formerly known as ivan Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 And we have made 2 signings! 2 to add to the pile of shit that we had last season!!! One to replace Tammy which is practically impossible! A couple of bids out there but nothing imminent! Is the club for real?! This is worse than pre season under Cotts in our first season back in the championship! When we eventually sign someone no doubt we will hear 'take time to settle in'. Yes, that's what pre season is for!!! Don't panic though cus we will have Bobby Reid leading the line cus he can bang them in for fun against part timers/lower league opposition! A few weeks back a was regretting not renewing my season ticket. Couldn't justify the cost as my enjoyment in going down had been completely destroyed. Now I feel relieved and sorry for anyone who did!
Lrrr Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 1 minute ago, formerly known as ivan said: This is worse than pre season under Cotts in our first season back in the championship! No its not, we were making bids for players we were never going to sign and wasting money, LJ and co this summer are trying to make sure we only sign the right players and not just getting another body in. Sorry but your post seems like a massive over dramatisation of the summer, if you don't want to come back so be it, but I actually prefer the club being critical about who we pay wages to.
Meh Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 Liking where this may head - a new topic nobody has raised before so likely to peak interest. Will watch this mass debate with interest
formerly known as ivan Posted July 25, 2017 Author Posted July 25, 2017 12 minutes ago, hodge said: No its not, we were making bids for players we were never going to sign and wasting money, LJ and co this summer are trying to make sure we only sign the right players and not just getting another body in. Sorry but your post seems like a massive over dramatisation of the summer, if you don't want to come back so be it, but I actually prefer the club being critical about who we pay wages to. Do you not think targets would have been identified some months ago? Why are we 10 days away from the start of the season and we are still trying to identify the right player? If that's the case I would be even more concerned! Was expecting LJ to say tonight he would hope to have 2 or 3 in by the weekend, what I didn't expect was nothing imminent!
Lrrr Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 Just now, formerly known as ivan said: Do you not think targets would have been identified some months ago? Why are we 10 days away from the start of the season and we are still trying to identify the right player? If that's the case I would be even more concerned! Was expecting LJ to say tonight he would hope to have 2 or 3 in by the weekend, what I didn't expect was nothing imminent! He said we have a few bids out but nothing is imminent. It's not like we've sat on our hands all summer, I expect we've tried signing numerous players this summer which, for whatever reason haven't happened. Targets are identified and watched all year round by recruitment not just in the summer or approaching windows, databases of players for every position, just we're not the most attractive of teams in this division.
formerly known as ivan Posted July 25, 2017 Author Posted July 25, 2017 Just now, hodge said: He said we have a few bids out but nothing is imminent. It's not like we've sat on our hands all summer, I expect we've tried signing numerous players this summer which, for whatever reason haven't happened. Targets are identified and watched all year round by recruitment not just in the summer or approaching windows, databases of players for every position, just we're not the most attractive of teams in this division. So why only 2 signings to date this summer?
Lrrr Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 1 minute ago, formerly known as ivan said: So why only 2 signings to date this summer? Because Johnson said he wanted to work with a smaller squad this season and any signings would be quality as opposed to quantity which is what we required last summer.
David Brent Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 I'm happy with our business so far. We've not lost any key players and we've added a couple of, you would think, upgrades. Glad we haven't signed the 7 or so that was suggested on here.
KeepUpLino Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 36 minutes ago, formerly known as ivan said: And we have made 2 signings! 2 to add to the pile of shit that we had last season!!! One to replace Tammy which is practically impossible! A couple of bids out there but nothing imminent! Is the club for real?! This is worse than pre season under Cotts in our first season back in the championship! When we eventually sign someone no doubt we will hear 'take time to settle in'. Yes, that's what pre season is for!!! Don't panic though cus we will have Bobby Reid leading the line cus he can bang them in for fun against part timers/lower league opposition! A few weeks back a was regretting not renewing my season ticket. Couldn't justify the cost as my enjoyment in going down had been completely destroyed. Now I feel relieved and sorry for anyone who did! Bang on son, our club is a bloody shambles!!
Davefevs Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 3 minutes ago, David Brent said: I'm happy with our business so far. We've not lost any key players and we've added a couple of, you would think, upgrades. Glad we haven't signed the 7 or so that was suggested on here. Tend to agree, sometimes you have to work harder with what you've got in these situations and that can bring better rewards.
formerly known as ivan Posted July 25, 2017 Author Posted July 25, 2017 14 minutes ago, hodge said: Because Johnson said he wanted to work with a smaller squad this season and any signings would be quality as opposed to quantity which is what we required last summer. Sorry but I'm just not getting your point... Obviously we would want to bring in better quality than we already have otherwise it would defeat to point of bringing them in. However that doesn't explain why these players haven't yet been signed!
Lrrr Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 Because its not as easy as signing a player on football manager or fifa
formerly known as ivan Posted July 25, 2017 Author Posted July 25, 2017 3 minutes ago, hodge said: Because its not as easy as signing a player on football manager or fifa Funny that, other teams manage!
tts_city Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 1 minute ago, hodge said: Because its not as easy as signing a player on football manager or fifa It does remind me of our first season back under cotts, the same faces singing the same platitudes, I'm fearing the worst but hoping for the best but I think our cards are marked after last season, time will tell very soon.
