As the dust settles…

[Davefevs]

Just wanted to share some thoughts.

This will undoubtedly be a time when old manager going / new manager coming in will see comments from posters, me included, giving our opinions and there will be debate for and against on both sides.

But…I see this as a small window of opportunity.

+++++

We have had numerous debates over our time back in the Championship from the managers - Cotts to Johnson to Holden to Pearson, to the Finances, FFP, Covid, etc.  We can all defend our opinions with facts, speculation, and just the way we see it.

However it is clear to me (at least) that we enter a period where we:

• don’t really have any manager “baggage”, no divide from posters who were fanboys of one but not the other.  It feels like a “decks cleared” time.
• no financial issues, FFP at least!  We don’t know the owners funding aspirations / restrictions though.

So we can treat the new manager on merit, although slightly hindered initially by:

• a small squad
• injuries

We will have to wait until January to see if he is allowed to recruit.  At that point we will know whether the budget was just for the old manager or not.  But we can judge new manager accordingly, ie is he hamstrung by budget or not.

Re injuries, a slight tangent, most managers come in and first thing they say is they had to get the players fit.  Well, City are one of the hardest running teams in the division, so that excuse is not valid.  Availability is different.

Ultimately the foundations have been laid.  The new manager has the opportunity to build on them.

I suggest we wait and see who we get and judge them on what they do with Bristol City.

 

[Gillies Downs Leeds]

5 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Just wanted to share some thoughts.

This will undoubtedly be a time when old manager going / new manager coming in will see comments from posters, me included, giving our opinions and there will be debate for and against on both sides.

But…I see this as a small window of opportunity.

+++++

We have had numerous debates over our time back in the Championship from the managers - Cotts to Johnson to Holden to Pearson, to the Finances, FFP, Covid, etc.  We can all defend our opinions with facts, speculation, and just the way we see it.

However it is clear to me (at least) that we enter a period where we:

• don’t really have any manager “baggage”, no divide from posters who were fanboys of one but not the other.  It feels like a “decks cleared” time.
• no financial issues, FFP at least!  We don’t know the owners funding aspirations / restrictions though.

So we can treat the new manager on merit, although slightly hindered initially by:

• a small squad
• injuries

We will have to wait until January to see if he is allowed to recruit.  At that point we will know whether the budget was just for the old manager or not.  But we can judge new manager accordingly, ie is he hamstrung by budget or not.

Re injuries, a slight tangent, most managers come in and first thing they say is they had to get the players fit.  Well, City are one of the hardest running teams in the division, so that excuse is not valid.  Availability is different.

Ultimately the foundations have been laid.  The new manager has the opportunity to build on them.

I suggest we wait and see who we get and judge them on what they do with Bristol City.

 

A lot of sense there Dave, but I am pretty sure it won't be a manager it will be a head coach...

[ExiledAjax]

4 minutes ago, Gillies Downs Leeds said:

A lot of sense there Dave, but I am pretty sure it won't be a manager it will be a head coach...

At which point we'd be a £30m business without a CEO, running a football club without a manager. Excellent.

Edited October 30, 2023 by ExiledAjax

[W-S-M Seagull]

Let's be honest, it's going to be a LJ/Dean Holden type of appointment isn't it? Hence the head coach comments. 

Unfortunately it's going to be a poisoned chalice for the new head coach. The fans don't want him, the players don't want him, but we'll have to suck it up having him. 

He will always be compared to Pearson. If the board gives this guy money to spend then the talk is going to be about why wasn't Pearson given that money. 

Unfortunately for the new guy, Pearson is always going to be the elephant in the room. 

I'll try my hardest to back the new guy but it's not going to be easy as in the immediate future I'll feel as if he doesn't deserve to be here.

 

 

[Davefevs]

3 minutes ago, Kimpton said:

Please not Rowett though.

I think anyone saying things like this, needs to say why!

[Red-Robbo]

9 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Just wanted to share some thoughts.

This will undoubtedly be a time when old manager going / new manager coming in will see comments from posters, me included, giving our opinions and there will be debate for and against on both sides.

But…I see this as a small window of opportunity.

+++++

We have had numerous debates over our time back in the Championship from the managers - Cotts to Johnson to Holden to Pearson, to the Finances, FFP, Covid, etc.  We can all defend our opinions with facts, speculation, and just the way we see it.

However it is clear to me (at least) that we enter a period where we:

• don’t really have any manager “baggage”, no divide from posters who were fanboys of one but not the other.  It feels like a “decks cleared” time.
• no financial issues, FFP at least!  We don’t know the owners funding aspirations / restrictions though.

So we can treat the new manager on merit, although slightly hindered initially by:

• a small squad
• injuries

We will have to wait until January to see if he is allowed to recruit.  At that point we will know whether the budget was just for the old manager or not.  But we can judge new manager accordingly, ie is he hamstrung by budget or not.

Re injuries, a slight tangent, most managers come in and first thing they say is they had to get the players fit.  Well, City are one of the hardest running teams in the division, so that excuse is not valid.  Availability is different.

Ultimately the foundations have been laid.  The new manager has the opportunity to build on them.

I suggest we wait and see who we get and judge them on what they do with Bristol City.

 

 

You're 'ere the voice of reason, Fevs.

I'll certainly be judging the incoming manager on his performance here and not pre-judging. Some names being floated leave you more nervous than others, but - assuming they don’t appoint a rookie - most managerial careers have their ups and downs, and each club will present a unique challenge. We might get someone who "clicks" here. 

Those saying the Lansdowns past record on appointments has been poor are dead right, but remember they did bring Pearson here: even if they subsequently didn't understand how the man operates and didn't give him the necessary support to achieve his (and our) progression at the club. 

