Nottingham Forest v Bristol City Match Day 40

[collier]

Blackburn we were terrible and we lost.

Sheff Wed was bang average and we lost.

Tonight we played well and we lost.

All that is left is to batter Cardiff with 20 shots on target and to lose 1-0 and we will have rounded out the how to lose a football match in every which way.

 

Personally believe that no matter what type of performance LJ gets from the players the results remain the same. When it gets like that then I think a change is in order. The most compelling thing for me over the last 3 games is that the opposition GK always seems to have an easy night, regardless of our performance. That to me suggests that the manager isn't setting the team up right to win football matches. 

[T R]

5 minutes ago, BigTone said:

Any spare places ?

you seem to have lost the top of your head!

[wendyredredrobin]

Season over I'm afraid. £17m worth of strikers on the pitch and we still don't look like scoring.

Also, I never want to see Williams in a City shirt ever again. It's not the first time he has behaved like a total idiot and let us down badly added to the fact that he's too slow to catch a cold anyway.  Should not have even made the starting 11 anyway with 2 quality centre halves on the bench.

[Banjo Red]

7 minutes ago, Kibs said:

LLLDDLLL

We've scored what, 5 goals in the last 8 games? Haven't scored more than once in any of them. Have had the least shots at goal in the entire division! 

It's quite shocking really. What an opportunity we had with the break to regain some confidence, get people fit and mount a push for the play-offs. Wasted. 

Streaky strikes again.

[Dr Balls]

Football is the ultimate results business. Our results have been terrible, and something desperately needs to change. We have plenty of turnover in players, the constant is the coaching team. Enough said!

[Ska Junkie]

15 minutes ago, BigTone said:

I've actually lost all interest now. Time to ring in some major changes in both management and playing staff.

The club has the infrastructure but it seems like we've built Wembley and spent £Millions to watch a supposedly bright young coach turn talented and expensive footballers into absolute melts while boring the hell out of the supporters!

My thoughts were close to yours! 

[Major Isewater]

19 minutes ago, Med/MadHatter said:

But LJ said that he can see us going on a run...........!!

Only cos the team bus broke down.

[phantom]

6 minutes ago, MarcusX said:

A shot from Afobe and the Williams? header from the long throw. Feels like there were a couple more but only 2 shots on target according to flash scores

As someone who hasn't played football for over 20 years I would have comfortably save both efforts

Lets be honest it was one of those performances where we could play for hours and never score !!

I was surprised how little Wells was involved tonight - but in truth it was just typical frustrating old city yet again

[Major Isewater]

17 minutes ago, REDOXO said:

Did their goal keeper make a save?

He made some sandwiches and a pot of tea during the match.

[Magicdaps]

20 minutes ago, BigTone said:

I've actually lost all interest now. Time to ring in some major changes in both management and playing staff.

The club has the infrastructure but it seems like we've built Wembley to watch Yatton Athletic

Bit harsh Tone. I played for Yatton for 4-5 seasons before managing the 1st team for 7 years and we were better to watch than City I reckon. 

[oldstandrobin]

Settled in my chair to watch this match on Robins TV. Curry, beer and then first half of half decent play from us. Second half................well...................nearly finished a half bottle of scotch now. Weimann... stupid to let that free kick happen. Williams.......enough said. Korey, frustration at it's highest. SL..............IT'S TIME TO ACT NOW before you lose the faith of us fans.

[Northern Red]

Dunno why everyone's so upset, given the number of people who wanted us to lose...

[1960maaan]

Decent performance , specially first 45, and if we'd have played like that the first two games we wouldn't be where we are.

Plus points

Nagy looked the the player we need, faded a little 2nd half but not too surprising
Smith with Nagy looked more solid, again mainly first half.
Benik looked a threat through the middle, he also looked rusty, which I think we can forgive him for.
COD looked much better wide, got more involved and actually tried taking his man on.
JD looked near his old self.
Vyner got 90 minutes, goo long throw.
Palmer's passing , get him fit and involved.
Generally more movement, pace in closing down, control and passing was better. Over 90 minutes probably as good as we've been this season.

