Manning Interview

[Graham76]

1 minute ago, ChubStixx said:

Did he mention emotion, principles and/or behaviours? How about time on the grass?

Time on the grass is slowly being replaced by his new favourite....... Emotions! 

[Mr Popodopolous]

7 minutes ago, Andy082005 said:

There is no money in the summer. Only money for transfers will be money we generate 

Sorry are you sure? Can you expand on this?

We are clear of FFP now and TV money up by £2-3m.

Edited March 5 by Mr Popodopolous

[Harry]

1 minute ago, Chrizzler said:

None of our strikers can play up front on their own. Not once has he played Wells & Conway together in a two man forward line. If he'd studied  footage he would know that it's worked previously & the players are happy with it. 

Because Conway doesn’t block or press the same way Wells and Knight do. 
If you lose Knight from that position you basically have to change the whole defensive set up 

[Mr Popodopolous]

8 minutes ago, BS3 Ark at Ee said:

People saying Sunday could be hostile if we lose etc……it won’t though, a few boos and that’ll be it. Heard it was gonna be toxic when Pearson was unfairly sacked and majority of fans weren’t happy…..not a whimper from the Ashton Gate crowd….you wouldn’t even had known Pearson had been sacked 

Did you miss the reaction at the end v Cardiff in parts of the Dolman and South Stand/Safe Standing area.

[BCFCGav]

8 minutes ago, Kingswood Robin said:

I don't disagree. Even they can get it right occasionally though. I just think Manning is one of those "got it wrong again dad" appointments.

Can see entirely where you and @38MC are coming from. Think I might just be getting a bit indifferent to it all. Long season this

[Curr Avon]

2 minutes ago, Chrizzler said:

None of our strikers can play up front on their own. Not once has he played Wells & Conway together in a two man forward line. If he'd studied  footage he would know that it's worked previously & the players are happy with it. 

We played with a front 2 tonight to contain Ipswich, and it worked well until the substitutions, especially Burns introduction.

[cityexile]

I don’t think LM did that much wrong today. First half we neutered them and that was spot on. The difference was the bench today pretty much, and some lack of concentration at key times. Maybe could have tried to tighten up with ten to go, but we are far from the first team Ipswich have done this to this year.

The core issue is not this type of match, where he can evolve a bit from Pearson ball and we look ‘ok’. It’s working out what the heck we do when we play the bottom ten, where we are shocking at the moment. Get done by Swansea then it’s going to get more sweaty than it had any right to.

[Redrascal2]

Just now, exAtyeoMax said:

JL could suddenly have more pressing business in Bermuda. It's not an impossibity

Many have spoken on here about Steve Lansdown not being prepared to sack Manning or Tinnion because he doesn't like to be shown to be wrong. So how does that fit with getting rid of his Son. He would be the very last to go.  The only one who will go in the end will be Manning.

[Shauntaylor85]

25 minutes ago, exAtyeoMax said:

I do feel a bit sorry for him. The players can't adapt fully to how he wants to play. I'm sure the club isn't going to rebuild the squad in the summer for him. Perhaps he'll be better off elsewhere

Hoping he walks, he shouldn’t have been given this job. Totally wrong fit. Sadly Brian and Jon are stubborn and will back him this summer, rinse and repeat. 

[Frenchay Red]

5 minutes ago, exAtyeoMax said:

JL could suddenly have more pressing business in Bermuda. It's not an impossibility

Bermuda triangle?

[Shauntaylor85]

8 minutes ago, steviestevieneville said:

No , he’s not up to it . Neither are the board. Why let him get some players in only to sack him & someone else got players they don’t want. 
all our experience is leaving. We’ll be left with a young squad , a young out of his depth manager & an incompetent board & technical director . We will get relegated if he stays next season 

We wasted the Kelly/Webster cash with an incompetent manager, let’s not make the same mistake twice. 

[Andy082005]

1 minute ago, Tim Monaghan said:

What do you mean by that? We are well clear of FFP by @Mr Popodopolous figures. If they don’t spend, and we go into the first 10 games of next season looking shite, then the Lansdowns are going to be in big trouble. Imagine how toxic it’ll be. The tide is seriously against them at the moment and it will only get worse if things don’t improve. 

