Carabao Cup Matchday No. 1 - Forest Green Rovers v. Bristol City

[HappyClapper]

4 minutes ago, SouthS22 said:

We can only dream about having Lee Johnson back at this point. At least we did occasionally win games then. Even Holden was better than this 

Get some perspective. The Reading and Barnsley games last season were comfortably two of the worst I’ve ever seen from us and I’ve been watching since 76. There have been a few reasonable points made about mentality and that it will take time, most of the rest is bed wetting nonsense. IMHO
 

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

9 minutes ago, keflav said:

its all pretty crap and cant see an end to it we are just weak in all positions whichever players we put on the pitch, there is a lack of confidence and fragility to us that just wont go away. when was the last time we played a game and won comfortably...? I know its only 2 games but was hoping NP would of sorted out the fragile team and instilled a bit of confidence in the team but it just don't seem any better... 

Hopeful things will improve but still seems a lot of work to do much of it on the mentality as much as the actual football on the pitch.... really don't want it to be a long negative season..

But we’re not weak.  We have good players all over the pitch.  It’s just that for some reason they don’t seem to be able to play.  I do find it quite amusing that under Holden the players could do no wrong and it was Holden’s fault, but since the coming of the saintly Mr Pearson it would appear that the players are entirely culpable.  What’s Pearson’s record now?  W2 D4 L10?  Jesus…

[milo1111]

I think we have to look at the marvellous mr Ashton and our superb owners for where we are now. Blame managers all we want but I’m not sure how much influence they had on signings whilst Ashton was here.

wev’e messed up the best chance we’ll have for ages last few years. Completed excellent stadium and facilities and a glut of players who we could sell on for hefty fees, vast majority of which Ashton didn’t sign and we squander the lot. We tried to be like Brentford but we’re the exact opposite.

[City1970]

1 minute ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Positives

Well, not sure there are many but here goes.

*2 goals for Janneh.

*Coming from behind.

Not much else tbh! How did Simpson do at RB too, any useful performers? We did make 11 changes however.

We brought 3 Internationals into the team. 

[BTRFTG]

3 minutes ago, KegCity said:

So if Pearson was shouting on the sideline and nothing actually changed on the pitch, that would be enough for you as you personally could see him “manage”?

Each to their own, I didn’t realise shouts per 90 was the measure of a manager these days.

So why is he talking to Taylor Moore through earpieces when 15m away?

If a boss did that to me I'd have sweet FA respect for him. The fact the reporter at the game questioned WTF was going on speaks volumes.

Pearson came with a curmudgeonly reputation. He's doing nothing to disabuse that. Works fine if he's getting results. And what when the losses came & it started to fall apart?

[italian dave]

1 hour ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

WRDC 3-3. Be funny if they lost on pens now.

Some things are just destined to come back and haunt you!

[cidercity1987]

Pring was handed his City debut as he partnered Tomas Kalas in the centre of defence

Report: Forest Green Rovers *2-2 Bristol City (*6-5 pens) | Bristol City (bcfc.co.uk)

 

I think it rather sums this club up that even the match report writer doesn't have a scooby

 

[REDOXO]

44 minutes ago, Top Robin said:

He picked the flippin team! 

Did you see the second flippin goal?

[Mr Popodopolous]

Just now, City1970 said:

We brought 3 Internationals into the team. 

Certainly don't think tonight has been acceptable. We're underperforming but the question is why.

[RedRock]

2 minutes ago, KegCity said:

Sadly that wasn’t how he left the squad, which was in a fragmented state being unable to defend properly, hold on to leads or create chances. Holden then did nothing to improve that situation, made it worse and we now have to remedy it.

You can be playing manor farm, switching off is switching off, regardless of level. 

But we switched off against Blackpool and the squad would/should have been bolloxed for that …. to do it again three days later is just totally unprofessional be that players, coaches, manager. It’s the repeat switching off that is inexcusable. 

[Creg]

5 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Positives

Well, not sure there are many but here goes.

*2 goals for Janneh.

*Coming from behind.

Not much else tbh! How did Simpson do at RB too, any useful performers? We did make 11 changes however.

Simpson looked 2 yards off the pace the whole game. Unfortunately for us, seems well past it now. Not that I should be throwing stones on this particular subject, but he's well overweight too. 

