Steve Lansdown……..

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

But what was their FFP position, compared to ours? They might be better placed this summer than we are. Or they might not have a self-imposed wage ceiling (collective and individual) like we have - like our owner has decided on, to be clear. Maybe they're happy to re-invest the transfer fees received for Hamer and Gyokeres - whereas our owner has decided (this sumemr or permanently - it would be nice to know, wouldn't it?) not to do that and to build a nice Nest Egg instead. 

No 2 clubs start from the same place in a transfer window, so it's pointless comparing what we do to anyone else. Think of it like the start of an F1 race - every transfer window, each club has a slightly different position on the starting grid.

This summer, we're somewhere near the back - and with the handbrake on! Meanwhile the likes of Birmingham and Coventry have sped off into the distance. But as the race is only 4 games old, we just have to hope we can catch up with them. 

Slow and steady wins the race, as they say. Come to think of it, that sounds like something the owner might say - to which the reply would be - you've had 20 years to win this race, mate, how about someone else has a go?   

 

Healthy in the grand scheme of things:

[Eddie Hitler]

13 minutes ago, MarcusX said:

I thought it was bizarre playing him so much in pre-season if we genuinely thought he was going. That suggests Nige hoped to keep him, or didn't expect him to leave. Otherwise we should have left him out and worked around not having him.

 

Conversely if Scott wasn't actively involved in pre-season then potential buyers would have known that we were definitely selling him and then bid lower accordingly.

It makes sense to work to inflate the price of your big asset at the expense of season preparation as long as the inflated fee is then used to make good the team.

Which it hasn't been.

So you are right.

Per another thread: What is going on?

[Riaz]

8 minutes ago, 38MC said:

Toothless up front, scared of playing at home, a real lack of any squad depth, going in to winter with a truly wafer-thin squad. Can't see any reason to write off a relegation battle at this point. 

But we look decent away from home.

[Supersonic Robin]

4 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

But what was their FFP position, compared to ours? They might be better placed this summer than we are. Or they might not have a self-imposed wage ceiling (collective or individual) like we have - like our owner has decided on, as Pearson made clear yesterday. Maybe they're happy to re-invest the transfer fees received for Hamer and Gyokeres - whereas our owner has decided not to do that (just for this summer or permanently it would be nice to know, wouldn't it?) and to build a nice Nest Egg instead. 

No 2 clubs start from the same place in a transfer window, so it's pointless comparing what we do to anyone else. Think of it like the start of an F1 race - every transfer window, each club has a slightly different position on the starting grid.

This summer, we're somewhere near the back - and with the handbrake on! Meanwhile the likes of Birmingham and Coventry have sped off into the distance. But as the race is only 4 games old, we just have to hope we can catch up with them. 

Slow and steady wins the race, as they say. Come to think of it, that sounds like something the owner might say - to which the reply would be - you've had 20 years to win this race, mate, how about someone else has a go?   

 

Think you've come in half way through a conversation here where the initial discussion might not be clear.

The original point of discussion was simply "Do other clubs hold onto their best players? Would other clubs have not sold Alex Scott this summer". Hence the reference to Coventry with Hamer & Gyokeres.

Agree that there are lots of other differences between the position of the clubs.

[Merrick's Marvels]

1 minute ago, Supersonic Robin said:

Think you've come in half way through a conversation here where the initial discussion might not be clear.

The original point of discussion was simply "Do other clubs hold onto their best players? Would other clubs have not sold Alex Scott this summer". Hence the reference to Coventry with Hamer & Gyokeres.

Agree that there are lots of other differences between the position of the clubs.

I did. Thanks.

[GrahamC]

1 hour ago, glynriley said:

Are they looking competitive? They’ve got 5 points from 5 games. You sound like my gAss mates, getting carried away by a few over the hill signings and some premier league kids. 
 

I get everyone is pissed off with our malaise at the moment, but let’s not get carried away. 

Come off it mate, if our last 2 results in League One had been a defeat at Cambridge followed by defeat at home to Wycombe, with the winner scored by someone that Rovers had let go this summer, then this forum would be full of people saying that we’d be in the Prem soon. No?

Along with the “Lansdown is going to sell AG for flats” theory we are currently at Roy De Alien levels of utter horseshit on here today.

[Red-Robbo]

10 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

 Slow and steady wins the race, as they say.

That was never Usain Bolt's motto.  

[Cidre Monita]

1 hour ago, Kodjias Wrist said:

Remember there was a top flight before the prem? But I do agree after so many making it to the prem, it wouldn't surprise me to see teams like Preston, Millwall, Rovers to did it before us. Could add in Wrexham in all fairness with their backing.

