Fans forum 27th November - Hen and Chicken

[exAtyeoMax]

33 minutes ago, RedM said:

I got the vibe that in Manning we have an ambitious Manager that seems to know his stuff and deserves more credit than many gave him when he arrived. He doesn't come across as a 'yes' man and is clearly working hard on progressing his career and has more experience than people realise.

It seemed to me those sat on the table alongside him last night were hearing him speak like like for the first time* and were suddenly thinking 'oh fluff, what have we let ourselves in for!

*Obviously, or hopefully they weren't, but you never know with our due diligent interview process!

I thought the questions were at best lame. Boring and repetitive and went off at a tangent. People were too quick to heap praise on the Board etc too, too gushy. 

yes he comes across as very ambitious, so I don't expect him to hang around for long.

The others just appear completely hopeless alongside him. Why doesn't BT know about players' injuries etc? He's the Technical Director/CEO/etc. Did anyone ask about Dave Rennie? 

[Davefevs]

8 hours ago, George Rs said:

Personally don’t really see the need to micro analyse JL’s every action at events like this as if he’s planning the clubs doom behind the scenes. 

Is he a brilliant public speaker? Obviously not.

Is he trying to harm the club in any way? Obviously not.

Is he passionate about our club? Obviously, he wouldn’t have stayed in his position for so long if he wasn’t.

To clarify he said “overall reaction” not overreaction when asked about the communication of Niges sacking. And his response was correct in my opinion.
Decisions like that will never please everyone, but communicating the clubs goals and current objectives more effectively will mean that the reaction will be less explosive when those decisions are made. 
 

Also, people will ask questions they want the answers for, were some of them answered in an interview 11 months ago, or relatively obvious? Yes. But insulting peoples questions is a tad silly tbh, most people there probably weren’t going to try to pressure sensitive answers to uncomfortable questions. 
 

The only part I had a problem with was the response to the questions about the lack of communication on u21s games, I agree that was awful. 
 

Whether the changes in the structure of the clubs senior hierarchy and management are for good/bad is all wait and see now. Personally, I rather like this LM fella and am pretty optimistic about our future, but I haven’t had to endure the decades of almosts and disappointments many have so I gather I’m in the minority. Either way COYR bring on Wednesday night! 

I think the problem with his public speaking skills is he doesn’t have experience to fall back on, to think on his feet, because he’s not had the real-world business exposure someone in his position would have.  His dad, although arrogant at times, has been there and done it and can draw upon what he’s been through to word his way around a tricky question.

JL just comes across as awkward.  He shouldn’t need to flounder at a simple question from Christine about engaging with fans.

As for the answer re sacking.  Nobody thinks it was an easy decision, but he talked about the lead-up to it in terms of comms and managing the fans.  There were zero comms, they didn’t manage the fans at all.  For the number of Comms people we have at the club, their proactiveness or getting on the front foot is terrible. 

[pillred]

9 hours ago, OliOTIB said:

Either put safe standing in S24 or across the back of the south stand (take these without the concept of moving people etc)

Play Drink Up Thy Zider before Kickoff, get the whole ground singing,

Bin off downsey,

70/30 split the Atyeo,

Cheaper OTD prices,

Bin off the megaphone in S82,

Stop giving out free shirts to u12 for south stand season tickets to reduce the empty seats there, unfair on OTD fans,

Cheaper bar prices - 2.90 for a water

Improve the shit music outside the ground, if its a local band get em to play some of their own songs,

Sing more.

 

Or get into your DeLorean and go back to 1973 and tell the people there not make all the mistakes we have made like soulless stadiums, unnecessary all seater grounds, bubble matches, and prices that mean a lot of people can't afford to go anymore. I worked out allowing for inflation a season ticket compared to 1972 which was around £12 should be about £250 in the South stand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 28, 2023 by pillred

[petehinton]

3 minutes ago, exAtyeoMax said:

yes he comes across as very ambitious, so I don't expect him to hang around for long.

The others just appear completely hopeless alongside him. Why doesn't BT know about players' injuries etc? He's the Technical Director/CEO/etc. Did anyone ask about Dave Rennie? 

They were asked, bumbled along a bit about giving the department more resource hence splitting Rennie’s old role into two, and just said it was based on numerous data points that will now also be used in recruitment moving forward - maybe partly the role of Krause?

This was all prefaced by JL (I think) saying he’s not a medical expert, yet commented on it in his Joe Sims interview. 
 

After sleeping on it, the whole night felt a bit fever dream like tbh. I knew we wouldn’t get much out of them, but from 15 minutes onwards the whole vibe and energy they gave off to questions, Manning aside, made it almost pointless to even ask anything 

[Davefevs]

10 minutes ago, petehinton said:

They were asked, bumbled along a bit about giving the department more resource hence splitting Rennie’s old role into two, and just said it was based on numerous data points that will now also be used in recruitment moving forward - maybe partly the role of Krause?

This was all prefaced by JL (I think) saying he’s not a medical expert, yet commented on it in his Joe Sims interview. 
 

After sleeping on it, the whole night felt a bit fever dream like tbh. I knew we wouldn’t get much out of them, but from 15 minutes onwards the whole vibe and energy they gave off to questions, Manning aside, made it almost pointless to even ask anything 

Krause is gonna be focused on game plan / opposition analysis, not recruitment or injuries per se…and translating that onto the grass and back again.  That’s a good concept imho.

FWIW they already have tonnes of “performance” / medical data, the players get it each day / match.  It’s probably why we’ve seen less soft tissue / fatigue injuries over time.  Players themselves taking ownership for understanding their own data.

Physical data already used in Recruitment.  I was trying to get Gilhespy to give me access to it and Statsbomb when we were doing the Scouting stuff, but he said there were license issues.  Would’vehelped us filter the players @Harry etc were looking at.  So that’s been embedded in recruitment for best part of two years (if not longer).

Edited November 28, 2023 by Davefevs

[maxjak]

3 hours ago, Ghost Rider said:

What is wrong with this forum

Yep.........I just passed a whole load of wrong un's on the A38? 

[exAtyeoMax]

13 minutes ago, petehinton said:

They were asked, bumbled along a bit about giving the department more resource hence splitting Rennie’s old role into two, and just said it was based on numerous data points that will now also be used in recruitment moving forward - maybe partly the role of Krause?

This was all prefaced by JL (I think) saying he’s not a medical expert, yet commented on it in his Joe Sims interview. 
 

After sleeping on it, the whole night felt a bit fever dream like tbh. I knew we wouldn’t get much out of them, but from 15 minutes onwards the whole vibe and energy they gave off to questions, Manning aside, made it almost pointless to even ask anything 

Only watched half of it online. Like WSM mentioned last night, it seemed like an episode of Only Fools and Horses…

It's like, am I beyond worried? 