Minus Points

Crossing was poor and passing deteriorated.
Ashley Williams? that's the last we'll see of him.
Well's started poorly and drifted.
Pato was the version that really annoys me
Vyner continually get caught in possession and his crossing/long passing was dreadful.
Generally not clinical enough in the final 3rd

If you took this game on it's own, I'd be reasonably pleased. Now whether that's because I was so down after the other two games I don't know. Nagy and Smith looked very good first half, worked well and Weimann and COD busy wide with the two in the middle working together well, mainly Afobe I admit. We looked reasonably solid, carried potential threat and the tempo was good. I even thought the free kick they scored from was harsh, they did that well on a few occasions. Williams? I've seen those as a yellow, and don't forget Bailey Wright got a suspension for getting hit like that and the blokes red overturned. 
It shows we can play with intensity and purpose, now Cardiff is an interesting one. Lose that and Lansdown surely has a decision to make, to be honest I think he has one to make anyway. Whichever way you look at it, another opportunity wasted.

 

[Jimbo76]

Quite funny to hear the BBC Notts commentators endlessly talking about what a poor game it was and I was thinking this is one of the more interesting city games I've watched recently.  We really have become accustomed to a terrible standard of football. 

[BigTone]

13 minutes ago, T R said:

you seem to have lost the top of your head!

I have ?

[keflav]

2 minutes ago, oldstandrobin said:

Settled in my chair to watch this match on Robins TV. Curry, beer and then first half of half decent play from us. Second half................well...................nearly finished a half bottle of scotch now. Weimann... stupid to let that free kick happen. Williams.......enough said. Korey, frustration at it's highest. SL..............IT'S TIME TO ACT NOW before you lose the faith of us fans.

Think a lot of the fans have already lost faith in the manager, management and the club we have gone stagnant , massive changes needed all over the club...

 

[steviestevieneville]

36 minutes ago, MelksRed said:

Summing up the game in three sentences...

Started brightly and created a couple of fleeting chances.

Goal down, Williams sees Red, team cohesion breaks down.

Hoof the ball up field constantly without any refinement hoping for a half chance.

(Ps - the commentators are doing my swede in!)

Started brightly actually stringing a few passes together , but still plenty of aimless balls into the channels.

didnt come out of the traps second half. Wiemann/Bentley at fault for the goal.

stipd red by Williams and more aimless hoof ball .

its actually a worry that finding us string a few passages of play together is deemed as “playing much better” by plenty of us on here. Have we really sunk so low ? 
 

The football has been poor for a very long time . Time to go 

[BigTone]

20 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

Would have preferred Watkins wide right to Weimann tonight.

Thought O'Dowda was okay, but Paterson really looked to add some creativity on that side when he came on.

So maybe Pato and Watkins on wings would have been better.

And they both run around a lot so not really missing that if we left out Callum and Weimann

Ah well, all a bit academic now barring a lottery win

[Superjack]

2 minutes ago, oldstandrobin said:

Settled in my chair to watch this match on Robins TV. Curry, beer and then first half of half decent play from us. Second half................well...................nearly finished a half bottle of scotch now. Weimann... stupid to let that free kick happen. Williams.......enough said. Korey, frustration at it's highest. SL..............IT'S TIME TO ACT NOW before you lose the faith of us fans.

No way is he going to act now. I'm convinced that if Johnson does go, which he probably won't, it will either be MacAllister or Robins. If it's the former, prepare for League One. Either way, it won't happen now.

Not ITK. Just what I believe.

[mozo]

19 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

Would have preferred Watkins wide right to Weimann tonight.

Thought O'Dowda was okay, but Paterson really looked to add some creativity on that side when he came on.

So maybe Pato and Watkins on wings would have been better.

And they both run around a lot so not really missing that if we left out Callum and Weimann

When you say O'Dowda was okay, you're right, but he's rarely better than okay because he seldom has end product. He can win a few corners but you need more than that.

