Harry

Not so sure about that H, could've but didn't - therein lies the problem. But we'll leave it there as no point going over the same ground.

I must say I am indebted to your knowledge of youth and non-league players out there. No way do I have the time to keep up with football much outside of the depressing world of BCFC at the minute.

To be perfectly honest, this is the only thing which is keeping me interested in football these days!  I've lost complete touch with the Premier League over the last couple of seasons and actually hate watching it now.  Keeping my eye on the lower leagues and youngsters is my passion now.

Always 'in' games, Harry? I can't remember that when Peterborough tore us a new one at AG, or when we looked sub L2 versus Wycombe - to say nothing of the abject failures last season.

Now I know you rated Sean and don't like Steve, but your problem is you over-egg your arguments and look on the SOD era with the old rose-tinted bifocals.

I respect your POV but don't overdo it.And let's try to suggest how we can get out of this quagmire, eh?

Sorry Robbo, forgot to answer this bit in my last post.

How do we get out of it?  Well, for starters, drop El Abd.  Play 2 of Osborne, Flint & Williams as 2 CB's.  Play Cunningham at LB.  If he doesn't like Moloney (clearly not), then go out and loan a genuine RB.  Drop Barnett and put Baldock back up top.  START with 2 wingers in home matches.

How's that for starters?

Always 'in' games, Harry? I can't remember that when Peterborough tore us a new one at AG, or when we looked sub L2 versus Wycombe - to say nothing of the abject failures last season.

Now I know you rated Sean and don't like Steve, but your problem is you over-egg your arguments and look on the SOD era with the old rose-tinted bifocals.

I respect your POV but don't overdo it.And let's try to suggest how we can get out of this quagmire, eh?

Yep, we were always 'in' games with P'boro being the only exception.  That was the ONLY game we lost by a margin of more than 1 goal.  We are now being beaten convincingly and are very much 'out' of games.

I'm not trying to over-egg it Robbo, it's what I genuinely believe.  As Italian Dave's post pointed out, in all bar the P'boro game, we could have got something with a bit more luck, concentration, composure etc.  In recent games under SC, we are nowhere near.

So you're criticising him for what he didn't say?

 

I don't see Cotterill as being unique in that respect - I can't remember overt self criticism being evident in post match interviews from any managers.

 

When he says the performance was abysmal, and goes on to say there are no excuses, that's probably about the best you're going to get anywhere.

 

What exactly can the manager do, or say, when he feels he has prepared the team assiduously for a match but they simply don't perform on the day?

 

Being brutally honest about the performance and sympathising with the fans' disappointment and anger seems exactly the right reaction to me.

Yep - this is exactly the words he will use to get the fans 'onside'.

I see through this, it's false, but it will certainly afford him more time with a lot of fans because he's planted the seeds and they think he really cares about them.  The only 'long term strategy' in his locker.  Tell the fans how proud you are of them and they'll give you a few more games before calling you a useless ____!

Wise words from Nogbad - why do some people never stop criticising SC every word.

Why did large amounts of people find it necessary to criticise every word of Sod's?

Oh I get it - its ok to criticise a dour, sniffing Midlander, but we can't speak out against an arrogant Westcountryman.

That's football bud.  Manager interviews are the only thing which allows us to make an informed decision as to their personality.  From what I've seen, I don't like his.

It's just an honest interview Harry.

 

If you don't like him - which you freely admit you don't - you'll use his straight talking as a means to criticise him.

 

Which is exactly what you've done, with no good reason from what he actually said.

 

Oh, and if the players don't like a few home truths, that's too bad.

You're absolutely right Noggers, I don't like him.  Have I made that too obvious.

However, you're wrong with your 3rd sentence, I am justifiably criticising his words, as he takes no responsibility when the team loses, but praises himself to the hilt when they win.  I don't like that trait in people.

It's a great interview if you are the type of fan who is blinded by bluster.  Oooh, Steve's so angry, he must've really battered the players in the dressing room.

For those who don't have the wool so easily pulled over their eyes, it's yet another interview of a man failing to take ownership and responsibility.  Perhaps he'd like to explain using his astute tactical brain why our players are suddenly putting in performances which lack desire, motivation & professionalism.  Perhaps they either don't like or don't understand your methods?

Zero responsibility taken at any time, it's either the pitch, the wind, the tiredness or the players not doing what they're told.

Oh, when we win though, it was his excellent substitutions, or motivational half time chats that were the catalyst.

Bluff and Bluster.

