The highly optimistic brigade- where are you?

[Mr Popodopolous]

On here and beyond, for months we have had forced jollity and optimism, strange convoluted defences of the Club etc.

I shouldn't really slate but bloody annoyed..here and beyond, like a Pied Piper of Hamlin leading us to our midtable mediocrity.

Feels like Play-off tilt over and today barring a scratch team have Wolves found a little mojo?

Leicester 0 v Wolves 3

Season over by January 11th by 2pm or 3pm if we get extra time etc. Explain that one!

[bexhill reds]

I could be slightly conspiracy theorist and say that most of the Bristol Sport bots have now started their Xmas holidays...

[TDarwall]

I like your posts Mr Pop, but there is no need for this imo. There is no right or wrong way to support the club, if some folk want to take a more optimistic view, that's entirely up to them, it's a hobby, not the Watergate affair, not everything needs backing up by evidence & data (sorry @Davefevs, you know I love you!).  I simply go on how much I enjoy it, & by & large this season I've come away mostly happy.

I think few would be surprised if we change manager at this point but I don't think it needs point scoring.

 

[RUSSEL85]

Season feels over now, not good enough for top 6 by a long shot and we are better than bottom 3. Another pointless season with zero progression, happily get proved wrong of course.

[Cidre Monita]

2 minutes ago, TDarwall said:

I like your posts Mr Pop, but there is no need for this imo. There is no right or wrong way to support the club, if some folk want to take a more optimistic view, that's entirely up to them, it's a hobby, not the Watergate affair, not everything needs backing up by evidence & data (sorry @Davefevs, you know I love you!).  I simply go on how much I enjoy it, & by & large this season I've come away mostly happy.

I think few would be surprised if we change manager at this point but I don't think it needs point scoring.

 

I think it’s a very valid question. Where have they gone, and what was their optimism built on in the first place. 

[Galley is our king]

4 minutes ago, TDarwall said:

I like your posts Mr Pop, but there is no need for this imo. There is no right or wrong way to support the club, if some folk want to take a more optimistic view, that's entirely up to them, it's a hobby, not the Watergate affair, not everything needs backing up by evidence & data (sorry @Davefevs, you know I love you!).  I simply go on how much I enjoy it, & by & large this season I've come away mostly happy.

I think few would be surprised if we change manager at this point but I don't think it needs point scoring.

 

As the late, great Bill Shankly once said....

"Football is not a matter of life and death..... it's much more important than that"

It's more than a hobby.

[Mr Popodopolous]

5 minutes ago, TDarwall said:

I like your posts Mr Pop, but there is no need for this imo. There is no right or wrong way to support the club, if some folk want to take a more optimistic view, that's entirely up to them, it's a hobby, not the Watergate affair, not everything needs backing up by evidence & data (sorry @Davefevs, you know I love you!).  I simply go on how much I enjoy it, & by & large this season I've come away mostly happy.

I think few would be surprised if we change manager at this point but I don't think it needs point scoring.

 

 

Just now, Cidre Monita said:

I think it’s a very valid question. Where have they gone, and what was their optimism built on in the first place. 

I agree with both. People can support as they like but. 

On here and other Platforms I remember reading lots of optimism. I recall some of my sceptical views and of those of others on here.. Forced Jollity I'd call it.

Sell us the optimism, what is Manning let alone the hierarchy building!

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

8 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

On here and beyond, for months we have had forced jollity and optimism, strange convoluted defences of the Club etc.

I shouldn't really slate but bloody annoyed..here and beyond, like a Pied Piper of Hamlin leading us to our midtable mediocrity.

Feels like Play-off tilt over and today barring a scratch team have Wolves found a little mojo?

Leicester 0 v Wolves 3

Season over by January 11th by 2pm or 3pm if we get extra time etc. Explain that one!

Nothing wrong with optimism mate.  If you have no hopes of getting somewhere, what’s the point?

I’ve never wanted a City manager to fail, whoever they were (though Pulis pushed me very close) but I’m willing to admit when things are getting tough.  I actually like Manning, I like what he’s trying to do, and I can see that he has had some success, but sadly something is not working.  The second half performance today was abject - possibly the worst half of the season - and for the first time I find myself thinking that maybe this is not going to work and a change needs to be made before the January window.  I will be sad to see Manning go when he does because I really did want him to succeed but if he can’t turn this around then so be it.  But i won’t apologise for feeling optimistic at the start of this season.

Bring in Gary O’Neil.

[IAmNick]

3 minutes ago, Cidre Monita said:

I think it’s a very valid question. Where have they gone, and what was their optimism built on in the first place. 

Is it though?

If you've never backed either a player or manager who turns out to be shit before then all I'd say is you probably haven't been following City (or any team!) for very long.

My main hope is/was that after Manning leaves we can move on from this bloody Lee Johnson / Pearson / Manning era where things have been ridiculously polarised on here and every discussion has come back to the same few points over and over. I'm not sure threads like this will help...

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

Nothing wrong with optimism mate.  If you have no hopes of getting somewhere, what’s the point?

