Paul Simpson and Keith Downing have left

[ray savino]

Just spotted this from Exiled Red.

[ExiledAjax]

Confirmed

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/paul-simpson-leaves-city/

Paul Simpson has left Bristol City by mutual agreement.

The club wishes Paul well for the future and thanks him for his 14-month service during a period of transition for the Robins.

Simpson arrived from the Football Association in August 2020 to support then newly-appointed Head Coach Dean Holden.

With the recruitment of Nigel Pearson as permanent Manager in May and Curtis Fleming as Assistant Manager last month, Simpson was re-titled First Team Coach.

City CEO Richard Gould said: “Paul has been a great support during his time with us and we are very thankful for all he has done for the club. We wish him all the best for the future.”   

[Steve Watts]

Paul Simpson joins Ipswich.....?

[Rob k]

I have a feeling this wasn’t so mutual and that NP is having his say slowly 

[Fuber]

Transition continues.

[Davefevs]

3 minutes ago, Rob k said:

I have a feeling this wasn’t so mutual and that NP is having his say slowly 

Indeed

Just now, Fuber said:

Transition continues.

Indeed

[Simon bristol]

Wish him well, obviously hope this isnt forced by his health issue, and that he will remain well physically 

[Robbored]

5 minutes ago, Rob k said:

I have a feeling this wasn’t so mutual and that NP is having his say slowly 

Yep, could be. Will Downing be the next?

However Simpson has been unwell so maybe that’s played a part

 

[Kid in the Riot]

15 minutes ago, Rob k said:

I have a feeling this wasn’t so mutual and that NP is having his say slowly 

Agreed...

7 minutes ago, Robbored said:

However Simpson has been unwell so maybe that’s played a part

...nope.

[Rob k]

8 minutes ago, Robbored said:

Yep, could be. Will Downing be the next?

However Simpson has been unwell so maybe that’s played a part

 

I think it would reference that if it was the case. I wish him well though on whatever he does next.

Edited October 22, 2021 by Rob k

[Northern Red]

Not health related according to Gregor.

Seem to be a few Carlisle fans who want him to go there, they have a managerial vacancy at the moment.

[oldstandrobin]

2 minutes ago, billywedlock said:

I was wondering about the coaches and assistants during the last game. There seemed to be a lot of people on the bench talking. Too many chefs and all that. It was a bit crowded and maybe Simmo felt his role was changed after Fleming arrived. Main thing is his health , and wellbeing. He will end up at Ipswich tomorrow. 

My thoughts exactly, all on the GRAVY train !!

[petehinton]

the bus has lost a passenger

[Johnny Musicworks]

It could be that Simpson’s health issues delayed this happening as it’s not a good look for it to happen when someone is undergoing treatment.

[Henry]

21 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Indeed

Indeed

 

Just now, petehinton said:

the bus has lost a passenger

 

8 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

Agreed...

...nope.

Any chance of some concrete information?

[Bristol Rob]

My predictions.

1. If we win our next home game, the usual reactionary posters will decide that Simpson was the problem.

2. If we don't win the next home game, the usual reactionary posters will decide that Simpson could have been the solution.

3. Regardless of the result of our next home game, the usual reactionary posters will remind us that 'Pembo' was the best coach we ever had, but go weirdly silent when asked what it was like to be coached by him.

Welcome to OTIB.

[Waconda]

Obvious that things have to change on the coaching front.

I never seen such a disorganised, confused and passive team than the one I have witnessed several times this season.

Hopefully (not in a horrible way) Simpson and probably Downing were/are the problem. 

If not we are in serious trouble.

Edited October 22, 2021 by VT05763

[Red Army 75]

Good luck to him and his health issues. Not disappointed by this. 

[Robbored]

14 minutes ago, Henry said:

Any chance of some concrete information?

He hasn’t got any…………..

[Red Army 75]

.

Edited October 22, 2021 by Red Army 75

[MarcusX]

17 minutes ago, Henry said:

 

 

Any chance of some concrete information?

