1960maaan

9 minutes ago, Derby Boy said:

Quality is a bit subjective, whilst Warne had recieved critism for the style of his football it has generally been effective. His teams have trouble breaking down teams and most of the stick he's got has been follwing games we were unable to break down "lesser" teams defending in depth. Our performance against the better teams has been generally good, and it may well suit us to be attacked more providing our defence holds then. We are likely to end up as the sort of team that concedes possession and ends up scoring a set peice or hitting on the counter.

On to Max, his style works in a Warne team but it doesn't showcase him. I'm lead to believe he's ambitious to play at the top level and Manningball will make him look better than Warneball. He will make himself available and pass to someone who is available and repeat. It's a team game and whilst he only accasionally does something spectacular he'll be an effective cog in the Manning midfield getting the ball to players who have got into good positions. There were some worries his performance would drop on his loan but it didn't, that shows his good character. He leaves with all of our good wishes.

The other thread suggested he might regret the move following our promotion, I really don't think so, unless you sack Manning and bring in Warnock.

Please don't mention the "M" word, this thread could descend into chaos 

TBH I'm not sure how he wants to play. If he wants to play total possession football he's come to the wrong place.
I have to say he seems to have adjusted slightly and recent games has seen a nice balance of possession , block and press , while playing at a decent tempo. I think he could fit nicely into our mix of midfielders , James sounds like the nearest we have ( loosely speaking ) and he most likely will leave so the timing is good. 

I was with EE and couldn't get a signal in the ground , but now I'm with Virgin and noticed a massive difference.

Still can't get a connection, but it's massively cheaper 

8 hours ago, Davefevs said:

My view only Kibs.

What I saw in some of the games you reference were settle into low / mid block, only pressing off of preset trigger once in block (no idea of the coaching lingo but I’d call it it “block to press”), and if we had to wait until we’d been forced back before winning the ball, we’d then counterattack from deep.

Perfect for Southampton for example, who overcommit their full-backs forward and leave huge spaces for their CBs to cover.  We know they’ll build patterns from deep that means pressing can leave you open, so first instinct is sit in.  Doing that against a much weaker Swansea is a different kettle of fish.

What I’ve seen since Easter is us pressing higher up the pitch, not reverting in first instance into a block, trying to win it earlier, so we can attack an unsettled defence.  If we can’t then, at that point, we will drop into the block (let’s call it “press to block”).  A different emphasis / intent.

Theres a guy on Twitter - Bristol City FM (he’s the Football Manager researcher for City) - who explains these things better than me.

But placing an intent to press just 10 yards higher up the pitch has made a big difference.  We stop our opponent building patterns and getting into the middle third as easily as they did.

Thats my my view, anyway.  It feels very different to majority of pre-Easter.

The first time I saw that "low block" was actually under Nige at Leicester . 
I said at the time we looked like we set up to stay in the game. We did actually play a better tempo than the first couple of times we used it under Manning. 

We could possibly have nicked something from the game, but it would have been like the home game. Relying on them missing chances, Max making saves and taking one of our few chances. 
That sentence I highlighted is key for me , it helps the press and IMO a good press helps set our tempo which makes a big difference to how we play. Those games we get wrong we end up in a slow passing borefest , few chances and little excitement. 

Just now, Lrrr said:

I don't see any way Tommy signs a new deal, he's an ambitious lad and all he'd do by re-signing here would be potentially preventing himself getting a bigger move, a good season next season isn't a guarantee whereas being OOC next summer or getting a move this summer gets him that opportunity. 

I think it depends on who comes in for him. He's not had the best of seasons, though he would have be known for his potential . I don't see a Prem side giving him regular football , there might be something in the Scottish links which would be tempting , but that's what I mean that he can wait . If nothing comes of a "big move" he has us as a fall back . I imagine if anyone was really keen they would have made contact by now , we may not hear for a while, but he holds all the cards ATM.

54 minutes ago, INCRED said:

It’s Conway who is stalling, not the club 

TC needs to knuckle down and continue his development rather than go somewhere that he is just another young player as opposed to a club who have developed and nurtured him from a young age 

I wouldn’t be surprised if his heads been turned after Antoine & Alex move to Bournemouth and his agent is touting him around as the next big thing out of Bristol City 

After seeing several of his mates move onwards and upwards, I'm not surprised if he's had his head turned. 
I'm not surprised he's stalling either. His agent will be touting around for a move, TC will probably just be waiting and weighing up his options. We all probably think he will be better staying and building his reputation here, but with rumours of Rangers and Celtic I'm not surprised he hasn't rushed to sign here. 

I think we should try very hard to get him to sign , this mythical new striker may take time to settle , if we even find him.

10 minutes ago, TV Tom said:

All depends how you define big club, Oldham and Swindon spent time in the premiership, are they bigger ?