I’ve never wanted a City manager to fail, whoever they were (though Pulis pushed me very close) but I’m willing to admit when things are getting tough.  I actually like Manning, I like what he’s trying to do, and I can see that he has had some success, but sadly something is not working.  The second half performance today was abject - possibly the worst half of the season - and for the first time I find myself thinking that maybe this is not going to work and a change needs to be made before the January window.  I will be sad to see Manning go when he does because I really did want him to succeed but if he can’t turn this around then so be it.  But i won’t apologise for feeling optimistic at the start of this season.

Bring in Gary O’Neil.

The thing is Manning is just a symptom. Sure a new manager maybe will improve us to a certain level but with the Strategic Limitations and Problems it will hit a wall.

[W-S-M Seagull]

5 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

 

I agree with both. People can support as they like but. 

On here and other Platforms I remember reading lots of optimism. I recall some of my sceptical views and of those of others on here.. Forced Jollity I'd call it.

Sell us the optimism, what is Manning let alone the hierarchy building!

There was indeed a narrative being spun that we were playing much better football etc etc. 

I would watch a game and scratch my head every time I read these comments because we were not watching the same games. 

At times we played better football, but also at times we played worse football (like today) but the narrative was that as a whole the football was better. 

[harvey54]

I've never been able to find anything slightly optimistic about Manning's appointment or the football we've played since. The only times that we've looked a decent side is when we've played a more direct , counter attacking style which Pearson had started to implement. 

We haven't got the required quality of player to play out from the back. It just doesn't work. 

Our recruitment policy once again appears to have failed. We've been crying out for a proven goalscorer and we've been served a couple of cheap options. Not good enough I'm afraid. 

Mid table mediocrity beckons again and the usual platitudes and banal bollix from the Lansdowns. A festering pus filled sore of a club that needs lancing from the top. 

[Superjack]

5 minutes ago, harvey54 said:

I've never been able to find anything slightly optimistic about Manning's appointment or the football we've played since. The only times that we've looked a decent side is when we've played a more direct , counter attacking style which Pearson had started to implement. 

We haven't got the required quality of player to play out from the back. It just doesn't work. 

Our recruitment policy once again appears to have failed. We've been crying out for a proven goalscorer and we've been served a couple of cheap options. Not good enough I'm afraid. 

Mid table mediocrity beckons again and the usual platitudes and banal bollix from the Lansdowns. A festering pus filled sore of a club that needs lancing from the top. 

[MythikRobins]

Im optimistic in the fact that our performances in totality probably account for a couple places higher. Maybe 10th. That’s as high as we’ve been in years and probably the ceiling of this squad + coaching staff. So that’s pleasing but it’s still a very very slight improvement. We’ve had this situation before and we took too long to move on the head-coach despite his ceiling being very apparent. I do hope that if the season continues as is we do not make the same mistake.

Edited December 22, 2024 by MythikRobins

[myol'man]

The best few games were when Hogg was in charge 

[Mr Popodopolous]

5 minutes ago, MythikRobins said:

Im optimistic in the fact that our performances in totality probably account for a couple places higher. Maybe 10th. That’s as high as we’ve been in years and probably the ceiling of this squad + coaching staff. So that’s pleasing but it’s still a very very slight improvement. We’ve had this situation before and we took too long to move on the head-coach despite his ceiling being very apparent. I do hope that if the season continues as is we do not make the same mistake.

9th or 10th is fairly senmnsible IMO albeit wonder how many points we've lost through poor tactics and selections.

The great bullishness at the end of the window just didn't ring true for me. Off to Derby I remember great optimism but I wasn't feeling it and thought we were being a bit too bullish.

Didn't except the shambles of the 2nd half there but.  The two were poorly matched.

[MythikRobins]

6 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

9th or 10th is fairly senmnsible IMO albeit wonder how many points we've lost through poor tactics and selections.

The great bullishness at the end of the window just didn't ring true for me. Off to Derby I remember great optimism but I wasn't feeling it and thought we were being a bit too bullish.

Didn't except the shambles of the 2nd half there but.  The two were poorly matched.

I was actually at Derby and felt in that game we were really unlucky to be 1-0 down at halftime. Perhaps I should’ve seen the signs after the game. A playoff side goes and wins that game with the amount we carved them open in that first 25 ish minutes.

[054123]

44 minutes ago, TDarwall said:

I like your posts Mr Pop, but there is no need for this imo. There is no right or wrong way to support the club, if some folk want to take a more optimistic view, that's entirely up to them, it's a hobby, not the Watergate affair, not everything needs backing up by evidence & data (sorry @Davefevs, you know I love you!).  I simply go on how much I enjoy it, & by & large this season I've come away mostly happy.

I think few would be surprised if we change manager at this point but I don't think it needs point scoring.

 

Happy with what?

[Cidre Monita]

35 minutes ago, IAmNick said:

Is it though?

If you've never backed either a player or manager who turns out to be shit before then all I'd say is you probably haven't been following City (or any team!) for very long.

My main hope is/was that after Manning leaves we can move on from this bloody Lee Johnson / Pearson / Manning era where things have been ridiculously polarised on here and every discussion has come back to the same few points over and over. I'm not sure threads like this will help...

Sorry mate that is totally nonsensical. Been trying to decipher both paragraphs, but unable to do so. 

What I will say is that most managerial appointments will polarise opinions. That is the nature of football and indeed human nature. 