Just back from Sheffield and re-living the game via OTIB - how sad is that!

Got to respond to this tho'. You have raised the matter of our former manager, so I'll bite.

I couldn't disagree with you more if you'd said we should play in blue next season!

I've been to most away games this season and I've got to say that under SOD we were anything but a shambles. We generally looked organised, we were hard to beat (never lost by more than the odd goal, we had players who had been brought in to do a job that they were suited for, they looked like they knew what to do, and what the plan was. I'm looking back at some of those games: Coventry - early on some shocking defending, but we fought back and it was a great game to watch. MK Dons - some great football from City, and enough chances to have won easily. Soton - great performance - matched a Prem outfit. P Vale - very disciplined, should have won. Crewe - not the best, but at a time when the priority was to stop conceding and to stop making silly mistakes we came within a whisper of a 0-0. Carlise - lost the plot first half, but completely back on track second and the players knew what to do. Tranmere - again, organised, good shape, good point. And at all these games I felt that the team selections made sense, the substitutions made sense, what we were trying to do made sense, and the players understood that. And, for the first time in ages, I was really enjoying away trips again.

Contrast that with Wolves, Brentford, Oldham, and now today. Today was a shambles. We had no shape. We played our two best centre backs as full backs. Our in form striker out in the wing. Baffling substitutions, players who looked like they didn't know what they were supposed to be doing - and certainly had no idea what the plan was.

However, you cant entirely blame either manager for today - either Sean's legacy or Steve's line up today. The fact is that the bulk of our side was recruited by a manager who had a certain style of play: possession, passing, technical. Now that squad's been inherited by a manager with a totally different style - speed, quickness, running, challenging for everything - but the players don't necessarily have those strengths and they've been coached something different for most of the season. Not surprisingly they look lost. We've got players who can play the Arsenal way being asked to play the Wimbledon way.

It's a bit like I start up a building form and recruit a head plumber and a load of apprentices, train them up as plumbers, coach them as plumbers, then sack the manager, appoint a carpenter in his place and tell him to run it as a carpentry business - then wonder why they struggle!

Today was pathetic: others have said enough about it. It was also a sharp contrast to how enjoyable those games above were. My emotions today were a mixture of boredom, anger and embarrassment.

I'm becoming more and more convinced that the boards decision in November to abandon their strategy for taking the club forward in the longer term was the worst decision in the 50 years I have been following City.

Great Post fella.

I'd also add that during our barren spell under Sod, I hardly heard (if at all) any criticism toward the 'attitude' of the players.  There were many comments as to their ability but never was their attitude or professionalism brought into question.

What we've seen since mid-January are more and more people questioning the players' professionalism, attitude, desire etc.

So yes, whilst results weren't great up until mid-October, the performances were generally ok and we were always 'in' games.  Now, we are getting a host of poor performances and are being resoundingly beaten in games, and the players no longer seeming to be motivated.

Sod was supposedly NOT a big motivator according to a lot of people, whilst SC is paraded as this huge motivator.

Seems the players recently aren't as motivated and 'up' for it as they were earlier in the season.  That doesn't bode well.

Thank goodness SC did what you thought he should have done Harry!

Indeed Nick.  Let's hope he sticks with my man Pack as well eh.  Cotterill has dropped him a few times but hopefully the following stats will put an end to that :

Pack Under Cotterill :

Games NOT Started : Played 3, Lost 3.

Games Started : Played 8, Won 3, Drawn 4, Lost 1 (and in that loss he was subbed at half time).

So basically Steve, play Pack for 90 mins and you'll be fine.  Oh, and make sure he's taking corners too.

It's an easy game this Nick. 

SC despite pre match grumblings from some, got it right. Huge result well done Steve and the team.

Absolutely, and I'll be the first to acknowledge that.

Pre-match, having seen the line-up, it looked odd.  I thought it looked as though it was going to be 3 at the back, with Osborne at wingback, with only Pack as a defensive minded midfielder.  And I personally thought that would be disastrous.

As it was, he went 4 at the back (gladly), and had Pack taking the corners (about time). 

Credit to SC for that (though it's what I'd have done weeks ago!)

They've been quite unlucky with keepers recently with having Jones injured then the Hull youngster doing well but being recalled. I didn't realise Alnwick was given time off too

Serves them right though!  They called it off on New Years Day as they'd lost their first choice keeper and some others.  By the time the rearranged game arrives, their keeper troubles worsened and it's come back to bite them, having to stick a total clown in the sticks.  Screw You Orient.  Justice.