Cam Pring looked... alright. Not sure about the love in he's getting but looked solid enough as JD understudy. 

Moore and Kalas at CB were leaky to say the least. Lost count of the Aden Flint-esque hoofed through balls to no one. 

Youngsters up top looked fairly competent. Hopefully, good signs of things to come there. 

Edited August 10, 2021 by Creg
Speeling

[Northern Red]

1 minute ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

But we’re not weak.  We have good players all over the pitch.  It’s just that for some reason they don’t seem to be able to play.  I do find it quite amusing that under Holden the players could do no wrong and it was Holden’s fault, but since the coming of the saintly Mr Pearson it would appear that the players are entirely culpable.  What’s Pearson’s record now?  W2 D4 L10?  Jesus…

Yeah, should probably sack him...

[Banjo Red]

 Wells was poor again, why play Nagy when he wants to leave, Williams seems injury prone we have a tough few years ahead.

[Wanderingred]

19 minutes ago, Finley_Smith10 said:

Agree. All I want is just some entertainment and a City win. It’s not even laughable now it’s just frustrating and embarrassing 

Gotta learn to detatch yourself from it mate. Emotional investment in this club is pointless. Enjoy the scraps of joy when they come, but we are always going to be failures overall.

Edited August 10, 2021 by Wanderingred

[BTRFTG]

3 minutes ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

We have good players all over the pitch.  

We don't and therein lies the problem.

[Super]

1 minute ago, Creg said:

Simpson looked 2 yards off the pace the whole game. Unfortunately for us, seems well past it now. Not that I should be throwing stones on this particular subject, but he's well overweight too. 

Cam Pring looked... alright. Not sure about the love in he's getting but looked solid enough as JD's understudy. 

Moore and Kalas at CB were leaky to say the last. Lost count of the Aden Flint-esque hoofed through balls to no one. 

Youngsters up top looked fairly competent. Hopefully, good signs of things to come there. 

Simpson has looked piss poor since he joined. Waste of a wage.

[KegCity]

2 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

Both Johnson and Holden's win ratios piss all over Pearson's.

Of course, I'm not writing him off after two bloody games in this season.

But to lose to a 4th Tier side after you've put out some players who should look like galacticos in comparison, is embarrassing and utter dogshite.  No other words.

Must.Do.Better

Much, much better.

Johnson who was here for considerably longer and Holden who managed to shithouse wins at the start of the season whilst putting in worse performances? You're not wrong, but doesn't contextualise the situations of each manager.

Tonight's result is certainly poor, I just don't understand the surprise? I thought we'd all accepted this was to be a tough season, with a hell of a lot of mistakes, bad habits and generally poor play that had seeped in for 2 years to be coached out. Unsurprisingly, playing fringe players who were around for the last 2 years meant we slipped back into old habits in key moments. Not good enough by any stretch of the imagination, but hardly unexpected. 

[Creg]

Just now, Super said:

Simpson has looked piss poor since he joined. Waste of a wage.

I'm assuming he's here as the "voice of someone who won the Prem" to try and boost others' confidence. 

By all accounts, seems to be having the opposite effect. 

[BTRFTG]

3 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

We're underperforming

Are we? IMHO were bang on track given that 'talent' (sic,) at our disposal.

[fgrsimon]

30 minutes ago, RedorDead BCFC said:

We also lost in the play offs to Swindon that year as well didnt we? Gordon Owen missing 

Lost out on the play-offs IIRC. Needed to beat Swindon at home in last game of the season to make the play-offs and Owen missed a penalty when it was all square towards the end of the game. But yes Owen missed that one and and the deciding one at Wembley, mind most people around where I was sitting weren't paying much attention to the penalty because a girl had got her tits out!

[KegCity]

3 minutes ago, RedRock said:

But we switched off against Blackpool and the squad would/should have been bolloxed for that …. to do it again three days later is just totally unprofessional be that players, coaches, manager. It’s the repeat switching off that is inexcusable. 

Again, it's been happening for literally years. We're playing the same players who've been doing it for years. Until the ones that aren't good enough are shifted it will keep happening. Individual errors have costed us in both fixtures. Pearson has to take responsibility, but it's been happening long before he arrived so it clearly isn't entirely down to the manager.