BTW I first watched City as a kid down the Gate in the late 70’s. A 0-1 defeat to Leicester, as I remember it. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

13 minutes ago, MythikRobins said:

I was actually at Derby and felt in that game we were really unlucky to be 1-0 down at halftime. Perhaps I should’ve seen the signs after the game. A playoff side goes and wins that game with the amount we carved them open in that first 25 ish minutes.

Maybe maybe. We can pick individual games, I just thought the hype and feelgood was out of kilter with the reality pre game.

[mozo]

Here I am! 

We need wins. Many players, teams, managers have turned around much bigger crises than this one.

Better fixtures coming, and City need to make it count.

[Mr Popodopolous]

We certainly need wins. Thank you for showing.

To what end though, it'll paper over the cracks and settle us into 10th-13th. This wasn't the plan, Wells as lone striker absolutely wasn't. Cornick or even Bell, even Twine as a False 9..it's a thin gruel and the Cupboard is bare, Wells aside.

Wonder how Half Season Tickets are selling and how many first timers will renew next time?

Edited December 22, 2024 by Mr Popodopolous

[mozo]

4 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

We certainly need wins. Thank you for showing.

To what end though, it'll paper over the cracks and swrrle us into 10th-13th. This wasn't the plan, Wells as lone striker absolutely wasn't. Cornick or even Bell, even Twine as a False 9..it's a thin gruel and the Cupboard is bare, Wells aside.

Wonder how Half Season Tickets see selling and how many first timers will renew next time?

We need points, and we're in danger of getting stuck in a negative cycle. I last said this ahead of the Oxford win, and then our form improved. We need that form back now. 

[W-S-M Seagull]

6 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

We certainly need wins. Thank you for showing.

To what end though, it'll paper over the cracks and swrrle us into 10th-13th. This wasn't the plan, Wells as lone striker absolutely wasn't. Cornick or even Bell, even Twine as a False 9..it's a thin gruel and the Cupboard is bare, Wells aside.

Wonder how Half Season Tickets see selling and how many first timers will renew next time?

After 24 games last season we were on 35 points. So even if we win our next two home games we are still trending behind. 

We are going to have to super charge things in order to not only keep up with last season but to get them extra 10 points BT says we need. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 minutes ago, mozo said:

We need points, and we're in danger of getting stuck in a negative cycle. I last said this ahead of the Oxford win, and then our form improved. We need that form back now. 

By a negative cycle do you mean closer to a relegation scrap?

The next 3 or 4 Games on paper are frankly reasonable..again on paper.

[O'Garlandinho]

Strange post as this forum is, and always has been, largely negative!

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 minutes ago, O'Garlandinho said:

Strange post as this forum is, and always has been, largely negative!

Unsure about that, when we see signs we buy in and then you get fans who try to shout down criticism or concerns. I can think of a few but won't name.

[Fjmcity]

Wouldn’t have minded a change pre Oxford, thought it could be time but then things looked up.

It’s cycled back round to that point again, if he goes that’s ok for me and we can try again. 

it’s just eternally frustrating to not be dogshite all of the time but then seem unable to put together a run. Don’t concede at Sunderland and see off qpr as we should have done and your 4 points off the playoffs and you can take an off day at the hawthorns. All ifs and buts but it’s relevant when you were so close to having those 4 points.

I’m sure that’s eternally frustrating to manning too, and he doesn’t help himself seemingly a lot of the time.

its tiring to comment on here when the knives are out because it’s pretty repetitive and the way people talk is abit of a downer, especially at Christmas 

Edited December 22, 2024 by Fjmcity

[luke_bristol]

I don’t mind people being more positive than me, I’ve had peaks and troughs with Manning, but do object to them calling city fans “idiots”  for not seeing LM as the second coming of Christ as one local podcaster did last season.
 

Not going very well is it? Just how is his PPG compared to Holden, let alone NP?

[Mr Popodopolous]

5 minutes ago, Fjmcity said:

Wouldn’t have minded a change pre Oxford, thought it could be time but then things looked up.

It’s cycled back round to that point again, if he goes that’s ok for me and we can try again. 

it’s just eternally frustrating to not be dogshite all of the time but then seem unable to put together a run. Don’t concede at Sunderland and see off qpr as we should have done and your 4 points off the playoffs and you can take an off day at the hawthorns. All ifs and buts but it’s relevant when you were so close to having those 4 points.

I’m sure that’s eternally frustrating to manning too, and he doesn’t help himself seemingly a lot of the time.

its tiring to comment on here when the knives are out because it’s pretty repetitive and the way people talk is abit of a downer, especially at Christmas 

The thing is, is it just Manning?

Do you think the issues go deeper? I have very little faith in the hierarchy above him in respect of their competence and dynamism, less so Rawcliffe and Marshall although think Marshall is overstretched as the Group CEO.

[REDOXO]

1 hour ago, harvey54 said:

I've never been able to find anything slightly optimistic about Manning's appointment or the football we've played since. The only times that we've looked a decent side is when we've played a more direct , counter attacking style which Pearson had started to implement. 

We haven't got the required quality of player to play out from the back. It just doesn't work. 

Our recruitment policy once again appears to have failed. We've been crying out for a proven goalscorer and we've been served a couple of cheap options. Not good enough I'm afraid. 

Mid table mediocrity beckons again and the usual platitudes and banal bollix from the Lansdowns. A festering pus filled sore of a club that needs lancing from the top. 