I mean exactly that. We will not be investing much - if any money at all. We will have to sell to buy

Thats from the poster formerly known as BCFCShags 

[exAtyeoMax]

3 minutes ago, Redrascal2 said:

Many have spoken on here about Steve Lansdown not being prepared to sack Manning or Tinnion because he doesn't like to be shown to be wrong. So how does that fit with getting rid of his Son. He would be the very last to go.  The only one who will go in the end will be Manning.

It's SL's money and investment at the end of the day…if we get relegated

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, Andy082005 said:

I mean exactly that. We will not be investing much - if any money at all. We will have to sell to buy

Thats from the poster formerly known as BCFCShags 

Why though, it can't be FFP surely??

That would not stack in light of the income, the cuts, the transfer profits and other clubs and their activity.

Edited March 5 by Mr Popodopolous

[Redtucks]

34 minutes ago, Royce5nine said:

He sounds sad. Steve Lansdown please put him out of his misery and go with him! He's more suited to a Sunday League team in Guernsey.

What do expect him to sound?

He's hardly going to be jumping for joy for fux sake!!!

 

 

[Galley is our king]

8 minutes ago, Harry said:

Because Conway doesn’t block or press the same way Wells and Knight do. 
If you lose Knight from that position you basically have to change the whole defensive set up 

But but, Mannings taught him so much 

 

..... apparently 

[Andy082005]

Just now, Mr Popodopolous said:

Why though, it can't be FFP surely??

Genuinely don’t know that I’m afraid 

if I was a guessing man - I’d say it is because they want out. They have done for a while . Why would you want to keep throwing your money into something you no longer want

[Shauntaylor85]

1 minute ago, exAtyeoMax said:

It's SL's money and investment at the end of the day…if we get relegated

I am not going to knock the hard work SL has put in to the club eg stadium/HPC, losses funding etc, however it is feeling like the club needs change, as risky as that could be sometimes risk can be exciting, it is stale at present and we just seem to be going through the same cycles. 

[CosmosUK]

19 minutes ago, BS3 Ark at Ee said:

People saying Sunday could be hostile if we lose etc……it won’t though, a few boos and that’ll be it. Heard it was gonna be toxic when Pearson was unfairly sacked and majority of fans weren’t happy…..not a whimper from the Ashton Gate crowd….you wouldn’t even had known Pearson had been sacked 

Family Club of the century Bristol City again. Even the gas are more partisan than us these days, pathetic 

[Mr Popodopolous]

12 minutes ago, Andy082005 said:

Genuinely don’t know that I’m afraid 

if I was a guessing man - I’d say it is because they want out. They have done for a while . Why would you want to keep throwing your money into something you no longer want

I see thanks, that would make more sense than the FFP angle

Well under this manager without money but also possibly with, it's only their investment they would be hurting but with a combination of tight purse strings, a shit structure and this inexperienced manager there is only one way we will be heading in the next couple of years.

10 minutes ago, CosmosUK said:

Family Club of the century Bristol City again. Even the gas are more partisan than us these days, pathetic 

I'd say it was the most hostile in a while at the end on Saturday.

Edited March 5 by Mr Popodopolous

[exAtyeoMax]

1 minute ago, Shauntaylor85 said:

I am not going to knock the hard work SL has put in to the club eg stadium/HPC, losses funding etc, however it is feeling like the club needs change, as risky as that could be sometimes risk can be exciting, it is stale at present and we just seem to be going through the same cycles. 

yes…

[Redrascal2]

Just now, exAtyeoMax said:

It's SL's money and investment at the end of the day…if we get relegated

I don't think SL gives a toss about City anymore. He has not supported Pearson or Manning in the transfer market and is just keeping the transfer fees. He has no ambition for the club and I imagine the fall in the wage bill would bring a smile to his face if we went down. Seeing Scott and Semenyo last week playing for Bournemouth last week reminded me of what we lost and how little has been spent replacing Premiership standard players 

[Mr Popodopolous]

3 minutes ago, Shauntaylor85 said:

I am not going to knock the hard work SL has put in to the club eg stadium/HPC, losses funding etc, however it is feeling like the club needs change, as risky as that could be sometimes risk can be exciting, it is stale at present and we just seem to be going through the same cycles. 

Agreed. 

All eras come to an end, it feels like the SL one has ended in trajectory if not reality.

