Dire Mebude signed on loan - CONFIRMED

[Rocking Red Cyril]

24 minutes ago, steviestevieneville said:

Hopefully we will revert to a 433. Seems as though he can play both sides , so probably a wide forward 

Exactly my thoughts. 4-3-3 really now seems to have players to fit.

Mind from when LM arrived it was always going to be keys see how we change over the rest of this season. 

Will we now look to sign again in summer with no doubt some going too. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, Leabrook said:

We aren’t getting play offs so better to get ahead of next season

That s a positive way of looking at it!

Smacks of being a bit of a Tinkerman with the back 3 and some transitional games..if we then go back to Plan A, or even Plan B so long as it is coherent and we recruit for it, utilise the squad as well as possible etc.

[RollsRoyce]

11 minutes ago, Nugget said:

Think Manning is just what this guy needs, could be a really shrewd move. 

What does this guy need? I have no idea about him. 

[The Journalist]

23 minutes ago, mozo said:

Another way to look at it is that competition for places will drive Bell and others to improve? If I was a talented young player like Sam Bell I'd be up for fighting for my place in the side. 

As I said in my first post, having an option to buy very much changes the complexion of it. I really hope that's the case.

I'm really not intending to be doom and gloom - everything will be much clearer in the summer. And I'm certainly not judging Manning by any of this, either.

[Robinsfan]

8 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Problem is we've chopped and changed already.

4-3-3/4-2-3-1, to a back 3..then back to a 4-3-3 again.

Bell at wingback is ludicrous too.

It smacks of a less than coherent strategy. No reflection on the signings but..

We play a 3-2-5 in possession and a 4-4-2/4-2-4 out of possession and have done since QPR away. That's it that's all that matters. If we played a back 4 or a back 3 we would still attack and defend like that.

[Leabrook]

2 minutes ago, frenchred said:

Yeboah has 4 or 5 years ahead of him to develop

Sam Bell will never make it at this level 

You used to say Vyner was dross and dog shit so maybe you don’t know whether Bell will make it or not. Players improve 

[Hamdon Mart]

3 minutes ago, Leabrook said:

We aren’t getting play offs so better to get ahead of next season

Maybe I haven't been watching City for long enough but I genuinely don't get this "won't make the playoffs". 

You're six points off top six with SEVENTEEN games left. That's plenty time. 

I remember my team Yeovil in 2012/13 bringing in a striker on loan and coming from further back than City to inish fourth and then win the playoff final. 

[George Rs]

1 minute ago, Rocking Red Cyril said:

Exactly my thoughts. 4-3-3 really now seems to have players to fit.

Mind from when LM arrived it was always going to be keys see how we change over the rest of this season. 

Will we now look to sign again in summer with no doubt some going too. 

The summer will be very interesting now! 
 

Whether Manning recruits for a 4-3-3 or a 3 atb. 
 

With 3 midfielders ooc and at least 2 going I would’ve thought it will make it interesting to see how we recruit. Will also be interesting what happens with Nahki who turns 34. 
 

Would assume there will be some serious interest for some of our academy graduates again, TC and Cam Pring probably being the biggest ones personally. 
 

Will definitely be a busy one that’s for sure! 

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, Hamdon Mart said:

Maybe I haven't been watching City for long enough but I genuinely don't get this "won't make the playoffs". 

You're six points off top six with SEVENTEEN games left. That's plenty time. 

I remember my team Yeovil in 2012/13 bringing in a striker on loan and coming from further back than City to inish fourth and then win the playoff final. 

It ain't happening.

Midtable top 10 maybe. We are miles ahead of 2 years ago thanks in no small part to NP and Gould plus Tinnion on the Academy side but we would need crazy form now to get 6th.

[Red]

1 minute ago, Hamdon Mart said:

Maybe I haven't been watching City for long enough but I genuinely don't get this "won't make the playoffs". 

You're six points off top six with SEVENTEEN games left. That's plenty time. 

I remember my team Yeovil in 2012/13 bringing in a striker on loan and coming from further back than City to inish fourth and then win the playoff final. 

If the CLUB want it we have the players to get us in the playoffs.

[And Its Smith]

2 minutes ago, Hamdon Mart said:

Maybe I haven't been watching City for long enough but I genuinely don't get this "won't make the playoffs". 

You're six points off top six with SEVENTEEN games left. That's plenty time. 

I remember my team Yeovil in 2012/13 bringing in a striker on loan and coming from further back than City to inish fourth and then win the playoff final. 