Lrrr Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 1 minute ago, formerly known as ivan said: Funny that, other teams manage! And other teams have different transfer agendas/priorities.
tts_city Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 4 minutes ago, hodge said: And other teams have different transfer agendas/priorities. They also were not laughing stock for a third of last season,.
Davefevs Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 22 minutes ago, hodge said: And other teams have different transfer agendas/priorities. Agree....we are still a little fish in a big pond in this Championship, even though it is easy to think - new stadium, rich owner, etc. We are not attractive to a number of players but we will gradually change this over time. In League One we are the big fish. Lets not forget that Prem clubs haven't announced their 25's yet, so always players (of all ages) suddenly become available.
Lrrr Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 6 minutes ago, Davefevs said: Agree....we are still a little fish in a big pond in this Championship, even though it is easy to think - new stadium, rich owner, etc. We are not attractive to a number of players but we will gradually change this over time. In League One we are the big fish. Lets not forget that Prem clubs haven't announced their 25's yet, so always players (of all ages) suddenly become available. Some people don't seem to grasp this, spending £5m on one player, some people seem to think we should be doling it out regularly despite the fact its almost double our record transfer. Some also don't recognise that we spent the amount we did last season due to the fact we had a squad of about 18 players max at the end of the season previous. We had to spend or we'd have had a tiny squad or one full of free transfers. I still fully expect to see 2 or maybe 3 more players in for the rest of the summer depending on how we start.
One BCFC Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 What you have to look at is the team who were already here had either their first taste of Championship Football or first taste of English Football last season. Players like Magnússon, Hegeler, Brownhill, O'Dowda, Lucic, Reid, Paterson (feel he has potential) & Moore. These players will be better than last season, and we saw what these players could do in the run in towards the end of last season. I'm actually excited by this season, we may well struggle but I do feel we have a large group of players who will go on to be very good for us. I also like the fact we try and play a good style of Football as well. Keep the faith, UTC!
pillred Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 2 hours ago, formerly known as ivan said: And we have made 2 signings! 2 to add to the pile of shit that we had last season!!! One to replace Tammy which is practically impossible! A couple of bids out there but nothing imminent! Is the club for real?! This is worse than pre season under Cotts in our first season back in the championship! When we eventually sign someone no doubt we will hear 'take time to settle in'. Yes, that's what pre season is for!!! Don't panic though cus we will have Bobby Reid leading the line cus he can bang them in for fun against part timers/lower league opposition! A few weeks back a was regretting not renewing my season ticket. Couldn't justify the cost as my enjoyment in going down had been completely destroyed. Now I feel relieved and sorry for anyone who did! oh dear!
Spike Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 In all fairness to OP although he's a little over dramatic and this has been brought up numerous times, he has a point and it's fair to say the majority of us know it. Looking at out signings we've brought Pisano in to replace Little, we've lost Tammy and gained and unproven Diedhiou and we've sold Tomlin, ultimately we are weaker than we were last season and with the season less than two weeks away from starting we're not seeing any solid talks of more players likely to sign any time soon. We've had all of the preseason to this point to sign players and we've lost more than we've gained and arguably the quality was better before, so at what point are we allowed to become angry about this preseason? My biggest issue is that we still don't seem capable of bringing in quality players, LJ and co may be refusing to sign players unless they are an improvement to our squad but with only two signings that surely means we can't bring in players to make this squad better..... right?
Bar BS3 Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Breaking news: Transfer window to shut on 26th July. Whats that...? It doesn't..? There is still over a month until it shuts..? oh, well then in that case, no, I'm not in the slightest bit concerned that we are making sure we sign the right players, rather than bloating the squad for the sake of it. Yes, I'd still like 2/3 new additions, so would LJ. Happy to wait for the right ones.
Major Isewater Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 As we're reportedly looking for quality and not numbers , those players will have more choice, more difficult contracts and negotiations take longer. No need to panic .
City Ben Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 5 hours ago, Spike said: In all fairness to OP although he's a little over dramatic and this has been brought up numerous times, he has a point and it's fair to say the majority of us know it. Looking at out signings we've brought Pisano in to replace Little, we've lost Tammy and gained and unproven Diedhiou and we've sold Tomlin, ultimately we are weaker than we were last season and with the season less than two weeks away from starting we're not seeing any solid talks of more players likely to sign any time soon. I think it's absolutely fair to say that in terms of player-for-player swaps, it seems that Deedoo < Tammy and Pisano <?> Little (too early to tell on that one). Tomlin is another debate! So in those simple terms, yes I would agree that our squad seems weaker. However I think that assessment overlooks the fact that our existing players won't be the same as they were last year. They're a young bunch, they will have improved. It also ignores the idea that we are a team, rather than a collection of players. Who knows, as a team things could be set to operate a lot more smoothly this year with everyone pointing in the same direction. I actually think this last point is critical, the most successful clubs are TEAMS not a series of individual players. It's not all about new signings, it's also improving what you have.