Thinking back to last year's with Nige, RG and BT… we have progressed so much off the pitch  It seemed so much more tight and professional compared to last night's. 

Are these muppets really in charge? They really don't appear to have the gumption to succeed. 

Edited November 28, 2023 by exAtyeoMax

[lenred]

10 hours ago, bcfc01 said:

Been saying that for years.

It isn't.

But that doesn't mean that opinion on here isn't correct, just that its a minority opinion.

 

 

I definitely get the point that some of us on here should’ve made more of an effort to be there, me included.

But if you’re saying that last nights attendees are representative of the majority then I’m very very happy to be part of the minority on here that’s for sure.  99% a complete waste and let JL and BT off the hook regards a lot of areas already discussed on here.  
 

 

[bcfc01]

Just now, lenred said:

I definitely get the point that some of us on here should’ve made more of an effort to be there, me included.

But if you’re saying that last nights attendees are representative of the majority then I’m very very happy to be part of the minority on here that’s for sure.  99% a complete waste and let JL and BT off the hook regards a lot of areas already discussed on here.  
 

 

Its exactly what I am saying.

And I agree with you.

I think a lot of this is down to the clumsy and unprofessional way that the NP issue was handled, if it was done respectfully with a bit of recognition of the job that NP did and an explanation of their thinking, it may have been received a bit differently.

[Street red]

2 hours ago, Bristol Rob said:

I'm surprised/not surprised there wasn't a follow up question to the reply from JL asking specifically what skills BT 'developed' in the five-minutes-of-Phil that rendered these changes workable, and if BT was only a few months away from being ready, why didn't they invest in upskilling Brian rather than making an appointment that they now think they don't need.

In a way they've wasted Alexanders time by appointing him.

[Ian M]

1 hour ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

I was a little surprised to hear this too

However having watched it back if you listen very carefully JL very quietly mentions that AG is part of Bristol Citu holdings. 

My recollection is that he handed it over to "Group CEO" Gavin Marshall to explain better but when Gavin was not really answering the question asked, JL questioned "it's under Bristol City Holdings right?".

I don't know whether he was being subservient to the group CEO in his tone or whether I am more sure of our corporate structure more than our chairman is. To be honest I'm not sure which I'd prefer it to be.

[lenred]

7 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

Its exactly what I am saying.

And I agree with you.

I think a lot of this is down to the clumsy and unprofessional way that the NP issue was handled, if it was done respectfully with a bit of recognition of the job that NP did and an explanation of their thinking, it may have been received a bit differently.

Undoubtedly.  If there was a cohesive plan. If there was respect shown. If there was a true explanation given as opposed to the bullshit we were fed. Etc etc. But there still hasn’t been.  Even last night according to our Chairman apparently, it’s just the fans overreacting to how our club is run.  So it continues………

 

[bcfc01]

Just now, lenred said:

Undoubtedly.  If there was a cohesive plan. If there was respect shown. If there was a true explanation given as opposed to the bullshit we were fed. Etc etc. But there still hasn’t been.  Even last night according to our Chairman apparently, it’s just the fans overreacting to how our club is run.  So it continues………

 

Indeed.

Tone deaf.

[Sheltons Army]

10 minutes ago, lenred said:

I definitely get the point that some of us on here should’ve made more of an effort to be there, me included.

But if you’re saying that last nights attendees are representative of the majority then I’m very very happy to be part of the minority on here that’s for sure.  99% a complete waste and let JL and BT off the hook regards a lot of areas already discussed on here.  
 

 

I think the forum (this forum) gives a pretty good picture of the fanbase , different views and standpoints with people who are deep rooted supporters

Ive been to forums before , and Phantom made the point that a lot of the audience with attend any Bristol City event , and that’s to be admired and respected and they are very much diehard fans

But a high percentage who take most of the seats , are Bristol City pissed , will accept without any moans , whatever they are given football wise and anything else wise and sorry , but a lot of them will be the ones who when a new shirt or horrendous piece of leisurewear comes out and someone says ‘Who the hell is going to buy that ?’ - Well it’s them

Absolutely City diehard supporters , but , but , but ..... If anyone had even tried to challenge the panel last night and say anything critical about the club or infer so , I promise you they would have been unpopular within the room with open dissent to them - It would be as if you were berating their children

The fans forum ticks a box , allows the Club to say they’ve engaged , but ultimately It is what it is

[W-S-M Seagull]

This question was one of my favourites. Really difficult for Brian to answer (with a straight face) 

"My question is for Brian, you said we've got a 16 year old the Premier League are looking at, can we hide him so they can't find him please" 

[Open End Numb Legs]

Thanks to whoever posted the YouTube link. I have watched some of it but it is a bit painful and I gave up quite quickly.

I think these opportunities are definitely the right thing to do and I applaud those taking part from club and fan base for doing so.

Next time, it just needs someone to host the event in such a way that they take the nervously asked question, re present it or re word it to the panel and challenge them to give a proper answer.

Edited November 28, 2023 by Open End Numb Legs

[Sheltons Army]

2 minutes ago, Open End Numb Legs said:

Thanks to whoever posted the YouTube link. I have watched some of it but it is a bit painful and I gave up quite quickly.

I think these opportunities are definitely the right thing to do and I applaud those taking part from club and fan base for doing so.

Next time, it just needs someone to host the event in such a way that they take the nervously asked question, re present it or re word it to the panel and challenge them to give a proper answer.

A lot of it is painful , and embarrassing in terms of fumbling answers

But - I’d encourage you to fast forward it all , to any point Liam Manning is talking - it is worth listening to

[W-S-M Seagull]

2 minutes ago, Sheltons Army said:

A lot of it is painful , and embarrassing in terms of fumbling answers

But - I’d encourage you to fast forward it all , to any point Liam Manning is talking - it is worth listening to

I've been quite ambivalent to Manning up until now. I've watched and listened to all his interviews with us and a lot from his Oxford days. I hadn't warmed to him. It was all quite dull and repetitive.

Last night I did slightly tho. It just felt different to his other interviews. Maybe the more relaxed environment helped. Or maybe it was just the stupidness of the questions asked and the people sat alongside him that made me appreciate listening to someone who was able to speak articulately. 

[CyderInACan]

2 minutes ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

I've been quite ambivalent to Manning up until now. I've watched and listened to all his interviews with us and a lot from his Oxford days. I hadn't warmed to him. It was all quite dull and repetitive.

Last night I did slightly tho. It just felt different to his other interviews. Maybe the more relaxed environment helped. Or maybe it was just the stupidness of the questions asked and the people sat alongside him that made me appreciate listening to someone who was able to speak articulately. 

Thought he came across as the only one who was coherent and easy to understand. I quite warmed to him. 

[Sheltons Army]

10 minutes ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

I've been quite ambivalent to Manning up until now. I've watched and listened to all his interviews with us and a lot from his Oxford days. I hadn't warmed to him. It was all quite dull and repetitive.