[Northern Red]

I think what's particularly galling is the number of people who claim to understand that this is a mess that won't be fixed quickly and that they're prepared to be paitient, yet in reality as soon as we have a setback the toys come out of the pram and they're declaring that we might as well not bother with the rest of the season because we're already relegated and won't ever win a game again and that everyone involved needs sacking/selling.

If you're going to be that way then fine, but don't pretend beforehand that you're okay with the process when you clearly aren't.

Edited August 10, 2021 by Northern Red

[KegCity]

Just now, BTRFTG said:

Are we? IMHO were bang on track given that 'talent' (sic,) at our disposal.

I agree. Predictions had us finishing around 17th this season, we're playing like we'll finish there. Why is this suddenly a surprise?

[keflav]

3 minutes ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

But we’re not weak.  We have good players all over the pitch.  It’s just that for some reason they don’t seem to be able to play.  I do find it quite amusing that under Holden the players could do no wrong and it was Holden’s fault, but since the coming of the saintly Mr Pearson it would appear that the players are entirely culpable.  What’s Pearson’s record now?  W2 D4 L10?  Jesus…

That's exactly my point about the weak mentality, on paper these player should be bossing it, but there is a weak fragile mentality about us and every single team we play knows this and exploits it...

Was in favour of Pearson being in charge and am still willing to give him the time to change this around, but at the moment we are making the same mistakes we have been for the last 2 years. and yes Pearson's record for us so far is pretty miserable... 

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, Creg said:

Simpson looked 2 yards off the pace the whole game. Unfortunately for us, seems well past it now. Not that I should be throwing stones on this particular subject, but he's well overweight too. 

Cam Pring looked... alright. Not sure about the love in he's getting but looked solid enough as JD's understudy. 

Moore and Kalas at CB were leaky to say the last. Lost count of the Aden Flint-esque hoofed through balls to no one. 

Youngsters up top looked fairly competent. Hopefully, good signs of things to come there. 

Thanks. I feared that might be the case, his best days are surely gone- best hope Vyner doesn't get injured or sent off ehl

Competitive debut for us, that's what he is. His understudy, his development last season too, was stalled by his injury.

That's a shame. Moore has been known to carry it out and Kalas I didn't earmark as HOOF. He's quite quick or can be, in theory Moore-Kalas could have had potential for a higher line.

That's encouraging to hear. Janneh will get the big plaudits with two goals, still think several need good development loans.

[054123]

10 minutes ago, milo1111 said:

I think we have to look at the marvellous mr Ashton and our superb owners for where we are now. Blame managers all we want but I’m not sure how much influence they had on signings whilst Ashton was here.

wev’e messed up the best chance we’ll have for ages last few years. Completed excellent stadium and facilities and a glut of players who we could sell on for hefty fees, vast majority of which Ashton didn’t sign and we squander the lot. We tried to be like Brentford but we’re the exact opposite.

Yup.

[Redrascal2]

7 minutes ago, BTRFTG said:

So why is he talking to Taylor Moore through earpieces when 15m away?

If a boss did that to me I'd have sweet FA respect for him. The fact the reporter at the game questioned WTF was going on speaks volumes.

Pearson came with a curmudgeonly reputation. He's doing nothing to disabuse that. Works fine if he's getting results. And what when the losses came & it started to fall apart?

I wonder how he won promotions at previous clubs if his management style and communication is that bad then. 

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

24 minutes ago, harrys said:

Many similarities with the two of them

Oh dear god you're giving each other reach around.  

[Mr Popodopolous]

5 minutes ago, BTRFTG said:

Are we? IMHO were bang on track given that 'talent' (sic,) at our disposal.

On some levels, plus the late goals issue is a concern.

Lower midtable I expect though it comes to something when Kalas who performed really quite well in the Euros vs a decent range of opposition, is part of a leaky defensive unit at Forest Green in the Cup.

[Simon bristol]

1 minute ago, KegCity said:

I agree. Predictions had us finishing around 17th this season, we're playing like we'll finish there. Why is this suddenly a surprise?