[Davefevs]

18 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

Would have preferred Watkins wide right to Weimann tonight.

Thought O'Dowda was okay, but Paterson really looked to add some creativity on that side when he came on.

In a much improved first half display, O’Dowda and Weimann were our poorest players.  I just can’t stand his lack of heart and desire, running around on the periphery of things.  So what that he got kicked early on, if I was up against I’d kick him early on too, and my game would be a whole lot easier.  In that first 10 minutes there were 3 opportunities to be physical in his press of Cash or Lolley, and he eased off on each occasion and gave his opponent a clearance.  Later in the half, Lolley was on the ground and got up, and as he went to go past Callum, he didn’t use his arms or body to make Lolley’s run difficult, or even ease him off the ball.

He did a few okay things, but in 76 minutes (+7 injury time minutes in first half) he’s got to do so much more.  His inability to get on the ball, even to just rotate passes around is staggering.  His body language is that of a guy in shock about what’s going on around him.  We had 4 players with 50 or more passes tonight, Callum just 21 (13 successful).

That’s 3 ineffective games he’s had on the trot.  He has talent, but he gives the impression of wanting to be out there looking all pretty and technical like Cairney, without actually doing anything.  I have no idea why LJ picked him tonight, or why he took 76 minutes to hook him.

Dont get me wrong, Weimann was as poor tonight, but it’s not like he’s that ineffective game after game.

Poor old Jay Dasilva, got through some yards tonight.

Wells didn’t have a good game either, but he worked to give Benik space, and they did decently enough in closing the passing lane out from the back.

So maybe Pato and Watkins on wings would have been better.

We were lightweight under challenge tonight, Watkins could be a surprise inclusion on Saturday.

And they both run around a lot so not really missing that if we left out Callum and Weimann

Sorry, Callum, I’m always on at you, but that’s because I’ve seen little in these 3 games to think you deserve your place.

 

[steviestevieneville]

23 minutes ago, collier said:

Blackburn we were terrible and we lost.

Sheff Wed was bang average and we lost.

Tonight we played well and we lost.

All that is left is to batter Cardiff with 20 shots on target and to lose 1-0 and we will have rounded out the how to lose a football match in every which way.

 

Personally believe that no matter what type of performance LJ gets from the players the results remain the same. When it gets like that then I think a change is in order. The most compelling thing for me over the last 3 games is that the opposition GK always seems to have an easy night, regardless of our performance. That to me suggests that the manager isn't setting the team up right to win football matches. 

We didn’t play well. We played slightly better than we have been. If we put in 46 performances next season like we did tonight , we’d finish bottom . It just goes to show how shite we’ve been 

[Banjo Red]

21 minutes ago, Lez said:

The stats are damning.

M8 it is shocking if anyone was bad at a normal job they would get the boot but teflon seems untouchable.

[wendyredredrobin]

Has LJ spoken yet?

Or is he finally speechless?

Edited July 1, 2020 by wendyredredrobin

[Bristolisredd]

19 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

Dunno why everyone's so upset, given the number of people who wanted us to lose...

We aren’t upset we are just now saying it is time for LJ to go ,

80% of us wanted city to lose tonight for the greater good ... he just needs to go

[TonyTonyTony]

Last 10 games : won 1, lost 7 at the business end of the season, having been around the playoffs all season and getting in a proven striker in January. 

What more is needed? Times up Lee

[1960maaan]

26 minutes ago, BigTone said:

I have ?

You would have realised if you hadn't lost the top of your head 

[1960maaan]

21 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

 I just can’t stand his lack of heart and desire, running around on the periphery of things.

and yet tonight was his best of the 3, speaks volumes.

