I Thought Bs3 Was A Post Code

[Dynamite Red]

When Adam Baker interviewed Steve Lansdown before and after the last game of the season SL said he would still back the club financially and his and the club goal was Premier League football. On his succession to the Chairman's post Colin Sexstone reiterated this goal and stating the club knew what positions needed strengthening. Keith Millen has said in all too many interviews that the club must push on and promotion was achievable and he had a list he was working through to provide strong competition for those positions for those weak areas and named those areas as left back centre half and creative midfield. From what we've seen these are the BS3 as in Bull Sh1ttng 3.

Since we've sold the majority of season ticket we were going to sell the tune appears to have changed. Steve Lansdown seems to have closed the coffers to the current manager to sign anyone who would command anything more than a nominal fee, Sexstone say we've got too many on the books and have to off load player who clearly seem to be sub standard and no one wants or are willing to come close to matching the wages we pay them and dear Keith has been unable to sign anyone other than the free agent Kilkenny from his list that would improve the areas of weakness but recruited a winger and a target man for "the future"

I've been a City fan for 40+ years and remember 1982 all too vividly and as such would happily accept relegation over administration or folding altogether and I know we must cut our cloth. But what annoys me is the BS coming out of the board and management just to sell season ticket. All 3 have said they want to get City promoted this season, well I want an Aston Martin but they cost money hence I'm contented with the car I have and the owner/chairman/manager need to realise if you want the Aston Martins (or Premier league) you have to shell out more than the price of a secondhand Escort. I feel the club have mislead supporters into believing that we would invest in the squad at the same time keeping our best players (although I think you can count on one hand the players worthy of this league let alone Premier League quality) Colin has highlighted Blackpool and Burnley as club we need to emulate but Blackpool shelled out £500k for Charlie Adam and Burnley bought Chris Eagles so the idea they got promoted on free agents and bargain basement signings is not really true.

In truth I would have bought my season ticket regardless (I renewed in Feb not knowing what league we'd be in this season) and although I don't want us to get relegated, if we do I'll renew next season as I'm sure will many others because most of us love our club whatever division we're in. I just want the bull Shi'ite to stop, give us the truth from the start and stop fobbing us off and lying. I don't care if the board can give us premier league football or can't stop us playing in League one next term but please give us, the paying life blood honesty, respect and the opportunity to respect the current CUSTODIANS of OUR CLUB

I'd say this hits the nail on the head, a lot of fans I know are asking the same questions, maybe Colin, Guy or Steve L would like to respond to this post and tell us all what the score is, I for one would love to know....

+2

[CiderHider]

I don't think there is a hidden agenda here at all. Long term, the stadium may help establish the club with some stability and financial control. That vision is to be applauded.

It is the short term where there appears to bs an issue. Frankly, and I agree with thus approach, we need to do a housekeeping job on the clubs wages and playing staff, and essentially do a holding job.

Keith, I would argue is not expected to get us up. Just to hold things steady. When all other ducks are in a row, then we would up the ante. The ducks are the new stadium, wage/income ratio, new stadium sponsors etc.

At that point, a bigger manager will be backed with better players.

So a holding job is what is required now - but can this really be publicly stated? This could worry fans, sponsors, management and players who all need that carrot.

Assuming this is the stratedgy, I am fully supportive.

An excellent summary for me, this is where we are and I'm more than happy with it.

[Red Exile]

I don't think there is a hidden agenda here at all. Long term, the stadium may help establish the club with some stability and financial control. That vision is to be applauded.

It is the short term where there appears to bs an issue. Frankly, and I agree with thus approach, we need to do a housekeeping job on the clubs wages and playing staff, and essentially do a holding job.

Keith, I would argue is not expected to get us up. Just to hold things steady. When all other ducks are in a row, then we would up the ante. The ducks are the new stadium, wage/income ratio, new stadium sponsors etc.

At that point, a bigger manager will be backed with better players.

So a holding job is what is required now - but can this really be publicly stated? This could worry fans, sponsors, management and players who all need that carrot.

Assuming this is the stratedgy, I am fully supportive.

If that were the strategy I wouldn't disagree with it...but it's not the same strategy that saw SL appoint Steve Coppell and sign David James is it? His strategy then was a push for the Prem.

The problem is surely that it's all changed so quickly.

And as for Millen holding things steady...I just don't see it. We're going backwards. GJ was holding things steady - in his own way...he was slated on here for that but he was an experienced manager seeking from the off to avoid relegation. When he went I believe most of us assumed it was so that he could be replaced with someone more suited to management at this level and better equipped to push on...not his deputy.

[Antman]

totally agree with the OP. well written and well put.

[crusader]

I believe the expectancy has also come from fans after our first season in the Championship, going onto reach the play off final whilst in reality we would have been quite happy to be a mid table championship side.

I think its right that every club not just Bristol City advertise that they aspire for promotion or to win the the league. How would you feel if in the summer all had said we are hoping to stay up by the skin of our teeth or be a mid table side, we would have heard many complaints. I don't think the club can win. Perhaps say nothing would be the easiest option!

[numbeast]

I don't think there is a hidden agenda here at all. Long term, the stadium may help establish the club with some stability and financial control. That vision is to be applauded.

It is the short term where there appears to bs an issue. Frankly, and I agree with thus approach, we need to do a housekeeping job on the clubs wages and playing staff, and essentially do a holding job.