We need some fresh impetus (IMO). Energy, new ideas and enthusiasm.

[exAtyeoMax]

Just now, Redrascal2 said:

I don't think SL gives a toss about City anymore. He has not supported Pearson or Manning in the transfer market and is just keeping the transfer fees. He has no ambition for the club and I imagine the fall in the wage bill would bring a smile to his face if we went down. Seeing Scott and Semenyo last week playing for Bournemouth last week reminded me of what we lost and how little has been spent replacing Premiership standard players 

yes happy for them, sad for us. We'll probably lose Cam and Conway this summer too. Gutted 

[CosmosUK]

Did anyone listen to his pre match interview on RB too? I really just don’t like the bloke, he sounds like a slightly more intelligent version of LJ with the constant coach speak and waffle, it puts me to sleep every time I hear it.

The one thing I miss more than anything about Nigel and Curtis is that neither suffered fools or spoke any bullsh*t, which goes a long way with fans. 

[lenred]

1 minute ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Agreed. 

All eras come to an end, it feels like the SL one has ended in trajectory if not reality.

We need some fresh impetus (IMO). Energy, new ideas and enthusiasm.

Can we include some actual footballing nous in that list as well please! 

[Mr Popodopolous]

3 minutes ago, Redrascal2 said:

I don't think SL gives a toss about City anymore. He has not supported Pearson or Manning in the transfer market and is just keeping the transfer fees. He has no ambition for the club and I imagine the fall in the wage bill would bring a smile to his face if we went down. Seeing Scott and Semenyo last week playing for Bournemouth last week reminded me of what we lost and how little has been spent replacing Premiership standard players 

Not sure about keeping the transfer fees, time will tell..but he is reinvesting less than he should.

[Andy082005]

1 minute ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Agreed. 

All eras come to an end, it feels like the SL one has ended in trajectory if not reality.

We need some fresh impetus (IMO). Energy, new ideas and enthusiasm.

Problem is they only want to sell the lot - and no one really gives a shit about the rugby, women’s team, basketball etc 

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, Andy082005 said:

Problem is they only want to sell the lot - and no one really gives a shit about the rugby, women’s team, basketball etc 

Women's Team shouldn't really be a dealbreaker, West Brom and Birmingham, possibly Hull all have Women's sides. It didn't put off their prospective owners.

Rugby, basketball and in particular the cost of acquisition yeah. Plus whatever cash input they need.

Edited March 5 by Mr Popodopolous

[Atticus]

39 minutes ago, exAtyeoMax said:

Ed and Gary were discussing this on Radio Bristol. JL created the pressure on Manning from the get go.

Well he had to give a some kind of reason behind sacking Pearson.

I'd want Tinnion gone along with him. 

[W-S-M Seagull]

13 minutes ago, Galley is our king said:

But but, Mannings taught him so much 

 

..... apparently 

He's taught him how not to be Tommy Conway. 

[Davefevs]

40 minutes ago, One Team said:

Is the Swansea game the turning point then?

No, Cardiff was!

[Shauntaylor85]

10 minutes ago, CosmosUK said:

Did anyone listen to his pre match interview on RB too? I really just don’t like the bloke, he sounds like a slightly more intelligent version of LJ with the constant coach speak and waffle, it puts me to sleep every time I hear it.

The one thing I miss more than anything about Nigel and Curtis is that neither suffered fools or spoke any bullsh*t, which goes a long way with fans. 

Manning is very LJ. But the sad thing is I would take LJ over him and I didn’t rate LJ. 

[MarcusX]

36 minutes ago, exAtyeoMax said:

I do feel a bit sorry for him. The players can't adapt fully to how he wants to play. I'm sure the club isn't going to rebuild the squad in the summer for him. Perhaps he'll be better off elsewhere

I think he’s been naive or foolish in trying to come in and change things so dramatically with, in his words, such little time on the grass.

Any manager coming in mid season is going to struggle to make big changes and in fairness to him he’s come in to an unusual situation.

Often mod season changes happen because a manager has ran out of ideas or “lost” the dressing room, a falling out has happened or the team is dramatically failing.

It’s rare (although a few teams have done it this year for some reason) for a manager to get sacked while he still “has the dressing room” and as I mentioned on another thread largely has the support of the squad and the fans.