[BigTone]

2 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

You would have realised if you hadn't lost the top of your head 

But it's still there I think

[collier]

24 minutes ago, steviestevieneville said:

We didn’t play well. We played slightly better than we have been. If we put in 46 performances next season like we did tonight , we’d finish bottom . It just goes to show how shite we’ve been 

I was sort of saying we played well compared to recent performances. We are so accustomed to the football being drab that an average game is upgraded free of charge to a played well game. I know we have been crap I was just trying to make the point of whatever type of performance we get results stay the same!!

[Renaissance Williams]

Speaking as a Happy Clapper, I am now officially clapped out......

[YGBjammy]

Some positives for sure, would have been an interesting 2nd half if Williams wasn't an absolute moron. Watching the replay, I counted 3 red card offences in about 10 seconds? Maybe he just wanted some time off!

[1960maaan]

21 minutes ago, BigTone said:

But it's still there I think

Some slight adjustment needed I think.

[Davefevs]

27 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

and yet tonight was his best of the 3, speaks volumes.

But still one of our worst two players....in a much better team performance.

[mozo]

52 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

 

Fevs you criticised O'Dowda quite rightly, but then defended Andreas Weimaraner (intentional typo!).

Both players are hideously short of end product. I know Weimann has bagged a few this season, but he wastes so many attacking opportunities that I can't even admire his work rate any more. 

[BCFC Grim]

Just now, mozo said:

Fevs you criticised O'Dowda quite rightly, but then defended Andreas Weimaraner (intentional typo!).

Both players are hideously short of end product. I know Weimann has bagged a few this season, but he wastes so many attacking opportunities that I can't even admire his work rate any more. 

Unfortunately every team he puts out is full of runners rather than someone who can make something happen.

[1960maaan]

24 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

But still one of our worst two players....in a much better team performance.

Apart from early on, and his usual workrate, Weimann was poor, COD actually took his man on a few times, didn't beat him enough or get enough crosses in and drifted out of the game. But I would add Wells, may have ran around, but didn't affect enough for me, he's not looked right in the 3 games. 

That said I was impressed with Nagy & Smith. While I'm at it, and I know I'm a little biased, those 2/3 balls by Palmer, I know they were out wide, but shows what he can do. Not up to speed, the "shot" showed that, but his vision is brilliant. If we could just get him fitted firing and in the right formation.

[Davefevs]

16 minutes ago, mozo said:

Fevs you criticised O'Dowda quite rightly, but then defended Andreas Weimaraner (intentional typo!).

Both players are hideously short of end product. I know Weimann has bagged a few this season, but he wastes so many attacking opportunities that I can't even admire his work rate any more. 

I only defended a Weimann in terms of him not being poor every game.

Weimann was poor tonight, that’s what I stated. 5/10 at best tonight, O’Dowda the same.

I wish we played him straight down the middle or just off a striker, but not wide.  He is nowhere near as effective wide.

Ratings: (6 is a player earning his corn)

Maenpaa 6 / Bentley 6

Vyner 7 (sneaks a 7, he was better than 6)

Dasilva 8

Baker 7

Williams 0 (6 until red card)

Weimann 5

O’Dowda 5

Smith 7

Nagy 7

Afobe 6.5

Wells 5.5

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

Apart from early on, and his usual workrate, Weimann was poor, COD actually took his man on a few times, didn't beat him enough or get enough crosses in and drifted out of the game. But I would add Wells, may have ran around, but didn't affect enough for me, he's not looked right in the 3 games. 

That said I was impressed with Nagy & Smith. While I'm at it, and I know I'm a little biased, those 2/3 balls by Palmer, I know they were out wide, but shows what he can do. Not up to speed, the "shot" showed that, but his vision is brilliant. If we could just get him fitted firing and in the right formation.

Yep, Wells a tad better than Weimann and O’Dowda.  I thought his movement complimented Afobe, they closed down well as a pair.  It just isn’t working for him at the mo’.  Looks a shadow of the player I’ve seen countless times over the years.

[1960maaan]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Yep, Wells a tad better than Weimann and O’Dowda.  I thought his movement complimented Afobe, they closed down well as a pair.  It just isn’t working for him at the mo’.  Looks a shadow of the player I’ve seen countless times over the years.