Last night I did slightly tho. It just felt different to his other interviews. Maybe the more relaxed environment helped. Or maybe it was just the stupidness of the questions asked and the people sat alongside him that made me appreciate listening to someone who was able to speak articulately. 

The contrast in professionalism and polish was stark 

 

But (And my views will never change about NP ,those involved,  and what was done , and the way they did it - particularly the total lack of respect or genuine appreciation)

It’s clear Manning is a decent bloke , highly focused and driven , very well ‘read’ in terms of coaching study and extremely bright and intelligent.

I thought the relaxed  ease he answered questions without having to think or stumble , was very revealing, no bull**** , just clear explanation set out

He is clearly very clear in his own ideas , but also very open to adaptation of that

So he certainly ticks a lot of boxes in terms of how he comes across , to us and the bits we get to see as we await to see what happens on the grass and in recruitment

How he comes across , not to us , but to players is of course the important thing , and ultimately how good he is overall will start to emerge / unfold.

Besides coaching and tactical nous , For me the relationship , trust he , or any other can foster with players is always key and we , or very few of us will ever have any idea how good or otherwise these areas are , other than interpreting from the 90 mins football 

 

 

Edited November 28, 2023 by Sheltons Army

[nebristolred]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

I think the problem with his public speaking skills is he doesn’t have experience to fall back on, to think on his feet, because he’s not had the real-world business exposure someone in his position would have.  His dad, although arrogant at times, has been there and done it and can draw upon what he’s been through to word his way around a tricky question.

JL just comes across as awkward.  He shouldn’t need to flounder at a simple question from Christine about engaging with fans.

This is absolutely spot on but on my side I don't really think it's a negative. Whether intentional or not, I'd rather have someone who is either being too truthful or incapable of being anything other than transparent, over another Mark Ashton type character or whatever the alternative would be. Not that I think SL is the latter for one second, but I think JL being unable to fumble his way around a tricky question is not necessarily a bad thing for us as a club.

Maybe I find myself being too quick to jump to his defence after some of the battering he got on here, I'm not sure, and I have absolutely no idea of his actual competence in role, I can only go on what people say. I suppose I'm saying that I'd take his method of communication over a smooth talker who ultimately says nothing. I think the only reason JL basically said nothing yesterday is because the questions didn't really demand anything of interest.

Edited November 28, 2023 by nebristolred

[exAtyeoMax]

41 minutes ago, CyderInACan said:

Thought he came across as the only one who was coherent and easy to understand. I quite warmed to him. 

BT looks lost and comes across a bit of a donut.

[Davefevs]

made me laugh!

[exAtyeoMax]

21 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

made me laugh!

:laugh:!

[Lrrr]

12 hours ago, DCT10 said:

Don't they film the games for analysis reasons? More often than not we see goal highlights. For u21 on Robins TV I'd be more than happy with a single camera set up, but you'd expect they already have a better set up than that for the analysis team. I guess the expense comes in needing some kind of "director" for what gets televised.

 

The way you film for broadcast and the way you film for analysis is different, you want to keep different things in picture/level of zoom etc. Its also likely difficult as the output from the video footage from the camera is fed into the laptop for the live analysis. I don't know much about broadcast feeds etc but its probably then difficult to separate it for a stream as well. The analysis team will more than likely just be a single camera set up (albeit an extremely nice camera by analysis standards), there's no IP camera system around the training ground, that idea was chucked out not long before it opened up properly. There wouldn't really be an 'expense' for someone to lead the broadcast stuff as you'd just use the people who do Robins TV as I expect they're salaried anyway. 

[Lrrr]

3 hours ago, petehinton said:

They were asked, bumbled along a bit about giving the department more resource hence splitting Rennie’s old role into two, and just said it was based on numerous data points that will now also be used in recruitment moving forward - maybe partly the role of Krause?

 

3 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Krause is gonna be focused on game plan / opposition analysis, not recruitment or injuries per se…and translating that onto the grass and back again.  That’s a good concept imho.

FWIW they already have tonnes of “performance” / medical data, the players get it each day / match.  It’s probably why we’ve seen less soft tissue / fatigue injuries over time.  Players themselves taking ownership for understanding their own data.

Physical data already used in Recruitment.  I was trying to get Gilhespy to give me access to it and Statsbomb when we were doing the Scouting stuff, but he said there were license issues.  Would’vehelped us filter the players @Harry etc were looking at.  So that’s been embedded in recruitment for best part of two years (if not longer).

My guess is its really just referring to the club gets so much data from physical testing now and if you want to increase the levels of the squad we need players who hit x in specific tests or in match day physical data and players who hit below that won't improve us so the physical now becomes more important then the technical in a lot of cases. You can almost predict the winner of a football match 80% of the time based off the games physical data as English football (particularly the PL) and swung way towards physical over technical, if you can outrun your opponent in many different areas you standard a better chance of winning. Not to be confused by how many old school coaches will just look at the data and say 'we need everyone to hit 10k to win games'. Its more you need players who are capable of hitting a threshold so they can do it when they need to, obviously if you're sat in a block defending a lead your numbers won't be high. So many people were shocked by the price of Gordon's move to Newcastle and said 'he's not even that good', well the reason he was worth that much to Newcastle (and Everton) is because the level of his physical data is freakish even compared to PL standard. Its where the money is now players who can combine the physical with the technical, if you have one or the other you'll get so far but really now only those with both make it to the very top. 

[maxjak]

2 hours ago, CyderInACan said:

Thought he came across as the only one who was coherent and easy to understand. I quite warmed to him. 

I am in no way a happy clapper, and i was angry and frustrated at the way NP was dismissed, and believe it was dealt with extremely poorly, and showed a distinct lack of respect for what NP achieved, and the foundations he has laid.

Having said that, I am very optimistic about LM's appointment.  For me he is exactly what is needed right now at City.  As he states, he lives and breaths football, and is an obsessive perfectionist.  He comes over as an articulate, intelligent and determined individual who seems highly motivated.  He has seems to have learnt a great deal at such a comparitively young age, and has been coaching for nearly 20 years!  

The combination of his  ambitious and humble attitude, and the obvious way that he seems to communicate his ideas across to our young team, gives me a lot of hope for our future.  I am really looking forward to the rest of the season......and given sufficient opportunity, for the first time in ages,  i can realistically see us in the next year or two achieving promotion.....if only?

[Bazooka Joe]

18 hours ago, One Team said:

The last thing I was expecting was a round of applause for the Lansdown’s! 

Maybe we were watching a happy-clappers convention.

[shahanshahan]

On 16/11/2023 at 12:37, ExiledAjax said:

"What impact do you believe the independent regulator for English Football will have on Bristol City Football Club?"

Am glad I got to ask a similar question!