In the former situations it’s “easy” for fresh blood to come in and rejuvenate the players, get them to enjoy playing again and freshen things up.

We didn’t need that. I didn’t see any signs of an unhappy dressing room and I think most were happy to see out this season around mid table, with a bit more flexibility in the summer.

So how does a manager come in a change a team that doesn’t just need the typical lift, a bit of motivation and confidence? I think even the best managers would struggle to come in to a team mid season, with little time to work on ideas, and drastically change the style of play - especially to a style that some of them just aren’t comfortable doing or doesn’t come naturally enough to be effective. Lastly factor in that playing possession football requires confidence and bravery. It’s hard to have the latter when you’re lacking the former!

 

 

[Bedred31]

11 minutes ago, CosmosUK said:

Family Club of the century Bristol City again. Even the gas are more partisan than us these days, pathetic 

You can be a family club and still have a rocking atmosphere. Exhibit 1 - Selhurst Park. I’ve been going to the Gate since 1972 and it’s always been sedate. Bristolians are pretty calm on the whole, which is rather a good thing generally. But atmosphere is a decision rather than a mood and we do need to decide to pull our fingers out. 

[Malvern Red]

24 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Sorry are you sure? Can you expand on this?

We are clear of FFP now and TV money up by £2-3m.

 

20 minutes ago, Andy082005 said:

I mean exactly that. We will not be investing much - if any money at all. We will have to sell to buy

Thats from the poster formerly known as BCFCShags 

Looking forward to seeing our marketing campaign for selling season tickets then!

[Shauntaylor85]

Lose to Swansea and he needs to definitely go, but I don’t think he will. However if any good time to do it, there is an Int break coming up after WBA. He has to beat an average Swansea side managed by another alleged candidate for the job he has taken. No ifs, no buts. Win. 

[The Original OTIB]

1 minute ago, Shauntaylor85 said:

Lose to Swansea and he needs to definitely go, but I don’t think he will. However if any good time to do it, there is an Int break coming up after WBA. He has to beat an average Swansea side managed by another alleged candidate for the job he has taken. No ifs, no buts. Win. 

Simply have to win that game, for all our sakes.

[Dr Balls]

17 minutes ago, Andy082005 said:

Problem is they only want to sell the lot - and no one really gives a shit about the rugby, women’s team, basketball etc 

Ironically the rugby club (SL’s preferred sport and team) are actually the biggest problem in terms of a sale. Top level rugby in this country is in a complete mess financially. Plus the rugby club have first dibs over fixtures at Ashton Gate. It’s written into the rules of the Guinness Premiership that any rugby team sharing a ground with another team, even one playing a different sport, must have fixture priority. So it’s a mess. But then this complicated structure with Bristol Sport and the stadium was of course SL’s doing, so he really has no one else to blame if it’s not attractive to potential buyers of the football club, which is the one part that could make money. And the lack of investment in the women’s team, despite some of the biggest crowds in the WSL, says everything you need to know in terms of an owner who doesn’t want to put in any more money.

Edited March 5 by Dr Balls

[Davefevs]

31 minutes ago, Harry said:

Because Conway doesn’t block or press the same way Wells and Knight do. 
If you lose Knight from that position you basically have to change the whole defensive set up 

McKenna brought off the ex-Man Utd donkey Tuanzebe (wasn’t he poor? and brought on Clarke, and that caused a tiring Mehmeti issues.

I can’t really comment in Conway’s lack of blocking, we became fragmented in all areas,  I’ll take your word for it.

[MarcusX]

48 minutes ago, S_C said:

Crazy how a mood sets in, just becomes a tide which people get swept up in.

Thought everything he said was spot on. I’d have liked him to offer more praise for the performance but he certainly didn’t hang anyone out to dry. He’s right, emotion/concentration/decisiveness, however you want to phrase it, cost us. All three goals were hugely avoidable.

Blame him when he’s at fault, for sure. He isn’t at fault for tonight.

He’s left injured (his words) Pring on for 90 mins, with Mehmeti looking tired in front of him.

He didn’t react at all to Burns causing us all sorts of problems down that side.

I’m not going to hammer him for tonight because we’ve had a good go - but he’s definitely not completely oof the hook either.