I hope it's nothing to do with the move, he's just not looked confident. The instinct is still there, the goals show that, but he's nowhere near where he can be. Few more games with Afobe might help. Looks more natural fit than Wells & Fam.

[wendyredredrobin]

9 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Yep, Wells a tad better than Weimann and O’Dowda.  I thought his movement complimented Afobe, they closed down well as a pair.  It just isn’t working for him at the mo’.  Looks a shadow of the player I’ve seen countless times over the years.

Wells seemed to cause more problems playing against us than he has playing for us, it seems.

TBH, he was happy at QPR and I don't think he really wanted to come here But QPR were creating opportunities for him whereas we are not.

Edited July 1, 2020 by wendyredredrobin

[The Coach]

Just now, wendyredredrobin said:

Wells seemed to cause more problems playing against us than he has playing for us, it seems.

We could have Aguero up front and it would be the same

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, wendyredredrobin said:

Wells seemed to cause more problems playing against us than he has playing for us, it seems.

I remember the days when we’d sign players purely on how they played against us.  I thought those days were over!

[Harry]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

 

Wowsers. That’s a great COD passing stat there Dave. It’s always reassuring to think you’ve seen something terrible and then for it to be fully backed up by the stats, ha ha. 

It’s a poor stat, particularly as it looked as though O’Dearda had a bit of a free reign tonight. Whilst he started on the left, he popped up centrally (in attack), on the right and centrally in midfield too. 
With such free reign, you’d expect him to have got on the ball more than he did. Just shows his lack of game intelligence too - if you’re free to roam, you’re generally gonna be looking for the ball all over the pitch. 

Edited July 1, 2020 by Harry

[wendyredredrobin]

2 minutes ago, Redpool said:

We could have Aguero up front and it would be the same

Very true.

[Davefevs]

16 minutes ago, Harry said:

Wowsers. That’s a great COD passing stat there Dave. It’s always reassuring to think you’ve seen something terrible and then for it to be fully backed up by the stats, ha ha. 

It’s a poor stat, particularly as it looked as though O’Dearda had a bit of a free reign tonight. Whilst he started on the left, he popped up centrally (in attack), on the right and centrally in midfield too. 
With such free reign, you’d expect him to have got on the ball more than he did. Just shows his lack of game intelligence too - if you’re free to roam, you’re generally gonna be looking for the ball all over the pitch. 

 

and then just as a comparison, some of Jay’s charts:

[22A]

Hmm, Forest's thread is only 31 pages long. They think LJ is on his way out though.

http://www.forestforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=48818&page=31

[Lrrr]

Having been critical pre-match about Baker and his passing have to say I was impressed watching his display today, was willing to carry the ball, make progressive forward passes, overlap/underlap runs and stayed calm on the ball.

[The Constant Rabbit]

3 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Yep, Wells a tad better than Weimann and O’Dowda.  I thought his movement complimented Afobe, they closed down well as a pair.  It just isn’t working for him at the mo’.  Looks a shadow of the player I’ve seen countless times over the years.

You think Wells wants to be here Dave?

His body language is awful at times.

If LJ is still here next season, Wells won't be - by choice I suspect.

I doubt if he will be the only one looking to move.

Palmer

Kalas

Moore

Fammy

Elliasson

Nagy

All will have suitors - all have looked unhappy or been (especially Moore) poorly treated.

I can see an exodus tbh.

 

I think most are playing for next year, not the current manager.

When pro's like Hendricksen just quit - and you don't be a 57 times international captain by fluke - then something is clearly wrong with LJ's man management of experienced players.

I guess it's hard to instruct players when you have never won anything of note as player or manager.

[Mr Popodopolous]

36 minutes ago, SX227 said:

You think Wells wants to be here Dave?

His body language is awful at times.

If LJ is still here next season, Wells won't be - by choice I suspect.

I doubt if he will be the only one looking to move.