[Bazooka Joe]

5 hours ago, RedM said:

1. I got the vibe that in Manning we have an ambitious Manager that seems to know his stuff and deserves more credit than many gave him when he arrived. He doesn't come across as a 'yes' man and is clearly working hard on progressing his career and has more experience than people realise.

2. I thought the questions were at best lame. Boring and repetitive and went off at a tangent. People were too quick to heap praise on the Board etc too, too gushy. 

1. If you're right, and I honestly hope you are, he'll probably suffer the same fate as poor Pearson. I will back him because I want City to do well.  Because of what Lansdown and Tinnion have done and said, there is no honeymoon period. Many fans will rightfully expect Manning to start delivering good results immediately.

2. Too many sycophants (aka sycofans) in attendance. Far too cosy (and somewhat preditable). Were they all incapable of asking Lansdown or Tinnion a hard-hitting question (politely)? I found it boring and embarrassing to watch. I am concerned that outsiders watching this, will think this small cohort is a true refelection of our wider fan base.

[bcfc01]

6 minutes ago, Bazooka Joe said:

1. If you're right, and I honestly hope you are, he'll probably suffer the same fate as poor Pearson. I will back him because I want City to do well.  Because of what Lansdown and Tinnion have done and said, there is no honeymoon period. Many fans will rightfully expect Manning to start delivering good results immediately.

2. Too many sycophants (aka sycofans) in attendance. Far too cosy (and somewhat preditable). Were they all incapable of asking Lansdown or Tinnion a hard-hitting question (politely)? I found it boring and embarrassing to watch. I am concerned that outsiders watching this, will think this small cohort is a true refelection of our wider fan base.

Not sure why you think LM needs to deliver good results immediately ?

I think last night was a true reflection of our wider supporter base rather than a fans forum.  Interested in why you would be concerned what outsiders may think ?

Genuine questions, not stirring it.

[Eddie Hitler]

8 hours ago, exAtyeoMax said:

Shame there wasn’t a way to ask questions from those online. At uni we have someone monitoring the chat on zoom, or YouTube. 

 

You would think but this was brought in at a conference I regularly attended.

Previously you had to out your hand up and it worked well.

When they went to questions on an App, mostly from those in the room but also some remotely, the various Chairs without exception picked the easy, bleedin' obvious questions and ignored the hard ones.

It ruined the Q&A part of each session to be frank. I was surprised by how bad it was.

[GrahamC]

1 hour ago, bcfc01 said:

Not sure why you think LM needs to deliver good results immediately ?

I think last night was a true reflection of our wider supporter base rather than a fans forum.  Interested in why you would be concerned what outsiders may think ?

Genuine questions, not stirring it.

I don’t know, is the honest answer as to whether it is a wider reflection, after all it was only 200 people, so definitely not a larger sample size than OTIB.

I’ll be honest I’m bemused at present, nothing Manning has said worries me but the rest of the set up, plus the frankly bizarre forum last night has made me wonder if what I thought about our fanbase was right.

[1960maaan]

8 hours ago, ExiledAjax said:

Two a season, although there's some flexibility in the format required. As @petehinton says, it's in the regs. EFL regulation 128. 

 

It is included in our "Club Charter" (although that refers to old regulation 111).

Say supporters or their representatives. I guess they could use the SCAT meetings as a get out if they want.

9 hours ago, exAtyeoMax said:

safe standing in both corners? Across the back of the SS? 
away fans up in the gods, families down in the Atyeo or corner?

Don’t know it will take a lot of rejigging 

 

The only way I can see things moving around.

Away fans go into the Dolman at the Atyeo end Blocks. 
A wall / separation is put into the concourse and the turnstyles are away only.

This would give us back the Atyeo, but the  facilities aren't the best and you can't get access to the main concourse or mix with other fans.  It would give us fans behind both goals ( LJ would be ecstatic ) . 
Possibly reduces seats lost to segregation too.
It also solves some moans with the smallest of cost IMO. 

Edited November 28, 2023 by 1960maaan

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 hour ago, bcfc01 said:

Not sure why you think LM needs to deliver good results immediately ?

I think last night was a true reflection of our wider supporter base rather than a fans forum.  Interested in why you would be concerned what outsiders may think ?

Genuine questions, not stirring it.

It's hard to say really isn't it.

Thought fans were a bit restive at times Saturday, first half hour or so, the ground didn't feel like the expected levels of excitement or enthusiasm for a new manager, felt subdued for good periods, much of the first half especially.

Hoping Manning and his team do well, certainly will back him and the team as we should but if we go a goal down playing a more patient gsme crowd could turn, at the hierarchy moreso.

If we go on a bad run, ditto.

[Severn Beach Pigeon]

9 hours ago, Pezo said:

Had another watch this morning and he certainly says overreaction. It's at 1h1m and 43 seconds for about 10 seconds. People can make there own minds up.

I would normally give him the benefit of doubt but I'm struggling to give him the benefit of doubt with how much disdain Steve had for fans opinions.

there's clearly another sound between "over" and "reaction"

So what logically is more likely?

He uses the word "overreaction" in a context where it doesn't make as much sense and in a way where its going to clearly upset a few people (many of which go out of their way to mock him regardless) and where it clashes with what he's saying in the rest of his answer

Or a person who clearly has anxiety about doing these types of talks trips over their words a bit because he's talking very quickly

[Pezo]

5 minutes ago, transfer reader said:

there's clearly another sound between "over" and "reaction"

So what logically is more likely?

He uses the word "overreaction" in a context where it doesn't make as much sense and in a way where its going to clearly upset a few people (many of which go out of their way to mock him regardless) and where it clashes with what he's saying in the rest of his answer

Or a person who clearly has anxiety about doing these types of talks trips over their words a bit because he's talking very quickly

Both fit in the sentence equally IMHO.

Logically I wouldn't be surprised if he has been talking about it behind closed doors as an overreaction as a defence mechanism for his own mental health if nothing else, dismissing it as a lunatic fringe (certainly looks that way from the fans forum last night). He just took that language into this fans forum at the end of a statement.

[maxjak]

1 hour ago, Bazooka Joe said:

1. If you're right, and I honestly hope you are, he'll probably suffer the same fate as poor Pearson. I will back him because I want City to do well.  Because of what Lansdown and Tinnion have done and said, there is no honeymoon period. Many fans will rightfully expect Manning to start delivering good results immediately.

2. Too many sycophants (aka sycofans) in attendance. Far too cosy (and somewhat preditable). Were they all incapable of asking Lansdown or Tinnion a hard-hitting question (politely)? I found it boring and embarrassing to watch. I am concerned that outsiders watching this, will think this small cohort is a true refelection of our wider fan base.

The general consensus within the world of Championship football seems to indicate and portray Bristol City FC. as a   Comfortable Cosy club........and that was exactly what yesterday's forum illustrated?   A  comfortable  cosy environment?  I just hope that LM shakes it up a bit?......Here's wishing? 