Guest Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 27 minutes ago, City Ben said: I think it's absolutely fair to say that in terms of player-for-player swaps, it seems that Deedoo < Tammy and Pisano <?> Little (too early to tell on that one). Tomlin is another debate! So in those simple terms, yes I would agree that our squad seems weaker. However I think that assessment overlooks the fact that our existing players won't be the same as they were last year. They're a young bunch, they will have improved. It also ignores the idea that we are a team, rather than a collection of players. Who knows, as a team things could be set to operate a lot more smoothly this year with everyone pointing in the same direction. I actually think this last point is critical, the most successful clubs are TEAMS not a series of individual players. It's not all about new signings, it's also improving what you have. Hot news I`m afraid; the same goes for most other "teams" in this division; so its back to the "our squad seems weaker" statement. LJ didn't really know who to play and where last season, looks like the same is likely this season, for instance who out of all our forwards, if fit, would you start with ? Out of the rest I`d say only Flint, Bryan, Pack and the newbies were nailed on starters. (and 2 of them might not be here much longer)
citywest30 Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 This thread seems pretty standard OTIB - the two polar views being argued. I am definitely with the optimists for a number of reasons: Firstly, we seem to be doing well in preseason. Secondly, as others have said, a number of young players go into this season with a year's experience of Championship under their belt. One of our best players - Korey - has a preseason behind him. Bobby Reid seems to have discovered the knack of finishing. Two exciting signings in the form of Pisano and Diedhiou covering the two vital positions where we were weakest (some may argue there are still some) Signs of some youngsters pushing on - in particular Kelly and Hinds. Effectively a new signing in the form of Engvall - am genuinely excited to see what the season brings with him. Still holding on to our best players in Flint and Bryan (though I'd actually be ok with either leaving for the right price). I bet there are other positives too, it's just whether you want to focus on them rather than the negatives.
Meh Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Overall feeling is underwhelmed and believe our squad is lacking leadership and proven experience. I think, despite the 5 weeks to go argument, that we may well have missed out on most of the identified targets mainly to other clubs and LJ's 3rd window he asked for - so should be the final jigsaw pieces - is not going as planned. I fear no more signings that would actually improve the squad until a panic filled transfer deadline day !!
Red Army 75 Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 We are trying to sign quality players. LJs words . Surely people must understand how difficult that is for our club . If we're so say competing with the like of apparently Lyon for players. I'm not surprised it's taking a long time. We made so many mistakes in the past we surely have to learn from that. Don't sign someone for the sake of it . If it's Aug the 28th then I agree we could be in deep shit . But until that scenario . People need to get a grip
GrahamC Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Actually (and I know that is not allowed on here) I can see some truth in both sides of this argument. It is the case that we are looking to operate with a smaller squad and a few of the younger players (Magnússon & O'Dowda in particular) will have greater experience of this league this season. It may also give opportunities to some that previously seemed out of favour too. However it is hard to believe it was ever our intention to start the season having made just 2 signings, neither of whom have ever played in England. Yes, we probably will add a player or two by the end of August but they will have done their pre season elsewhere and missed the bonding part of Tenerife, too. I also don't buy the "we are better off without Tomlin or a replacement" line, even if he was disruptive he was a squad regular and has not been replaced. The ham fisted way we have dealt with the Engvall business also suggests to me certain people at the club are not as smart as they think they are. Imagine if the Swedish club had come up with the money, with no new signings imminent apparently according to LJ we'd then be frighteningly short up front. I do think on balance there are more parallels with the first season up than some want to admit. Yes, we do have more squad depth but an injury to the new striker or Frankie and we look in real difficulty. Others (Barnsley and Brentford spring immediately to mind), do seem to have this better planned and whilst I get that we cannot compete with the Villas and Boro they are our realistic competition.
Mtimmy11 Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 8 hours ago, JamesBCFC said: Christ, the drama queens are out tonight. No there not ,just the fans who can see though all the bull were being told
Red Exile Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 I'm with Neo and Graham C...underwhelmed but able to see both sides of the argument. I can't help noticing that whatever buzz and excitement had been created around Bristol City a year ago...new stand, bigger capacity, ambitious signings...has rather evaporated. The most disappointing seasons of the recent past have been those in which it very quickly became evident that the squad was unable to compete and we were relying on there being three worse teams. Unless remarkable progress has been made over the summer it's hard to predict that this group of players will be anything other than mediocre at Championship level...and with a still unproven manager and backroom team, and some preseason matches against sides unlike any we'll be competing with, it's hard to have a lot of confidence that such progress has been made. So I'm looking forward to the start of the season, but thinking that we will learn a lot from the first few matches, which are against the sorts of sides we have to match if we're to have a comfortable season.