One subtle difference with the aforementioned clubs, they actually want to get to the premier league, we don’t. I would add Bolton, Derby and Portsmouth to the list. How many more false dawns can us fans put up with? It would be interesting to see how many would get their season card money back now if they could (especially after the non-reinvestment of the Scott cash). It must be obvious to even the must optimistic of those amongst us that we will never make the PL under Lansdown. 

[Guest]

41 minutes ago, Riaz said:

You'd think we were relegation candidates going by some of the comments on this thread

new flash; we could well be

1. We have cashed in on our best player
2. Our already light weight attack has sufferred from long term injuries
3. A rare commodity, a signing is also injured for months
4. We have one of the smallest in number available, squads in this div
5. We have an owner and chairman who have gone into hiding and closed their wallets to any more signings
6. Wage structure is maxed out, despite Kalas leaving
7. Have you seen who our next 5 opponents are.
8. Rumours abound of our owner who wants out and is more interested in Arenas/Bricks and Mortar than Bristol City F.C and is balancing the books to make us a better proposition.
9. If SL continues on this track and no buyer is found we indeed will be relegation candidates, if not a strong favourite.
10. NP will need all his will power to see out this season even this month imo.

[Riaz]

Just now, wtf said:

new flash; we could well be

1. We have cashed in on our best player
2. Our already light weight attack has sufferred from long term injuries
3. A rare commodity, a signing is also injured for months
4. We have one of the smallest in number available, squads in this div
5. We have an owner and chairman who have gone into hiding and closed their wallets to any more signings
6. Wage structure is maxed out, despite Kalas leaving
7. Have you seen who our next 5 opponents are.
8. Rumours abound of our owner who wants out and is more interested in Arenas/Bricks and Mortar than Bristol City F.C and is balancing the books to make us a better proposition.
9. If SL continues on this track and no buyer is found we indeed will be relegation candidates, if not a strong favourite.
10. NP will need all his will power to see out this season even this month imo.

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, Riaz said:

[Fred89]

34 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

But what was their FFP position, compared to ours? They might be better placed this summer than we are. Or they might not have a self-imposed wage ceiling (collective or individual) like we have - like our owner has decided on, as Pearson made clear yesterday. Maybe they're happy to re-invest the transfer fees received for Hamer and Gyokeres - whereas our owner has decided not to do that (just for this summer or permanently it would be nice to know, wouldn't it?) and to build himself a Nest Egg instead. 

No two clubs start from the same place in a transfer window, so it's pointless comparing what we do to anyone else. Think of it like the start of an F1 race - every transfer window, each club has a slightly different position on the starting grid.

This summer, we're somewhere near the back - and the owner has put the handbrake on as well! Meanwhile the likes of Birmingham and Coventry have sped off into the distance. 

But as the race is only 4 games old, we just have to hope we can catch up with them. Slow and steady wins the race, as they say.

Come to think of it, that sounds like something the owner might say - to which the reply would be - you've had 20 years to win this race, mate, how about someone else has a go behind the wheel?   

 

Coventry another club in League 2-1 for almost 10 years no stadium for 10 years waving at us on their way past to the Premier League it’s comical really 

[Supersonic Robin]

12 minutes ago, wtf said:

new flash; we could well be

7. Have you seen who our next 5 opponents are.

Does the season end in 5 gameweeks time? Will we not play the other teams too?

Edited September 1, 2023 by Supersonic Robin

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Supersonic Robin said:

Does the season end in 5 gameweeks time? Will we not play the other teams too?

Those questions are too difficult to answer, give me a clue please? are the answers yes or no by any chance.

[ExiledAjax]

23 minutes ago, wtf said:

new flash; we could well be

1. We have cashed in on our best player
2. Our already light weight attack has sufferred from long term injuries
3. A rare commodity, a signing is also injured for months
4. We have one of the smallest in number available, squads in this div
5. We have an owner and chairman who have gone into hiding and closed their wallets to any more signings
6. Wage structure is maxed out, despite Kalas leaving
7. Have you seen who our next 5 opponents are.
8. Rumours abound of our owner who wants out and is more interested in Arenas/Bricks and Mortar than Bristol City F.C and is balancing the books to make us a better proposition.
9. If SL continues on this track and no buyer is found we indeed will be relegation candidates, if not a strong favourite.
10. NP will need all his will power to see out this season even this month imo.

Nah, it's early days but we are quite far from looking like relegation candidates. Our attacking numbers are ok other than goals scored, not many in the top third of the various rankings, but we're far off being bottom for anything. Nothing I see makes me worry about relegation.

Flip side is that there's also no way we're going up this season imo. But it should be another season of bouncing between 8th and 16th for most of the time, before settling into proper mid table in the spring.

That's what the early games project anyway, plenty of time for the turns to table.