[Davefevs]

I don’t really care about job-title.  I think the role will depend on who takes over, irrespective of title.

[Riaz]

14 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Just wanted to share some thoughts.

This will undoubtedly be a time when old manager going / new manager coming in will see comments from posters, me included, giving our opinions and there will be debate for and against on both sides.

But…I see this as a small window of opportunity.

+++++

We have had numerous debates over our time back in the Championship from the managers - Cotts to Johnson to Holden to Pearson, to the Finances, FFP, Covid, etc.  We can all defend our opinions with facts, speculation, and just the way we see it.

However it is clear to me (at least) that we enter a period where we:

• don’t really have any manager “baggage”, no divide from posters who were fanboys of one but not the other.  It feels like a “decks cleared” time.
• no financial issues, FFP at least!  We don’t know the owners funding aspirations / restrictions though.

So we can treat the new manager on merit, although slightly hindered initially by:

• a small squad
• injuries

We will have to wait until January to see if he is allowed to recruit.  At that point we will know whether the budget was just for the old manager or not.  But we can judge new manager accordingly, ie is he hamstrung by budget or not.

Re injuries, a slight tangent, most managers come in and first thing they say is they had to get the players fit.  Well, City are one of the hardest running teams in the division, so that excuse is not valid.  Availability is different.

Ultimately the foundations have been laid.  The new manager has the opportunity to build on them.

I suggest we wait and see who we get and judge them on what they do with Bristol City.

 

I look at the managers available and it depresses me.

Most have not achieved what Nige has acheived - if we appoint one of them, whats the point of sacking a manager who is much better?

For me Eustace, was unlucky to be sacked, while 6th in the league. Think he did a good job at brum - so he is one of the few, who i'd be happy with.

The other name is Roy Keane - He wants to get back into management and did really well at Sunderland.

Other than that, a young manager on the up.

But not one of these managers who are "proven failures" at this level, such as Rowett - as i said, we might as well stuck with Nige.

[Sir Geoff]

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I think anyone saying things like this, needs to say why!

Cos he wants Lampard.

[Homer Simpson]

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

I don’t really care about job-title.  I think the role will depend on who takes over, irrespective of title.

Exactly this. But Lansdown will employ a manager/coach that implements the role the way he wants it.

[johnheadbcfc]

Think most are moaning about things that haven't even happened yet, like every manager mentioned has failed before they've taken the first training session.

 

[Guest]

Has Rowett worked under a DOF?
 

My money is on Tinnion being appointed DOF, the new Head Coach reporting to him.

We already have the non playing side covered off with the recent changes in responsibilities, bring the football side into line and hey presto the Lansdowns regain control.

The whole NP sacking is about control, with his personality, knowledge and determination NP had taken control away from SL and JL, they want that back.

[Midred]

5 minutes ago, Sir Geoff said:

Cos he wants Lampard.

Surely not "Frank Lampard's Bristol City"? 

[38MC]

9 minutes ago, Riaz said:

The other name is Roy Keane - He wants to get back into management and did really well at Sunderland.

He wouldn't even be considered (rightly so on merit). Could you imagine him sitting across from Steve and Jon and the facial expressions and responses he would give to them? 

That said, I would pay a lot of money for a ringside seat at his job interview, even if it would be like a 1 round boxing match in duration.  

Edited October 30, 2023 by 38MC

[italian dave]

18 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

At which point we'd be a £30m business without a CEO, running a football club without a manager. Excellent.

We’ll have a DoF and a Head Coach. That’s a pretty common structure nowadays, isn’t it?

I’ve got wider concerns about the direction we’re taking on and off the pitch but they’re probably for other threads. Not having someone called “manager” isn’t really the most worrying. 

[lenred]

15 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I think anyone saying things like this, needs to say why!

Some thoughts from me

1) Because he is inferior results wise to Pearson - never promoted   

2) Because his football is dreadful.  As confirmed by most fans reactions I’ve seen of clubs he has been manager of. And also heard at grounds when we’ve played his teams. And seen with my own eyes on numerous occasions.  

3) To a much lesser degree and anecdotally - is his focus purely on his club when he is manager?  Seemed to be on SSN a lot even as a pundit - even when manager of Millwall.  
 

4) He’s literally just been sacked by Millwall who have similar expectations to us - why would he be any better here?  Their fans were desperate for him to leave. Says a lot.  

Edited October 30, 2023 by lenred

[Dr Balls]

I have little confidence that any head coach we get will be an upgrade on NP. And given the current squad situation, our league position is likely to get worse rather than better in the short term at least, especially as I see little sign of their being a “new manager bounce” given the way that the players seem to feel about what has happened.

This could get ugly for the owners, especially as even staying in this league isn’t guaranteed if you appoint the wrong person to lead the football side. That’s the bit that they have never seemed to understand. And as for the rumours of the board suggesting free agents to the manager, while selling the best player in the summer and then not allowing any of that same money to be used for new players, I think that would frustrate anybody. A relegation battle would anger fans, plus reduce the price any new owner is willing to pay, while relegation itself would completely undermine any plans the Lansdowns might have for selling up.

Meddling from “above” by people who have no real understanding of how things actually work at the frontline rarely goes well in any occupation or profession. And it’s nearly always resented. Football is no different and only a “yes man” like Johnson would accept that. Which is why I wouldn’t put it past Jon Lansdown sounding him out for a return. Now that really would lead to a mutiny amongst the fan base!

[Galley is our king]

I can see a similar situation to the Wayne Rooney and Birmingham debacle.