Guest Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 59 minutes ago, citywest30 said: This thread seems pretty standard OTIB - the two polar views being argued. I am definitely with the optimists for a number of reasons: Firstly, we seem to be doing well in preseason. albeit against poor opposition Secondly, as others have said, a number of young players go into this season with a year's experience of Championship under their belt. just like other teams/squads One of our best players - Korey - has a preseason behind him. seems injury prone and unlikely to start every game Bobby Reid seems to have discovered the knack of finishing. see answer 1 above Two exciting signings in the form of Pisano and Diedhiou covering the two vital positions where we were weakest (some may argue there are still some) unproven in this div Signs of some youngsters pushing on - in particular Kelly and Hinds. again unlikely to start subs bench best hope Effectively a new signing in the form of Engvall - am genuinely excited to see what the season brings with him. will he play games, at the expense of who? subs bencher Still holding on to our best players in Flint and Bryan (though I'd actually be ok with either leaving for the right price). they would be the final pieces in losing the spine of our team I bet there are other positives too, it's just whether you want to focus on them rather than the negatives. you have to strive for hope I suppose or its face reality On the other hand ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Guest Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 1 hour ago, JonDolman said: It looks like he's going to go with the same kind of team that finished the season. Narrow 4411. Pisano, diedhiou and possibly Reid in for little, tammy and Taylor. And i expect a new goalie instead of fielding. Once we have that goalie, we need about another 3 quality players to compete with that side. If we can't get our targets then I expect he'll bring in loans. So not a lot to worry about imo, as there's over a month till the window closes. I expect a repeat of last season, team chopped and changed almost weekly, win a few lose more, unable to kill teams off, run round a lot, look forward to the next window and then wonder if there will be 3 worse teams again.
Major Isewater Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 The most successful clubs have TEAMS . Our most successful period in the last fifty years we had with a TEAM who played together regularly and knew each other's game , strengths and weaknesses. Since those days the club have tried to buy a team and rarely had the courage to let the players present ' gel ' and improve their game . I can , in part , understand this because we are nearly always either battling for promotion from the third division or fighting relegation in the second . Maybe , just maybe , this year will be different and we run with a team.
redapple Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 2 hours ago, glos old boy said: I expect a repeat of last season, team chopped and changed almost weekly, win a few lose more, unable to kill teams off, run round a lot, look forward to the next window and then wonder if there will be 3 worse teams again. Why don't you support Chelsea or Man City ? We're one of 80 teams who are all hoping for the best under the circumstances that their under. There aren't to many many Messiahs out there who can magic up football success. Bristol City are batting at about their historical and financial position and aren't going to thrash teams week in and out. The owner has set about a strategic policy and the manager is doing his best within that. I'm optimistic short-term and long-term, I've seen the highs and the lows and where we are now isn't to bad .
Tears in rain Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 20 minutes ago, redapple said: Why don't you support Chelsea or Man City ? We're one of 80 teams who are all hoping for the best under the circumstances that their under. There aren't to many many Messiahs out there who can magic up football success. Bristol City are batting at about their historical and financial position and aren't going to thrash teams week in and out. The owner has set about a strategic policy and the manager is doing his best within that. I'm optimistic short-term and long-term, I've seen the highs and the lows and where we are now isn't to bad . True as according to that historical chart of where each team finished every season we were exactly where we should have been. This is our level and let's see if year by year we can try progress it.
Lack of Action Man Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 I've been largely quiet this summer simply because I cannot get enthused over our pre-season or our dealings in the transfer market. As a fan, all I ever really want to see from City is progression and for me we've shown a somewhat mood-killing lack of it in recent times, whether that be our choice of pre-season opponents or our lacklustre movements in strengthening the squad. I can't get hyped over Bobby Reid knocking in goals against teams of the caliber we've been playing. I don't think that's me being a kill-joy but just perhaps the cynicism that comes with many years of supporting City with that lingering knowledge that somehow, we always contrive to **** up. In my mind we still need 3 or 4 additions to the squad, 1 of which may need to be a goalkeeper given that Frankie has been injured several times in his stay with us. A few of the pundits are tipping us for relegation. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but I also don't see us moving any higher than 17th this year - as things stand.
BCFC_Dan Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 It still comes down to the question of whether last season saw a good team suffering an awful blip or a bad team having 2 periods of above average form. The squad was either woefully inadequate last season and has lost 2 goalscoring players, or it was actually above average and has lost the troublemaker that caused the poor run. Only time will tell. One thing I would point out to those making the point that other teams' players will also be a year more experienced: that's true, but that can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the age of the squad. Ours is young and should improve with time. Other clubs have much older squads and those may well deteriorate with time. It would be quite silly to assume that every other club will progress at the same rate as us or better, just as it would be to assume the opposite.
citywest30 Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 3 hours ago, glos old boy said: On the other hand ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Like I said, just depends on whether you want to concentrate on the positives. I agree with all you say except that I think our squad more than many others will have benefited from the season's experience as we had many untried or relatively untried at that level - O'Dowda, Hörður, Brownhill etc. I, for one, am optimistic.
EnderMB Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 On the face of it, we've made very few signings for this season. In reality, we made loads of signings last season, and most of them were for this season or later. Engval, and Moore are examples of this, and they are two names I expect to see around the first team this season. Taylor too, now that he's had a full pre-season with us, and has had a taste of the level in the Championship.
generation1 Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 read this thread and wondered when the moaning was going to stop. everything is a big stick to beat the club with. they are damned if they do and damned if they do not. so we have not brought loads of players in but last 2 windows were wrong for signing too many. we are wrong to put academy players in because they are not good enough(how will you know till you try) and wrong to block their path to the first team with loans seems most will not be content till S.L. spends a fortune but the same people think prices are too high. conclusion most of this forum just want a good moan and its easy to do on line.