[Davefevs]

13 minutes ago, wtf said:

Those questions are too difficult to answer, give me a clue please? are the answers yes or no by any chance.

Next 5:

A mix of teams.

Or did you mean the 5 after the break?

A mix of teams.

[Bristol Oil Services]

14 hours ago, RedRock said:

I think his interest waned during the latter years of LJ. Sure the idea was to pass responsibility for the running of the Club to Jon, assisted by MA with (relatively) small cash injections as necessary. He was planning to going off to enjoy a leisurely retirement watching City from afar.

Jon though went awol and MA seemed to just take control for his own benefit.

Steve has been lumbered with the overseeing the running of the Club, which over the last few Seasons has cost him £10 millions annually. I suspect he derives little enjoyment from his involvement. Frankly, probably views it as a right pain in the ar$e. Think he has had more than enough. Think most of us in his position would be of a similar mind.

Clearly bad judgements were made on appointments, when to invest and when not, the lack of building a decent scouting network and a plan to build a cohesive team. However, on the upside we now have a decent stadium, training facility and an Academy the envy of many. I think the Bristol Sport concept is sound too and IF the sporting quarter is delivered, a unique sporting complex and one to be proud of. 

The Holy Grail has not been delivered though and, ultimately, he will be judged on that by many. However, solid foundations are in place to push on to the next stage. Vital now he passes the baton on to someone who has the means and ability to realise our dream. Fear is if it’s a Glazer-type enterprise then everything he’s invested in the Club is likely to be rendered worthless. I’ll judge Steve’s involvement in our Club based on who takes over. 

 

 

If you are Steve, just how well do you want your successor to do, though? You wouldn't want them doing too well, would you?

Imagine you're Steve, and you sell up to whoever, and they move in and swiftly make some strategic changes, new CEO, new Head Coach and so on, and then, in their first full season, Bristol City fly, finish in the top six, fail heroically, make a small fortune/nest egg, and second full season, the new owner takes us to promotion.

If you're Steve, you're thinking: Ffs!

Imagine you're Steve, and you sell up, and we go up (and stay up), and nobody misses you. Not even those that defended you to the end. That's got to hurt?

If you’re Steve, and you sell the City, you don't want the owners doing that well, do you? Not really, deep down. That's got to be a quiet thought he has to himself, once in a while?

You want to be missed, a bit. Or more than a bit. You want the gobby ****ers that told you you knew nothing about football to eat their words. And they won't be doing that if the new bloke/owner is too successful, too quickly.

[Shauntaylor85]

7 minutes ago, Bristol Oil Services said:

If you are Steve, just how well do you want your successor to do, though? You wouldn't want them doing too well, would you?

Imagine you're Steve, and you sell up to whoever, and they move in and swiftly make some strategic changes, new CEO, new Head Coach and so on, and then, in their first full season, Bristol City fly, finish in the top six, fail heroically, make a small fortune/nest egg, and second full season, the new owner takes us to promotion.

If you're Steve, you're thinking: Ffs!

Imagine you're Steve, and you sell up, and we go up (and stay up), and nobody misses you. Not even those that defended you to the end. That's got to hurt?

If you’re Steve, and you sell the City, you don't want the owners doing that well, do you? Not really, deep down. That's got to be a quiet thought he has to himself, once in a while?

You want to be missed, a bit. Or more than a bit. You want the gobby ****ers that told you you knew nothing about football to eat their words. And they won't be doing that if the new bloke/owner is too successful, too quickly.

Pearson should just walk. I would. An absolute farce from the owners and board. Disgusting way to treat the management and fans. 

[glynriley]

6 minutes ago, Shauntaylor85 said:

Pearson should just walk. I would. An absolute farce from the owners and board. Disgusting way to treat the management and fans. 

Thankfully Nige is made of sterner stuff (he fights wolves you know)

He’ll stay the course, for the players and staff he’s brought in as much as anything. 
 

 

[Gazred]

SL glances out the window from his west wing tower...

 

[Keepers Ball]

On 30/08/2023 at 20:49, BigTone said:

Why lazy ?  Put up or shut up. Sorry, but doubt you can.

In that case you should never make any comment on the football. Show us your various coaching badges. Until then....

[Keepers Ball]

On 30/08/2023 at 21:08, RedRoss said:

Oh no.. think we're heading for a new cringey period of painted bedsheet banners outside Ashton Gate but now with SL.

All after a few flat performances and we've only lost once in the league and its not even September.

It's not cringey whatsoever. Only way to get noticed. What do you expect? Request of an appointment with our glorious owner?

Unfortunately with us it would never work because our fan base has a fair number of apathetic people who are just happy enough to sit back and not give a toss

Edited September 1, 2023 by Keepers Ball

[Mr Popodopolous]

On 30/08/2023 at 20:08, RedRoss said:

Oh no.. think we're heading for a new cringey period of painted bedsheet banners outside Ashton Gate but now with SL.