Yes I by and large agree. 

I’m not sure how cheap the options are 5m between them seems a lot for two guys who wouldn’t look out of place playing for Yate Towns reserves. 
 

The Twine thing is laughable and the treatment of Earthy who looks better at everything except deadballs (and we have never seen Earthy take one as a shot) 

Our recruitment is now shown to be by and large poor. Even Yu is on the bench and Bird was subbed today. 
 

I have heard nothing but crickets from The Lansdowns so I’m not sure the banal excuses are theirs. I am sure however they are Mannings. 
 

I like your festering/lancing metaphor. However until someone comes up with a wedge load then the only part of the sore that can possibly lanced is BT. 

[Maesknoll]

Surely the volume of happy clapping is decreasing after each game……

[Fjmcity]

21 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

The thing is, is it just Manning?

Do you think the issues go deeper? I have very little faith in the hierarchy above him in respect of their competence and dynamism, less so Rawcliffe and Marshall although think Marshall is overstretched as the Group CEO.

Can’t say I know much about the 2 names you’ve mentioned. The issues do go deeper. The lansdowns don’t bother me too much, I don’t think their incompetence at times is malicious and they’ve done a lot for the club. I have a problem with tinnion, not quite to the name calling, blood spitting levels some do but he’s over promoted and hostile.

Im not sure why the lansdowns don’t see the easy win and cut him loose, give manning the support he needs as a young coach. 

[italian dave]

I agree with @TDarwalls response above 100%. I don’t think a question posed in this way is helpful. Any more than a question asking the doom merchants where they are on a day when we win, or whether they still think we’re in for a relegation struggle.

It’s valid, of course, to ask questions about how we’re performing; today; this season. But why does it have to be such a loaded question and one that’s so confrontational?

It plays into that polarisation @IAmNick talks about and that can be the worst of this place, but on which some seem to thrive.

And it’s so simplistic. I’m optimistic going into every season and every game. Sometimes I’m disillusioned, sometimes not. I enjoyed Sunderland. I didn’t enjoy today. (Although the respective weather conditions might have had a bearing!). I don’t expect every game to be the same, good or bad. Overall I’ve enjoyed the football this season and I’m happy to be watching City in one of the top ten leagues in Europe on a regular basis. But that doesn’t mean that I’m blind to shortcomings, or that there aren’t some games when I think we’re poor.

I don’t believe anyone, even the most optimistic, thought we’d walk into the top 6 this season. Any more than I think the biggest doom monger thought we’d have a season long relegation battle. 

My instinct is that for the optimists the worst case scenario was probably 12th. And for the pessimists, the best case scenario was probably 12th. And look where we are. And still above Preston

[Mr Popodopolous]

11 minutes ago, Fjmcity said:

Can’t say I know much about the 2 names you’ve mentioned. The issues do go deeper. The lansdowns don’t bother me too much, I don’t think their incompetence at times is malicious and they’ve done a lot for the club. I have a problem with tinnion, not quite to the name calling, blood spitting levels some do but he’s over promoted and hostile.

Im not sure why the lansdowns don’t see the easy win and cut him loose, give manning the support he needs as a young coach. 

I think those 2 are probably fairly competent, Marshall and Rawcliffe but like you don't know a huge amount.

Lansdowns aren't malicious though I believe Jon Lansdown in his present role may not be the one.

Totally agree on Tinnion, in his role he very much isn't the one. The structure just seems Idk.

[Davefevs]

Mr P….you’re not supposed to drink the sherry left out for Father Christmas!!!  

[Red from afar]

22 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

think those 2 are probably fairly competent, Marshall and Rawcliffe but like you don't know a huge amount

They're just money men, no knowledge of a sporting background, no football contacts outside of their limited work with BCFC. The whole hierarchy is not fit for purpose.

A chairman who's there by default, a moneyman as CEO, a lower league footballer and failed manager as Dir/football and an inexperienced first team coach. It's the blind leading the blind. 

The whole structure needs an overhaul.

Edited December 22, 2024 by Red from afar

[W-S-M Seagull]

9 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Mr P….you’re not supposed to drink the sherry left out for Father Christmas!!!  

He went from the Baileys to the sherry pretty quickly

[W-S-M Seagull]

31 minutes ago, italian dave said:

I agree with @TDarwalls response above 100%. I don’t think a question posed in this way is helpful. Any more than a question asking the doom merchants where they are on a day when we win, or whether they still think we’re in for a relegation struggle.

It’s valid, of course, to ask questions about how we’re performing; today; this season. But why does it have to be such a loaded question and one that’s so confrontational?

It plays into that polarisation @IAmNick talks about and that can be the worst of this place, but on which some seem to thrive.

And it’s so simplistic. I’m optimistic going into every season and every game. Sometimes I’m disillusioned, sometimes not. I enjoyed Sunderland. I didn’t enjoy today. (Although the respective weather conditions might have had a bearing!). I don’t expect every game to be the same, good or bad. Overall I’ve enjoyed the football this season and I’m happy to be watching City in one of the top ten leagues in Europe on a regular basis. But that doesn’t mean that I’m blind to shortcomings, or that there aren’t some games when I think we’re poor.

I don’t believe anyone, even the most optimistic, thought we’d walk into the top 6 this season. Any more than I think the biggest doom monger thought we’d have a season long relegation battle. 

