious what they're saying; do the right stuff, and you'll get the right outcomes. But if the right outcomes don't happen all the time, don't give up on doing the right stuff.

2 hours ago, Silvio Dante said:

What would be really embarrassing if we’d agreed a clause saying he had to be in the squad or we’d be penalised financially, then also agreed a clause saying we’d have to make the deal permanent if he was in more than 10 squads….

Even if that's the case, I've got no issue with him being in the match day squad for the unlikely event that we get a flurry of injuries and need an extra forward. He's not doing any harm sitting there. It's just disappointing for him that he didn't prove himself during his stay.

39 minutes ago, eardun said:

I can understand anyone taking a break from a season ticket - I’ve done it in the past too, but that’s been to do with personal circumstances rather than performances, owners or club staff. 

At the moment I have the time and money to commit and I do enjoy watching Championship football. I’m pleased we are seeing some stability at this level for once as that can only help us in the longer term. I also expect to watch some poor City performances from time to time - such is life! I’ve been in my current seat since the South Stand opened (so 10th consecutive season next season) and I do like its location so that would be hard to give up (especially as it may not be possible to get a season ticket in the SS in future). My Dad sat next to me until he passed away last year and now my wife does (or my daughter when my wife can’t make it). Ashton Gate holds lots of memories - for example given that other thread on here, I still have vivid memories of my feelings as I walked to the ground with my Dad before we beat Portsmouth to clinch promotion to Div 1 48 years ago (plus the after-match celebrations of course!). 

I must admit that I’m more uneasy about the impact of the new TV deal and whether that will have an impact on my attendance as I live a fair distance away - more mid week evening kick off times might be a challenge and make it easier for me to switch on the TV. 

Anyway, I fully expect us to be promoted in 2026 - 50 years after last time - so I have to stick around for that! 

Love this post! Can't wait for 2026 now!

53 minutes ago, archie andrews said:

Ive always thought vyner could play the defensive midfield type role..... 

He's not good enough passing in  crowded areas

9 hours ago, Davefevs said:

After one game of the season!!!  Well that sums up OTIB agendas perfectly doesn’t it?

And after the Birmingham and Stoke games to be fair.

But yes, OTIB is insane.

21 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

You may like this thread?

 

Love it mate!

I know I shouldn't be mean to the players, but there were a few things to mark off your bingo card...

A classic Tanner backward pass; Joe Williams is two yards square of George and instead of playing the simplest of passes to keep the pressure on Norwich, he goes backwards into our own half.

Max, who obviously is having a great season, still manages to fulfil his quota for at least one bad kick per game. This time, dangerously rifling the ball into the midfield which luckily wasn't snaffled.

And poor Cornick, his luck continues. He scores via a wild deflection, but a dodgy offside flag rules it out.

And people say we're not consistent...

4 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Yeh, I think high standards are needed if the ambition is to do what Norwich have done this season and get 70+ points. 

Whilst I thought we played fine today, fine being just that - totally acceptable and ok - I don't think that playing like we did today, over a season, would see us likely to get top 6, which is what I was responding to in your post.

And yeh, I think Norwich were a bit off their game today. I watched it with a Norwich fan, he said the same. 

I'm not downplaying the result, it's a good result, it was a decent performance, but it doesn't make me think we're looking sharp enough for top 6 next season.

I disagree. I think if we hit the levels shown today every game next season, we get in the playoffs. 

Unfortunately, getting the players to consistently hit the levels is incredibly difficult.

47 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

FWIW, I agree.

But I also think Norwich are a team that let you have the ball too.  So I’m less surprised we were able to knock it around nicely today.  But nor does that take away from us playing well today either.

So the way the game was played you could say was largely due to Norwich being a low-pressing side, but the performance we put in should deserve credit.

If that makes sense?

+++++

What I’d like to see next is us playing the kinda way we played today against a team that get in your face, but we are good enough to play through them.

The impressive bit wasn't that we had a lot of the ball, but what we did with it, and also what we did without the ball.

The Norwich commentator said something like, "You don't see away sides coming to Carrow Road and doing this to Norwich City".

So, this was definitely not on the cards.

We've got no idea if Manning will turn out to be a proper success at City, but he's absolutely proved that any accusations that he's out of depth or totally inept were unfair.

There's speculation on this thread that Manning was under pressure and facing the axe, and if that's true, then even more credit to him for keeping his cool, remaining upbeat and guiding the team to a major turnaround in form.

People have commented that Manning has constantly referenced the Southampton game, and also credited the coaching too much, well, if rumours of the ultimatum are true, then you cam hardly blame him! We'd do the same.

I'd love it if we keep those run going til the end of the season, so that the general mood amongst fans is that he deserves a bit of support next season. 

I'm not looking forward to when we do next go on a poor run, and seeing all the noise saying "See, I knew he was rubbish!" But hey, that's football forums for you!