We still have that hope that our team who we have followed for years/ decades might go out and do us proud.

that squad, theres a lot of championship level players, the likes of blackpool would love to pick some of our lot,,, but its all too easy,, no real passion or pride,, everything done for them, no incentive to do anything other than the bare minimum, and huge salaries as a reward.

[Slack]

To put it backwards think how man United fans felt when we beat them whilst they had pretty much a full strength team. 

Football is an unpredictable game, not saying it will happen but we could now win every game and be champions. 

This is football, we will be okay. Stop panicking this isn't the time. It's two games, last season is in the past. We survived, it wasn't pretty. We now have Boro up next, a bit of positivity online and around the team will go a long long way.

We are better than this.

[italian dave]

19 minutes ago, Redrascal2 said:

Who do you think reduced the team to this level. It is thanks to Johnson and Holden we are here now and  why it is proving so hard to turn things around.

Lee Johnson left 15 months ago. Dean Holden left 6 months ago. Some clubs get through three or four managers in that time! We can’t keep blaming them we have to deal with the here and now. 

[Supersonic Robin]

The momentum is my main worry right now.

The last thing this group of players needed was 2 bitterly disappointing results to start the season. Summer was a great chance for a mental reset and I felt like we'd achieved it 70 mins into the Blackpool game! Now I'm concerned that the last week could have caused any confidence built up in the squad to dissipate.

I'm not too worried about this season as a whole (relegation is unlikely IMO), but boy could this squad do with a confidence boost.

[Barkhamred]

Was Moore stuck, out of position, on the left again or did Kalas play there?

[BTRFTG]

1 minute ago, Redrascal2 said:

I wonder how he won promotions at previous clubs if his management style and communication is that bad then. 

That's what I find myself asking?

Was he really so detached from his players at other clubs, or given his pronouncements last year, that the majority of City players were fortunate to be professional players earning a living, is his distance somewhat more telling?

Now I can understand why he might wish to sit on high at AG, but FGR? What's to be gained?

The reporter said one of NP assistants had to take the earpiece from his ear to give to TM such NP could say whatever it was he thought worth saying. All whilst, at low level, NP was 15m distant. That to me reeks of Lumsden sat on his own the far side of the pitch at Forest shortly before it all became too much for him.

[Red-Robbo]

4 minutes ago, KegCity said:

Johnson who was here for considerably longer and Holden who managed to shithouse wins at the start of the season whilst putting in worse performances? You're not wrong, but doesn't contextualise the situations of each manager.

Tonight's result is certainly poor, I just don't understand the surprise? I thought we'd all accepted this was to be a tough season, with a hell of a lot of mistakes, bad habits and generally poor play that had seeped in for 2 years to be coached out. Unsurprisingly, playing fringe players who were around for the last 2 years meant we slipped back into old habits in key moments. Not good enough by any stretch of the imagination, but hardly unexpected. 

 

I don't understand why anyone would just shrug off perhaps our most embarrassing defeat for years.

We haven't really improved in six months of Pearson. We've not seen morale improve. We've continue to see baffling selections and odd substitutions. We seem still prone to injuries. We look mentally weak. Some players he's brought in can only be counted as flops.

His managerial rep almost entirely rests on his achievements during two spells at Leicester where he achieved great things.

But that came to an end 6 years ago. It was a different club. A different owner. Maybe even Nigel was different back then.

All I'm saying is that the assumption by many that "Nigel will see us right" and somehow emulate what happened at Leicester, but with a completely different set of circumstances is, I believe, a bit complacent.

The jury is still out. 

We need to see some results. We need confidence he can at least keep us up this season. 

 

[KegCity]

2 minutes ago, Simon bristol said:

We still have that hope that our team who we have followed for years/ decades might go out and do us proud.

that squad, theres a lot of championship level players, the likes of blackpool would love to pick some of our lot,,, but its all too easy,, no real passion or pride,, everything done for them, no incentive to do anything other than the bare minimum, and huge salaries as a reward.

I’m not saying to not have hope, it’s the only thing keeping us going, but to ignore the state of the squad and the coaching it’s had is silly. 

I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said, hence why we’ve brought in two leaders in King and James and why Pearson has focused on shape and discipline. If baker had followed his man on Saturday we’d have 3 points and not be having this conversation. Unfortunately this is going to be a long, rough season, as a fan base we’ve got to accept it and support the rebuild.