[Bristol Rob]

45 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

Say supporters or their representatives. I guess they could use the SCAT meetings as a get out if they want.

The only way I can see things moving around.

Away fans go into the Dolman at the Atyeo end Blocks. 
A wall / separation is put into the concourse and the turnstyles are away only.

This would give us back the Atyeo, but the  facilities aren't the best and you can't get access to the main concourse or mix with other fans.  It would give us fans behind both goals ( LJ would be ecstatic ) . 
Possibly reduces seats lost to segregation too.
It also solves some moans with the smallest of cost IMO. 

I just don't see how it could be done, not without a major internal modelling change potentially costing a fortune and adding nothing in terms of revenue generated.

We can't 'share' turnstiles with away fans, so they'd need to establish a way to safely exit fans from Block B, C D etc in the event of an emergency, or just to get them in and out of the ground without asking them to do a lap of the stadium. The Lansdown only (I think) has one internal staircase to the upper tier, so that would be a major undertaking and remodel.

Add to the fact that with the women and bears playing there as well and not needing to be seg'd, it wouldn't be worth the spend - unless S82 was to expand to the entire Atyeo (which, when a more relaxed approach was given to those in that stand, it rarely sold out, there were complaints about the acoustics and the facilities) and it would mean that for home games, a small minority of fans would be gathered in a largely empty stand trying to generate a bit of atmosphere that would be lost across the stadium, especially if an away crowd was in the Dolman.

Get that things aren't perfect, but of what might be 50 games a season at Ashton Gate, the only possible benefit would be for less than half of those. 

I sat in the Atyeo for a rugby match earlier this year and the stadium does look intimidating compared to that stand, you feel small. Just need those who want to sing to make themselves heard by belting out noise for 90 minutes and hope that the performances on the pitch encourage others to join in. 

[sh1t_ref_again]

2 hours ago, Bazooka Joe said:

1. If you're right, and I honestly hope you are, he'll probably suffer the same fate as poor Pearson. I will back him because I want City to do well.  Because of what Lansdown and Tinnion have done and said, there is no honeymoon period. Many fans will rightfully expect Manning to start delivering good results immediately.

2. Too many sycophants (aka sycofans) in attendance. Far too cosy (and somewhat preditable). Were they all incapable of asking Lansdown or Tinnion a hard-hitting question (politely)? I found it boring and embarrassing to watch. I am concerned that outsiders watching this, will think this small cohort is a true refelection of our wider fan base.

It seems the fans not happy with recent events prefer to vent their spline and whip up anti Lansdown hysteria from behind a keyboard, rather than making the effort to go, but then moan afterwards the questions were not the ones they would have asked. Tickets were freely available and whilst I accept not everyone can make it or things crop up, none of the more outspoken with the most posts recently seem to have been in attendance.

So after not bothering, instead prefer to attack and belittle the fans who did bother to attend and label them as sycophants or as others have called them Bristol Sport employees, BS bots, coach 1, happy clappers and a whole range of other insults and claim they are not representative of the fan base, as the views expressed last night do not match the mouthy few who dominate the post count on this forum. Perhaps its this forum that is not representative, whilst it may have 20k members, not that many regularly post and people I ask if they come on here, say can't be bothered as its so negative.

 

[Mr Popodopolous]

5 minutes ago, sh1t_ref_again said:

It seems the fans not happy with recent events prefer to vent their spline and whip up anti Lansdown hysteria from behind a keyboard, rather than making the effort to go, but then moan afterwards the questions were not the ones they would have asked. Tickets were freely available and whilst I accept not everyone can make it or things crop up, none of the more outspoken with the most posts recently seem to have been in attendance.

So after not bothering, instead prefer to attack and belittle the fans who did bother to attend and label them as sycophants or as others have called them Bristol Sport employees, BS bots, coach 1, happy clappers and a whole range of other insults and claim they are not representative of the fan base, as the views expressed last night do not match the mouthy few who dominate the post count on this forum. Perhaps its this forum that is not representative, whilst it may have 20k members, not that many regularly post and people I ask if they come on here, say can't be bothered as its so negative.

 

The tickets went really quickly. Much more so than last year.

I certainly don't think there is or was any conspiracy or they were Bristol Sport bots etc but a fair few of the questions seemed quite tame, weren't very probing. Felt a bit of a wasted opportunity in some respects.

Edited November 28, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[sh1t_ref_again]

Just now, Mr Popodopolous said:

The tickets went really quickly. Much more so than last year.

I certainly don't think there is or was any conspiracy or they were Bristol Sport bots etc but the questions seemed quite tame, weren't very probing. Felt a bit of a wasted opportunity in some respects.

Don't disagree about the question and yes it was a bit tame, but feel some are OTT with criticism of the people that went and questions asked, did not see many posts from the same people before bemoaning they could not get tickets

[B-Rizzle]

Regarding the poor comms over the last few years and a far from successful fans forum, how has Dave Barton avoided criticism?

I hate to go in on personal criticism of employees but everyone else has had their fair share of finger pointing at sone point.

DB’s role is literallly Head of Communications, no? It’s his job to advise the club on how it represents itself, communicates and interacts with fans. How has he not intervened sooner? He MUST scan this forum fairly regularly and would have known for a very long time about the key themes being discussed within the fan base.

[bcfc01]

17 minutes ago, B-Rizzle said:

Regarding the poor comms over the last few years and a far from successful fans forum, how has Dave Barton avoided criticism?

I hate to go in on personal criticism of employees but everyone else has had their fair share of finger pointing at sone point.

DB’s role is literallly Head of Communications, no? It’s his job to advise the club on how it represents itself, communicates and interacts with fans. How has he not intervened sooner? He MUST scan this forum fairly regularly and would have known for a very long time about the key themes being discussed within the fan base on this forum but maybe not in the wider support base.

[Bristol Rob]

1 hour ago, B-Rizzle said:

Regarding the poor comms over the last few years and a far from successful fans forum, how has Dave Barton avoided criticism?

I hate to go in on personal criticism of employees but everyone else has had their fair share of finger pointing at sone point.

DB’s role is literallly Head of Communications, no? It’s his job to advise the club on how it represents itself, communicates and interacts with fans. How has he not intervened sooner? He MUST scan this forum fairly regularly and would have known for a very long time about the key themes being discussed within the fan base.

Had work not have got in the way, that was going to be my question.

"Bristol City have a head of communication, and Bristol Sport have a director of Communication, can you tell me what their last individual communications they published were?'

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

2 hours ago, sh1t_ref_again said:

 

So after not bothering, instead prefer to attack and belittle the fans who did bother to attend and label them as sycophants or as others have called them Bristol Sport employees, BS bots, coach 1, happy clappers and a whole range of other insults and claim they are not representative of the fan base, as the views expressed last night do not match the mouthy few who dominate the post count on this forum. Perhaps its this forum that is not representative, whilst it may have 20k members, not that many regularly post and people I ask if they come on here, say can't be bothered as its so negative.