[Davefevs]

24 minutes ago, Andy082005 said:

Genuinely don’t know that I’m afraid 

if I was a guessing man - I’d say it is because they want out. They have done for a while . Why would you want to keep throwing your money into something you no longer want

Shags?

6 minutes ago, MarcusX said:

I think he’s been naive or foolish in trying to come in and change things so dramatically with, in his words, such little time on the grass.

Any manager coming in mid season is going to struggle to make big changes and in fairness to him he’s come in to an unusual situation.

Often mod season changes happen because a manager has ran out of ideas or “lost” the dressing room, a falling out has happened or the team is dramatically failing.

It’s rare (although a few teams have done it this year for some reason) for a manager to get sacked while he still “has the dressing room” and as I mentioned on another thread largely has the support of the squad and the fans.

In the former situations it’s “easy” for fresh blood to come in and rejuvenate the players, get them to enjoy playing again and freshen things up.

We didn’t need that. I didn’t see any signs of an unhappy dressing room and I think most were happy to see out this season around mid table, with a bit more flexibility in the summer.

So how does a manager come in a change a team that doesn’t just need the typical lift, a bit of motivation and confidence? I think even the best managers would struggle to come in to a team mid season, with little time to work on ideas, and drastically change the style of play - especially to a style that some of them just aren’t comfortable doing or doesn’t come naturally enough to be effective. Lastly factor in that playing possession football requires confidence and bravery. It’s hard to have the latter when you’re lacking the former!

 

 

Common mistake, overkeen to make his mark.

[aa_bcfc]

45 minutes ago, Steve Watts said:

Look, I'm sorry Liam, but this tactic won't work(much like many of your other ones!). 

Yes, a large part of the blame lies further up the chain, but this doesn't change the fact the team are repeatedly given tactics that simply don't work and don't entertain. Being angry with the board doesn't absolve Captain Mainwaring from blame as well.

 I thought we did entertain tonight. I was there, although bitterly disappointed I was certainly entertained particularly in the 2nd half after easily containing Ipswich before ht. 

[exAtyeoMax]

9 minutes ago, MarcusX said:

I think he’s been naive or foolish in trying to come in and change things so dramatically with, in his words, such little time on the grass.

Any manager coming in mid season is going to struggle to make big changes and in fairness to him he’s come in to an unusual situation.

Often mod season changes happen because a manager has ran out of ideas or “lost” the dressing room, a falling out has happened or the team is dramatically failing.

It’s rare (although a few teams have done it this year for some reason) for a manager to get sacked while he still “has the dressing room” and as I mentioned on another thread largely has the support of the squad and the fans.

In the former situations it’s “easy” for fresh blood to come in and rejuvenate the players, get them to enjoy playing again and freshen things up.

We didn’t need that. I didn’t see any signs of an unhappy dressing room and I think most were happy to see out this season around mid table, with a bit more flexibility in the summer.

So how does a manager come in a change a team that doesn’t just need the typical lift, a bit of motivation and confidence? I think even the best managers would struggle to come in to a team mid season, with little time to work on ideas, and drastically change the style of play - especially to a style that some of them just aren’t comfortable doing or doesn’t come naturally enough to be effective. Lastly factor in that playing possession football requires confidence and bravery. It’s hard to have the latter when you’re lacking the former!

 

 

Is BT forcing him to change mid season? He’s overseeing everything football

[Andy082005]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Shags?

Common mistake, overkeen to make his mark.

Correct 

In an ideal world Dave - I’m interested to know who would you like to see City bring in?

[GBF]

41 minutes ago, 38MC said:

That I can agree with.

What I can’t is that giving Manning time and money can do no harm.

It will leave us with a really disjointed squad for one as he tries to integrate new signings used to his system with the existing players who aren’t capable of it. We’ll have the worst mish-mash. 

Agree it would be.mad  to invest in a manager who is totally unproven 

[Mr Popodopolous]

5 minutes ago, Dr Balls said:

Ironically the rugby club (SL’s preferred sport and team) are actually the biggest problem in terms of a sale. Top level rugby in this country is in a complete mess financially. Plus the rugby club have first dibs over fixtures at Ashton Gate. It’s written into the rules of the Guinness Premiership that any rugby team sharing a ground with another team, even one playing a different sport, must have fixture priority. So it’s a mess. But then this complicated structure with Bristol Sport and the stadium was of course SL’s doing, so he really has no one else to blame if it’s not attractive to potential buyers of the football club, which is the one part that could make money. And the lack of investment in the women’s team, despite some of the biggest crowds in the WSL, says everything you need to know in terms of an owner who doesn’t want to put in any more money.