[Mr Popodopolous]

5 minutes ago, Redrascal2 said:

I wonder how he won promotions at previous clubs if his management style and communication is that bad then. 

I'm very much pro NP but one promotion (League One title) 2008/09 and title at this level in 2013/14.

I'm very much pro him and think he deserves time and backing, but I have to say, comms a red herring, is his blueprint so applicable in the Championship?

Time will tell but the League feels very different now to 2013/14. Lot more foreign coaches, wider range of tactical schemes- Clubs coming down with Parachute Payments seem in a lot of cases to be getting smarter with it too.

A lot of what I say, isn't something he has any real control of but signing Simpson feels a mistake. Other signings look useful, his aversion to the loan market too? More important now than maybe 6-7 years back.

[Mr Popodopolous]

7 minutes ago, Simon bristol said:

We still have that hope that our team who we have followed for years/ decades might go out and do us proud.

that squad, theres a lot of championship level players, the likes of blackpool would love to pick some of our lot,,, but its all too easy,, no real passion or pride,, everything done for them, no incentive to do anything other than the bare minimum, and huge salaries as a reward.

Modern game, can happen at any decent sized club.

Especially somewhere like here. Fantastic training facilities, on top of good money, great city or failing that countryside nearby if they prefer, good wages.

However I doubt they've downed tools or anything, but the last minute goals, ffs.

[BTRFTG]

4 minutes ago, italian dave said:

Lee Johnson left 15 months ago.

Unfortunately the Carousel Of Crap he left behind didn't, were on expensive, long contracts & sensible clubs (unlike us,) had no desire to take them.

I don't blame Holden. I blame the sh*te squad Johnson built in his image. A multitude of players who wouldn't look out of place in a pub team.

[Red_Alligator]

34 minutes ago, SouthS22 said:

We can only dream about having Lee Johnson back at this point. At least we did occasionally win games then. Even Holden was better than this 

Your dream is many people's nightmare South. Please show some sensitivity in these turbulent times.

[KegCity]

1 minute ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

I don't understand why anyone would just shrug off perhaps our most embarrassing defeat for years.

We haven't really improved in six months of Pearson. We've not seen morale improve. We've continue to see baffling selections and odd substitutions. We seem still prone to injuries. We look mentally weak. Some players he's brought in can only be counted as flops.

His managerial rep almost entirely rests on his achievements during two spells at Leicester where he achieved great things.

But that came to an end 6 years ago. It was a different club. A different owner. Maybe even Nigel was different back then.

All I'm saying is that the assumption by many that "Nigel will see us right" and somehow emulate what happened at Leicester, but with a completely different set of circumstances is, I believe, a bit complacent.

The jury is still out. 

We need to see some results. We need confidence he can at least keep us up this season. 

 

It’s not so much shrugging it off, more accepting that this is genuinely the worst position I’ve seen a championship City side in since we last got relegated. I don’t care if our B team lose to Forest Green, the focus is on building the core of a solid side, not whether the remaining deadwood can not bottle a match after spending 2 years bottling matches.

For me it’s his spell at Watford that encourages me rather than Leicester, kept them up comfortably and has identified our weak areas well and began to address them. I’ve not been baffled by a team selection recently, the internationals haven’t had a full pre season and arguably aren’t first choice anymore anyway. Baker and Atkinson are both competent and nothing to do with the atrocious back line of last season, Nagy wants out and Wells has to compete with Martin for the only starting spot. 

Yep, two crocked players are injured again, water is wet. The proof will be in the pudding of whether players without poor injury records manage to stay fit. Are we mentally weak? We’ve lacked focus in moments, 6 months ago we lacked focus full stop. There’s improvement. It’s not fully fixed, but if Pearson had managed to wave a magic wand, teach the players what a football is, how to defend and how to score without switching off in such a short space of time he probably wouldn’t be at Bristol City.

[Kodjias Wrist]

2 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

I don't understand why anyone would just shrug off perhaps our most embarrassing defeat for years.

I mean it was an injury time equaliser, not sure where the added 6 minutes came from mind you but still FGR equalised in stoppage time and won on pens.