That's not how it works 

[Bristol Rob]

20 minutes ago, Henry said:

 

 

Any chance of some concrete information?

Sure. 

https://www.concrete.org.uk/magazine-concrete.asp

Believe they might also address the industry news for other aggregates as well.

[Phileas Fogg]

7 minutes ago, Robbored said:

He hasn’t got any…………..

Some people on this forum have, as you know. All 3 are pretty likely posters to have some sort of insider info. 

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

48 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Indeed

Indeed

Agreed

[LondonBristolian]

I'm very most not one of the posters with inside info but I'd imagine there's no horrific or nefarious secret reason underpinning this.

Simpson (and Downing) were appointed by the previous regime. Pearson is not only likely to want his own people in but has done so already in getting Fleming in. 

I don't want to criticise Simpson as I've no idea what he's done or not done, or how much Holden or Pearson have listened to his ideas. But it's utterly fair enough for any manager to want their own coaching staff. Good luck to Simpson where he goes next but I'm neither shocked nor horrified by a change being made. 

[pillred]

29 minutes ago, Henry said:

 

 

Any chance of some concrete information?

Mix 2 parts sand to 1 of cement.

[Robbored]

4 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Some people on this forum have, as you know. All 3 are pretty likely posters to have some sort of insider info. 

Nonsense. It’s all wild speculation and rumour.

Very few, if any posters on here any ‘inside’ knowledge. 

[Phileas Fogg]

Just now, Robbored said:

Nonsense. It’s all wild speculation and rumour.

Very few, if any posters on here any ‘inside’ knowledge. 

Well the three you're referring to are some of the most likely to have some. You know that as well, just being obtuse for the sake of it. Strange pursuit in my opinion. 

[Northern Red]

Excellent, another thread about to be ruined...

[Southport Red]

1 minute ago, Robbored said:

Nonsense. It’s all wild speculation and rumour.

Very few, if any posters on here any ‘inside’ knowledge. 

Not to be too pedantic, but three out of the thousand or whatever subscribers/users of OTIB COULD be described as “very few”

[pillred]

Just now, Phileas Fogg said:

Well the three you're referring to are some of the most likely to have some. You know that as well, just being obtuse for the sake of it. Strange pursuit in my opinion. 

The official site and all that.

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

I would imagine he's having Chemotherapy and it's probably not practical for him to work with the players.  So that combined with other stuff like being demoted would probably figure into him wanting to leave. 

[Clevedon Red]

Just now, Northern Red said:

Excellent, another thread about to be ruined...

Indeed

[Phileas Fogg]

5 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

Excellent, another thread about to be ruined...

 

4 minutes ago, Clevedon Red said:

Indeed

You're right - won't bite anymore 

[Lew-T]

Had a feeling one of the coaches would leave…

 

Too many chefs and all that.

[Robbored]

9 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Well the three you're referring to are some of the most likely to have some. You know that as well, just being obtuse for the sake of it. Strange pursuit in my opinion. 

If any poster had any genuine inside knowledge they’d hardly post it on here and why it’s all speculation and rumour.

The only things I believe are posted on the OS - that’s the only way we know that it’s genuine.

[Davefevs]

43 minutes ago, Henry said:

 

 

Any chance of some concrete information?

Here you go 

[GrahamC]

15 minutes ago, LondonBristolian said:

I'm very most not one of the posters with inside info but I'd imagine there's no horrific or nefarious secret reason underpinning this.

Simpson (and Downing) were appointed by the previous regime. Pearson is not only likely to want his own people in but has done so already in getting Fleming in. 

I don't want to criticise Simpson as I've no idea what he's done or not done, or how much Holden or Pearson have listened to his ideas. But it's utterly fair enough for any manager to want their own coaching staff. Good luck to Simpson where he goes next but I'm neither shocked nor horrified by a change being made. 

Completely this.