[Lord Northski]

Still struggling with this one at the moment.  The thought of a less worthy manager standing there holding a City scarf  above his head and grinning like a lemon, with Steve and John Lansdown on either side, really puts a bad taste in my mouth right now. As I’m not the only one who probably feels like this may impact on the new incumbent who’ll start his new role knowing full well that he’s already signed up to play Santa’s little helper, and Big Man Steve’s little lapdog. 
Still angry. 

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, Kimpton said:

Because his teams don’t play good football at home. Very rigid 352 which is effective away but I know Millwall fans and others have been very critical of the way they have played at home and also inability to move away from his trusted methods. That’s why I want Frank yes he hasn’t done much but at least he tries to play and has good contacts 

That’s fine then, you’re someone who wants attractive football first and foremost by the sounds of it.

What I find is that many managers give it - I wanna play fast flowing, front foot, high press football, when they first come in.

But when results suffer, they change.

I think we should be open-minded about Rowett, as it’s possible his style at Millwall is influenced by factors like budget.  His signings this summer seemed to indicate him trying to transition away from the style we’ve seen under him.

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

I don't know Dave I'm still quite angry about it. Probably more so about Euell and Rene it's still all a bit unfathomable to me.

[W-S-M Seagull]

What I keep coming back to is, who is able to do a better job than Pearson was with what we have available? 

Maybe we could have been doing slightly better this season but I think Pearson was pretty much getting the maximum out of what we have currently got. 

 

[johnheadbcfc]

1 minute ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

What I keep coming back to is, who is able to do a better job than Pearson was with what we have available? 

Maybe we could have been doing slightly better this season but I think Pearson was pretty much getting the maximum out of what we have currently got. 

 

Time will certainly tell, amd I really hope we are all wrong

[Bs4Red]

35 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Just wanted to share some thoughts.

This will undoubtedly be a time when old manager going / new manager coming in will see comments from posters, me included, giving our opinions and there will be debate for and against on both sides.

But…I see this as a small window of opportunity.

+++++

We have had numerous debates over our time back in the Championship from the managers - Cotts to Johnson to Holden to Pearson, to the Finances, FFP, Covid, etc.  We can all defend our opinions with facts, speculation, and just the way we see it.

However it is clear to me (at least) that we enter a period where we:

• don’t really have any manager “baggage”, no divide from posters who were fanboys of one but not the other.  It feels like a “decks cleared” time.
• no financial issues, FFP at least!  We don’t know the owners funding aspirations / restrictions though.

So we can treat the new manager on merit, although slightly hindered initially by:

• a small squad
• injuries

We will have to wait until January to see if he is allowed to recruit.  At that point we will know whether the budget was just for the old manager or not.  But we can judge new manager accordingly, ie is he hamstrung by budget or not.

Re injuries, a slight tangent, most managers come in and first thing they say is they had to get the players fit.  Well, City are one of the hardest running teams in the division, so that excuse is not valid.  Availability is different.

Ultimately the foundations have been laid.  The new manager has the opportunity to build on them.

I suggest we wait and see who we get and judge them on what they do with Bristol City.

 

Think for me Fevs, this sums it up perfectly. I was never a massive fan of NP but wholeheartedly appreciate the job he has done. 
On the field I thought he underachieved overall. 
 

The way the sacking has been dealt with is a disgrace but I don’t feel it’s a bad time to do it. 
 

SL clearly doesn’t trust NP with money and if he’s going to get someone in, give them a couple of months to assess the squad and then some funds in January and Summer then I think it’s a good time. 
 

NP come in and has done exactly what he was asked to do. 
 

Was he the man to take us further than that? For me absolutely not, I don’t see us ever having made the play offs with NP in charge. 
 

The first issue, making the right appointment. 

[steveybadger]

19 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

You're 'ere the voice of reason, Fevs.

I'll certainly be judging the incoming manager on his performance here and not pre-judging. Some names being floated leave you more nervous than others, but - assuming they don’t appoint a rookie - most managerial careers have their ups and downs, and each club will present a unique challenge. We might get someone who "clicks" here. 

Those saying the Lansdowns past record on appointments has been poor are dead right, but remember they did bring Pearson here: even if they subsequently didn't understand how the man operates and didn't give him the necessary support to achieve his (and our) progression at the club. 

Overall SL’s appointment record (and I’m referring to that not his working relationship with managers) is meh at best but….

- Johnson Snr

- Cotts. Raise your hand if you were pleased when we appointed him. I certainly wasn’t.

 

[italian dave]

30 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Just wanted to share some thoughts.

This will undoubtedly be a time when old manager going / new manager coming in will see comments from posters, me included, giving our opinions and there will be debate for and against on both sides.

But…I see this as a small window of opportunity.

+++++

We have had numerous debates over our time back in the Championship from the managers - Cotts to Johnson to Holden to Pearson, to the Finances, FFP, Covid, etc.  We can all defend our opinions with facts, speculation, and just the way we see it.

However it is clear to me (at least) that we enter a period where we:

• don’t really have any manager “baggage”, no divide from posters who were fanboys of one but not the other.  It feels like a “decks cleared” time.
• no financial issues, FFP at least!  We don’t know the owners funding aspirations / restrictions though.

So we can treat the new manager on merit, although slightly hindered initially by:

• a small squad
• injuries

We will have to wait until January to see if he is allowed to recruit.  At that point we will know whether the budget was just for the old manager or not.  But we can judge new manager accordingly, ie is he hamstrung by budget or not.

Re injuries, a slight tangent, most managers come in and first thing they say is they had to get the players fit.  Well, City are one of the hardest running teams in the division, so that excuse is not valid.  Availability is different.

Ultimately the foundations have been laid.  The new manager has the opportunity to build on them.