It is far less of a financial drain than football but the latter is far more of an enticing entry (I won't say investment as how many will turn a profit).

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, Andy082005 said:

Correct 

In an ideal world Dave - I’m interested to know who would you like to see City bring in?

I honestly think a good successor for Nige would be Michael Duff.  I don’t think we will get anyone near Nige’s exoerience or calibre, but I think Duff has gone similar traits to Nige.  My only criticism of him is “why the f++k did he go to Swansea”?

Did him and Manning swap phones over the summer?

I’m sure there are loads of other options, but I don’t tend to follow managers ups and downs that much.

[exAtyeoMax]

2 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

It is far less of a financial drain than football but the latter is far more of an enticing entry (I won't say investment as how many will turn a profit).

Is there any where else the rugby can play locally apart from the mem? 

[Dr Balls]

1 minute ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

It is far less of a financial drain than football but the latter is far more of an enticing entry (I won't say investment as how many will turn a profit).

There is no way to make a profit from rugby as it stands. But it is possible with a Premier League football club. And SL needs to accept that he’s not going to recoup all that he has spent out in the past 20 years. Otherwise he’s not getting a sale. And of course selling a Premier League club guaranteed parachute payments may explain the need for promotion this season, hence the comments from JL when Manning was appointed.

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, Dr Balls said:

There is no way to make a profit from rugby as it stands. But it is possible with a Premier League football club. And SL needs to accept that he’s not going to recoup all that he has spent out in the past 20 years. Otherwise he’s not getting a sale. And of course selling a Premier League club guaranteed parachute payments may explain the need for promotion this season, hence the comments from JL when Manning was appointed.

It's not so much a profit more a case of minimising cash input to keep the lights on.

Mind you a profit, in the PL? Check the accounts for last year when you've time for Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle, Southampton, West Ham and Wolves. (Many more haven't yet released).

[Kingswood Robin]

8 minutes ago, exAtyeoMax said:

Is there any where else the rugby can play locally apart from the mem? 

They could share with Bath.

[REDOXO]

1 hour ago, Royce5nine said:

He sounds sad. Steve Lansdown please put him out of his misery and go with him! He's more suited to a Sunday League team in Guernsey.

He does sound sad! 
 

Steve needs to tell Jon to put him out of his misery and fire Tinnion! 
 

Steve will go nowhere until a deal can be done, but who on earth wants this nonsense! 
 

 

[Dr Balls]

24 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

It's not so much a profit more a case of minimising cash input to keep the lights on.

Mind you a profit, in the PL? Check the accounts for last year when you've time for Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle, Southampton, West Ham and Wolves. (Many more haven't yet released).

I take your point @Mr Popodopolous but the Championship is probably the biggest basket case in terms of costs versus returns. Which is why, getting out of this division, preferably up rather than down, can seem so attractive. One of the other ways to minimise losses is developing and selling players at a profit, which you then pocket rather than spend on more players. Sound familiar?!

[Fuber]

1 hour ago, BCFCGav said:

No harm in giving him a proper go next season after a pre-season/some of his own signings. Until the Lansdown’s go the prem is a pipe dream anyway.

If relegation starts to look very on, then we’ll have to change sooner, but shouldn’t come to that.

Manning doesn't statistically have an issue with Teams in the top six though. His record around and under us is morbid.

Swansea is the final acid test for me. Lose that, and no way should he get the summer.

Edited March 6 by Fuber

[Bedred31]

I’ve crossed the line re Manning- he’s got to go- but that shouldn’t hide the bigger issue, which is investment in the squad. If spending £1-3m per season on players is the model we’re now chained to, then relegation is pretty much certain, and probably sooner rather than later. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

11 minutes ago, Dr Balls said:

I take your point @Mr Popodopolous but the Championship is probably the biggest basket case in terms of costs versus returns. Which is why, getting out of this division, preferably up rather than down, can seem so attractive. One of the other ways to minimise losses is developing and selling players at a profit, which you then pocket rather than spend on more players. Sound familiar?!