My instinct is that for the optimists the worst case scenario was probably 12th. And for the pessimists, the best case scenario was probably 12th. And look where we are. And still above Preston

You're happy to watch us get battered like we did today? And like we have been numerous times this season? Fair play. 

[Davefevs]

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

He went from the Baileys to the sherry pretty quickly

Mr Popodopolus, Mr Popodopolus  

He likes the sherry, he likes the Baileys

his head for FFP is effing massive

[Charlie BCFC]

Good evening,

 

I’m still optimistic and behind Manning. Think we can be a really good side and we’ve showed it this season in glimpses, problem we’re having is there’s no consistency at the minute. Today, I didn’t really expect anything from but my frustration is we should’ve secured three points from QPR. Next three are big for us and I think Manning aswell, let’s get behind the lads and see what happens. 

[2015]

2 hours ago, IAmNick said:

Is it though?

If you've never backed either a player or manager who turns out to be shit before then all I'd say is you probably haven't been following City (or any team!) for very long.

My main hope is/was that after Manning leaves we can move on from this bloody Lee Johnson / Pearson / Manning era where things have been ridiculously polarised on here and every discussion has come back to the same few points over and over. I'm not sure threads like this will help...

100% agree. The divisiveness has not been helpful.

Did feel like around the end of Pearsons reign the fanbase was becoming more united, then he was sacked.

Who are the ones who have been ever present throughout all of this time? The Lansdowns. 

 

[Mr Popodopolous]

28 minutes ago, Red from afar said:

They're just money men, no knowledge of a sporting background, no football contacts outside of their limited work with BCFC. The whole hierarchy is not fit for purpose.

A chairman who's there by default, a moneyman as CEO, a lower league footballer and failed manager as Dir/football and an inexperienced first team coach. It's the blind leading the blind. 

The whole structure needs an overhaul.

To me, alright to have a money man in the correct position..they'll keep a handle on expenditure and put a break on risks.

I'd go..

SL

New CEO

New Technical Director- Newman?

Rawcliffe- Only financial

New Manager or Manning

Unsure what to do with Tinnion and Jon Lansdown..Gavin Marshall back to Group CEO.

[italian dave]

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

You're happy to watch us get battered like we did today? And like we have been numerous times this season? Fair play. 

I don’t think you read my post before you replied.

I said “I didn’t enjoy today”.

 

[Charlie BCFC]

2 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

To me, alright to have a money man in the correct position..they'll keep a handle on expenditure and put a break on risks.

I'd go..

SL

New CEO

New Technical Director- Newman?

Rawcliffe- Only financial

New Manager or Manning

Unsure what to do with Tinnion and Jon Lansdown..Gavin Marshall back to Group CEO.

If we have Rawcliffe and Newman then I doubt we go for a CEO aswell

[Mr Popodopolous]

3 minutes ago, Charlie BCFC said:

If we have Rawcliffe and Newman then I doubt we go for a CEO aswell

Rawcliffe is he a true CEO or more to keep the financial side in check? I'll be honest I don't know a huge amount about him but he came across well enough in an interview.

We don't seem to have a true CEO which is incredible for a 2nd Tier Club with a probable £30-40m Turnover.

You need a Financial Director and CEO.

Edited December 22, 2024 by Mr Popodopolous

[Mr Popodopolous]

8 minutes ago, Charlie BCFC said:

Good evening,

 

I’m still optimistic and behind Manning. Think we can be a really good side and we’ve showed it this season in glimpses, problem we’re having is there’s no consistency at the minute. Today, I didn’t really expect anything from but my frustration is we should’ve secured three points from QPR. Next three are big for us and I think Manning aswell, let’s get behind the lads and see what happens. 

Mayulu and Armstrong simultaneously a gamble too far?

I know they were brought for the here and now as well as the future, but them and Twine have really underwhelmed me..

Agfee on QPR and I'd say we should IMO be 3-4 Points better off- we'll win games, lose games but starting to feel apathy atm.

[W-S-M Seagull]

12 minutes ago, italian dave said:

I don’t think you read my post before you replied.

I said “I didn’t enjoy today”.

 

But you enjoyed Sunderland where they dominated us...

I think this thread is aimed at people like yourself so fair play for showing. 

[Herbsley]

3 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

On here and beyond, for months we have had forced jollity and optimism, strange convoluted defences of the Club etc.

I shouldn't really slate but bloody annoyed..here and beyond, like a Pied Piper of Hamlin leading us to our midtable mediocrity.

Feels like Play-off tilt over and today barring a scratch team have Wolves found a little mojo?

Leicester 0 v Wolves 3

Season over by January 11th by 2pm or 3pm if we get extra time etc. Explain that one!

I still sit in the optimistic camp and could do without ends like you coming over all sanctimonious when we lose

[Sir Geoff]

5 minutes ago, Herbsley said:

I still sit in the optimistic camp and could do without ends like you coming over all sanctimonious when we lose

Thanks for your 18th contribution in 8 years. Very insightful.

Edited December 22, 2024 by Sir Geoff
Extra text

[Baldyman]

3 hours ago, TDarwall said:

I like your posts Mr Pop, but there is no need for this imo. There is no right or wrong way to support the club, if some folk want to take a more optimistic view, that's entirely up to them, it's a hobby, not the Watergate affair, not everything needs backing up by evidence & data (sorry @Davefevs, you know I love you!).  I simply go on how much I enjoy it, & by & large this season I've come away mostly happy.