I suggest we wait and see who we get and judge them on what they do with Bristol City.

 

As @Red-Robbo has already said, the voice of reason Dave. However, that first bullet point seems crucial to me, and I fear that you may be wrong in the assumption you’re making.

A lot of last nights reading on here was pretty depressing. And none more so than where people seem to feel the need to demonstrate their support for NP by turning on everyone and anyone else in any way directly or indirectly associated with what’s happening. Including the new manager/head coach - before we even know who it is.

In several cases that was quite explicit. And one page, possibly even one post, managed to combine dislike of the unknown new person with some personal abuse directed at the last person (LJ) - apparently simply for coming either side of Pearson.

It’s happened before (for some, LJ was never forgiven for replacing SC) and I fear it will happen again. It already seems to be judging by comments even on this thread. 

[prankerd]

The problem is the next manager to come in is going to be so disliked if they dont hit the ground running.

Just imagine the scenes if they get a good transfer kitty in January? Alot of the fan base will be like where was this money in the summer.

Even 5 million of the scott money in the summer would of given us at least 2 or 3 good players that would of taken us up a level and probably be in the playoffs right now.

 

[TRL]

So is it correct they are advertising for a headcoach? ripped out the whole head coach supporting structure, and are potentially putting in DOF who failed as a manager and previous role was a soccer school coach for kids in the South of Spain.

 

There is a reason I  have not set a foot in AG for nearly 12 years, giving the reason the "Lansdowns" as the reason why.

[Red-Robbo]

1 minute ago, steveybadger said:

Overall SL’s appointment record (and I’m referring to that not his working relationship with managers) is meh at best but….

- Johnson Snr

- Cotts. Raise your hand if you were pleased when we appointed him. I certainly wasn’t.

 

 

I think the Holden debacle is what sticks in many minds. 

[TRL]

I haven't even mentioned ripping out the health and fitness head in the middle of a injury crises.

 

*******cluelessfuckhole vanity project gone erong

[redkev]

38 minutes ago, Gillies Downs Leeds said:

A lot of sense there Dave, but I am pretty sure it won't be a manager it will be a head coach...

Who is a head coach and who is a manager out of the candidates out there

[W-S-M Seagull]

1 minute ago, prankerd said:

The problem is the next manager to come in is going to be so disliked if they dont hit the ground running.

Just imagine the scenes if they get a good transfer kitty in January? Alot of the fan base will be like where was this money in the summer.

Even 5 million of the scott money in the summer would of given us at least 2 or 3 good players that would of taken us up a level and probably be in the playoffs right now.

 

The money Nige has had to spend, has been spent wisely in my opinion. I'd have been fully confident that if he was given a few mil then those players would have been good signings too. 

The reality is that this now feels like a wasted opportunity. Come January, I'd not be surprised if we're in a relegation scrap. 

[Rocking Red Cyril]

8 minutes ago, Riaz said:

I look at the managers available and it depresses me.

Most have not achieved what Nige has acheived - if we appoint one of them, whats the point of sacking a manager who is much better?

For me Eustace, was unlucky to be sacked, while 6th in the league. Think he did a good job at brum - so he is one of the few, who i'd be happy with.

The other name is Roy Keane - He wants to get back into management and did really well at Sunderland.

Other than that, a young manager on the up.

But not one of these managers who are "proven failures" at this level, such as Rowett - as i said, we might as well stuck with Nige.

Interesting

But at the end of the day it's seems to come down to SL, it's his club. Seems the son is dealing with it currently. Will SL speak to press during this situation? Not sure he will, but might clear the air some what. I would assume contact/s have been made pre sacking and are on going. We cannot have a lengthy recruitment process. But strikes me there are alternatives currently available. How much comes down to SL wishes for a manager or head coach role? And does SL Really only want a yes man ? And surely any incoming manager/coach will want spending in Jan. window. Which makes a joke out of the lack of support for NP. I liked NP and wish him thanks for what he did and wish he had been given more support from above. So many ifs and maybes. 

I will still be there Saturday cheering on the boys cause I am a supporter and red till I dead. But think it going to be  a toxic atmosphere. Yes I want to show my feelings heard Saturday at the whole shit show from our owners. But it's not the players fault and they deserves our loud and unconditional support. Life carries on.

COYR

[Riaz]

9 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I think we should be open-minded about Rowett, as it’s possible his style at Millwall is influenced by factors like budget.  His signings this summer seemed to indicate him trying to transition away from the style we’ve seen under him.

He had a big budget at Stoke and failed.

Looking at his record overall. He did really well at Brum - but hasnt done anything that impressive since.

I'd be disappointed if he's appointed. We had a better manager, who has done things in his career, which Rowett hasnt got near to achieving

[redkev]

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

Let's be honest, it's going to be a LJ/Dean Holden type of appointment isn't it? Hence the head coach comments. 

Unfortunately it's going to be a poisoned chalice for the new head coach. The fans don't want him, the players don't want him, but we'll have to suck it up having him. 

He will always be compared to Pearson. If the board gives this guy money to spend then the talk is going to be about why wasn't Pearson given that money. 

Unfortunately for the new guy, Pearson is always going to be the elephant in the room. 

I'll try my hardest to back the new guy but it's not going to be easy as in the immediate future I'll feel as if he doesn't deserve to be here.

 

 

Win the first 3 or 4 , Nigel who!!

[TRL]

1 minute ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

I think the Holden debacle is what sticks in many minds. 

For me it goes back to around judge me on Tinnion Millen lies and stadium lies. I won't start on Coterill or Holden bullshit

 

It's been evident for over a decade, but people seem to have blown hot air up the lansdowns arse because of money put in.