Guest Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 2 hours ago, redapple said: Why don't you support Chelsea or Man City ? We're one of 80 teams who are all hoping for the best under the circumstances that their under. There aren't to many many Messiahs out there who can magic up football success. Bristol City are batting at about their historical and financial position and aren't going to thrash teams week in and out. The owner has set about a strategic policy and the manager is doing his best within that. I'm optimistic short-term and long-term, I've seen the highs and the lows and where we are now isn't to bad . Answer to your question, "I have been here since before the Dolman Stand was built, I`ve followed my club to most grounds some of which aren't even here anymore; I was a season ticket holder in the Dolman for the first 2 yrs after it was built and I have been to many, many hundreds of games home and away. There is in fact no stand here now that was here when I first supported my club; I too have been to the top division and bottom division watching my club" so nah I wont go support Chelsea or anyone else. Sad really that you mr ?mrs? miss? redapple should ask such a "stupid question" just because I don't share your present faith/belief in our current team/manager/owner but like everything that will pass one day and then maybe my hopes will return.
Guest Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 1 hour ago, citywest30 said: Like I said, just depends on whether you want to concentrate on the positives. I agree with all you say except that I think our squad more than many others will have benefited from the season's experience as we had many untried or relatively untried at that level - O'Dowda, Hörður, Brownhill etc. I, for one, am optimistic. I was optimistic in the past, the last time was when we played Hull, its bloody painful so it will be a while till next time.
shelts Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Let's have a go at LJ thread . Another one . Some good points raised though
robinreliant Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 39 minutes ago, glos old boy said: Answer to your question, "I have been here since before the Dolman Stand was built, I`ve followed my club to most grounds some of which aren't even here anymore; I was a season ticket holder in the Dolman for the first 2 yrs after it was built and I have been to many, many hundreds of games home and away. There is in fact no stand here now that was here when I first supported my club; I too have been to the top division and bottom division watching my club" so nah I wont go support Chelsea or anyone else. Interesting fact that. Hadn't really thought of that. Obvious now you've mentioned it. Just goes to show how much progress we are making so I'm not going to be a doom merchant. I stood on the old terrace before the Dolman was built. Was a regular to away games on the coach to Ninian Park Cardiff and Newport County. Went to Wigan's old ground too. Would I want to go back to those days ? Progress has been made on and off the pitch. Bristol as a football city isn't considered fashionable but maybe we can change peoples conception of that. To be able to attract top quality players to our club that's what has to happen. To be talked of with respect in the same breath as Villa Wolves Sunderland ? West Brom Southampton etc and to be able to compete for better players signatures with them should be the aim. We haven't been able to do that in the past so we need to be patient. I think we are doing things the right way. If the right players become available at the right price then great. I'm not going to have a moan at LJ MA. I'm sure everything is being done to try and get players in that are going to benefit the team. In the mean time let's wait and see shall we.
Nibor Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Probably a bit overstated in the original post but I think it's fair to say this squad is slightly weaker than at the end of last season. Pisano hopefully is better than Little, Deidhiou may be very good but it's unlikely he will be as successful as Tammy, and Tomlin going leaves us without anybody who can really get on the ball and threaten and create at this level. None of the younger players are likely to play any big part in this season either, you'll see people out of position before that happens. The "development squad" can be effectively ignored for first team purposes, mostly they'll go on loan. We need to sign a first choice keeper, a left sided player depending on where you're going to play Joe Bryan, and a right winger. We could do with moving on two or three central midfielders and bringing in one who can really run the game at this level in particular going forward. Hegeler may be able to do this if played in the correct position, but will need time as he was so underutilised last season. If Engvall stays we're probably alright up front once Đurić and Taylor are fit, but if not that's worth looking at too. Reid isn't going to be effective there in the Championship, I hope LJ was joking about that. The signings aside, I want to see a coherent pattern to how we play and a consistent selection. We should know our best XI and stick to it for a while and give it a chance.
BS4 on Tour... Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 14 hours ago, BA14 RED said: What you have to look at is the team who were already here had either their first taste of Championship Football or first taste of English Football last season. Players like Magnússon, Hegeler, Brownhill, O'Dowda, Lucic, Reid, Paterson (feel he has potential) & Moore. Well, that's not too accurate, Paterson had played nearly 100 games in the championship over five seasons before he joined us and Bobby Reid has played around 70 games in the championship and more than half of those were before last season...and Josh Brownhill had played in the championship before last season too...
Iron Acton Red Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 A tad melodramatic me thinks.ok we've only made 2 signings and lost Tammy and Tommo,although regarding Tomlin maybe not such a loss.But i'd rather us not panic buy crap players and regret it.Im sure we will have a couple of signings this week or early next week and bear in mind a lot of players that did'nt feature last season will be more prominent this term.Chin up and keep the faith.