70-72 points will be 6th place I reckon. That means we need 2 points per game from now till the end of the season, if my maths is correct. I can’t see that happening. Guess we will see but I’d be very surprised 

[redkev]

Bench tomorrow do we think ?

[And Its Smith]

1 minute ago, Red said:

If the CLUB want it we have the players to get us in the playoffs.

We have the players to achieve 2 points per game from now till the season ends?  

[Harry]

30 minutes ago, italian dave said:

“Blocking the pathway” is kind of catch 22 or chicken/egg or something like that isn’t it?

Nelson/Yeboah are only going to make it as Championship level players if they’re given games. But at the same time, just giving them more and more games isn’t necessarily going to make them Championship level players. And coaching might make it more likely, but still can’t ever guarantee it. 

I’m all for the academy and like nothing more than seeing players come through it and succeed. But at the same time, I’m wary of just assuming that the academy is a guaranteed production line of Semenyo and Scotts. There will be periods when it isn’t.

And I’m quite comfortable with a strategy that recognises that and is flexible enough to bring in young talent that we can improve too.

As you say, the option makes that work, so I’m hoping that’s correct. 

Exactly Dave. 
I think some people think we should never sign anyone again. 
They seem to think we can reach the Premier League by just continually churning out players from the academy. 
Ain’t gonna happen. 
As for pathway blocking. Just because this kid is 19, why is he considered to be blocking a pathway whereas is we’d signed someone who was 28 would not be considered to be doing so? 

Maybe it’s a simple fact that there aren’t any players coming through this current age group who we think can step up in the next 2-3 years. 
As for Sam Bell - maybe the new manager doesn’t think he’s capable of taking us any higher. Maybe he sees him as a mid to lower champ player and we want to bring in upper level champ players. 
 

Having a successful academy doesn’t mean we can’t sign young players.  

Edited February 1 by Harry

[And Its Smith]

1 minute ago, redkev said:

Bench tomorrow do we think ?

Signed too late I think but could be wrong 

[italian dave]

1 minute ago, redkev said:

Bench tomorrow do we think ?

Nope - OS says next week.

[KendrickDNB]

41 minutes ago, eardun said:

Seems genuinely excited to be here, which is good to see. Hope it goes well for him. 

My take away from that interview as well was how happy he looks to be here - hopefully we see that on the pitch too

[W-S-M Seagull]

8 minutes ago, frenchred said:

Yeboah has 4 or 5 years ahead of him to develop

Sam Bell will never make it at this level 

Well no he's not going to make it at this level if he's suddenly seeing his minutes reduced. 

Remember he was called up to the England elite squad earlier on in the season and got an assist for them. 

[ProfitInMyPocket]

Hope he enjoys covering RWB off the bench. He ain't getting in ahead of our lord and saviour Jason Knight at that right attacking spot! 

Good luck to him, don't think he'll get many chances in his preferred position which seems to be at right wing. 

Missing the pace and power and looks like he could bring it with his direct running.

Just need a central midfielder who can drive forward with the ball now. Still something we lack.

[Harry]

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

The past few years we could all knew the situation, we all knew the plan. We could see the plan working. Sometimes it didn't always go smoothly but by and large we all remained patient because we could see what we were trying to do. 

I'm struggling to see the plan now and because I can't see it that means I'm unfortunately struggling to get behind it. Maybe if the club could use their fantastic communication skills that they've so say recently found we would know the plan and be able to buy into that plan. 

It's kinda reminiscent of the LJ days. 

Your eyes are wide shut when it comes to the new manager though. 
Your strict allegiance to Nige means you wouldn’t recognise a Manning plan if you walked down Plan Street, turned into Plan Lane, over Plan Bridge, along Plan canal, into the Plan shop, perused the Plans in the window and a Plan came up and smacked you in the face screaming “Hey, Look. I’m a PLAN”. 

[Leabrook]

Just now, Harry said:

Your eyes are wide shut when it comes to the new manager though. 
Your strict allegiance to Nige means you wouldn’t recognise a Manning plan if you walked down Plan Street, turned into Plan Lane, over Plan Bridge, along Plan canal, into the Plan shop, perused the Plans in the window and a Plan came up and smacked you in the face screaming “Hey, Look. I’m a PLAN”. 

He’s over it though 

[Bar BS3]

1 hour ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Welcome Adedire.

The nest egg has been opened a bit. What does this mean for Yeboah among others?

Along the front, young..He was at Rangers and Man City, a CFG connection of some kind?

It doesn't change the fact that Yeboah is not anywhere even close to being first team ready.! 