 

Money is not everything, you need to read the signs to see if someone is good for your club or not, and it has been evident for a long time to me they are a useless bunch of lying *****

[BigTone]

1 minute ago, redkev said:

Win the first 3 or 4 , Nigel who!!

Exactly

[johnheadbcfc]

I'd be quite intrigued with lampard, the clubs he's "failed" at all the managers since haven't done well either. Poch under pressure potter( who is revered in England) dyche has been poor . Maybe this club could fit well with him.

[Riaz]

2 minutes ago, Rocking Red Cyril said:

Interesting

But at the end of the day it's seems to come down to SL, it's his club. Seems the son is dealing with it currently. Will SL speak to press during this situation? Not sure he will, but might clear the air some what. I would assume contact/s have been made pre sacking and are on going. We cannot have a lengthy recruitment process. But strikes me there are alternatives currently available. How much comes down to SL wishes for a manager or head coach role? And does SL Really only want a yes man ? And surely any incoming manager/coach will want spending in Jan. window. Which makes a joke out of the lack of support for NP. I liked NP and wish him thanks for what he did and wish he had been given more support from above. So many ifs and maybes. 

I will still be there Saturday cheering on the boys cause I am a supporter and red till I dead. But think it going to be  a toxic atmosphere. Yes I want to show my feelings heard Saturday at the whole shit show from our owners. But it's not the players fault and they deserves our loud and unconditional support. Life carries on.

COYR

I dont have much confidence in the "process" - the holden "process" was long and drawn out, only to appoint from within.

I've always been behind SL - think some use bristol sport and the rugby, as a stick to unfairly beat him with.

But with this situation, he has lost my support. I do think its time for change at the top, although, i realise thats risky.

Bit down about city. I was so positive with how NP had built a squad and wasnt afraid to use our academy. Now thats gone.

Someone give me a reason to be postive - because i always try to be.

[W-S-M Seagull]

4 minutes ago, redkev said:

Win the first 3 or 4 , Nigel who!!

The next two we should win regardless. 

So if he wins them, it will just be well we'd probably have won them with Nige anyways.

[Red-Robbo]

Just now, TRL said:

For me it goes back to around judge me on Tinnion Millen lies and stadium lies. I won't start on Coterill or Holden bullshit

 

It's been evident for over a decade, but people seem to have blown hot air up the lansdowns arse because of money put in.

 

Money is not everything, you need to read the signs to see if someone is good for your club or not, and it has been evident for a long time to me they are a useless bunch of lying *****

Improved the stadia but made nowhere near the impact an owner with his money should've done on the club's on-field progress.

That's my verdict on Steve Lansdown.

It wouldn't be impossible, with the wrong appointment,  for us to go down this season either. Undermining everything Pearson was building. I had no such fears before yesterday. Now, well there are worse clubs in this division, but a real doozy of an appontment could add us to their ranks. 

[Sir Geoff]

4 minutes ago, redkev said:

Win the first 3 or 4 , Nigel who!!

Not a chance. The antipathy towards the Lansdown has sunk to new depths and won't be forgotten until they are well shot of 'our' club. If ever.

[deadredfred]

I don't follow the intricacies of any other football club as closely as City, but I would be astounded if there is another club that continually makes the same mistakes time and time again and just never learns from it. It's the hopeless inevitability of it all that is so depressing. To quote Einstein so early on a Monday morning... the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Cotterill having the rug pulled out having built a team with so much momentum and unity. Weeks spent searching for the perfect manager amongst an 'unbelievable calibre of applicants', to end up with Holden. And now the classy and clearly caring Pearson, pushed out for whatever reason, with us now staring at a slim list of inferiority as his replacement. 

It hung over Nigel from the moment he arrived. He was evidently not going to mince his words or pull his punches when it came to communicating the work necessary to sort the shambles he inherited. That wouldn't have gone down well from the off. He was left to it, with deafening silence from the board at significant times in the clubs development. Too frank, and too honest in his assessments of all things City, he was never going to succeed long-term under the Lansdown's because they only want the plaudits. We only hear from them when its going well, and they vanish when its not. The great irony being that all the bad times stem from their own ineptitude at doing the basics, like having any kind of connection with the fans and backing a manager they chose.

So we move on. To a manager who will toe the line, and no doubt tear up everything Nigel has built over the last couple of years. And the cycle of bang average will run again, and we'll limp through another Championship season having just shot ourselves in the foot. Again.

 

[Silvio Dante]

18 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

That’s fine then, you’re someone who wants attractive football first and foremost by the sounds of it.

What I find is that many managers give it - I wanna play fast flowing, front foot, high press football, when they first come in.

But when results suffer, they change.

I think we should be open-minded about Rowett, as it’s possible his style at Millwall is influenced by factors like budget.  His signings this summer seemed to indicate him trying to transition away from the style we’ve seen under him.

Rowetts an odd one for me, and almost feels “Right man, wrong time”. He’s a decent manager at this level and one I’d have taken in the past. The nagging point is that I think he seems Pearson less 20% - I think he’d sort a situation out and work to a budget, but I’d have doubts over him being a man that kicks a team on. 
 

Put it this way - had he been in the frame post Holden I’d have probably been amenable. I’m just not sure how he moved us forward.

[Davefevs]

5 minutes ago, steveybadger said:

Overall SL’s appointment record (and I’m referring to that not his working relationship with managers) is meh at best but….

- Johnson Snr

- Cotts. Raise your hand if you were pleased when we appointed him. I certainly wasn’t.

 

Hand raised!