Its not shrugging it off but what can we do but try to remain positive? We need as much of it as possible after last season. It could have been worse it could have been 3 - 2 to them or 2 - 1 to Blackpool. 

 

[AshtonGreat]

2 hours ago, Southport Red said:

Williams looking like two games per season is his limit. 

Waste of money

[BS4 on Tour...]

3 hours ago, tin said:

More like that’s his level (v Sutton Utd).

Harsh - in his brief appearances he put in a zillion per cent more effort than Fammy ever did - ran his socks off for our shirt  ... our modern fans are so quick to dismiss average players who put in sooo much effort 

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

29 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

Yeah, should probably sack him...

What’s your solution then?  Fingers crossed?  I don’t advocate sacking the man, but something has to change on the field or we’re in big trouble…

[REDOXO]

I was so mad at the end I just got up and mowed the living shit out of the lawn. 
(It’s light where I live)

Now I’m calmer. 
 

Let no one be under any illusion Johnson and the owner by his consistently backing of a numb nuts stealing a living out of the owners pocket and Mark Chillax Ashton, followed by a bloke who had no luck but was in fact clueless has lead to where we are!

Enter Pearson, who has been told no money (the complete diametric opposite of Lee Johnson) unless he creates it. (That should tell you a lot straight away)

Thus Pearson gives everyone a chance in the first two games (anyone disagree with this sentence) 

What we now know is we have a weak stomach as a squad (pardon my simile) 

However we also know Nagy wants to run away like a b****. Simpson is slower than my mother. Janneh should under no circumstances go on loan. OLeary is a bloody good goal keeper. Our first two center back pairings were mediocre. Wells works harder than anyone for nothing. James is a good player and Massengo had a goal (albeit a Peno in a shootout we lost). 
 

A long way to go before the window shuts let alone next effing May! 

[Red-Robbo]

Just now, Kodjias Wrist said:

I mean it was an injury time equaliser, not sure where the added 6 minutes came from mind you but still FGR equalised in stoppage time and won on pens.

Its not shrugging it off but what can we do but try to remain positive? We need as much of it as possible after last season. It could have been worse it could have been 3 - 2 to them or 2 - 1 to Blackpool. 

 

We couldn't beat what will potentially be the weakest side in the league on Saturday and today we lost to a side two divisions below us. When did that last happen? I recall us losing to L1 Shrewsbury, Plymouth and Wimbledon, but when did City last not be able to overcome a side two divisions below us?

I take little positive from that. 

I think we looked slightly improved on Saturday from some games last season, but that's as far I can go into positivity.

AFAIC NP has time to pull things around, but I have to say, I wasn't expecting Pearson sides to be this poor, this far into his time here.

 

[And Its Smith]

37 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Positives

Well, not sure there are many but here goes.

*2 goals for Janneh.

*Coming from behind.

Not much else tbh! How did Simpson do at RB too, any useful performers? We did make 11 changes however.

Oh yeah, the whole last minute goal thing. Successive games...

Should we have waited a bit longer with Williams too? Injured again!! Had a fairly good availability record over his last 2-3 seasons.

Simpson was poor.

Janneh, Pring, Massengo and Bakinson only positives 

[italian dave]

7 minutes ago, BTRFTG said:

Unfortunately the Carousel Of Crap he left behind didn't, were on expensive, long contracts & sensible clubs (unlike us,) had no desire to take them.

I don't blame Holden. I blame the sh*te squad Johnson built in his image. A multitude of players who wouldn't look out of place in a pub team.

Yeah, I take the point that everything else doesn’t change overnight when a manager leaves. I just don’t see that harping back to a manager who left the club that long ago really helps with how we move forward.

And, incidentally, I don’t think the players we have/had are that bad. In fact I’d say we have some good players. Coaching, tactics, concentration, mentality, commitment, I don’t know what it is but I don’t think the players individually are that bad. 

[BTRFTG]

5 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

We haven't really improved in six months of Pearson. We've not seen morale improve

Around the time I left Bristol I was sporting a Pop Group ' We Are All Prostitutes & We All Have Our Price' T-Shirt.

When Pearson appeared on the horizon my first thoughts were we shouldn't touch him with a bargepole, my personally loathing who he is, what he stands for and his intolerable arrogance. But he gets results, I'm a prostitute, hence he'll do for me.

