chinapig

I don't see how the pitch can be fixed in time. Looks like it needs completely re-laying. But who would pay for that?

People often claim he is targeted because of his height but I struggle to remember games when it has actually happened to any effect. Seems to be a case of "he's short so I will assert that teams target him whether they actually do or not."

It's also an environment where people think leveraged buy outs are a pretty neat idea.

Sure, but it's taken from the post match interview. And as you say it was the media team who put it out not Nigel. A stick to beat them with perhaps rather than him.

Try watching the full interview for context perhaps? The problem is simple, constant individual errors giving goals away. The solution is, um, I have no idea!

Thanks Dave, saved me the trouble. And of course he was their player of the season. Though given the fact that our midfielders can't defend I might now play him as front sweeper in a 4-1-3-2.

Snap!?

When we start to see Stroud as a good referee it just emphasises how far the standard of officials in the EFL has fallen.

I would say the major issue defensively, as Nigel said post-match, is the constant individual errors leading to goals. We bring in Naismith, previously a reliable defender, and he immediately catches the disease. This seems to be so entrenched in the mindset of the team whoever plays (a case of we expect to give away goals so we do) that I am at a loss to know what to do about it.

Statement from the men's team: “We wholly condemn such abuse. This behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at Ashton Gate. We fully support Lauren Smith and are proud of our women’s team.”

He is also very good at pressing, which most of our players aren't.

Sure, but the fact remains he is no longer the player he was at Wigan, which is both a shame for him and a problem for us given the other options we have in midfield. We know Nigel wants a defensive midfielder but our chances of getting one are slim.

He was an aggressive box to box player at Wigan. Injuries have essentially nullified his strengths. We are unlikely ever to see him at his best. Still, we have Andy King ...?

Nigel has at least twice made it clear recently that he would be happy with loans. The problem is getting the players. And what happens if a Prem club demands a £1m loan fee?

Injuries mean Williams is unlikely to be the aggressive player he was at Wigan again. Massengo wants out so I'm sure Nigel would rather not rely on him. James will possibly be out for a while again. Which makes King the only other option. Be afraid, he very afraid.?

The team for Coventry will be interesting. James will presumably be out for a while again, Williams can't play 3 games in a week which leaves us with Massengo (wants out) and King (more coach than player and also injury prone). In defence Klose might start but currently Nigel thinks he's worse than Vyner, which doesn't bode well. Possibly Wells and Conway up front? Maybe Max gets a game? Another probable defeat, not good for morale.

At least they'd be guaranteed goals.

You can certainly see why Nigel would like to sign another centre back. Shame we can't afford one.

Here we go again. With James and Williams so fragile we could find ourselves desperately short in midfield this season with little prospect of signing any more. Fingers crossed.

Broken hand apparently.

Boiler plate response, unsurprisingly. We know referees are assessed, the problem is that there appear to be no consequences for dreadful performances.

I suspect Steve would agree with him but that would just benefit clubs who happen to have a filthy rich owner. So still not a level playing field. Oddly, I don't recall him complaining about parachute payments when Stoke were getting them. Perhaps I missed it. As to the UEFA proposals iirc they would no longer allow deductions for infrastructure, academy, women's team costs and so on so I wouldn't necessarily rely on those to save the day.

I played on that Ashton Park school pitch in the 70s and it was rather good for the time!

Was he piste at the time?

There is indeed. They will announce more changes then proceed to ignore them as usual.