Red Exile Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 2 hours ago, generation1 said: read this thread and wondered when the moaning was going to stop. everything is a big stick to beat the club with. they are damned if they do and damned if they do not. so we have not brought loads of players in but last 2 windows were wrong for signing too many. we are wrong to put academy players in because they are not good enough(how will you know till you try) and wrong to block their path to the first team with loans seems most will not be content till S.L. spends a fortune but the same people think prices are too high. conclusion most of this forum just want a good moan and its easy to do on line. I'd simply observe that SL has spent a fortune, and on the pitch delivered very little. It may well be our historic position to bump around the bottom of the second tier or more usually at the top of the third, but I don't recall that being the height of our ambitions, or his...in fact I recall us being in the top flight in my youth and almost getting back there a decade ago. If there's moaning it may be because we've seen it all before, and because expectations were raised that after three, or was it four, "windows" we'd have a team to compete. Maybe we have, maybe we haven't, time will tell, but the promises of jam tomorrow ring a little hollow after a while.
Garland-sweden Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 9 hours ago, City Ben said: I think it's absolutely fair to say that in terms of player-for-player swaps, it seems that Deedoo < Tammy and Pisano <?> Little (too early to tell on that one). Tomlin is another debate! So in those simple terms, yes I would agree that our squad seems weaker. However I think that assessment overlooks the fact that our existing players won't be the same as they were last year. They're a young bunch, they will have improved. It also ignores the idea that we are a team, rather than a collection of players. Who knows, as a team things could be set to operate a lot more smoothly this year with everyone pointing in the same direction. I actually think this last point is critical, the most successful clubs are TEAMS not a series of individual players. It's not all about new signings, it's also improving what you have. Agree, Tammy and Tomlin gone. Tomlin a very very good player, but the team works better without him. If we where Barca, Real or Bayern we could afford to have a player like Tomlin but we are Bristol City. Tammy scored and scored, we van not have one player when it time to score. Tammy saved us last season, now its time for others to score. Without those two players we have to play with a team and gameplane. Will Think that we have lots of creative players that really can make a team.
Sargent Pepper Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 17 hours ago, formerly known as ivan said: And we have made 2 signings! 2 to add to the pile of shit that we had last season!!! One to replace Tammy which is practically impossible! A couple of bids out there but nothing imminent! Is the club for real?! This is worse than pre season under Cotts in our first season back in the championship! When we eventually sign someone no doubt we will hear 'take time to settle in'. Yes, that's what pre season is for!!! Don't panic though cus we will have Bobby Reid leading the line cus he can bang them in for fun against part timers/lower league opposition! A few weeks back a was regretting not renewing my season ticket. Couldn't justify the cost as my enjoyment in going down had been completely destroyed. Now I feel relieved and sorry for anyone who did!
Leveller Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 17 hours ago, formerly known as ivan said: And we have made 2 signings! 2 to add to the pile of shit that we had last season!!! One to replace Tammy which is practically impossible! A couple of bids out there but nothing imminent! Is the club for real?! This is worse than pre season under Cotts in our first season back in the championship! When we eventually sign someone no doubt we will hear 'take time to settle in'. Yes, that's what pre season is for!!! Don't panic though cus we will have Bobby Reid leading the line cus he can bang them in for fun against part timers/lower league opposition! A few weeks back a was regretting not renewing my season ticket. Couldn't justify the cost as my enjoyment in going down had been completely destroyed. Now I feel relieved and sorry for anyone who did! Could you prune the exclamation marks a little, please? They're giving me a headache and don't add anything to what you say.
One BCFC Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 1 hour ago, BS4 on Tour... said: Well, that's not too accurate, Paterson had played nearly 100 games in the championship over five seasons before he joined us and Bobby Reid has played around 70 games in the championship and more than half of those were before last season...and Josh Brownhill had played in the championship before last season too... Brownhill was at Barnsley who were L1 the season before last. Paterson has potential thats why I put him in that bracket, as does Reid.
formerly known as ivan Posted July 26, 2017 Author Posted July 26, 2017 20 minutes ago, Leveller said: Could you prune the exclamation marks a little, please? They're giving me a headache and don't add anything to what you say. Just adds a bit more drama...
Leveller Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 2 minutes ago, formerly known as ivan said: Just adds a bit more drama... Well, your style, your choice. But from where I'm sitting it makes you sound like an adolescent One Direction fan.
formerly known as ivan Posted July 26, 2017 Author Posted July 26, 2017 2 minutes ago, Leveller said: Well, your style, your choice. But from where I'm sitting it makes you sound like an adolescent One Direction fan. Definitely a 1D fan, not so much adolescent...
Bar BS3 Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 9 hours ago, Mtimmy11 said: No there not ,just the fans who can see though all the bull were being told What "bull" are we being told..? You honestly think that we are not actively pursuing more new players and that LJ suggests that we are, just to try and mug us off..?!
wendyredredrobin Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Confident that the squad we have can compete with decent management and tactics. It's the latter that concerns me more. I really like to see a 3 5 2 formation at home and a 5 3 2 formation away, perhaps interchanging during games depending on the oppositions tactics. I've never been a lover of 442 and 451 is simply defeatest.