Notwithstanding the sewage farm Johnson left in his wake Pearson isn't getting results, neither is he openly showing signs that he's a plan so to do in the near future. 

Not sure whether we can't (or shouldn't) question alternatives but his reputation already wears thin and might potentially be wholly displaced. Hope it isn't, though we might soon find out. If he does so from the comfort and distance of the stand, I won't be holding back.

[AshtonGreat]

13 minutes ago, KegCity said:

I’m not saying to not have hope, it’s the only thing keeping us going, but to ignore the state of the squad and the coaching it’s had is silly. 

I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said, hence why we’ve brought in two leaders in King and James and why Pearson has focused on shape and discipline. If baker had followed his man on Saturday we’d have 3 points and not be having this conversation. Unfortunately this is going to be a long, rough season, as a fan base we’ve got to accept it and support the rebuild.

Which would be fine if we had any kind of confidence that it'll all work out in the end. This club has a very poor record in that area 

[James54De]

7 minutes ago, KegCity said:

It’s not so much shrugging it off, more accepting that this is genuinely the worst position I’ve seen a championship City side in since we last got relegated. I don’t care if our B team lose to Forest Green, the focus is on building the core of a solid side, not whether the remaining deadwood can not bottle a match after spending 2 years bottling matches.

For me it’s his spell at Watford that encourages me rather than Leicester, kept them up comfortably and has identified our weak areas well and began to address them. I’ve not been baffled by a team selection recently, the internationals haven’t had a full pre season and arguably aren’t first choice anymore anyway. Baker and Atkinson are both competent and nothing to do with the atrocious back line of last season, Nagy wants out and Wells has to compete with Martin for the only starting spot. 

Yep, two crocked players are injured again, water is wet. The proof will be in the pudding of whether players without poor injury records manage to stay fit. Are we mentally weak? We’ve lacked focus in moments, 6 months ago we lacked focus full stop. There’s improvement. It’s not fully fixed, but if Pearson had managed to wave a magic wand, teach the players what a football is, how to defend and how to score without switching off in such a short space of time he probably wouldn’t be at Bristol City.

Did he? Really? They got relegated the season he was there. 

[Red-Robbo]

8 minutes ago, KegCity said:

 

For me it’s his spell at Watford that encourages me rather than Leicester, kept them up comfortably

 

Um, they went down. 

[KegCity]

1 minute ago, James54De said:

Did he? Really? They got relegated the season he was there. 

Apologies, he left them above the bottom 3 with the support of the dressing room.

[BTRFTG]

1 minute ago, italian dave said:

I don’t know what it is but I don’t think the players individually are that bad

Believe me, they are. That's why they're at the Ashton Gate Retirement Home for the Incapable. 

Nobody else wants them.

[KegCity]

1 minute ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

Um, they went down. 

 

Just now, KegCity said:

Apologies, he left them above the bottom 3 with the support of the dressing room.

 

[James54De]

Just now, KegCity said:

Apologies, he left them above the bottom 3 with the support of the dressing room.

Comfortable though, ay.

[Supersonic Robin]

25 minutes ago, BTRFTG said:

We don't and therein lies the problem.

 

22 minutes ago, BTRFTG said:

Are we? IMHO were bang on track given that 'talent' (sic,) at our disposal.

 

5 minutes ago, BTRFTG said:

I don't blame Holden. I blame the sh*te squad Johnson built in his image. A multitude of players who wouldn't look out of place in a pub team.

Do you think you might be being a tad harsh on our squad? By no means are we world beaters, but man-for-man our squad should be (somewhat comfortably) good enough to survive relegation IMO. And of course, the team we put out tonight should be capable of beating FGR.

I think the idea that our squad is simply dreadful and that results like tonight are to be expected are inaccurate.

A potential XI of:

Bentley

Vyner Kalas Atkinson Dasilva

James Williams

Semenyo Palmer Weimann

Wells

...should be nowhere near the relegation zone this season based purely on individual ability. 

For me the issues are more "team based" than "ability based". Fitness, patterns of play, defensive shape, set pieces, communication, confidence etc.