 

OTIB is entirely representative of OTIB. I think you may have the number of otib members wrong at 20,000 I think it's much less. And let's face it- unless they are  an otib supporter then they could be a gas head, visiting rival, voyeur, spy or troll etc. There are no barriers to entry.

Outrageous indignation on here is invariably not replicated in the wider ST fan base as calls for protests usually prove.

On a match day there maybe circa 300-400 people on this site which given the amount of ST holders and BCFC members ( which is c.20,000) is pretty tiny and not entirely representative.

[W-S-M Seagull]

3 hours ago, sh1t_ref_again said:

Don't disagree about the question and yes it was a bit tame, but feel some are OTT with criticism of the people that went and questions asked, did not see many posts from the same people before bemoaning they could not get tickets

No need for me to moan about not getting a ticket because I had tickets mate, but as you said, life got in the way!

[Mr Popodopolous]

16 hours ago, Bristol Rob said:

Have to disagree with a lot of this Mr P.

Atyeo split... Well, we don't sell out at the moment, so that would just see further dilution of people who like to sit or stand by people who might sing. (What happened to the Dolman A Block experiment?)

For some, there seems to be an expectation that their way of supporting a football club is the 'only way' and the popularity of S82 is reflective of that. If S82 was what I believe those behind it initially tried to create, the stadium would be rocking for 90 minutes.

As it is, with people turning up late, leaving 10 minutes before half time to get a pint there are far more quiet moments than they want to admit.

If there was to be expansion of safe standing, I would expect the club to consider the lower Dolman, it would be popular with the rugby supporters and would ensure that sound was directed at the pitch. 

Folk need to remember Aston Gate isn't a football stadium, it's a sports stadium these days.

Fair points Rob, I'll try and address a few.

Dolman A Block is a strange one, I'm not sure the club were altogether accommodating, there are still pockets but at the same time the club can't be seen to be encouraging or indulging persistent standing in  an area not designed for it, not allocated especially if it is clear and visible.

The dual impact albeit perhaps it would hit the finances a little of some home and away fans in the Atyeo would be that 'interaction' and perhaps less away fans. Thereby having City fans behind both goals it could help the side.

Some income hit vs a more lively atmosphere maybe.

By no means the only way but I think there could be a better distribution, as I suspect there are more than the 1,200, 1,400 in the corner who would prefer to stand and or sing.

Singing Section can be quite good, perhaps not at all times but it certainly can be quite good. Do feel more central can be the best bet albeit there is no perfect solution.

This is true, numbers pouring out from 40 mins, perhaps 35 mins onwards can put a bit of a dent. Maybe more might stay if in a Safe Standing area but then again it could be an optimism bias of mine.

Lower Dolman seems a good idea. Actually I seem to recall reading on here that when AG was redeveloped and the rugby moved here parts of the Dolman and South Stand were promised Safe Standing or similar.

It is a sports stadium and more besides..but lots of rugby grounds have or had standing terraces too, as a % most actually unless irs changed.

Just think more could be done overall, whether my ideas are the answer who knows but club could do more to encourage it, to make a survey, consultation to find out whether there is interest or otherwise etc.

[Harry]

Hate to say it, but if you want people to stay in their seats until half time, you need to stop serving alcohol in the concourse and not show the game on the tv. 
At 35 minutes in every game, the place empties. By the half time whistle, a 20,000 crowd has become a 12,000 crowd. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

Do you mean stop selling alcohol verbatim, or restrict it to pre game and HT?

I do recall as it goes, the Swansea game in 2019. We scored just after HT, mayne the opener? I along with some friends and many more still in the concourse- there was the roar of the crowd when we scored, a pause then a few seconds later the same in the concourse as it appeared on the TV!

[Harry]

20 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Do you mean stop selling alcohol verbatim, or restrict it to pre game and HT?

I do recall as it goes, the Swansea game in 2019. We scored just after HT, mayne the opener? I along with some friends and many more still in the concourse- there was the roar of the crowd when we scored, a pause then a few seconds later the same in the concourse as it appeared on the TV!

Yes. Not sold during the game. The reason 8,000 people leave their seats before half time is so they can go and get a beer or food. 
If people are saying ‘stay in your seats and create a better atmosphere’ then the club shouldn’t sell beer and food during the match and certainly shouldn’t be screening the match in the concourse. 

[ExiledAjax]

17 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Am glad I got to ask a similar question!

Thank you.

Interesting answers. I think it's clear that as we already know the "official club view" is more towards JL's view that we should not have "regulation for regulation's sake" and that IREF is a necessary, but not desirable, thing. This explains the reticence from the club to be proactive in preparation for IREF.

Also it's interesting that really they like it because they think it will naturally lead to a scrapping of PPs. It might accidentally do that if it is IREF that ends up putting together the new financial deal - but that's not actually IREF's raison d'etre and if Marshall and JL think it is then they need to read the whitepaper again.

The follow up question - if it were allowed - to JL is "Based on what we currently know about IREF's intended licensing plan, do you think that BCFC is ready for regulation in its current state?'

Edited November 29, 2023 by ExiledAjax

[W-S-M Seagull]

17 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Am glad I got to ask a similar question!

Seemed the perfect opportunity to ask JL about the splat Robin yet no one did. 

[Son of Fred]

On 27/11/2023 at 21:32, W-S-M Seagull said:

It was these sort of questions that were totally pointless. A quick Internet search would have told that person how many we are taking. Just a total waste of time. 

More questions than answers???

I struggle to think why anyone has any interest whatsoever in whatever the Lansdownes have to say..

It's all 'piss & wind.

 

 

[W-S-M Seagull]

3 minutes ago, Son of Fred said:

More questions than answers???

I struggle to think why anyone has any interest whatsoever in whatever the Lansdownes have to say..

It's all 'piss & wind.

 

 

Within 30 seconds I've come up with a number of questions that could and should have been easily asked that are considered important issues. 

1. Why has your dad suddenly decided to stop covering the losses? 

2. What was the thought process behind the splat Robin and will it continue to be used? 

3. Why was no money made available to Pearson in the summer when it was obvious we needed a few more bodies and why is there now suddenly money available? 

4. Do Bristol City benefit financially from concerts etc.

 

[RedM]

14 hours ago, sh1t_ref_again said:

It seems the fans not happy with recent events prefer to vent their spline and whip up anti Lansdown hysteria from behind a keyboard, rather than making the effort to go, but then moan afterwards the questions were not the ones they would have asked. Tickets were freely available and whilst I accept not everyone can make it or things crop up, none of the more outspoken with the most posts recently seem to have been in attendance.