All after a few flat performances and we've only lost once in the league and its not even September.

I don't think it is results, I don't even think it's a couple of flat home performances.

It is more like a culmination of factors:

1) 1.5-2 years of wholly necessary austerity as we worked through some major losses to avoid failing FFP.

2) The star player who went inevitably, despite best hopes netted us a record fee.

3) Our squad is reasonably balanced but thin. Maybe when all fit a creator light, a CB light and a keeper light- loan out the least likely to challenge out of Bajic and Wiles-Richards.

4) NP has played a pivotal role to set up these stronger foundations. Once the Scott money arrived it was now the time to back him in these key areas of the pitch.

Some of this, even if we take a more cautious path financially that is disappointing but not impossible to believe.

What really disappoints me is the void at the top. All that strong work by NP yet he is having to explain it all away.

There was no pre season interview with either SL or the CEO. The bits by SL were on a Guernsey platform about the whole nest egg.

From all the optimism of 6 weeks ago we are in quite a different place. The silence of the top brass is making it significantly worse.

Edited September 1, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[BigTone]

24 minutes ago, Keepers Ball said:

In that case you should never make any comment on the football. Show us your various coaching badges. Until then....

Like 99.9% of others on here who comment on the football you mean

[Keepers Ball]

2 minutes ago, BigTone said:

Like 99.9% of others on here who comment on the football you mean

The majority of that 99.9% won't ask someone to prove their worth of football knowledge .

 

Edited September 1, 2023 by Keepers Ball

[BigTone]

2 minutes ago, Keepers Ball said:

The majority of that 99.9% won't ask someone to prove their worth of football knowledge .

 

Yes Dear. Now go and read the OP again as to the threads subject

[Henry]

6 minutes ago, BigTone said:

Like 99.9% of others on here who comment on the football you mean

Then why the **** you posting on a football forum?!

[BigTone]

6 minutes ago, Henry said:

Then why the **** you posting on a football forum?!

Why are they ? Is it a prerequisite to have coaching badges now ?

[RedRoss]

1 minute ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

I don't think it is results, I don't even think it's a couple of flat home performances.

It is more like a culmination of factors:

1) 1.5-2 years of wholly necessary austerity as we worked through some major losses to avoid failing FFP.

2) The star player who went inevitably, despite best hopes netted us a record fee.

3) Our squad is reasonably balanced but thin. Maybe when all fit a creator light, a CB light and a keeper light- loan out the least likely to challenge out of Bajic and Wiles-Richards.

4) NP has played a pivotal role to set up these stronger foundations. Once the Scott money arrived it was now the time to back him in these key areas of the pitch.

Some of this, even if we take a more cautious path financially thst is disappointing but not impossible to believe.

What really disappoints me is the void at the top. All that strong work by NP yet he is having to explain it all away.

There was no pre season interview with either SL or the CEO. The bits by SL were on a Guernsey platform about the whole nest egg.

From all the optimism of 6 weeks ago we are in quite a different place. The silence of the top brass is making it significantly worse.

Fully understand each point independently. I actually agree we've had years of austerity and we thought we're finally seeing the wood through the trees and this created excitement however football doesn't work like that.

We thought we'd start seeing some investment after the heavy lifting especially since Scott leaving (which was always inevitable) we have invested much more than recent years but we've also been very unlucky with our top scorer getting injured and arguably our most expensive signing gone until the new year plus other first team players unavailable.Yes I also accept perhaps now we should adapt and bring in more depth and loosen the wages slightly to accommodate this issue.

Nige hasn't been offered a contract but I don't buy this SL hates him conspiracy because at this moment that's all it is. I fully accept its fine to criticise the club about not addressing the depth currently, the lack of honest intentions from our owner but not the rest. We can't moan because Alex was sold, his desire would of always been to play in the Premier League, we shouldn't be moaning yet about the lack of contract from Nige (there could be so many reasons why that hasnt happened) I'm just sensing from certain fans they are chucking all there toys out the pram because they aren't getting a new flashy signing through the door and generating conspiracy after conspiracy.

All this moaning and berating of the club and SL is exaggerated and brought up constantly when we have a loss or a flat performances. The fans who say they do this for the betterment of the club are the same fans that boo our players off at half time. If they are so unified with Nige and the players they have a very strange way of showing it.

[Keepers Ball]

7 minutes ago, BigTone said:

Yes Dear. Now go and read the OP again as to the threads subject

Already did. You are telling someone to stump up the money or shut up. Refusing an opinion because of their inability to buy the club. Therefore in future you should shut up when you have nothing to back up your opinion.