[Kodjias Wrist]

 

[italian dave]

3 minutes ago, REDOXO said:

 

Enter Pearson, who has been told no money (the complete diametric opposite of Lee Johnson) unless he creates it. (That should tell you a lot straight away)

 

In fairness, that’s not the diametric opposite of what LJ was told. LJ had to sell to buy. I’d agree it’s a different context now, partly covid, partly because we had no value to cash in on. But ultimately it was only the sales of Kelly, Webster, Kodjia etc that brought in the money to buy.

Still trying to get that picture of you mowing the lawn in a fury in the dark though

[Mike Stone]

5 hours ago, And Its Smith said:

Does it also bother you when in a restaurant and out of 25 food options, only one is vegan?

Vince has done wonders for FGR and his sustainability message is a brilliant one. The new stadium looks 

90 minutes of knowing how many pigs , chickens and fish have been killed while I'm trying to watch the football.

[KegCity]

1 minute ago, James54De said:

Comfortable though, ay.

Comfortable enough with the momentum moving in the right way, had Watford fans furious he’d been sacked. 
 

My question for those who’ve clearly decided Pearson isn’t the man for the job after 2 games of the season, is who would you rather rebuild the team, both on and off the field? Someone with less experience? 

[mozo]

I was at the game... It was like watching a mid-table league one match with some neat stuff but also plenty of agricultural football from both sides.

Janneh was the only City player who looked sharp and he's got to feature on Saturday. He played mostly wide left but swapped with Bell at times. Personally, I'd prefer to see him central where Wells was.

I also thought Nagy looked pretty lively while he was on. Quite a few have asked about Massengo. Not great, in my opinion. It was one of those games he sometimes has where everything bounces off him. He did come close to scoring his first goal when the ball was smashed against him and rebounded just wide of the far post. He also had a shot blocked.

Bell looked put of his depth to me. He did have some nice touches here and there but didn't look like a threat to the defence.

Pring was steady. He went on one good run late on. Moore was left CB and also looked pretty reliable.

Not sure what the injury was that ended the night for Williams. He went in for a challenge and then hobbled a bit and signalled to come off. He looked gutted as we walked to the tunnel which was just as Janneh bagged the equaliser. Williams politely clapped but still looked pretty miserable.

I was hoping Scott would come on but I guess Nige wanted to give everyone a run out.

In summary, we had a makeshift line up so understandable lack of cohesion, but we didn't look like a team made up of Championship players. 

I worry that a poor result at Boro will see morale back where it was last season. 

 

 

[RedM]

Just home. I think I’m going to sleep on it before I want to think about football again...oh and ‘Boro is going to be too soon for me I think! 

[mozo]

Just now, RedM said:

Just home. I think I’m going to sleep on it before I want to think about football again...oh and ‘Boro is going to be too soon for me I think! 

It was nice to be at an away game again though

[James54De]

2 minutes ago, KegCity said:

Comfortable enough with the momentum moving in the right way, had Watford fans furious he’d been sacked. 
 

My question for those who’ve clearly decided Pearson isn’t the man for the job after 2 games of the season, is who would you rather rebuild the team, both on and off the field? Someone with less experience? 

They 2 two points outside the relagation zone with 2 games to play. Those games were against Man City and Liverpool. They were odds on to get relegated.

[And Its Smith]

3 minutes ago, Mike Stone said:

90 minutes of knowing how many pigs , chickens and fish have been killed while I'm trying to watch the football.

Wasn’t bothered by it at all.

Food was nice tonight. 

And you didn’t answer my question.

 

[italian dave]

5 minutes ago, BTRFTG said:

Believe me, they are. That's why they're at the Ashton Gate Retirement Home for the Incapable. 

Nobody else wants them.

Bentley,  Kalas, Dasilva, Nagy, James, Martin, King, Weimann, Baker, Wells, Massengo …..pub team players? We’ll just have to disagree. 

[Simon bristol]

4 minutes ago, KegCity said:

Comfortable enough with the momentum moving in the right way, had Watford fans furious he’d been sacked. 
 

My question for those who’ve clearly decided Pearson isn’t the man for the job after 2 games of the season, is who would you rather rebuild the team, both on and off the field? Someone with less experience? 

Surely its 6 months or so, not the last 2 games? Wilder was my pick months ago, he has a magic touch of turning teams into promotion challengers.