I think few would be surprised if we change manager at this point but I don't think it needs point scoring.

 

And there you have it ! “ It’s a hobby” . Three words that sum up 50% of our 2024 fan base . For the other 50% it’s a way of life and it matters tremendously . The weekend result dictates the mood for the week ahead and that’s the football I know . It’s unfortunate but it seems that one half of our fan base really doesn’t get the other half at all ! 

Edited December 22, 2024 by Baldyman

[Mr Popodopolous]

26 minutes ago, Herbsley said:

I still sit in the optimistic camp and could do without ends like you coming over all sanctimonious when we lose

Hmm, you raise a fair point but others pooh poohing negative views or defending Tinnion blindly..yeah there are some who go very quiet when we lose.

[TDarwall]

19 minutes ago, Baldyman said:

And there you have it ! “ It’s a hobby” . Three words that sum up 50% of our 2024 fan base . For the other 50% it’s a way of life and it matters tremendously . The weekend result dictates the mood for the week ahead and that’s the football I know . It’s unfortunate but it seems that one half of our fan base really doesn’t get the other half at all ! 

Bristol City is about the only thing I've committed to life (42 years support to date).

When I was in my teens it maybe did impact my mood; & it still cheers me up / p's me off now, but the feeling doesn't last long.

I fully appreciate this is a personal thing, but for me where you have children, elderly, ailing parents & the general stresses of everyday life, going to the footy, to me is a release - it's an escape from the real pressures of life. The worse that can happen is you lose.

As I said in my 1st post, there is no right/wrong way to support the club, but having done age 10 - 52 with no urge to stop any time soon, I don't feel I need to justify myself if a loss doesn't upset me as much as it does some.

Edited December 22, 2024 by TDarwall

[Herbsley]

38 minutes ago, Sir Geoff said:

Thanks for your 18th contribution in 8 years. Very insightful.

I’d like to suggest they’re a damn sight more insightful than the drivel I have to read from you on a ‘when we lose’ weekend. Join the list of ends xx

[Herbsley]

19 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Hmm, you raise a fair point but others pooh poohing negative views or defending Tinnion blindly..yeah there are some who go very quiet when we lose.

Agree and trust me I’m not sat there thinking we already have the moon on a stick. We are horribly inconsistent and have been for the best part of the time I’ve had the joy of watching. Trouble is there are some on here who enjoy their agenda and go shctum when we win and then spend 24 hours knocking themselves out when we lose.

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Rawcliffe is he a true CEO or more to keep the financial side in check? I'll be honest I don't know a huge amount about him but he came across well enough in an interview.

We don't seem to have a true CEO which is incredible for a 2nd Tier Club with a probable £30-40m Turnover.

You need a Financial Director and CEO.

Rawcliffe is not a CEO imho, he’s already had his accountant remit extended to be Football Operations.

[Mr Popodopolous]

10 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Rawcliffe is not a CEO imho, he’s already had his accountant remit extended to be Football Operations.

Thanks, just had a quick look.

Finance Director and COO apparently for Rawcliffe.

Group CEO for Marshall.

Just seems like one too few..not uncommon for bigger organisations to have a Group CEO and more individualised CEOs where appropriate- Structure just seems all wrong to me.

[Mr Popodopolous]

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/HHXmmN0E498ORHWMqMZgBBy5Dy8/appointments

I think and I could be wrong, but I think he is thinly spread, excessively so. Marshall that is.

[Davefevs]

29 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Thanks, just had a quick look.

Finance Director and COO apparently for Rawcliffe.

Group CEO for Marshall.

Just seems like one too few..not uncommon for bigger organisations to have a Group CEO and more individualised CEOs where appropriate- Structure just seems all wrong to me.

The structure feels wrong because of the people in it.  The structure could work.

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

The structure feels wrong because of the people in it.  The structure could work.

Bit of both for me IMO. Just feels one too light relative to the size and yeah Tinnion and Jon Lansdown out of their Present positions. That's if we want an optimum potential outcome.

Edited December 23, 2024 by Mr Popodopolous

[W-S-M Seagull]

3 hours ago, Baldyman said:

And there you have it ! “ It’s a hobby” . Three words that sum up 50% of our 2024 fan base . For the other 50% it’s a way of life and it matters tremendously . The weekend result dictates the mood for the week ahead and that’s the football I know . It’s unfortunate but it seems that one half of our fan base really doesn’t get the other half at all ! 

I sent a voice note to my friend earlier and I said this result in particular has annoyed me the most because now over Christmas I'm in a bad mood because of that gutless performance today. Its even more gut wrenching that the players didn't put in a shift to give us fans something to cheer about over Xmas. Yea you can't always win but there was just no effort at all. 

[cotswoldred2]

10 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

On here and beyond, for months we have had forced jollity and optimism, strange convoluted defences of the Club etc.

I shouldn't really slate but bloody annoyed..here and beyond, like a Pied Piper of Hamlin leading us to our midtable mediocrity.

Feels like Play-off tilt over and today barring a scratch team have Wolves found a little mojo?