Palmer

Kalas

Moore

Fammy

Elliasson

Nagy

All will have suitors - all have looked unhappy or been (especially Moore) poorly treated.

I can see an exodus tbh.

 

I think most are playing for next year, not the current manager.

When pro's like Hendricksen just quit - and you don't be a 57 times international captain by fluke - then something is clearly wrong with LJ's man management of experienced players.

I guess it's hard to instruct players when you have never won anything of note as player or manager.

I don't know if I fully agree on the last line- don't know if it is a pre-requisite, Frank at Brentford after all seems to be doing very well there and who had heard of him, but your post aside I broadly agree- though still think it's not too late to prevent that exodus.

The list of players, experienced and I'd add players who have played at a higher level than LJ did from here and abroad who have tailed off, fallen out, whatever is long- so long! More than that they've simply regressed before our eyes even starting quite well. Man-management, throwing under the bus- or even something seemingly more correctable but not in his case as setting up in a way that they're not used to, not comfortable with.

I think the level of this side is a) A significantly stronger style of play, identity and b) Aiming at 5th/6th. Competing with Nottingham Forest, Preston, Cardiff etc- is that really beyond us? I think the top 3 are better overall and Fulham have a very deep squad helped by parachute payments but we should be true playoff contenders IMO.

              Bentley

Hunt Moore Kalas DaSillva

   Nagy Smith Massengo

   Weimann Afobe Wells

The depth too...

           Maenpaa

Pereira Baker Kalas DaSilva

    Nagy Smith Massengo

             Palmer

        Wells Afobe

Or if you like, Team 1- Weimann as a wider forward/wider right midfielder pushed high, Afobe or Wells central and Eliasson on the left.

Paterson chips in from time to time- another useful option to have.

Has wasted Benkovic and Henriksen especially- the first a ballplaying CB from a notable nation like Croatia, the 2nd as you describe...Wells has scored some goals but not hit the heights he should. Benkovic should have been a bit of a ball carrying CB with Moore loaned out- a tad harsh loan out for me.

And that's just THIS season.

We had Magnússon- no Iceland are not one of the top sides in the world but are in a bit of a golden generation. He shackled Perisic in a WCQF- showed some potential in periods, wonder if he could've maybe developed into part of a back 3. Moore-Kalas-Magnússon, two ball carriers in there, all reasonable technically, all young enough to have the pace to squeeze up (unlike Williams might I add).

Hegeler, O'Neil- Both somewhat injury hit yet both looked rather good early on as I recall. Playing them in a 2 did them- and us- few favours I think.

Yep, top 6 contenders with a style of play to proud of- or should be!

PS- Maenpaa for Bentley for me for the foreseeable, thought so a little while ago and found it harsh that he was dropped after performing well in the 2 games before lockdown.

Edited July 2, 2020 by Mr Popodopolous

[pillred]

5 hours ago, oldstandrobin said:

Settled in my chair to watch this match on Robins TV. Curry, beer and then first half of half decent play from us. Second half................well...................nearly finished a half bottle of scotch now. Weimann... stupid to let that free kick happen. Williams.......enough said. Korey, frustration at it's highest. SL..............IT'S TIME TO ACT NOW before you lose the faith of us fans.

I think it's a bit late to be worrying about the fans losing faith that ship has sailed. I think we are onto damage limitation, I was a season ticket holder for nearly 30 years and believe me when I say if I am beginning to lose interest the club had better beware. I'm sure there are a lot more like me out there and once they like me grow out of the habit of attending regularly it's hard to win them back, I still go down but just half as often and that is almost entirely because of the way they are playing at home and I think we all know who is responsible for that. 

[The Constant Rabbit]

19 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

I don't know if I fully agree on the last line- don't know if it is a pre-requisite, Frank at Brentford after all seems to be doing very well there and who had heard of him, but your post aside I broadly agree- though still think it's not too late to prevent that exodus.