I wasn’t on OTIB though at that point.  I’d seen Cotts Cheltenham a few times and liked how they played, so I didn’t understand much of the moaning about long-ball Cotts.

5 minutes ago, italian dave said:

As @Red-Robbo has already said, the voice of reason Dave. However, that first bullet point seems crucial to me, and I fear that you may be wrong in the assumption you’re making.

A lot of last nights reading on here was pretty depressing. And none more so than where people seem to feel the need to demonstrate their support for NP by turning on everyone and anyone else in any way directly or indirectly associated with what’s happening. Including the new manager/head coach - before we even know who it is.

In several cases that was quite explicit. And one page, possibly even one post, managed to combine dislike of the unknown new person with some personal abuse directed at the last person (LJ) - apparently simply for coming either side of Pearson.

It’s happened before (for some, LJ was never forgiven for replacing SC) and I fear it will happen again. It already seems to be judging by comments even on this thread. 

Oh totally, I agree actually.  The new manager will of course have to deal with replacing Nige.  I was thinking more the baggage of LJ as a player, Nige recruiting Danny Simpson type baggage.  Those things divided the fan base.

Just now, W-S-M Seagull said:

The money Nige has had to spend, has been spent wisely in my opinion. I'd have been fully confident that if he was given a few mil then those players would have been good signings too. 

The reality is that this now feels like a wasted opportunity. Come January, I'd not be surprised if we're in a relegation scrap. 

I guess my challenge is that I don’t really get the “trust Nige to spend”.  Tinnion heads the recruitment team, Nige isn’t anywhere near involved as other managers would be.  That’s not to dismiss accountability / responsibility from Nige by any stretch.

So who doesn’t trust who to sign players?

[ExiledAjax]

39 minutes ago, italian dave said:

We’ll have a DoF and a Head Coach. That’s a pretty common structure nowadays, isn’t it?

I’ve got wider concerns about the direction we’re taking on and off the pitch but they’re probably for other threads. Not having someone called “manager” isn’t really the most worrying. 

Twas an attempt at a pithy line summarising the failure of our odd set up (assuming we announce a "head coach"). 

To expand: there's no standard set up I grant you, but not many clubs at our level or the level we supposedly want to be at operate without either a CEO or a manager. 

Many have a "head coach", but almost always there is then a CEO, plus other executives. If there's no CEO, then there's usually a wider team at board level, and a full "manager" at football level.

Certainly amongst recently successful and well administered clubs that we are purportedly seeking to emulate, you see at least one of these in place. Brighton and Brentford both have CEOs and then a head coach. Luton have both a CEO and a manager. Higher up and at more established clubs you often see the triumvirate of CEO, DoF, and COO (see Leicester, Man City etc). Newcastle, for all their misadventures, are also well run and have a CEO and head coach combo.

My concern is that we have a very thin board and "senior leadership team". Two formally appointed directors - Jon and Gavin. Then a Chief Operations Officer, a Technical Director, and an opaque group at Bristol Sport. People are wearing multiple hats and the possibility of a voice that challenges decisions or brings diversity of thought is all but nought. It's thin, and it's muddy, and in my opinion it's very poor and does not set us up for success.

Edited October 30, 2023 by ExiledAjax

[Mr Popodopolous]

17 minutes ago, prankerd said:

The problem is the next manager to come in is going to be so disliked if they dont hit the ground running.

Just imagine the scenes if they get a good transfer kitty in January? Alot of the fan base will be like where was this money in the summer.

Even 5 million of the scott money in the summer would of given us at least 2 or 3 good players that would of taken us up a level and probably be in the playoffs right now.

 

Injuries permitting for the last point but totally agree in general.

[Baba Yaga]

4 minutes ago, Galley is our king said:

I can see a similar situation to the Wayne Rooney and Birmingham debacle.

If the next manager starts with a few losses like Rooney has then I agree things will probably get quite toxic, it's a bit harsh because their owners should be taking the blame and not Rooney. However it's going to be extremely tough for most fans to not compare the new man to Pearson and make a quick judgment if things are looking worse. Completely the wrong environment for a young progressive coach if it's true that is who the Lansdown's want.

Edited October 30, 2023 by Baba Yaga

[TRL]

4 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

Improved the stadia but made nowhere near the impact an owner with his money should've done on the club's on-field progress.

That's my verdict on Steve Lansdown.

It wouldn't be impossible, with the wrong appointment,  for us to go down this season either. Undermining everything Pearson was building. I had no such fears before yesterday. Now, well there are worse clubs in this division, but a real doozy of an appontment could add us to their ranks. 

I have never felt the guy had a clue other than being in it for his own vain agenda.

 

Got a stand named after him,job done.

 

Now **** off amd let some worthy of having a stand named after him.

 

Let's not forget the single ownership rules to stop financial melt down that he ripped up. So all this debt is squarely on him.

 

He is a complete arse in my book

[redkev]

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

The next two we should win regardless. 

So if he wins them, it will just be well we'd probably have won them with Nige anyways.

no results are a gimme in this division we should all know that especially a city fan

[Barrs Court Red]

Just now, Baba Yaga said:

If the new man starts with a few losses like Rooney has then I agree things will probably get quite toxic, it's a bit harsh because their owners should be taking the blame and not Rooney. However it's going to be extremely tough for most fans to not compare the new man to Pearson and make a quick judgment if things are looking worse. Completely the wrong environment for a young progressive coach if it's true that is who the Lansdown's want.

Without doubt a bad start will see things get volatile far quicker than you’d ordinarily expect. 

[Spud21]

My thoughts are as follows. 

I can entirely understand (though not necessarily agree with) the thought process to not offer Nige a new deal, I am not 100% convinced he's the man to kick on with a bit of backing and move us to the next level, but he damn sure earned the right to at least have another year or 2 where the backing matches the ambitions. 

