Plan A with Alex and Plan B without Alex

[TomThumb84]

So…. The Starboy has left as was long and predictably going to happen, and, I might have dreamt it, but didn’t we have a plan with him and without him?

I appreciate that TC got injured at an awful time but looking at that starting side today, I can see no centre-forwards, and no central attacking midfield players, and we are all wondering how we got turned over on our own patch without a whimper at goal.

I am incredibly disappointed that we have not already replaced AS with a like for like (or as close as possible) plus a striker. Nahki is 32 and if he was left out for tactical reasons today then it is one of the only times I have genuinely questioned NP and his judgment.

That side picked today looked stodgy yet toothless. The carefree Mehmeti we signed has become a nervous shadow of the Wycombe version and Sykes (who was a genuinely top performer last year) cannot start.

Unpopular maybe, but Sam Bell does not justify a starting place let alone leading the line for a club with any ambitions in this league, and Cornick is miles off.

Lansdown’s odd meanderings around which club model he wants us to follow is bemusing and all of a sudden we are from promise to no-mans land again in a fortnight.

I think Pearson - after sorting 80% of our mess out, cannot figure the rest and is still stung from the AS sale - I think he thought he would stay.

If he is not backed now then this could get worse quickly.

Not meaning to be alarmist but we just cannot seem to get a foothold can we?

 

[Son of Fred]

2 minutes ago, TomThumb84 said:

Pearson - after sorting 80% of our mess out, cannot figure the rest and is still stung from the AS sale - I think he thought he would stay.

If he is not backed now then this could get worse

If he's not backed it's the high road.

[Henry]

If our plan is to not replace Scott or replace him with another league 1 project, we’re in for a very long season.

[TomThumb84]

4 minutes ago, Son of Fred said:

If he's not backed it's the high road.

Agreed. He has gone from full of beans to having the look he had when he first walked in to this shambles.

[IAmNick]

The reality is we're not going to replace Scott with one player as he was a much more complete footballer than we're likely to see again for some time.

That's not to say we shouldn't spend some money at this point, but if you're expecting Scott v2 I think you're going to be sorely disappointed.

[Davefevs]

This is the continuation of the “SL thread” in reality.

Interesting to see how this plays out.

I am definitely 2+2=5 but this would be typical Lansdown to let Nige sort out the shit and then want someone else.

[The Swan and Cemetery]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

This is the continuation of the “SL thread” in reality.

Interesting to see how this plays out.

I am definitely 2+2=5 but this would be typical Lansdown to let Nige sort out the shit and then want someone else.

I have night terrors about SL having a bright idea to bring LJ back. 

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, The Swan and Cemetery said:

I have night terrors about SL having a bright idea to bring LJ back. 

That’s 2+2=6

[Mr Popodopolous]

If he doesn't back NP reasonably that would be a travesty, he in conjunction with Gould did some fantastic work.

I kinda get the Cotts had some suspect timing we could have pushed but not a given but NP there is zero excuse now. Zero.

[joe jordans teeth]

10 minutes ago, IAmNick said:

The reality is we're not going to replace Scott with one player as he was a much more complete footballer than we're likely to see again for some time.

That's not to say we shouldn't spend some money at this point, but if you're expecting Scott v2 I think you're going to be sorely disappointed.

I fully expect us to finish around the same place as we did with golden boy last season if not maybe higher 

[fisherrich]

I honestly don’t think Lansdown has a scooby doo about how to run a football club - feels like a shambles.

[TomThumb84]

6 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

That’s 2+2=6

2+2+2=6 if you throw a greasy CEO in there

[Cardy]

In reality there is no Plan B or atleast no Plan B that has any alignment with the P word that was used at the start of the season.

Edited August 19, 2023 by Cardy

[TV Tom]

I’d like to see a plan A, B or C from our manager

[Cardy]

7 minutes ago, fisherrich said:

I honestly don’t think Lansdown has a scooby doo about how to run a football club - feels like a shambles.

Mad isn’t it? Some guy comes over from America & has transformed a basket case club so that it is looking upwards with a positive vibe within weeks - yet we are still going round in circles 25 years later.

Edited August 19, 2023 by Cardy

[LondonBristolian]

I’m willing to accept it is not always easy to get signings in quickly so I am not going to judge whether we have or haven’t got players in until the window closes. But it is very clear we are lacking creativity and need at least one signing.

[ray savino]

8 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

This is the continuation of the “SL thread” in reality.

Interesting to see how this plays out.

I am definitely 2+2=5 but this would be typical Lansdown to let Nige sort out the shit and then want someone else.

I think this will happen.

I still can’t help but think we are not going to ever move on until SL moves aside for new energy, ambition and crucially investment. I admire Nige for clearing the crap, but the overall ownership of the club is stale. I love City and always will, but we are so so bloody average. One step forward two steps back. Never mind we’ll have another cup upset soon we can commemorate on Radio Bristol every 10 years. Sorry, I should no better by now, but bloody hell, yes a cliche, but painfully hit home to me today, it really is the hope that kills you!