Davefevs Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 44 minutes ago, wendyredredrobin said: Confident that the squad we have can compete with decent management and tactics. It's the latter that concerns me more. I really like to see a 3 5 2 formation at home and a 5 3 2 formation away, perhaps interchanging during games depending on the oppositions tactics. I've never been a lover of 442 and 451 is simply defeatest. Sorry, gonna come across and sound all arrogant, but people go on too much about formations. They are good for Football Manager and good as a basis of where players start, but the game is too fluid for that. 451 can become 433 with the ball as an example. Under Cotts City played 532, or was it 352, or was it 5212 (Freeman in behind) or 3412 (Litts and Bryan almost midfielders)? In fact Little's starting position was often right wing, even when the ball was on the left wing. It was very clever, because it gave Ayling acres of room to advance, especially if we worked it quickly from Williams, to Flint, to him. 442 is often viewed from above without the ball as more 4411 with one striker dropping off, or even 460 when both drop into midfield, especially away from home. Is 442 any more attacking that 451 when the 2 CMs never go past the halfway line? i could go on. Lets see how fluid the likes of Paterson are from left wing? I'll be disappointed if he hugs the touchline. I want him to come inside to drag his full back narrow to allow Bryan to overlap. Whilst he is inside I want him to be clever with his runs to either get in behind the CBs or create space for our strikers by doubling up.
BobBobSuperBob Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 1 minute ago, Davefevs said: Sorry, gonna come across and sound all arrogant, but people go on too much about formations. They are good for Football Manager and good as a basis of where players start, but the game is too fluid for that. 451 can become 433 with the ball as an example. Under Cotts City played 532, or was it 352, or was it 5212 (Freeman in behind) or 3412 (Litts and Bryan almost midfielders)? In fact Little's starting position was often right wing, even when the ball was on the left wing. It was very clever, because it gave Ayling acres of room to advance, especially if we worked it quickly from Williams, to Flint, to him. 442 is often viewed from above without the ball as more 4411 with one striker dropping off, or even 460 when both drop into midfield, especially away from home. Is 442 any more attacking that 451 when the 2 CMs never go past the halfway line? i could go on. Lets see how fluid the likes of Paterson are from left wing? I'll be disappointed if he hugs the touchline. I want him to come inside to drag his full back narrow to allow Bryan to overlap. Whilst he is inside I want him to be clever with his runs to either get in behind the CBs or create space for our strikers by doubling up. Prefer to see Patterson as a 10 centrally , ideally Dave but good post and in total agreement about hang ups re formations
wendyredredrobin Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Its really wing backs i like to see who can get around the back of tight organised defences. Yes, fluidity is important, but our back 4 did look a bit vulnerable last season. 442can easily become an effective 451.
Davefevs Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 11 minutes ago, wendyredredrobin said: Its really wing backs i like to see who can get around the back of tight organised defences. Yes, fluidity is important, but our back 4 did look a bit vulnerable last season. 442can easily become an effective 451. And wingbacks can leave gert big holes down the channels in behind that drag your big ugly CBs into unknown territory. See Fulham home in 15/16 season! No formation is 'king'. Diablo doesn't work in real life (some of you will get the reference). To be fair, I like wingbacks too. I played a lot as a CB threesome, mainly because we usually had a man spare and we could go as tight as we'd like. The wingbacks forced their Wife Midfielders back too. But we were exposed by nippy strikers who ran the channels relentlessly.
Bobfish Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 Personally, I think the outcome of our season will come down to how much LJ has learnt from last season. I don’t think more signings, especially big money ones, would actually improve us. Remember Tomlin? Someone who played for the cameras rather than the team. I believe our best chance is a strong foundation of young energetic players like we have, making sure they are well drilled, trained to hunt the ball down in packs and to press high. We have to keep 442 (or arguably 4411) to protect our flanks and I hope the preseason has been spent teaching everyone their job in, as others have mentioned, a team. Bringing someone in at the eleventh hour is another shake up – look at last season where we had so many new players new to the championship. Hopefully they have now adapted. Repeating the “bedding down” process is only going to be detrimental to playing as a team. I think LJ has realised this when you look at the signings he has made – the Italian clearly likes the physical game, is very experienced in a football culture fairly similar to the English game, and our new striker is physically made for that too, hopefully meaning they can adapt quickly. People feel we will miss tomlin’s creativity, but what will move us up the league is consistency. Clean sheets. Resilience. Hard working players working hard for eachother; this enabled the form at the end of the season that saved us. Whilst I would like to see additions to our style of play, I feel we have the potential for this within the club – playing out from the back (mags, moore, Jens) More creativity in the middle of the park without sacrificing defensive solidity (jens, brownhill running his ass off.) More crossing for the big men, (paterson, o’dowda, full backs. Hopefully the Italian can help solve this problem from the right this season.) Another point, I am glad at our lack of loan signings. Tammy was excellent, obviously, but he was playing for his future, his every minute of every game scrutinised by Chelsea. Matthews wasn’t playing for anything (whilst the season before it was in the hope of a Wales call up), Cott’s turned up for the first few games to show two fingers to Birmingham, Giefier, well, who knows. At the moment we have just Bristol city players playing for city and I hope that now includes Engvall too. The first few games will be crucial, almost regardless of the results. If he maintains 442 or 4411 and the team appear very structured, well drilled, I would have high hopes for the season. Yet if he chops and changes the formation every game, experimenting with three at the back, only having one player on each flank rather than two, I would fear for a repeat of last season.