Once it was confirmed Fleming was not only staying but was being given a position that placed him above Simpson, Downing & Cisse in the hierarchy, it was obvious we had too many coaches & someone would leave.

[Phileas Fogg]

10 minutes ago, Lew-T said:

Had a feeling one of the coaches would leave…

 

Too many chefs and all that.

I'd say it's fairly likely Pearson knew early on whether he'd want to work with the existing coaching staff.

Realistically I'd say it's fairly unlikely if a manager would want to keep on the old coaching team if he could so help it. 

I know it's unfair as we don't see their day to day work, but I've never been quite sold on Downing or Simpson. Came across as a bit dour to me and didn't seem like Pearson's sort of people. I get the impression people likes to work with disciplinarian type coaches. Fleming seems more the sort of coach I can imagine Pearson wanting to work with. 

Edited October 22, 2021 by Phileas Fogg

[Silvio Dante]

1 hour ago, Robbored said:

Yep, could be. Will Downing be the next?

However Simpson has been unwell so maybe that’s played a part

 

Probably. He’s a successful singer so doesn’t need the cash.

 

[Davefevs]

4 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Completely this.

Once it was confirmed Fleming was not only staying but was being given a position that placed him above Simpson, Downing & Cisse in the hierarchy, it was obvious we had too many coaches & someone would leave.

And…if it was health reasons, they’d (OS) have said so.

I really don’t see why some posters think it’s anything other that Pearson not wanting him. That’s not trying to be ITK, but reality of the situation, hence mutual termination.

Good luck to Simmo btw. 

[Red-Robbo]

2 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

 

I know it's unfair as we don't see their day to day work, 

 

I suppose you could say we see the result of their day-to-day work when we see players failing to link with team mates, failing to spot runners, not quite knowing who to mark.

That might sound harsh, but I've not been that impressed with our on-field organisation for a while. Whether that's down to Simpson & Downing I couldn't say, but it is a fact that most teams playing at AG seem better drilled than us. 

[petehinton]

57 minutes ago, Henry said:

 

 

Any chance of some concrete information?

don't have any! was a little joke after Nige's comments on Tuesday night, seems like pretty suspicious timing to say that and then let someone go soon after tho

[Robbored]

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

And…if it was health reasons, they’d (OS) have said so.

I really don’t see why some posters think it’s anything other that Pearson not wanting him. That’s not trying to be ITK, but reality of the situation, hence mutual termination.

Good luck to Simmo btw. 

Not necessarily Dave. His cancer issue has been made public but none of us know how successful or unsuccessful his treatment has been. It could be the latter and that type of information would not be disclosed in public.

[Silvio Dante]

I think the statement is quite abrupt, and if it was health related, I’d have expected it to be a bit warmer. So I go with the theory it’s NP getting rid.

A thought is that Carlisle are currently managerless. Simpson had some success there before so might it be he’s going for that?

[Major Isewater]

1 hour ago, Henry said:

Any chance of some concrete information?

Dont leave it too long or it goes hard.

 

[downendcity]

1 hour ago, Henry said:

 

 

Any chance of some concrete information?

Concrete information is needed in order to reinforce the announcement and ensure the decision is cemented in place and set in stone. 

[maxjak]

I hope for Paul's sake, that it is not health related?  I don't believe it is.   I have been concerned for a while about the possible levels of coaching       ........at the High Performance Centre  (Misnomer?).  Some of the basic aspects of our play, eg  Passing, tackling, corners (Taken and Defended), positional play, organisation etc, to my eyes, leave a lot to be desired.  The coaching staff have had adequate time to stamp their abilities and education onto the squad, but I have not seen any noticeable improvement in the quality of our performances, and have wondered if the standard of coaching is up to scratch?.  I am well aware that I have no means or access to the coaching that takes place, apart from what i see on the pitch, but i would think there is plenty of room for improvement?

I would hope that a coach of a higher quality could be recruited, which would hopefully motivate and improve the squad.  It will be interesting to see if Nige has someone in mind?