So after not bothering, instead prefer to attack and belittle the fans who did bother to attend and label them as sycophants or as others have called them Bristol Sport employees, BS bots, coach 1, happy clappers and a whole range of other insults and claim they are not representative of the fan base, as the views expressed last night do not match the mouthy few who dominate the post count on this forum. Perhaps its this forum that is not representative, whilst it may have 20k members, not that many regularly post and people I ask if they come on here, say can't be bothered as its so negative.

 

I don't think it helped that the format was slightly different from last year, or I think it was as I didn't catch the first few minutes. This time they went straight into Q&A's whereas from memory didn't Gould, Pearson etc talk a little about what was going on at the club, their roles etc. This I think was very much needed due to recent events but it didn't happen and it was as if people didn't know if they should ask or not.

Last year for example I remember Tinnion saying something like 'if you think the current academy players are good (Scott, Conway and Bell) then just you wait until you see the next crop'. This invited relevant questions etc.

This time it felt a bit all over the place, no structure as such. We had a new manager ready to answer questions yet a chunk of the discussion was about where people could stand and sing! 

[petehinton]

13 minutes ago, RedM said:

I don't think it helped that the format was slightly different from last year, or I think it was as I didn't catch the first few minutes. This time they went straight into Q&A's whereas from memory didn't Gould, Pearson etc talk a little about what was going on at the club, their roles etc. This I think was very much needed due to recent events but it didn't happen and it was as if people didn't know if they should ask or not.

Last year for example I remember Tinnion saying something like 'if you think the current academy players are good (Scott, Conway and Bell) then just you wait until you see the next crop'. This invited relevant questions etc.

This time it felt a bit all over the place, no structure as such. We had a new manager ready to answer questions yet a chunk of the discussion was about where people could stand and sing! 

Exactly how I felt. Was expecting to sit and listen for 15/20 mins, get some titbits that would then drive relevant questions off the back of them. Tinnion, Gould & Nige went into loads of interesting detail off the bat last year. This week was literally Jon saying, thanks for coming, an awkward silence throughout and then thrown straight to the crowd. Checked back from the two streams, and this year was a good half an hour (or a third) shorter than last, which I think sums up how rushed the whole thing felt. 

Edited November 29, 2023 by petehinton

[phantom]

11 minutes ago, RedM said:

I don't think it helped that the format was slightly different from last year, or I think it was as I didn't catch the first few minutes. This time they went straight into Q&A's whereas from memory didn't Gould, Pearson etc talk a little about what was going on at the club, their roles etc. This I think was very much needed due to recent events but it didn't happen and it was as if people didn't know if they should ask or not.

I remember Tinnion saying something like 'if you think the current academy players are good (Scott, Conway and Bell) then just you wait until you see the next crop'. This invited relevant questions etc.

This time it felt a bit all over the place, no structure as such. We had a new manager ready to answer questions yet a chunk of the discussion was about where people could stand and sing! 

There was a very short introduction, but not on the scale you reference above

My personal opinion, it could and maybe should have been done differently, but I am not sure what was spoke before the cameras went live, there certainly were not enough questions in the room anyway, so it meant those being asked were not always in the relevant forum. But, I guess if certain questions are blocked people will not be happy about that?

Again this will annoy many, but I feel that the current group are still finding their feet, they acknowledge previous errors and to be fair they are coming around to ways to improve

I am happy to feedback about the way the night went, but as there were not lots of people jumping at the chance to ask a question, it probably would not have many any difference

Like I said before, and I don't believe this is letting out any big secret, but the wheels are in motion to do any event at an away game in the near future so feedback can be given prior to that event

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

Within 30 seconds I've come up with a number of questions that could and should have been easily asked that are considered important issues. 

1. Why has your dad suddenly decided to stop covering the losses? 

2. What was the thought process behind the splat Robin and will it continue to be used? 

3. Why was no money made available to Pearson in the summer when it was obvious we needed a few more bodies and why is there now suddenly money available? 

4. Do Bristol City benefit financially from concerts etc.

 

4. Yes, indirectly - for FFP purposes, because any “profits” from these events are made by AG Ltd who’s accounts we combine with BCFC Ltd in our FFP Submission.

There is of course a point that AG Ltd doesn’t made a profit, but I guess the simple answer is that they would make a bigger loss without the gigs.

Source: a person who knows 

Edited November 29, 2023 by Davefevs

[Nogbad the Bad]

On 20/11/2023 at 10:00, Nogbad the Bad said:

Didn't go to that one, wouldn't want to be in the same room as Pulis.

My point was though to those who thought 200 tickets was insufficient.

In my experience 200 is not only a decent number compared to some Q&A's of the past but anyway it only needs 3 or 4 of those there to ask 'tough' questions - and follow up on the answers if necessary - to make it really interesting.

That doesn't generally happen in my experience, when it comes down to it fans are either a bit intimidated to be in the presence of the club's top brass, or the atmosphere is convivial and most fans are content just to be there and listen without any thought of giving any of the panel a hard time.

This one could be different, I hope so anyway.

Same as usual then, an easy ride for the panel with most fans seemingly just happy to be there, and no tough questions.

Regarding the above pre H&C post, and that it only takes 3 or 4 tough questions to make things really interesting, I note the likes of @GrahamC, @Bristol Rob and @W-S-M Seagull (maybe amongst others from OTIB) obtained tickets but have said they were unfortunately unable to attend on the night.

Who knows, perhaps these 3 were the ones who would have represented the majority on OTIB by asking those tough questions, thus making it a much less comfortable night for the panel and the whole event far more interesting.

It doesn't take much to make a big difference to the whole event, and this trio of absentees may have been very fortunate for JL and BT.

 

[Mr Popodopolous]

23 minutes ago, Nogbad the Bad said:

Same as usual then, an easy ride for the panel with most fans seemingly just happy to be there, and no tough questions.

Regarding the above pre H&C post, and that it only takes 3 or 4 tough questions to make things really interesting, I note the likes of @GrahamC, @Bristol Rob and @W-S-M Seagull (maybe amongst others from OTIB) obtained tickets but have said they were unfortunately unable to attend on the night.

Who knows, perhaps these 3 were the ones who would have represented the majority on OTIB by asking those tough questions, thus making it a much less comfortable night for the panel and the whole event far more interesting.

It doesn't take much to make a big difference to the whole event, and this trio of absentees may have been very fortunate for JL and BT.

 

2022 one was much better than this IMO. Sounds like it perhaps reverted back to type this year?

[RedM]

12 hours ago, Harry said:

Yes. Not sold during the game. The reason 8,000 people leave their seats before half time is so they can go and get a beer or food. 
If people are saying ‘stay in your seats and create a better atmosphere’ then the club shouldn’t sell beer and food during the match and certainly shouldn’t be screening the match in the concourse. 