RumRed Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 29 minutes ago, Davefevs said: And wingbacks can leave gert big holes down the channels in behind that drag your big ugly CBs into unknown territory. See Fulham home in 15/16 season! No formation is 'king'. Diablo doesn't work in real life (some of you will get the reference). To be fair, I like wingbacks too. I played a lot as a CB threesome, mainly because we usually had a man spare and we could go as tight as we'd like. The wingbacks forced their Wife Midfielders back too. But we were exposed by nippy strikers who ran the channels relentlessly. You are still talking about football right?
Davefevs Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 12 minutes ago, Bobfish said: Personally, I think the outcome of our season will come down to how much LJ has learnt from last season. I don’t think more signings, especially big money ones, would actually improve us. Remember Tomlin? Someone who played for the cameras rather than the team. I believe our best chance is a strong foundation of young energetic players like we have, making sure they are well drilled, trained to hunt the ball down in packs and to press high. We have to keep 442 (or arguably 4411) to protect our flanks and I hope the preseason has been spent teaching everyone their job in, as others have mentioned, a team. Bringing someone in at the eleventh hour is another shake up – look at last season where we had so many new players new to the championship. Hopefully they have now adapted. Repeating the “bedding down” process is only going to be detrimental to playing as a team. I think LJ has realised this when you look at the signings he has made – the Italian clearly likes the physical game, is very experienced in a football culture fairly similar to the English game, and our new striker is physically made for that too, hopefully meaning they can adapt quickly. People feel we will miss tomlin’s creativity, but what will move us up the league is consistency. Clean sheets. Resilience. Hard working players working hard for eachother; this enabled the form at the end of the season that saved us. Whilst I would like to see additions to our style of play, I feel we have the potential for this within the club – playing out from the back (mags, moore, Jens) More creativity in the middle of the park without sacrificing defensive solidity (jens, brownhill running his ass off.) More crossing for the big men, (paterson, o’dowda, full backs. Hopefully the Italian can help solve this problem from the right this season.) Another point, I am glad at our lack of loan signings. Tammy was excellent, obviously, but he was playing for his future, his every minute of every game scrutinised by Chelsea. Matthews wasn’t playing for anything (whilst the season before it was in the hope of a Wales call up), Cott’s turned up for the first few games to show two fingers to Birmingham, Giefier, well, who knows. At the moment we have just Bristol city players playing for city and I hope that now includes Engvall too. The first few games will be crucial, almost regardless of the results. If he maintains 442 or 4411 and the team appear very structured, well drilled, I would have high hopes for the season. Yet if he chops and changes the formation every game, experimenting with three at the back, only having one player on each flank rather than two, I would fear for a repeat of last season. Couldn't agree more BF. I;m not saying we are playoff candidates, but I think we'll see hard working players, ground-out points (when we got zilch last season) and a sense of squad harmony. i'm looking forward to it.
redapple Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 5 hours ago, glos old boy said: Answer to your question, "I have been here since before the Dolman Stand was built, I`ve followed my club to most grounds some of which aren't even here anymore; I was a season ticket holder in the Dolman for the first 2 yrs after it was built and I have been to many, many hundreds of games home and away. There is in fact no stand here now that was here when I first supported my club; I too have been to the top division and bottom division watching my club" so nah I wont go support Chelsea or anyone else. Sad really that you mr ?mrs? miss? redapple should ask such a "stupid question" just because I don't share your present faith/belief in our current team/manager/owner but like everything that will pass one day and then maybe my hopes will return. Well it's Mr and I guess I'm about the same age as you but probably look a bit younger as I don't worry so ! Its just that your so negative. I wouldn't say I have great faith or belief , but I do see a lot of potential in the current squad, I do see some sort of plan from the owner in competing with far wealthier opposition and others trying to buy success at the risk of financial suicide. I do like the Coaches enthusiasm for the game and the way he talks about football but admit that improvement in results are required. I like the new stadium , I like the atmosphere , I like that we can attract a sell out crowd for a nothing fixture and that attendances are up hugely in the last season. To me those are things to be optimistic about, it shows that a large majority share that and are ready to get behind the team. By all means don't happy-clap but don't be so persistently negative. I suspect a signing or 2 may arise yet and who knows there maybe a marquee signing that excites even you. Anyway I hope I can say 'told you so' at the end of the season and that your back on board as your a good fan who writes some good posts .
BS4 on Tour... Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 3 hours ago, BA14 RED said: Brownhill was at Barnsley who were L1 the season before last. Paterson has potential thats why I put him in that bracket, as does Reid. Brownhill played some games in the championship for PNE in 2015/16 - not many, but he played in the championship before he came to us...
RobintheRed Red Posted July 26, 2017 Posted July 26, 2017 21 hours ago, formerly known as ivan said: And we have made 2 signings! 2 to add to the pile of shit that we had last season!!! One to replace Tammy which is practically impossible! A couple of bids out there but nothing imminent! Is the club for real?! This is worse than pre season under Cotts in our first season back in the championship! When we eventually sign someone no doubt we will hear 'take time to settle in'. Yes, that's what pre season is for!!! Don't panic though cus we will have Bobby Reid leading the line cus he can bang them in for fun against part timers/lower league opposition! A few weeks back a was regretting not renewing my season ticket. Couldn't justify the cost as my enjoyment in going down had been completely destroyed. Now I feel relieved and sorry for anyone who did! Brilliant mate
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