I think the only way to look at it is, anyone in the Prem is a bigger Club for the time being.

The only way to judge is ....  Current level 

Anything else , and I'm not talking top half in the Prem , can be debated , pretty much.  There are teams that are obvious exceptions , Leeds bigger in every way. But then you take the likes of Palace , Brentford and Burnley , if they are in the same Division as us it looks a lot closer. 

As always , just my opinion.

Just spotted that , might listen on catch up so I can skip through the Uuummms. 

Fair play for him doing it , there needs to be much better coms & engagement from Club.

7 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I only froze the frame at point of contact…which there was.

Are you suggesting that the contact caused TC’s right leg towards his left, therefore tripping himself (albeit caused by the keeper).

Certainky gives more credence to the penalty doesn’t it?

Absolutely. To me it looks like the keeper gets just a clip on TC's foot and trips him.  Running at speed it doesn't take much.

On 28/04/2024 at 11:21, Red-Robbo said:

It was as straightforward a penalty as you'll see in my opinion. 

I just posted on another thread, to save myself more typing ....

1 minute ago, 1960maaan said:

Complete change of mind Alert  

Just watched Ref Watch on Sky and even though I have looked at the highlights several times, it looked different on the TV screen. I was convinced there was no contact by the Keeper. Bizarrely as Dermot Gallagher and the rest said no Pen , watching it back the Keeper does catch TC and you can see his right foot clipped onto the back of his calf. The thing is Tommy tries to stay on his feet, he's a goal scorer he wants to score so fair play for that, but I think that leads to some doubt as he stays up for a while . 

So, Sorry Tommy for doubting you, I will give an extra loud cheer when you announce you are signing a new contract .

Complete change of mind Alert  

Just watched Ref Watch on Sky and even though I have looked at the highlights several times, it looked different on the TV screen. I was convinced there was no contact by the Keeper. Bizarrely as Dermot Gallagher and the rest said no Pen , watching it back the Keeper does catch TC and you can see his right foot clipped onto the back of his calf. The thing is Tommy tries to stay on his feet, he's a goal scorer he wants to score so fair play for that, but I think that leads to some doubt as he stays up for a while . 

So, Sorry Tommy for doubting you, I will give an extra loud cheer when you announce you are signing a new contract .

24 minutes ago, Fuber said:

Don't think they did Ivan - simply thought he'd go to a bigger club when he did get his PL move. Newcastle, Spurs, etc.

Unfortunately for us, the injury he got start of season dampened his progress this season, so no sell-on for us. Yet.

I wonder what "Add on's" we may have put in the contract ?

20 Games 

Stay in the Prem 

Top 10 finish ??

We will probably never know , but I think he's had a good start in the Prem . Maybe next year he gets his "big" move. Semenyo too ? 

It's a sorry but inevitable end to the season. I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on the WSL or City team, I've only seen a few games and only went to one. The thing that appears to me is they look like they are playing damage limitation lately . The Man U home game, they were clearly better and dominated, but City seemed keener to win the ball and actually created chances. The last couple of times I've seen them they have been very passive in getting the ball back, marking space and just trying to block lines by sitting in. 
Ok , it took a great goal to make the break through yesterday, but anyone watching knew it was a matter of time. City barely laid a glove on Man C, again yes they are clearly better but it didn't look like we really wanted to attack , just in case.  TBF it may be end of season and they have been beaten down to some extent, but surely they should be trying to win games when 4 wins over a season keeps you up. 

Early in the season we seemed to stay in games , create a couple of chances and maybe just fall away. Lately it's looked like capitulation and no self belief at all . 
I may be being unfair as there is such a massive gap in class , but it just felt better organisation and intent may have bridged the quality gap a little. 

IMO , the next step would be getting together the best recruitment and scouting team we can. Try and get the gems early, trawl the lower Leagues  and build for the future as there is no guarantee we will go back up next year.

9 hours ago, Rocking Red Cyril said:

Are we up for % sell on ?

9 hours ago, Ashtongreight said:

I believe he’s out of contract, so no sell on unfortunately 

Kelly is OOC and was even linked with Italy around Christmas time.

At one stage around a year / 18 months ago , Kelly and Brownhill were linked with big moves and we looked like we could be on for a nice pot of money. Both I believe OOC this summer just as they look like getting the moves. 
Even Webster was a regular back then , getting plaudits and looked like he could step up.

That 18 months looks miles away now. 

Most of the crossing from Spurs has just been catching practice for the Keeper. 

Just not getting in good areas, and Arse defending well TBF.

How the Ref misses that Pen first time I'll never know. Bottles it knowing VAR is there

Spurs looking the better team, if they just hadn't conceded a goal every 10 minutes 

0-3 37 minutes gone .