Understand that their keeper has not played much recent, but still, this is a massive 3 points for us, a boost in confidence, team spirit, the club.  Many happy people tonight will sleep well :-)  

Hell yeah!! Amen to all of that brother.  Just glad we've benefited from their keeper woes - gawd knows we've had enough of our own this season!

Get in! Their keeper sounds absolutely hopeless

He hasn't played a game for 3 years til last Saturday, we are the lucky beneficiaries of Orient's keeper injuries.

Right here! Shall we chalk his goal off then?

No.  But maybe we shouldn't unnecessarily pop up on here every time he scores and say "where's the critics now then".

We all want the best for him, as he plays for OUR club.  But he's missed a hatful of chances this year and deserves the critics that have come his way.

Baldock shoots well wide from 20 yards.after mistake by Orient defence presents him with good chance.

Where's Dicksy??

Ha yes similarly much as I didn't like SOD always said hoped he'd prove me wrong.

 

Seriously considered going up tonight, only the tube strike put me off, credit to a certain young lad who I know is up there, especially as he rates Cotterill even less than you !!

 

Yes there are a few spaces for Shropshire, sent out details by email so far and relied on others to forward so clearly you have it, don't have yours - PM it to me and I will send on further details.

I considered going too, but the 8 week old babber means I'm on call all evening at the mo!!  Yep, I heard from the young lad you mention earlier - had a more straight forward journey up there than anticipated!

AP sent me the email so I have the rather shrouded details!!, so I'll see if I can def make it.

it's sort of beggars can't be choosers i'm afraid, somebody last night was ruing us not giving Mclaren the job when SOD got it, yeah right like he'd want to come here, that's why we end up with the SOD's and SC's of the football world.

Indeed, beggars can't be choosers.  But beggars could have had the option of interviewing multiple candidates.

Orient keeper going through the full gamut of emotions                        

I think we're fortunate to be up against a keeper who hasn't played a first team game for nearly 3 years!!

Bugger!!!!

Think you may have also said you don't rate Pack mate!

 

Or Cotterill !!

 

Lets see.

Ha ha, yeah, not sure I've mentioned Pack before buddy.

For what it's worth, if I had my way Pack would be at this club longer than SC.  But we'll see on that too!

Credit where it's due, if we pull off the unexpected 3 points tonight then well done all - and that includes SC.  I don't want him to fail, he's in charge of MY football club.  I just don't think he's my kinda bloke or my kinda boss.

p.s. any spaces left on your Shropshire trip?

To be fair we've got lots of goals from corners recently. With JET, Reid and now Pack taking them. Good to see some kind of improvement in that department.

We have indeed.  I noticed it was the Carlisle game where Pack was first allowed to take corners - he took a couple from the left, bang on the money, which created a consistent period of pressure.  This resulted in another corner from the right which JET put in for the first goal.  A 2nd soon followed.

Pack was then taken off corners again next game?  JET from the right, Pack from the left, inswingers on top the keeper - that's what you want.  Reid doesn't take a great corner.

I've said it many times before - Pack should be taking corners.  And there ya go!

All loving Baldock now eh

Worth!

Wade Elliot and Jet in centre midfield ?? Pack going to be busy ... Or is the lineup going to feature something cunning

Mmmm...that's what I was thinking.

Strange looking line-up.  Midfield looks like it'll get annihilated.

Very attacking though, so maybe it'll surprise?  I had a strange feeling today that we might get something here tonight.

As I type, we've scored!!!!  YES!!!

Interesting to see that Kusunga and Clarke-Harris are on the bench for Oldham as I thought they looked their best two players earlier in the season.

 

This Wilson fella must be useful to put Kusunga on the bench.

Exactly why I call it a gamble. People have ranted for Burns to start and Barnett to start instead of JET so let's see if they're embarrassed at the end of it because IMO i wouldn't have started either o them. Will be delighted if I'm proven wrong

Personaly i would swap el-abd for Cunningham, and put Cunningham left-back and switch williams to centre back

Agree with all 3 of these posts.

I think SO'D spoke a good game tiz, but not too much evidence on the pitch.

 

In the final analysis he was damned by the team's appalling record under his management.

 

Imo he didn't have alot going for him from what we saw, however tactically astute he may have appeared from his programme notes etc, he was clearly incapable of putting it into practice at AG - similar to the brick wall he hit at Doncaster.

Not being backed by the owner from DAY ONE probably didn't help.