I understand what you are saying but I think if we didn't start selling alcohol until after the HT whistle is blown people will still leave to get in the queue. Also people will then be delayed getting back to their seats after HT due to the delay.

In short the problem won't be solved, just kicked down the timeline a bit?

[Mr Popodopolous]

3 hours ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

1. Why has your dad suddenly decided to stop covering the losses? 

3. Why was no money made available to Pearson in the summer when it was obvious we needed a few more bodies and why is there now suddenly money available?

I suspect here is that it is some sort of preparation for a Football Regulator and or mooted new FFP regs.

I reckon our football wages etc are now somewhat aligned to the 70% of turnover level that has been mooted.

Excellent question though, if only someone had asked it.

That could also feed into 3 to an extent albeit the moving of the goalposts if it happens is harder to explain.

[Alessandro]

54 minutes ago, Nogbad the Bad said:

Same as usual then, an easy ride for the panel with most fans seemingly just happy to be there, and no tough questions.

Regarding the above pre H&C post, and that it only takes 3 or 4 tough questions to make things really interesting, I note the likes of @GrahamC, @Bristol Rob and @W-S-M Seagull (maybe amongst others from OTIB) obtained tickets but have said they were unfortunately unable to attend on the night.

Who knows, perhaps these 3 were the ones who would have represented the majority on OTIB by asking those tough questions, thus making it a much less comfortable night for the panel and the whole event far more interesting.

It doesn't take much to make a big difference to the whole event, and this trio of absentees may have been very fortunate for JL and BT.

 

I hope OTIB will not let this happen again - next time, as a group, the forum will have to be more organised and make sure there are going to be enough of the ‘right’ people there, to ask the ‘right’ questions. 
 

Maybe the club intervened or maybe it was taken for granted by the fans this time that the club would face the right questions but instead we were left with a missed opportunity for some accountability. 
 

As others have said though, if you’re not there, you can’t really complain. 

[Harry]

28 minutes ago, RedM said:

I understand what you are saying but I think if we didn't start selling alcohol until after the HT whistle is blown people will still leave to get in the queue. Also people will then be delayed getting back to their seats after HT due to the delay.

In short the problem won't be solved, just kicked down the timeline a bit?

I’m not suggesting that I actually want it to happen, but the freedom to be able to drink all game and watch it on tv is absolutely detrimental if the club want fans in their seats making noise. 

[ExiledAjax]

5 minutes ago, Harry said:

I’m not suggesting that I actually want it to happen, but the freedom to be able to drink all game and watch it on tv is absolutely detrimental if the club want fans in their seats making noise. 

It's not detrimental to the cashflow of the concourse tills though is it...

[Harry]

6 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

It's not detrimental to the cashflow of the concourse tills though is it...

Exactly 

[Nogbad the Bad]

27 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

I hope OTIB will not let this happen again - next time, as a group, the forum will have to be more organised and make sure there are going to be enough of the ‘right’ people there, to ask the ‘right’ questions. 
 

Maybe the club intervened or maybe it was taken for granted by the fans this time that the club would face the right questions but instead we were left with a missed opportunity for some accountability. 
 

As others have said though, if you’re not there, you can’t really complain. 

True but at a ticketed event it's the luck of the draw who gets the tickets, or should be anyway.

I don't know why it's held at the H&C, on a non match day, with a limit of 200.

The Q&A's I've attended were all held under the Dolman, a huge space as was. A couple were in the evening like the H&C but crucially not ticketed so anyone could turn up. Most though were either at 1pm before a match, or on an open day, so masses of fans were at the ground anyway.

You could organise beforehand as much as you like these days to get the right people there asking the right questions but under the current format no guarantee any of them would get tickets.

Btw, as I've said previously it was always an easy ride for the panel, there again none of the Q&A's were held at a controversial time for the club like this last one, more like an excited audience to 'welcome Steve Coppell', or those attending were charmed by GJ and Colin Sexstone. Even SL was smiley and forthcoming in those days!

 

[Bristol Rob]

1 hour ago, Nogbad the Bad said:

Same as usual then, an easy ride for the panel with most fans seemingly just happy to be there, and no tough questions.

Regarding the above pre H&C post, and that it only takes 3 or 4 tough questions to make things really interesting, I note the likes of @GrahamC, @Bristol Rob and @W-S-M Seagull (maybe amongst others from OTIB) obtained tickets but have said they were unfortunately unable to attend on the night.

Who knows, perhaps these 3 were the ones who would have represented the majority on OTIB by asking those tough questions, thus making it a much less comfortable night for the panel and the whole event far more interesting.

It doesn't take much to make a big difference to the whole event, and this trio of absentees may have been very fortunate for JL and BT.

 

I wasn't really a fan of the idea of having a poll and collating questions in advance as it might dilute any news/debate, but having watched (some, not all - I lost the will) of the stream, it might be an idea if maybe SCAT/Someone suggested that they use their in-box/email to collect questions. 

Not so much with view to catching out any future panel, but to ensure that any questions answered aren't them reading from a pre-prepared crib sheet. 

That said, whilst the difficult questions are always the ones that most are interested in hearing about, you still have to give a platform for those who want to thank SL/JL/BT/NF and anyone else who sits on the stage, or indeed ask any questions that don't really add much value overall. Their opportunities shouldn't be denied either.

Not sure what the solution is, but I'm now far more on the side of a coordinated set of questions than I was, and that is based purely on the questions asked. 

If anything, it would be a better session if the manager wasn't there, and there was a seperate Q&A with him further down the line, where praise, players, transfer targets, injuries, formations and opposition could all be covered. 

[Davefevs]

24 minutes ago, Nogbad the Bad said:

True but at a ticketed event it's the luck of the draw who gets the tickets, or should be anyway.

I don't know why it's held at the H&C, on a non match day, with a limit of 200.

The Q&A's I've attended were all held under the Dolman, a huge space as was. A couple were in the evening like the H&C but crucially not ticketed so anyone could turn up. Most though were either at 1pm before a match, or on an open day, so masses of fans were at the ground anyway.

You could organise beforehand as much as you like these days to get the right people there asking the right questions but under the current format no guarantee any of them would get tickets.

Btw, as I've said previously it was always an easy ride for the panel, there again none of the Q&A's were held at a controversial time for the club like this last one, more like an excited audience to 'welcome Steve Coppell', or those attending were charmed by GJ and Colin Sexstone. Even SL was smiley and forthcoming in those days!

 

I was chatting to Paul Binning (Exiled Robin) about this whilst it was being planned.  I don’t know if he was involved, or knew someone that was, but they wanted it away from AG - therefore to be a neutral venue.

Personally I don’t think a Bristol City Fans Forum for Bristol City Fans needs to feel neutral, but I can see why they might’ve thought that way.

Being mischievous, maybe it was cheaper to run away from AG than at AG!  That’s not as ridiculous as I make it sound!