St. Mirren know the truth 

nicked from Twitter*

Trying some detective work.

Kenny Stephens was with the G*s from 1970 - 77 , that means it's one of these.

He didn't play in the 4-1 at Eastville .
The April 75 game at ours they wore black shorts. 

Down to two.

Not 100% sure which ground either, I kind of lean towards Eastville , which would make it the 0-0 in 76 . 

Then I give up. I did try Google images , but that gave me nothing. 

1 minute ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

I still if fit see Naismith as someone who can help to break the lines, yet offer a bit of stability too.

Pass before the pass to a degree? Then the ability to drop and switch between a back 3 and back 4 in-game..can anyone else in our midfield play in both a back 3 and deepest midfield?

His passing can be brilliant , but Manning seems to like the 3CB's to start so I see him mainly challenging there. 
I see us setting up as a 3 and 2 MF's and he doesn't get in the midfield in that set up IMO.

18 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Stokes is a bit more of an attack minded player I thought?

Naismith can also slot into central midfield or deeper anyway, as well as CB in a back 4 and into a back 3. 

I hope we can retain Williams and James...

I don't see Naismith getting into that MF , unless we really need a deep sitting shield .

You're right about Stokes , I was on a role by then .

Our midfield looks promising , the big bit now is the No.10 . 
As it stands we have ;
Bird , Knight , TGH , Stokes , Murphy , Williams? James?

Defence when all fit looks decent too. 

Striker one short as it is, 2 if Conway goes . 

Who was it that did the squad depth thing ?

1 hour ago, Cole Not Gas said:

I was sorry to see the footballing skills of Jay move to Coventry where he and Palmer have become two of the more consistent Sky Blues team. But yesterday's ball skills of Roberts makes me think this lad could be a real star for us next season. How much did he cost and do you see him playing in front or behind Pring?

The thing I like is that they can interchange . If Roberts bombs on, it's straight forward for Pring to sit. If we are in the position to, they link up well to give real width down the left. I really like their balance . 

Not sure the fee , I guess it was compensation as I think he was OOC but under 24 . Others might know more about how that works. 

9 minutes ago, ORANGE500 said:

Tommy has also missed a number of chances this season I view him as a decent enough Championship striker but will never score 20 plus goals a season. The club has stated many times they are looking to bring in a No 9 in the summer so if he stays I don't think he will be first choice up front anyway. wish him well if he leaves but won't be overly disappointed .

He has missed a few chances , I think it took him a while to get up to speed, plus when you only get a few I'm not surprised he snatched at some . I think he could be a 20 a season striker with someone on his wavelength . It was Nahki , it could be Twine, but someone that can spot or predict his runs and that can give him chances . 

Looking at some meaningless and unprovable stats 

30 starts , 12 goals , over 46 games would be around 18 goals. Plus many of those games he looked totally isolated . 

As for a new striker , well at the moment that's just a dream . At least in as much as all the qualities that he needs to have according to the Club. Great if we find someone , but as it's going to be from abroad there is no guarantee and we are not in the position to spend loads , plus we know Manning hold out house of Twine. We will need a lot of luck to find a cheap-ish 20 goal striker that is ready to hit the ground running in the Championship. I think they also said , big, strong ,pacy and can link play.

It doesn't really matter as I think he will leave , and relatively cheaply . I hope the recruitment Dept are working overtime.

I thought he showed what we could have yesterday,. Not just from him but from that genuine No.10. Conway was much more involved , his runs were spotted nice and early and the link up was good. I know it was "only" Rotherham , but it was really promising.
The problem for me is that I think we will lose them both.
f we could get Twine early enough, it might convince TC to stay ( with a decent new deal obviously ) . I doubt he's enjoyed much of the recent football , he has been starved of chances for a while, but maybe the Club can convince him of the chance of a top 6 push with him at the front and with the chance of good regular service ?  His reputation would grow and he could get that big move he probably wants.
A stretch I know. 
Twine signed a four-year deal in June 2022 , Burnley paid £4m , they will be in the Championship next year. 
That for me does not add up to them taking a cut price £2m or whatever. 

While I don't remember having too many reasons to shout at the Ref, I imagine Rotherham fans would. For years we haven't got Penalty decisions , seems we are getting them all now. I know some say there is contact and the Ref gives it straight away, I have my doubts about the Pen. Happy to take it mind, but if I moan about ones not given I feel it's right to mention when I think we've been lucky. 
It looks harsh, the Ref nor Lino have a really clear view and we have had many more blatant ones not given.

Then the free kick , that's easier. It looks soft , but they are the sort that are given and Twine forces the Refs hand by grabbing the ball . TBH Rinomhota doesn't moan too much. 

We only talk about them because they lead to goals , over all I thought he was OK and those decisions mean little now. I just hope we get those next year in our title challenge.