To remove him now to me seems a monumentally risky decision, if they do have a plan in place and a new man is in he's already walking into a toxic mess, and it is entirely possible that we do not get good results out of the next 2 games with the injuries we have and how hard the players that are playing are having to work in the last 3/4 games, and then it descends into absolute chaos. 

If you must get rid let Pearson ride out the next few games where he can hopefully get results because the squad are running through brick walls for him and then make the change in Dec, or we still get crap results in the next couple of games and then you can bin him off and you might carry some of the fan base with you. 

If however they keep NP until the end of the season and let him go with a massive thanks for all his work and building the foundations and bring in a Schumacher or Williams or someone like I can at least see the thinking. 

This feels like a massive risk at the wrong time to me. 

 

 

[exAtyeoMax]

I've got no idea who we should get. In Lansdown we trust 

[Dr Balls]

In the past, it has been said that we have held on with managers far too long, when it’s clear that it isn’t working. If you just look at the results in the last few games, you could say we are on a bad run. However we have only lost 1-0 to the top 2 teams, who are currently running away with the division, plus we have a major injury crisis, and a wafer thin squad, now completely dependent on youngsters to fill the subs bench.

The difference to previous sackings is that it would seem to have happened because the manager wanted the autonomy to run the football side of the business as he thought best, within the financial limitations set by the owners, but that the owners could not accept that and wanted to have more say in the running of the football side. Owners whose lack of understanding about the game has been evident on so many previous occasions versus an extremely experienced professional manager. We are still only 5 points off the playoffs and 9 points above the relegation zone, just over a quarter of the way through the season, so there was no need to panic and ditch the manager, so it’s a political decision rather than even a good business one.

That this could easily backfire badly on the owners should be clear to everyone. Make the wrong appointment now (e.g. Birmingham appointing Rooney to replace Eustace immediately comes to mind) and things could go downhill very quickly, and we could see the same cycle that we saw in the early 2010s that resulted in relegation. I was optimistic that we could make some progress this season, even after the sale of Scott and no reinvestment, while Nige was in charge, but now even a mid-table finish would seem a good outcome from this completely unnecessary mess.

[Nogbad the Bad]

9 minutes ago, redkev said:

Win the first 3 or 4 , Nigel who!!

With our dire injury situation that's not going to happen.

I think it's only Nige's experience and calmness and the respect the players hold him in that has prevented a thrashing for our patchwork team in the last few games.

I don't think we should underestimate the effect Nige's sacking will have on the morale of the depleted squad - they were given confidence and were willing to run through brick walls for him, it's not going to be the same with a new manager, or indeed no manager.

Sheffield Wednesday may be bottom of the table but such is our disarray things could really fall apart on Saturday, new manager or not.

 

[GrahamC]

2 minutes ago, Nogbad the Bad said:

With our dire injury situation that's not going to happen.

I think it's only Nige's experience and calmness and the respect the players hold him in that has prevented a thrashing for our patchwork team in the last few games.

I don't think we should underestimate the effect Nige's sacking will have on the morale of the depleted squad - they were given confidence and were willing to run through brick walls for him, it's not going to be the same with a new manager, or indeed no manager.

Sheffield Wednesday may be bottom of the table but such is our disarray things could really fall apart on Saturday, new manager or not.

 

Spot on.

Wednesday will see a club in a mess as a winnable game, QPR (allegedly about to appoint Warnock) exactly the same.

I don’t understand those who have any faith in Lansdown & his son to appoint the right person, their track record (remember Cotts was Keith Dawe’s pick) is abysmal.

[Red Cloud]

Mark Robbins for me but doubt he'll come

[Northern Red]

15 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

Rowetts an odd one for me, and almost feels “Right man, wrong time”. He’s a decent manager at this level and one I’d have taken in the past. The nagging point is that I think he seems Pearson less 20% - I think he’d sort a situation out and work to a budget, but I’d have doubts over him being a man that kicks a team on. 
 

Put it this way - had he been in the frame post Holden I’d have probably been amenable. I’m just not sure how he moved us forward.

Yep, I said as much when he had a thread started about him the other night. He'd be a solid enough choice and we'll undoubtedly be linked with worse than him. But it's not particularly inpsiring and I'm not sure what he'd bring that Pearson wasn't.

[Baba Yaga]

Just now, Barrs Court Red said:

Without doubt a bad start will see things get volatile far quicker than you’d ordinarily expect. 

I know I shouldn't compare us to the gas but I was thinking of the scenario when Ben Garner replaced the Irish bloke who is now the Newport manager. Coming into the club mid season and looking to make big changes to style (plus an unhappy fanbase) is going to be extremely difficult and an uphill battle.

If things do wrong then I hope the frustrations are pointed to the right people, I don't want to start biting the hand that pays the cheques but when they oversee a year or so of board room chaos and being largely absent from spotlight but also talk promotion then they need a reality check.

[cotswoldred2]

Cotts favourite with bookies, he is a year younger than Nigel at 59!

Lamps

Wilder

Rowett

also rans.

[Sweeneys Penalties]

5 minutes ago, Red Cloud said:

Mark Robbins for me but doubt he'll come

I'd be amazed. Contracted to Coventry til 2027. Somehow I think the buy out may be too expensive

[George Rs]

Being probably on the younger side on this forum, I’ve been watching Bristol city for 10 years and have been a season ticket holder for 8. During this time I have probably been quite lucky compared to what most have endured following bcfc. 
 

Winning the double, that carabao cup run, flirting with playoffs and watching some extremely talented youngsters.
 