It absolutely is and tbh @Dr Balls I don't disagree.

Foeever chasing losses at this level and of course the carrot of PL football makes it more saleable.

Birmingham and Hull owners for different reasons seem like they're in a hurry, I wonder at what point it will occur to them that it can be a money pit just to stand still. Birmingham in particular (Hull inherited a solid lowish cost base).

[S_C]

33 minutes ago, MarcusX said:

He’s left injured (his words) Pring on for 90 mins, with Mehmeti looking tired in front of him.

He didn’t react at all to Burns causing us all sorts of problems down that side.

I’m not going to hammer him for tonight because we’ve had a good go - but he’s definitely not completely oof the hook either.

Sure, not saying there aren't things he could have done that MAY have altered the course of things.
I haven't seen the Pring injured comments so unsure how serious it is/was, but not convinced id have fancied throwing Roberts on for him with Burns in full flow. Mehmeti looked tired, yeah, he was also our best player and one of those you'd most like in one-on-ones on the counter. Surely no-one believes that if Roberts had gone on for Mehmeti and we'd have still lost, Manning wouldnt have been accused of being too negative. Maybe if we'd done that we would have taken a point, but maybe if we been more decisive in our defending we'd have comfortably won the game. Battering people with maybe, when it's clearly a maybe, and especially when it's to a backdrop of a good team performance, is a never ending cycle.

The issue isnt that Manning didnt do x or y, at least it shouldn't be tonight, it's that we arent discussing Wells hitting the bar, or not reacting quickly enough to either Sykes cross or following the pull back after Mehmeti's shot. We're not discussing McCrorie being reckless in possession, or how Dickie could have taken charge of the equaliser as it came inside Pring. Why arent we talking about Vyner giving a foul away on the edge of the box, or O'Leary's distribution. Sykes goes to sleep for the third. Yet somehow Manning, with a limited bench and having, let's give him his dues, set the team up very well, to such an extent we were the better side and leading 2-1 after 79 minutes, could have made a change which might have altered things.

The issue is that we lost due to individual errors during a good performance, in a game we were widely expected to be run through, and the bloke who essentially deserves the {most} credit is the one in the firing line. I'm not typing this telling you Manning is fantastic or Manning is the right guy, I was angry Pearson was disposed of and things clearly arent going great, but when you turn in a performance like tonight and the heat is focused on the manager, it tells you that people are guilty of not fairly assessing what is in-front of them. It tells you that people have made up their mind and are drawing conclusions to fit their pre-determined beliefs. 

[BrizzleRed]

1 hour ago, BCFCGav said:

No harm in giving him a proper go next season after a pre-season/some of his own signings. Until the Lansdown’s go the prem is a pipe dream anyway.

If relegation starts to look very on, then we’ll have to change sooner, but shouldn’t come to that.

I agree re the Lansdowns, but I can see plenty of harm in giving LM next season.  

We weren’t exactly pulling up trees at the point he came in, but without the points already on the board from NP’s time, we’d be be right in the shit with what he’s added since.

That points buffer from the start of the season is all that’s currently keeping us out of the relegation spots.

We can’t risk our current form continuing into next season imho.

[Superjack]

2 hours ago, exAtyeoMax said:

Yes but unless SL steps in, JL & BT won't be going anywhere. 

Even if he does, JL sure as shit won't be going anywhere.

[fgrsimon]

53 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

It is far less of a financial drain than football but the latter is far more of an enticing entry (I won't say investment as how many will turn a profit).

It should surely be possible to make a profit from the Rugby? 

There's a salary cap, the attendances are close to the football and there is effectively no relegation for an indefinite period. No relegation for definite this season but there are basically no clubs in the levels below that have the finances/assets for promotion. So unless Wasps or maybe London Irish get back to the top level, effectively it's a closed shop. So you could put a very cheap young side together and take the hit in results without any danger of relegation. Newcastle I guess are doing something like this?  Ealing Trailfinders who are comfortably the 'best of the rest' have and would turn down promotion IIRC?

[Superjack]

2 hours ago, edada said:

Keeps talking about emotions and the players not controlling the emotional side of it. I don’t get it. I’m not convinced the players are getting it either. 

****ing android.

[Mr Popodopolous]

3 minutes ago, fgrsimon said:

It should surely be possible to make a profit from the Rugby? 