PS.  It made me laugh that Andy Weimann made the point at the Hen & Chicken, that our players have run more distance during games than the opposition, as if this was a good thing?  It might mean they are fit Andy......but also, that we are constantly chasing the  other team to try to get the ball back? 

[Rob k]

37 minutes ago, Robbored said:

Nonsense. It’s all wild speculation and rumour.

Very few, if any posters on here any ‘inside’ knowledge. 

Wrong 

[Waconda]

2 minutes ago, maxjak said:

I hope for Paul's sake, that it is not health related?  I don't believe it is.   I have been concerned for a while about the possible levels of coaching       ........at the High Performance Centre  (Misnomer?).  Some of the basic aspects of our play, eg  Passing, tackling, corners (Taken and Defended), positional play, organisation etc, to my eyes, leave a lot to be desired.  The coaching staff have had adequate time to stamp their abilities and education onto the squad, but I have not seen any noticeable improvement in the quality of our performances, and have wondered if the standard of coaching is up to scratch?.  I am well aware that I have no means or access to the coaching that takes place, apart from what i see on the pitch, but i would think there is plenty of room for improvement?

I would hope that a coach of a higher quality could be recruited, which would hopefully motivate and improve the squad.  It will be interesting to see if Nige has someone in mind?

PS.  It made me laugh that Andy Weimann made the point at the Hen & Chicken, that our players have run more distance during games than the opposition, as if this was a good thing?  It might mean they are fit Andy......but also, that we are constantly chasing the  other team to try to get the ball back? 

This.

[downendcity]

Just now, Major Isewater said:

Dont leave it too long or it goes hard.

As I've got older I've found the opposite when leaving it too long. 

[downendcity]

3 minutes ago, maxjak said:

I hope for Paul's sake, that it is not health related?  I don't believe it is.   I have been concerned for a while about the possible levels of coaching       ........at the High Performance Centre  (Misnomer?).  Some of the basic aspects of our play, eg  Passing, tackling, corners (Taken and Defended), positional play, organisation etc, to my eyes, leave a lot to be desired.  The coaching staff have had adequate time to stamp their abilities and education onto the squad, but I have not seen any noticeable improvement in the quality of our performances, and have wondered if the standard of coaching is up to scratch?.  I am well aware that I have no means or access to the coaching that takes place, apart from what i see on the pitch, but i would think there is plenty of room for improvement?

I would hope that a coach of a higher quality could be recruited, which would hopefully motivate and improve the squad.  It will be interesting to see if Nige has someone in mind?

PS.  It made me laugh that Andy Weimann made the point at the Hen & Chicken, that our players have run more distance during games than the opposition, as if this was a good thing?  It might mean they are fit Andy......but also, that we are constantly chasing the  other team to try to get the ball back? 

In my corporate working days, had a boss who constantly told us that what was more important than working harder, was working smarter. 

[Waconda]

5 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

Hope he finds a new job and he is well. Seems like a good guy, speaks well and with a lot of enthusiasm in his interviews.

Was impressed with that England under 20s team Simpson managed that won the world cup. Think I watched every game. Had them playing good stuff.

Always seemed a bit of a weird one bringing him in if the reason was he was proven at England youth levels. He did have a lot of quality there to pick from and it's not really anything like championship football or the job of a coach or assistant manager at championship level.

It's a shame there was never any chance of us bringing in Shakespeare.

I remember @Ostrich making a comment that there is a general feeling among Leicester fans that Nige can't do it without Shakespeare. 

I hope that isn't true. I wonder if we bring in another coach, probably not unless Downing goes as well.

I think there might be something in the "Batman no good without Robin" thoughts

Wouldn't be surprised if Shakespeare arrives in some capacity and others leave (Downing and Cisse)

[maxjak]

2 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

Hope he finds a new job and he is well. Seems like a good guy, speaks well and with a lot of enthusiasm in his interviews.