My dad, who’s been watching city for the better part of a half century, told me as we were singing “we are the champions” in the Atyeo stand after thumping Walsall 8-2 “this isn’t how it usually is, remember this as it doesn’t happen often” and my reply was along the lines of “stop being so negative dad we are on the up”.

After what went down yesterday, I’ve never felt so disillusioned or down right angry as a city fan. Until the past couple of years, I’ve never really been that interested in the behind the scenes, finances and the goings on at city behind what’s done on the pitch. 
 

But being on the forum the past 2 years, and actively trying to be more aware of the behind the scenes, now it just feels like we are here to make up the numbers. Lansdown might say he wants us in the prem but no longer wants to front the bill to get there or keeps making decisions that I feel are completely contradictory to that aim. As other teams fans like to say “classic mid table Bristol city” we always seem to be on the verge of something but never pull through. 
 

Not really sure the reason for this rant, but wanted to share my views on what’s been going on i guess. How do you lot who have seen similar all before and been supporting way longer feel? 

Edited October 30, 2023 by George Rs

[Silvio Dante]

1 minute ago, cotswoldred2 said:

Cotts favourite with bookies, he is a year younger than Nigel at 59!

Lamps

Wilder

Rowett

also rans.

Cotterill isn’t favourite anywhere that I can see. Eustace and Rowett are leading the betting. Cotts is a total non starter and is only in the betting due to prior connections/nostalgic punts.

[Kid in the Riot]

11 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

I don’t understand those who have any faith in Lansdown & his son to appoint the right person, their track record (remember Cotts was Keith Dawe’s pick) is abysmal.

I wouldn't underestimate the role Tinnion is going to have/already is having, in this appointment.

[Ian M]

1 hour ago, Riaz said:

I look at the managers available and it depresses me.

Most have not achieved what Nige has acheived - if we appoint one of them, whats the point of sacking a manager who is much better?

For me Eustace, was unlucky to be sacked, while 6th in the league. Think he did a good job at brum - so he is one of the few, who i'd be happy with.

The other name is Roy Keane - He wants to get back into management and did really well at Sunderland.

Other than that, a young manager on the up.

But not one of these managers who are "proven failures" at this level, such as Rowett - as i said, we might as well stuck with Nige.

The only way Roy Keane gets appointed by SL is if he thinks Jon needs toughening up. Roy would chin Jon on day 1!

[Davefevs]

44 minutes ago, Riaz said:

He had a big budget at Stoke and failed.

Looking at his record overall. He did really well at Brum - but hasnt done anything that impressive since.

I'd be disappointed if he's appointed. We had a better manager, who has done things in his career, which Rowett hasnt got near to achieving

I don’t disagree, but what are you gonna do if / when he is appointed?  

 

[Northern Red]

3 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

I wouldn't underestimate the role Tinnion is going to have/already is having, in this appointment.

I'm not sure whether that fills me with confidence or dread.

[GrahamC]

Just now, Kid in the Riot said:

I wouldn't underestimate the role Tinnion is going to have/already is having, in this appointment.

That’s supposed to make me any more positive?

Don’t get the love others have for him, he was a good player with a lengthy career at AG, nothing more.

When I listen to him, he’s pretty inarticulate & just repeats stock phrases.

Seems very happy to change horses in order to stay in his current role to me.

This summer he talked about lower league players with over 100 appearances as our targets, unless we are seriously suggesting Jason Knight, a current international who has played most of his career at Championship was one, we then didn’t sign any of them.

[1960maaan]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Just wanted to share some thoughts.

This will undoubtedly be a time when old manager going / new manager coming in will see comments from posters, me included, giving our opinions and there will be debate for and against on both sides.

But…I see this as a small window of opportunity.

+++++

We have had numerous debates over our time back in the Championship from the managers - Cotts to Johnson to Holden to Pearson, to the Finances, FFP, Covid, etc.  We can all defend our opinions with facts, speculation, and just the way we see it.

However it is clear to me (at least) that we enter a period where we:

• don’t really have any manager “baggage”, no divide from posters who were fanboys of one but not the other.  It feels like a “decks cleared” time.
• no financial issues, FFP at least!  We don’t know the owners funding aspirations / restrictions though.

So we can treat the new manager on merit, although slightly hindered initially by:

• a small squad
• injuries

We will have to wait until January to see if he is allowed to recruit.  At that point we will know whether the budget was just for the old manager or not.  But we can judge new manager accordingly, ie is he hamstrung by budget or not.

Re injuries, a slight tangent, most managers come in and first thing they say is they had to get the players fit.  Well, City are one of the hardest running teams in the division, so that excuse is not valid.  Availability is different.

Ultimately the foundations have been laid.  The new manager has the opportunity to build on them.

I suggest we wait and see who we get and judge them on what they do with Bristol City.

 

I think there could be a bumpy transition , at least to start. The new man could get caught in Pearson support and Lansdown demo. I doubt there is one name that will be the oil on troubled water, so it will need results. That ain't gonna be easy unless we get bodies back soon.

We are in a decent position in theory. Pretty good but small squad, shouldn't worry about the fear of relegation and we were expecting to be taking the next step until SL took the money away. 
The only reason we have struggled results wise IMO is injuries. Get a few players back, 2 games against some poor sides seems like a great time for a guy to take over really. 

Is there anyone out there that has full confidence in the Board , and that means Steve with added nodding from Jon, actually getting the right man in ? 

 

[Riaz]

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I don’t disagree, but what are you gonna do if / when he is appointed?  

 

Be pissed off and expect a relegation battle.

Will also join the army of Lansdown out brigade.

Not much else i can do, other than that