7 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Loose lips / egos to protect….it happens.

 

But if its a conversation between say, JL, BT and LM, and let's assume CH and other board members are in the loop, I can't imagine any of them letting that slip. I appreciate Tinnion is a bit mad when it comes to divulging information, but why are we not hearing any inside story on the search for investment for example? They've kept everything under wraps on that front.

Just now, Davefevs said:

I don’t do multi-people transport solutions!

Ha, your loss, its a wild ride. I sit at the back of the bus wearing a Liam Manning T shirt and singing Kumbaya.

25 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

A few of us heard he was told he had to get 12 points from the last 8 games to keep his job.

He’s managed it in 6, fair play to him.

I'm not doubting any of the sources, but how exactly would that conversation leak out of the club? Was Scotty Murray spying through the keyhole?

I don't think it's possible. 

6 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Indeed.

Sat here tonight, not that it really matters, I think he’s earned the chance to take us into the summer.  How big of me!

To explain (all imho), I think there’s been enough from the turn in performances since Easter to think we aren’t gonna revert to the turgid stuff that for me was more the norm than the Southampton / FA Cup games / performances.

There are still some concerns, but if we carry on with the bit more intent shown, taking opportunities to win the ball high-up for example then I think Leicester, Blackburn and today are more representative of how we will play than Sunderland on reflection.  I think playing Knight deeper is more the causation than Twine which is correlation.  I felt Knight did an admirable job playing the role he did, but he’s much more effective for the team playing from a deeper role.

So, I’m out of “sack Manning” territory.

I love this post Dave 

All aboard Mozo's Happy Clappy Bus! 

Next stop: Misplaced Optimism Parkway. 

29 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

4 more points would be reasonable, being s bit greedy 6 but yes 4 will be aok- it will maintain the level.

We have had two especially poor runs under Manning, maybe 2 especially poor and 1 suspect. Otoh this is a strong run, so too was the run in December of 10/4 and 2 wins gave us an opening in mid February..then alas.

4 more points would mean we finish the season with a 2ppg average from the last 8 matches, which is a strong finish, and something to build on next season. 

5 minutes ago, Top Robin said:

Annoys me slightly when we put in a good performance against a top 6 side and instead of praising that, it's more that the opposition were having an off day.  It is just.possible that the way we set up and played, made them have that 'off day'

Yeah we got that with Leicester too. 

Manning definitely got his part spot on, because the tactics worked a treat. It's then up to the players to perform, and mist of them did. 

It's a shame that Sykes seems to be in a bit of rut because he was so clinical last season, but not today.

15 minutes ago, bcfcredandwhite said:

Great to extend our unbeaten run and another good performance against a good side. 
We just need to fix our performances against the struggling sides then we’ll be the real deal. 
Well done Liam and the lads !!

Hopefully the next two games will tick that box 

6 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Still improving in respect of the position but remember Sheffield Wednesday play tomorrow and tbis is prior to the game QPR are currently playing.

QPR v Preston currently 1-0 to the hosts so heading to 11th. Possibly 2 or 3 points light on where we might be.

However performances out of the last 6 such as Leicester, Blackburn, Norwich and even in some ways Plymouth are reasons for some positivity.

¹

You would hope we could bag 4 more points and that record would be acceptable. 

1 minute ago, JP Hampton said:

Yes we played with more energy, less passing around at the back and an overall good performance, with consistently positive play. 
 Even then though, there were still silly and avoidable mistakes at times, if we can work on those over the summer, we might actually be a hard team to beat. 

 Really enjoyable game to watch and loved their persistence. 

There's nothing wrong with the defenders having possession at the right times. There were a couple of examples today when Norwich had got a bit of momentum, and we smartly slowed the game down and kept the ball a bit longer. Makes total sense. We were dictating the tempo, which I believe is what Manning is trying to instil. 

Could be a really important player for us next season. 

3 minutes ago, Puckle_red said:

A midfield player who rarely scores, doesn't run with the ball, isn't strong in the air, rarely passes forward and is injury prone. But he tries really hard and makes rash tackles - seems a perfect fit for a Bristol City midfielder at this level.

Haha, you've chucked a grenade there. Run for cover!

4 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Not sure I agree really. We played ok, at times we were on top, but equally I don't think Norwich were on top of their game. I also didn't see us impose ourselves on the game consistently. I said earlier in the season that I think our performances are basically defined by the opposition, and I think that happened today.

I thought we were good but I didn't see much to increase my feelings of top 6 next season.

You've got very high standards if that was just OK!

4 minutes ago, eardun said:

I just think that James’ age will go against him if we can only keep one of them (he’ll be 33 at the start of next season). Williams really is at peak age (27, 28 in Dec)

I think it makes sense to give Williams a 3 year deal rather than giving James the 2 year deal that he will be pushing for.

You'd like to think that if James were willing to sign a 1 year deal we'd take it.