Nogbad the Bad

The different interpretation I spoke of was nothing to do with fans' events - you chose to take a different interpretation of his comments over the sidelining of Fontaine and Kilkenny. He attended these events at least partly out of self interest because it was an opportunity to further justify his thinking, and give him more time when his words and methods were very often not even being reflected in performances, let alone results. He had no interest in building a genuine rapport with the fans when he criticised them, indicated he thought them responsible for not being able to include Kilkenny and Fontaine, or ignored their post match applause as he approached the Atyeo tunnel. SC made a point of praising the fans and sympathised that they had to witness an abysmal performance - what a blustering buffooon! Or maybe the sort of straightforward comments which most fans would appreciate and could help to build a rapport unless, of course, you've decided from day one you detest him. His words didn't sound anything but genuine to me either - SC simply displayed a basic natural empathy with supporters, something which seemed entirely alien to SO'D.

I'll try and keep it short then Kid. SO'D had no interest, imo, in forming a rapport with the fans - 3 examples given in my post above, although you have interpreted one differently. He did though have a strong self interest in taking opportunities - as outlined by you above - to attempt to justify his failing methods with rhetoric, which increasigly fell on deaf ears with many.

Just goes to show how you can twist everything if you've a mind to. Of course a manager should want to form a rapport with the fans - the last one notably had no interest in it - it's good for the club and doesn't follow he's being dishonest, or his words are hollow. You'd surely berate him if he didn't mention the loyal travelling fans or didn't give an honest appraisal of a terrible performance. Yet according to you praising the travelling supporters and saying they were let down is a stick to beat him with? He's clearly in a no win situation with you whatever he says. My position on Cotterill remains the same. I neither particularly like, or dislike him, and will reserve judgement until the end of the season, when my expectations are he'll have retained City's status. Meanwhile I'm quite happy with the way he puts over his views, and content to take his forthright interviews at face value.

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.

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.

Except he was successful at Burnley - at almost 4 years the longest serving manager in the Championship at the time - and certainly at Portsmouth, and kept Forest up by 10 points. Hardly a loser at any of those clubs. As for City, he'll be judged by most on whether he keeps us up or not.

Exactly right. We want straight talking and honesty about our team, and the performance, and as far as I can see that's exactly what we got. He didn't pull any punches and said it exactly as the fans saw it, with no excuses, so it's really hard to see why people are hammering him for that.

It looked like pure frustration and thinly disguised rage to me. Fairly clear the interview followed immediately after a very frank exchange of views in the dressing room. If he's telling the interviewer the performance was abysmal he certainly won't have minced his words with the players just beforehand. A bit of a GJ hand grenade moment by the looks of it and a number of players will have been left in no doubt how unacceptable their performance was - and quite rightly by the sound of it.

Time this went above the Tranmere thread. Much better match thread.

Tough top of the table clash at PNE for ORIENT today.

No there isn't. Talking of Orient always puts me in mind of Cheese and Ernie Hunt. City had a settled squad in the early 70's and hardly ever signed anyone but AD 'swooped' to make the double signing just before we played Orient in December. It put thousands on the gate ( the festive season may have helped but over 19,000 turned up for their joint debut) and the bumper crowd filed out a bit bemused after a dull 0-0.

Didn't have you down as an academic Arn. What subject do you lecture in?

This match thread could still be running beyond tomorrow's Tranmere thread at this rate.

Jinx broken tonight, if there was one. He was so proud of it he couldn't wait to show it on here half done, tell him time it's we saw the finished article. Perhaps he could have 'Flint' added as the finishing touch?

How's the big City tattoo coming on? Haven't had an update for a while.

Fair play Red Ox. Sounds like it was a good performance all round and Cotts. got the team selection and tactics spot on. It sounded great on the radio, must have been a really memorable win to see live.

Flint not really shutting up the critics? Four good games in a row and 2 important goals not enough for some to get behind him then? As I said yesterday Flint will go on to become a very popular City player, mark my words.

Flint taking the goal kicks now - involved in everything!!!

Flint you BEAUTY

Cox booked for raking Baldock's thigh muscle.

No, as I was told earlier it's the Black Sea tonight.

Burns will surely come on at some stage. Not sure who for though. Moore booked for time wasting.

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

Good block by Flint to thwart Mooney. Corner to Orient.