Was impressed with that England under 20s team Simpson managed that won the world cup. Think I watched every game. Had them playing good stuff.

Always seemed a bit of a weird one bringing him in if the reason was he was proven at England youth levels. He did have a lot of quality there to pick from and it's not really anything like championship football or the job of a coach or assistant manager at championship level.

It's a shame there was never any chance of us bringing in Shakespeare.

I remember @Ostrich making a comment that there is a general feeling among Leicester fans that Nige can't do it without Shakespeare. 

I hope that isn't true. I wonder if we bring in another coach, probably not unless Downing goes as well.

As Nige isn't really a "hands on" coaching type of manager, the role of Senior Coach with the club is surely of paramount importance?  I would like to see a quality defensive specialist coach (Ex-top grade player) and a also a specialised coach for the attack.  I do not know if we have the ability and financial wherewithal to achieve this, but as i believe we do have   the necessary talent at the club, the correct appointments could be crucial in getting the very best out of the squad.

[Red-Robbo]

3 minutes ago, VT05763 said:

I think there might be something in the "Batman no good without Robin" thoughts

Wouldn't be surprised if Shakespeare arrives in some capacity and others leave (Downing and Cisse)

 

I can't see him leaving a job as AM at the premier league club that he supported as a boy, to come here.  

[Ostrich]

8 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

I remember @Ostrich making a comment that there is a general feeling among Leicester fans that Nige can't do it without Shakespeare. 

Yes. Certainly an acknowledgement that Pearson, Shakespeare, Walsh were a team and even those that love Nige would say it was just him.

Idk how fair it is to say he can’t do it without them, he didn’t have him at Carlisle or Southampton but they were just short-term rescue jobs. Shakespeare has the benefit of continuing into Ranieri’s time which makes it look even more like he was the glue that held it together. It seems he was more the day-to-day coach and bridge between squad and manager

[One Team]

I wish him well health wise but not sorry to see him goal at all. 

Nige needs his people in his team.

[maxjak]

I never know?.............are flames a good or a bad response to a post?  Ha!

[underhanded]

Could the mods make 'wild speculation and rumour' part of the swear filter? It'd be nice not to see that interminable phrase bandied around for the 1000th time 

[One Team]

1 hour ago, petehinton said:

the bus has lost a passenger

Out of likes, brilliant!

[Northern Red]

4 minutes ago, underhanded said:

Could the mods make 'wild speculation and rumour' part of the swear filter? It'd be nice not to see that interminable phrase bandied around for the 1000th time 

I can think of a couple of emojis that need binning as well.

Edited October 22, 2021 by Northern Red

[Ronnie Sinclair]

The BBC on the ball as usual 

[petehinton]

I've always felt like Simpson/Downing leaving was a matter of if not when after this. They were brought in, probably sold the dream of being 'joint assistants' under an 'up and coming exciting young manager' at a big potential project. Leave their England roles for it. 

Fast forward 6 months, everything is a shambles and Simpson is left as the 'lead' person to temporarily try and get us out. This interview is just a huge "what the **** have I done?" cry out. Do wonder if Pearson coming in, bringing in his own men (above them) has maybe made the two of them pretty deflated and lose a bit of motivation as it's in no way what they were signing up for...?

[Sturny]

4 minutes ago, petehinton said:

I've always felt like Simpson/Downing leaving was a matter of if not when after this. They were brought in, probably sold the dream of being 'joint assistants' under an 'up and coming exciting young manager' at a big potential project. Leave their England roles for it. 

Fast forward 6 months, everything is a shambles and Simpson is left as the 'lead' person to temporarily try and get us out. This interview is just a huge "what the **** have I done?" cry out. Do wonder if Pearson coming in, bringing in his own men (above them) has maybe made the two of them pretty deflated and lose a bit of motivation as it's in no way what they were signing up for...?

Don't know why but this line made me laugh. It truly was absolutely shambles and we shouldn't easily forget what a shitshow that was served up. 