The list of players, experienced and I'd add players who have played at a higher level than LJ did from here and abroard who have tailed off, fallen out, whatever is long- so long! More than that they've simply regressed before our eyes even starting quite well. Man-managemebnt, throwing under the bus- or even something seemingly more correctable but not in his case as setting up in a way that they're not used to, not comfortable with.

I think the level of this side is a) A signifricantly stronger style of play, identitry and b) Aiming at 5th/6th. Competing with Nottingham Forest, Preston, Cardiff etc- is that really beyond us? I think the top 3 are better overall and Fulham have a very deep squad helped by parachute payments but we should be true playoff contenders IMO.

              Bentley

Hunt Moore Kalas DaSillva

   Nagy Smith Massengo

   Weimann Afobe Wells

The depth too...

           Maenpaa

Pereira Baker Kalas DaSilva

    Nagy Smith Massengo

             Palmer

        Wells Afobe

Or if you like, Team 1- Weimann as a wider forward/wider right midfielder pushed high, Afobe or Wells central and Eliasson on the left.

Paterson chips in from time to time- another useful option to have.

Has wasted Benkovic and Henriksen especially- the first a ballplaying CB from a notable nation like Croatia, the 2nd as you describe...Wells has scored some goals but not hit the heights he should. Benkovic should have been a bit of a ball carrying CB with Moore loaned out- a tad harsh loan out for me.

And that's just THIS season.

We had Magnússon- no Iceland are not one of the top sides in the world but are in a bit of a golden generation. He shackled Perisic in a WCQF- showed some potential in periods, wonder if he could've maybe developed into partt of a back 3. Moore-Kalas-Magnússon, two ball carriers in therte, all reasonable technically, all young enough to squeeze up.

Hegeler, O'Neil- Both somewhat injury hit yet both looked rather good early on as I recall. Playing them in a 2 did them- and us- few favours I think.

Yep, top 6 contenders with a style of play to proud of- or should be!

I'd have kept Mags for sure Mr P.

Agree with pretty much all you wrote.

Why play Williams and Baker ( who is so obviously playing out of his skin for a new contract elsewhere) and sign Benkovich, then leave out or loan Kalas and Moore?

Kalas Moore and Baker are my chosen back 3 - yet I'd bet good money that if LJ stays, Kalas and Baker request a move, and a solid offer comes in from a championship side for Moore.

 

Only thing I disagree with is that I honestly feel that managers need to win something at a decent level to be taken seriously by guys that pay at World Cups and in European comps.

2c

[havanatopia]

Quite right what you guys are saying about winning something, playing at a top club etc in order to motivate your players long term. LJ's issue is that he has to be a superb coach and then maintain that level consistently for his players to want to always play for him... It is blindingly obvious they often don't. Not LJ's fault; he simply has that permanent limitation. I think the amount of player signings, the quality, the money spent is an enormous force for good and faith by Steve Lansdown. Clearly he is, or was, desperate for this to work. It must be finally dawning on him that no amount of support is going to give Lee that extra he needs to succeed. He is simply unable to do a job to that higher level necessary to be a long term success. I think that is all there is to it.

Edited July 2, 2020 by havanatopia

[BigTone]

10 hours ago, 1960maaan said:

Some slight adjustment needed I think.

.

 

Ah, I see it now.

@TomFhow do I get my head back ?

Edited July 2, 2020 by BigTone

[Colemanballs]

I totally appreciate the hard work that the mods put in keeping this forum as great as it is, but wonder if there is anything that can be done to fix this archive so that matchday threads are regularly transferred into it, if only as a mark of respect for Havanatopia?

[Colemanballs]

Thank you Mods!

[phantom]

3 hours ago, Colemanballs said:

Thank you Mods!

Still searching for more to move, but is very hard to search for them

Going forward I will aim to move them over here about 48 hours or so after a game

[Colemanballs]

3 hours ago, phantom said:

Still searching for more to move, but is very hard to search for them

Going forward I will aim to move them over here about 48 hours or so after a game

Much appreciated. Thank you.