Leicester 0 v Wolves 3

Season over by January 11th by 2pm or 3pm if we get extra time etc. Explain that one!

My God you are buzzing tonight. You must be feeling so smug after all the posts undermining just about everything and everybody who dare to have a positive attitude to this club. 

You are a disrupter, but not in a manner so to improve, but to underline just how 'right' your millions of posts on here can finally be seen as having some credibility.

Your obsession with NP  and his sacking...avoiding the health of Nige as a reason, and now berating and calling out those who have supported this club before you were born...those who supported the club when we were in the top flight, and when we were bottom of the whole pile. 

I imagine if you had this platform then to voice your endless berating you would have killed the internet.

This little dip in our fortunes is nothing new, this is football, I give you Manchester football at the moment, you seem to have all the answers, explain that? 

You wouldn't make any sense of it, because it's football.... 

Get a grip.

[Olé]

What a horrible thread. It’s one of the reasons I’m on here less and less, it’s one big kangaroo court, everyone clutching their pearls and furiously trying to force their outrage on everyone or demand an argument. Every time we lose it ruins my week and my mood too, but I’ve given up summarising away days on here unless we win because there are already 20 threads lashing out at everything.

As someone who never wanted Pearson to leave and never took to Manning and called out how bad we have been at times, I’m not sure I can ever be considered the highly optimistic brigade but I’ve moved on from NP and trying to follow things with a bit of nuance, so if not going into meltdown puts me in the minority of happy clappers that somehow have to defend themselves I will wear that. 

We were shit at Derby, shit at Blackburn, shit at Portsmouth and now at WBA. But I have a hard time logging into OTIB and seeing how easily and immediately people, presumably many of whom are sat at home, want to force a conclusive position down everyone’s throats. When I put it up against the full away body of work Boro, Stoke, Preston, Norwich, Sunderland there is a conversation to be had.

We’re a brittle (as in mentally weak) mid table side that is utterly dependent on one 34 year old striker and has absolutely no Plan B. Yet despite those limitations we have a Plan A that has been shown to be effective away at any club in this division in a manner that doesn’t just win matches, but can do so in a controlled manner that might be the difference between one off and sustained success.

That we’ve failed to replicate it consistently is down to lots of factors - for example yesterday a nuanced discussion outside the confines of a kangaroo court would cite multiple players out of position, no proven striker, Vyner crap at RB, poor quality and choice of passing/crosses in terrible conditions, etc - but there have been the seeds of something there under Manning that could be effective.

I wouldn’t mind solving the obvious problems and seeing if the combination of that potential without those handicaps, amounts to something more than the rinse and repeat Championship sackathon, and I don’t even like Manning! But that wouldn’t fit with the OTIB pile on, which respectfully for me is these days worse than ever and that’s solely due to Jon and Brian’s ridiculous promises a year ago.

[Northern Red]

8 minutes ago, Olé said:

What a horrible thread. It’s one of the reasons I’m on here less and less, it’s one big kangaroo court, everyone clutching their pearls and furiously trying to force their outrage on everyone or demand an argument. Every time we lose it ruins my week and my mood too, but I’ve given up summarising away days on here unless we win because there are already 20 threads lashing out at everything.

As someone who never wanted Pearson to leave and never took to Manning and called out how bad we have been at times, I’m not sure I can ever be considered the highly optimistic brigade but I’ve moved on from NP and trying to follow things with a bit of nuance, so if not going into meltdown puts me in the minority of happy clappers that somehow have to defend themselves I will wear that. 

We were shit at Derby, shit at Blackburn, shit at Portsmouth and now at WBA. But I have a hard time logging into OTIB and seeing how easily and immediately people, presumably many of whom are sat at home, want to force a conclusive position down everyone’s throats. When I put it up against the full away body of work Boro, Stoke, Preston, Norwich, Sunderland there is a conversation to be had.

We’re a brittle (as in mentally weak) mid table side that is utterly dependent on one 34 year old striker and has absolutely no Plan B. Yet despite those limitations we have a Plan A that has been shown to be effective away at any club in this division in a manner that doesn’t just win matches, but can do so in a controlled manner that might be the difference between one off and sustained success.

That we’ve failed to replicate it consistently is down to lots of factors - for example yesterday a nuanced discussion outside the confines of a kangaroo court would cite multiple players out of position, no proven striker, Vyner crap at RB, poor quality and choice of passing/crosses in terrible conditions, etc - but there have been the seeds of something there under Manning that could be effective.

I wouldn’t mind solving the obvious problems and seeing if the combination of that potential without those handicaps, amounts to something more than the rinse and repeat Championship sackathon, and I don’t even like Manning! But that wouldn’t fit with the OTIB pile on, which respectfully for me is these days worse than ever and that’s solely due to Jon and Brian’s ridiculous promises a year ago.

The first paragraph absolutely nails my thoughts.

Edited December 23, 2024 by Northern Red

[GrahamC]

@Olé I totally get why you post less, but reading this makes me wish you would post more.

My thoughts exactly & I’m in the same place re Pearson & Manning.

The bit at the end should be the focus, because until we have a credible chairman, plus an owner who is engaged, we will flatline at best.

They need to go, their placemen & toadies will soon follow.

[The Fat Controller]

24 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

The first paragraph absolutely nails my thoughts.