Keith, I would argue is not expected to get us up. Just to hold things steady. When all other ducks are in a row, then we would up the ante. The ducks are the new stadium, wage/income ratio, new stadium sponsors etc.

At that point, a bigger manager will be backed with better players.

So a holding job is what is required now - but can this really be publicly stated? This could worry fans, sponsors, management and players who all need that carrot.

Assuming this is the stratedgy, I am fully supportive.

I think the vast majority of us would be more than happy if this is the plan because it's realistic and well thought out. I agree the board can't come out and say KM is only a stop gap (if this is the case) but they shouldn't be raising expectations either. I believe most of us know that without the new stadium in place we will struggle to reduce the annual overspend and promotion would compound the problem what with higher wages and supporters expectation regarding new signings. So why make these noises about aiming for automatic promotion when we would all accept being told we need a couple more years of consoilidation at this level. I think most City fans would love to be playing the Man U Chelsea and Arsenal week in but I haven't heard one City fan say we want promotion this year. We spent far too long in league one so as fans we appreciate the Championship. I'm not saying don't be ambitious but be realistic. Why not just say we are aiming to improve on last years position but funds are going to be tight and Keith needs to wheel and deal which I feel would be the more honest approach. Adversity brings out the most supportive of traits when coupled with honesty but when expetations are falsely raise people are going to react badly to a start like we've had because we've been assured of something the club is not able to come close to delivering.

[Antman]

Look for trouble and you will find it. Lets not forget SL has always said he want's the club to be self sufficient and CS will work toward that. Our model at the moment does not alow us to compete with the bigger teams in this league, this is why SL is driven to get the Stadium build, only then can we start to really compete at the top level, it just tkes time and we have to wait, until then there is no point throwing millions at our squad. Stadium is so important.

I do wonder how the dynamics inside BCFC have changed since SL's exit. I have total faith in CS. How does everyone think the relationship between chairman and manager has changed, if at all? I mean, can we now start to look at non EU players again? Did SL make some funds available for KM, but now CS has said no?

Haha, i'm not saying any of this is true, i'm just thinking out loud. On another point, does there come a time when it appears nobody is interested in our dead wood that we simply cut them lose? If we are going to end up paying ghtem the money anyways, whay keep them at the club dragging everyone down and taking up space? I guess professionally then can still do a job so we cant do this unless they really are totally useless and disruptive.

SL has been pulling the financial strings at this club for a very long time, before chairman he was financial director for a long while, lets not forget that. Many of the decisions that are now directly affecting the fortunes of the club, came directly across his desk. Of course we're grateful to SL for his financial input, but if that financial input is a direct result of his mistakes and poor decision making historically, then shouldn't we ask questions?

My opinion of SL has actually mellowed over the years and my long held scepticism about the way he was slowly positioning himself regards ownership of the club softened as his genuine support became more evident.

But now I find the hand wringing about the need to be more self sufficient a little disingenuous, snipes about costs of players under past managers misleading ( is SL suggesting he DIDN'T have direct control or veto here?) and the installation of CS as little more than a puppet, and KM as a safety first / reaction appointment to the Coppell fiasco lacking in ambition and betraying a hesitancy in leadership and direction.

as this thread argues, management of fans expectations HAS been badly handled of late and these latest decisions seem to put us dangerously back into a cul-de-sac from where it's going to take a small miracle to escape from. a miracle that KM isn't going to deliver for sure.

and yes, we're all growing way too tired of the BS.

[CiderHider]

SL has been pulling the financial strings at this club for a very long time, before chairman he was financial director for a long while, lets not forget that. Many of the decisions that are now directly affecting the fortunes of the club, came directly across his desk. Of course we're grateful to SL for his financial input, but if that financial input is a direct result of his mistakes and poor decision making historically, then shouldn't we ask questions?

My opinion of SL has actually mellowed over the years and my long held scepticism about the way he was slowly positioning himself regards ownership of the club softened as his genuine support became more evident.

But now I find the hand wringing about the need to be more self sufficient a little disingenuous, snipes about costs of players under past managers misleading ( is SL suggesting he DIDN'T have direct control or veto here?) and the installation of CS as little more than a puppet, and KM as a safety first / reaction appointment to the Coppell fiasco lacking in ambition and betraying a hesitancy in leadership and direction.

as this thread argues, management of fans expectations HAS been badly handled of late and these latest decisions seem to put us dangerously back into a cul-de-sac from where it's going to take a small miracle to escape from. a miracle that KM isn't going to deliver for sure.

and yes, we're all growing way too tired of the BS.

We are weening ourselves off SL's money, withdraw symptoms beginning...must...sign....players... Its true in the past SL would have said here you go Keith, here i 1m to get a new centre half, we;re looking light, and this regardless of current squad size or wage bill.

If SL has a fault it is ruling with his heart rather than his head. The appointment of Tinnion was to poetic not to do, it failed, but it could have been great...I think that is SL, hes a fan and probably made decision as a fan, kinda weird, having such a stake in this club must be some kind of outlet for him, dealing with markets and making money all day probably gets boring after a while. people blow their money at casinos, SL gets his kick from City and we are the winners!

Colin will bring changes, a man from a military background, probably going to run a tight ship as it were, well we are here for the ride, lets set sail under Colin's banner and see where it takes us