[One Team]

12 minutes ago, petehinton said:

I've always felt like Simpson/Downing leaving was a matter of if not when after this. They were brought in, probably sold the dream of being 'joint assistants' under an 'up and coming exciting young manager' at a big potential project. Leave their England roles for it. 

Fast forward 6 months, everything is a shambles and Simpson is left as the 'lead' person to temporarily try and get us out. This interview is just a huge "what the **** have I done?" cry out. Do wonder if Pearson coming in, bringing in his own men (above them) has maybe made the two of them pretty deflated and lose a bit of motivation as it's in no way what they were signing up for...?

Completely agree. 

I am sure many of us have seen similar situations in our professional lives. 

 

[East Londoner]

Absolutely can’t speak for what goes on behind the scenes but i like to get in the ground early and watch the warm up and even to my uneducated eye it looked like Simpson and Fleming were essentially doing the same thing so guess it was only a matter of time 

I wish him well for the future and hopefully he remains healthy and comes back into the game in some capacity 

[bpexile]

56 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

Dont leave it too long or it goes hard.

 

I wish 

[Denbury Red]

So we have Downing left - which of him and Simmo were defence or attack minded - I can’t remember!!  Does this Downing fit better with Fleming?

[Waconda]

19 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

I think Downing was brought in as the defensive coach and Simpson attacking.

Not sure how it works now. Downing used to be up in the stands under Holden whereas now it seems to be Pearson + a young looking man who is probably some sort of performance analyst with a laptop. Or I guess it's just that young man when Nige is in the dugout.

I read somewhere about Downing being obsessed with every little detail in our defence when we concede a goal. So yeah seems like that's more his role.

It frustrates me seeing how bad we often are in possession, but I also completely agree with you on the defensive side. For the players we have we look really vulnerable and surely something that can be improved with good coaching on the training ground.

Keeping possession better though probably only helps our defence. It's such a shame as we have 2 very mobile centre backs in Kalas and Atkinson so we could play a high line and play some good stuff, taking some risks as we have pace to cope well in one on ones if teams break.

NP is very much an old school, traditional football manager and less of a coach, nothing wrong with that per say (Ferguson at Utd) but it is therefore crucial that the correct coaching staff are in place to convert his ideas into practice on the grass. 

Best case scenario here  is that NP has the correct ideas but they are not being carried out correctly by the coaching, staff hence the current mess on match day.

Worst case is that ......... well.

[maxjak]

9 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

I think Downing was brought in as the defensive coach and Simpson attacking.

Not sure how it works now. Downing used to be up in the stands under Holden whereas now it seems to be Pearson + a young looking man who is probably some sort of performance analyst with a laptop. Or I guess it's just that young man when Nige is in the dugout.

I read somewhere about Downing being obsessed with every little detail in our defence when we concede a goal. So yeah seems like that's more his role.

It frustrates me seeing how bad we often are in possession, but I also completely agree with you on the defensive side. For the players we have we look really vulnerable and surely something that can be improved with good coaching on the training ground.

Keeping possession better though probably only helps our defence. It's such a shame as we have 2 very mobile centre backs in Kalas and Atkinson so we could play a high line and play some good stuff, taking some risks as we have pace to cope well in one on ones if teams break.

If   Downing IS the Defensive coach?  Then he also needs to be replaced IMHO.  With the players we now have available in our defensive squad, we should be so much better organised and solid.  The priority to work as a unit at the rear should be being drummed into the back line, which as a force of habit, constantly play too deep.  It is the responsibility of the defensive coach to drill, organise and create a strong defence, and make certain they learn deep seated habits and work hard.  Improvement is needed at the back in decision making and organisation.  Some of the goals we have conceded this season have been poor to say the least.

I appreciate a team defends from the front, and that the forwards and midfielders need to contribute to the cause, but the specialist defenders in the team have to learn when to tackle and when to close down....lessons which have not been learnt, as shown by Forest's 2nd goal.