Well this is OTIB so I am obliged to tell you that all of your thoughts are completely wrong and your opinions are abhorrent. 

I can't believe you've posted this.

You've ruined Christmas. 

[95red]

11 hours ago, MythikRobins said:

Im optimistic in the fact that our performances in totality probably account for a couple places higher. Maybe 10th. That’s as high as we’ve been in years and probably the ceiling of this squad + coaching staff. So that’s pleasing but it’s still a very very slight improvement. We’ve had this situation before and we took too long to move on the head-coach despite his ceiling being very apparent. I do hope that if the season continues as is we do not make the same mistake.

2 points worse off than this time last season & 9mill spent,that's not a slight improvement. 

[adamski]

Unfortunately I was not born in Liverpool / Manchester/the Highbury area of North London and taken the 7 minute walk by my Grandfather 60 years ago to watch a club who have been consistently successful since that point. Fortunately, I have not been lured by the promise of success to support a club I never watch live, but am happy to spend £1,000s of pounds on replica shirts and other factious tat!

Like the vast majority of fans in this country I am a prospector, spending the vast majority of my time looking for little grains of gold amongst tons of slit....... That's the optimist in me........ some of us understand this and others get aspiration muddled up with reality! 

The benefit of this normally hopeless situation, some very long standing friends, a social hub, emotional release and some super highs that are only gained due to their extreme rarity........  In short, we are all members of the Optimistic Brigade 

Edited December 23, 2024 by adamski

[Charlie BCFC]

9 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Mayulu and Armstrong simultaneously a gamble too far?

I know they were brought for the here and now as well as the future, but them and Twine have really underwhelmed me..

Agfee on QPR and I'd say we should IMO be 3-4 Points better off- we'll win games, lose games but starting to feel apathy atm.

Yeah I agree re Armstrong and Mayulu. I can settle with one of the two needing time but both is very frustrating. I think Mayulu can come good personally but he is lacking a bit of confidence, he’s shown in his first few games how good he can be. Armstrong whilst he brings something different I don’t think that’s enough to spend as much as we did on him and I’m not sure the penny will ever drop in front of goal

1 hour ago, Olé said:

What a horrible thread. It’s one of the reasons I’m on here less and less, it’s one big kangaroo court, everyone clutching their pearls and furiously trying to force their outrage on everyone or demand an argument. Every time we lose it ruins my week and my mood too, but I’ve given up summarising away days on here unless we win because there are already 20 threads lashing out at everything.

As someone who never wanted Pearson to leave and never took to Manning and called out how bad we have been at times, I’m not sure I can ever be considered the highly optimistic brigade but I’ve moved on from NP and trying to follow things with a bit of nuance, so if not going into meltdown puts me in the minority of happy clappers that somehow have to defend themselves I will wear that. 

We were shit at Derby, shit at Blackburn, shit at Portsmouth and now at WBA. But I have a hard time logging into OTIB and seeing how easily and immediately people, presumably many of whom are sat at home, want to force a conclusive position down everyone’s throats. When I put it up against the full away body of work Boro, Stoke, Preston, Norwich, Sunderland there is a conversation to be had.

We’re a brittle (as in mentally weak) mid table side that is utterly dependent on one 34 year old striker and has absolutely no Plan B. Yet despite those limitations we have a Plan A that has been shown to be effective away at any club in this division in a manner that doesn’t just win matches, but can do so in a controlled manner that might be the difference between one off and sustained success.

That we’ve failed to replicate it consistently is down to lots of factors - for example yesterday a nuanced discussion outside the confines of a kangaroo court would cite multiple players out of position, no proven striker, Vyner crap at RB, poor quality and choice of passing/crosses in terrible conditions, etc - but there have been the seeds of something there under Manning that could be effective.

I wouldn’t mind solving the obvious problems and seeing if the combination of that potential without those handicaps, amounts to something more than the rinse and repeat Championship sackathon, and I don’t even like Manning! But that wouldn’t fit with the OTIB pile on, which respectfully for me is these days worse than ever and that’s solely due to Jon and Brian’s ridiculous promises a year ago.

Most sensible post on this thread by a landslide

[ExiledAjax]

1 hour ago, Olé said:

When I put it up against the full away body of work Boro, Stoke, Preston, Norwich, Sunderland there is a conversation to be had.

Supporting a mid-table side like ours means there will always be a conversation to be had. The very rare game might present a single, conclusive, indisputable narrative, but most will have black, white, and grey. 

Yesterday was one of the relatively few games I physically went to watch. It was miserable. West Bromwich is miserable, the weather was miserable, and the football was miserable. There wasn't even the salve of watching an aesthetically pleasing team beat us. WBA were functional and did their job and it happened. 

But I couldn't post afterwards. Anything I wanted to say was either already said, or would have been torn to shreds in the maelstrom of fury, hyperbole and one-upmanship.

The apathy and malaise of mid-table is a heady poison that seeps into the soul. Combine it with the toxin of "inconsistency"*, and the whip of false expectations, and you get what you complain about.

Someone, I can't recall who, posted that the season was done - in terms of promotion/relegation - after Hull away. I'm minded to agree, but am trying to continue finding value in supporting this club.

Hope you had a good journey there and back at least.

Merry Christmas.

*There's another whole conversation to be had about what exactly is meant by that word

Edited December 23, 2024 by ExiledAjax