There's a salary cap, the attendances are close to the football and there is effectively no relegation for an indefinite period. No relegation for definite this season but there are basically no clubs in the levels below that have the finances/assets for promotion. So unless Wasps or maybe London Irish get back to the top level, effectively it's a closed shop. So you could put a very cheap young side together and take the hit in results without any danger of relegation. Newcastle I guess are doing something like this?  Ealing Trailfinders who are comfortably the 'best of the rest' have and would turn down promotion IIRC?

You'd think so but losses still occur.

I agree on paper it shouldn't be too difficult but if anyone wants to look at the Bristol Rugby accounts..it is less expensive than football of course in terms of cash input but not necessarily profitable.

Cutting the wage bill further would help yes.

Edited March 6 by Mr Popodopolous

[Superjack]

1 hour ago, Nugget said:

Wonder if Pearson is still living in the area. Lansdowns would get a lot of respect if they held their hands up and admitted this isn’t working, they won’t though! Wonder if NP would enjoy telling them to do one or if he’d be tempted. 

I think he absolutely would tell them to do one. And I would absolutely enjoy hearing about it.

[NickJ]

2 hours ago, Harry said:

They scored 10 seconds after the 4 subs. We’d brought Sykes on and he switched off. 
Not sure how LM could have reacted to the 4 subs when they literally scored immediately after 

I think the point being made Harry is that with a Top 6 quality squad at his disposal, he could have impacted the effect of their 4 subs before they even made them. 

[Davefevs]

43 minutes ago, Bedred31 said:

I’ve crossed the line re Manning- he’s got to go- but that shouldn’t hide the bigger issue, which is investment in the squad. If spending £1-3m per season on players is the model we’re now chained to, then relegation is pretty much certain, and probably sooner rather than later. 

I said after the summer window had closed and Phil Alexander gave his hostage speech on SOTC, that the hierarchy had inflicted self-harm.  They’d wasted 20 league games of opportunity to earn as many points as they could before the next window opened, regardless of manager / head-coach.  That isn’t acting in the best interests of the club.  That pettiness cost Liam Manning at least 11 games too.

I think it’s pretty unforgivable management of the club.  They can bullshit all they want about budgets set in March.  They can say Nige Pearson was offered a player(s), but they won’t tell you who they offered.  It wasn’t Scott Twine, it wasn’t Finn Azaz, it wasn’t Max Bird. They offered him an OOC CB, which putting the club and its finances first, he declined.  That’s acting in the club’s best interests!

 

[Sleepy1968]

34 minutes ago, Superjack said:

****ing android.

Wait, what? Are you accusing LM of writing your posts?

[Superjack]

3 minutes ago, Sleepy1968 said:

Wait, what? Are you accusing LM of writing your posts?

I'd go back to sleep mate...

[Sleepy1968]

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I said after the summer window had closed and Phil Alexander gave his hostage speech on SOTC, that the hierarchy had inflicted self-harm.  They’d wasted 20 league games of opportunity to earn as many points as they could before the next window opened, regardless of manager / head-coach.  That isn’t acting in the best interests of the club.  That pettiness cost Liam Manning at least 11 games too.

I think it’s pretty unforgivable management of the club.  They can bullshit all they want about budgets set in March.  They can say Nige Pearson was offered a player(s), but they won’t tell you who they offered.  It wasn’t Scott Twine, it wasn’t Finn Azaz, it wasn’t Max Bird. They offered him an OOC CB, which putting the club and its finances first, he declined.  That’s acting in the club’s best interests!

 

Shocking treatment. And that shows why they aren't suitable custodians of our club. And an example of why NP is held in high regard by many.

[W-S-M Seagull]

1 hour ago, S_C said:

in a game we were widely expected to be run through, and the bloke who essentially deserves the {most} credit is the one in the firing line.

Actually I think you'll find most of us expected us to play exactly how we did tonight. No one really expected us to be run through because we know these type of games suit us, just like West Ham suited us, just like Forest suited us and just like Southampton suited us. 

Every single one of our fans would have been able to predict what our game plan would have been today. 

So with that in mind I have to wonder why you're framing this as some sort of tactical masterclass from Manning? Why are you framing it that we all didn't expect us to play that way? There can only be one conclusion to that.