[Mr Popodopolous]

7 minutes ago, fisherrich said:

I honestly don’t think Lansdown has a scooby doo about how to run a football club - feels like a shambles.

Where is the CEO btw?

Missing in action isn't he. 7 or 8 months in now and he appears now and then but he really doesn't inspire. Gould however I saw as excellent.

[The Original OTIB]

15 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

That’s 2+2=6

Sadly, more probable.

[Shuffle]

13 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

This is the continuation of the “SL thread” in reality.

Interesting to see how this plays out.

I am definitely 2+2=5 but this would be typical Lansdown to let Nige sort out the shit and then want someone else.

This season was the time to judge Pearson as far as I’m concerned as most of the squad will be his for the first time.  After £35m in sales and less than £6m spent (albeit how wisely to be judged) to not back him now would be a travesty.  I’ve gone from being very optimistic to very flat in less than 2 weeks so god knows how Pearson feels and if plans have changed since Scott sold ref funding for transfers then he would be entitled to walk. Speculation of course but not quite as blunt as this but back him or sack him Lansdown.

[alexukhc]

Sadly we used him most of pre season n he was a key player to the system we are now using, surely we knew he was going and I’m sure there must be a list of replacements like Nigel said Knight wasn’t bought to replace him but to play along side him, so I’m confused

[TomThumb84]

1 minute ago, Cardy said:

Mad isn’t it? Some guy comes over from America & has a basket case club looking upwards within weeks & yet we are still going round in circles 25 years later.

This. It blows my mind.

I am starting to believe we are being held back and do not want to push on.

I am getting old and cynical but the rhetoric out of the club is all around the youngsters and how great our production line is. Yeboah the latest all over the socials, hype and hype and money follows. Our lot largely are not good enough for a while. Pring took a while, O’Leary, Vyner is mid 20’s.

The reality is clubs buy to get out of this league. Luton being an exception to the rule which SL is now using as a new beacon of success which is frankly absurd. If anything he should see their promotion as an indication of embarrassment in his failure to get us there.

[The Original OTIB]

1 minute ago, Shuffle said:

This season was the time to judge Pearson as far as I’m concerned as most of the squad will be his for the first time.  After £35m in sales and less than £6m spent (albeit how wisely to be judged) to not back him now would be a travesty.  I’ve gone from being very optimistic to very flat in less than 2 weeks so god knows how Pearson feels and if plans have changed since Scott sold ref funding for transfers then he would be entitled to walk. Speculation of course but not quite as blunt as this but back him or sack him Lansdown.

Maybe he thinks he can crack him ... to walk. Contract up in April anyway. We need an experienced no. 9 (at the very least), totally lacked a focal point today, Bell a daft choice central, needs to bulk up. Need an older head, oh for a Wilbs type.

[tin]

23 minutes ago, The Swan and Cemetery said:

I have night terrors about SL having a bright idea to bring LJ back. 

You and I both. I can smell the bullshit now: “Lee has a proven track record of managing in Europe…” ignoring the context he also lost to an Andorran minnow!

[fisherrich]

The club needs fresh impetus from the top downwards IMO.

I’m not interested in the rugby, etc just Bristol City. I’ve been lambasted for challenging the Bristol Sport concept for years on here. But as previously stated, BS just dilutes Bristol City FC. The club just is not progressing. And is in danger of going backwards. Lovely ground and all that, but Lansdown is not backing Nigel Pearson and one wonders why?

[ChrisBW]

7 minutes ago, fisherrich said:

The club needs fresh impetus from the top downwards IMO.

I’m not interested in the rugby, etc just Bristol City. I’ve been lambasted for challenging the Bristol Sport concept for years on here. But as previously stated, BS just dilutes Bristol City FC. The club just is not progressing. And is in danger of going backwards. Lovely ground and all that, but Lansdown is not backing Nigel Pearson and one wonders why?

Because he doesn’t want him long term - he’s got his eye on Mark Robins or some younger manager who fits the ‘brand’.

[TomThumb84]

1 minute ago, ChrisBW said:

Because he doesn’t want him long term - he’s got his eye on Mark Robins or some younger manager who fits the ‘brand’.

Not sure Mark Robins fits the bill anymore.

Anyone with any “real football world” exposure comes into our club and is blown away by us.

Look at Pearson. Probably thought he had seen it all but here we we again!

Its why we took LJ and Holden.

[Mr Popodopolous]

4 minutes ago, ChrisBW said:

Because he doesn’t want him long term - he’s got his eye on Mark Robins or some younger manager who fits the ‘brand’.

I like Robins but we're so stupid if NP has done all that heavy lifting and we don't back him properly in the market.

We sure as shit won't replace him with better at this level.

Edited August 19, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[ChrisBW]

Just now, Mr Popodopolous said:

I like Robins but we're so stupid if NP has done all that heavy lifting and we don't back him properly in the market.

Not sure he warrants being properly backed. Done a great job in blooding the youngsters but he has made some strange decisions himself. 

[BigTone]

Plan C. Forget plan A & B