Whether this new lad is or not, doesn't change the fact that Yeboah is not.!

Edited February 1 by Bar BS3

[Leabrook]

This has blocked the pathway of a 16 year old I’ve not heard of yet and I’m furious 

Edited February 1 by Leabrook

[GrahamC]

9 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Signed too late I think but could be wrong 

No, you’re right.

Can’t face Forest either (wasn’t signed before first game).

In the squad for Boro, I guess.

[Bar BS3]

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

Well no he's not going to make it at this level if he's suddenly seeing his minutes reduced. 

Remember he was called up to the England elite squad earlier on in the season and got an assist for them. 

You do know that the fancier named "England Elite" is still nothing more than the under 18's (or whatever age bracket it is) yeah.?!

You have posted criticising this transfer, yet completely ignored the posts & screenshots that disprove that it's not got an option on it if he looks upto this level.

 

[sh1t_ref_again]

I don't care what the usual doom and gloom Otib merchants think, I like the look of him and excited we get the benefit of seeing how he manages championship football before we take up the option. The same doom and groomers moaning about boring football, well he looks the type of player that can get fans off there seats, but no doubt they will find something negative as they like the sound of there own dull voices

[BS3rich]

Excited by this signing, along with Twine & Sykes to return from injury..I don’t see why we can’t make a surge up the table. I do think with these kind of signings + the 2 lads we’ve signed for the future(hopefully for next season)..we will be a very good team to watch. 

[mozo]

35 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Wait & see.

Blatantly obvious that Manning isn’t having him.

Last Saturday the 21s were at Peterborough & only named 3 subs, Yeboah was one of them.

Manning has consistently included Nelson (0 first team minutes) on the bench instead of Yeboah (12 sub appearances).

The most obvious difference as a result of the change of manager.

I think Yeboah is now a great candidate for a 2024-25 loan. If it goes well it could put him right back in contention. 

10 minutes ago, Harry said:

Your eyes are wide shut when it comes to the new manager though. 
Your strict allegiance to Nige means you wouldn’t recognise a Manning plan if you walked down Plan Street, turned into Plan Lane, over Plan Bridge, along Plan canal, into the Plan shop, perused the Plans in the window and a Plan came up and smacked you in the face screaming “Hey, Look. I’m a PLAN”. 

That really did make me laugh 

[Bar BS3]

4 minutes ago, Tim Monaghan said:

So what’s the plan? 

For some - the plan is to disagree with anything we do from here on in, because it isn't good old Nige..!

We could surge up the table, finish top 6, win the play offs, in our 3rd Wembley victory of the season as we win the FA Cup, qualify for Europe & get promoted in LM's first season & some would post here insisting that we'd have done it under Nige anyway & that Tinnion is a snake & the Lansdowns need to get out of our club..!

Edited February 1 by Bar BS3

[Robbored]

This new guy must be the player that Ian Gay knew about but couldn’t tell us……….

[W-S-M Seagull]

8 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

You do know that the fancier named "England Elite" is still nothing more than the under 18's (or whatever age bracket it is) yeah.?!

You have posted criticising this transfer, yet completely ignored the posts & screenshots that disprove that it's not got an option on it if he looks upto this level.

 

U20/21s isn't it? Not sure why you're taking such an issue with me calling it what it's called. 

I'm absolutely delighted that this guy is a Bristol City player. Looks a good signing and he seems really happy and excited to be here. I think his personality will be endearing to our fans and its great to hear that we have an option. 

My comments about not having an option were made before it came out from his club that we do so not sure why you're laying into me on that. 

However it possible to be happy about a signing and also wonder where that leaves the likes of Bell and Mehmeti. 

[W-S-M Seagull]

8 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

For some - the plan is to disagree with anything we do from here on in, because it isn't good old Nige..!

We could surge up the table, finish top 6, win the play offs, in our 3rd Wembley victory of the season as we win the FA Cup, qualify for Europe & get promoted in LM's first season & some would post here insisting that we'd have done it under Nige anyway & that Tinnion is a snake & the Lansdowns need to get out of our club..!

Nah that's just how you're framing it. 

Some of us share our concerns about how the club is run. That has nothing to do with the management of the team. 

Manning doesn't set the plan.

By the way, I'm very happy with our Fa Cup performances under Manning. 

[Bar BS3]

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

U20/21s isn't it? Not sure why you're taking such an issue with me calling it what it's called. 

I'm absolutely delighted that this guy is a Bristol City player. Looks a good signing and he seems really happy and excited to be here. I think his personality will be endearing to our fans and its great to hear that we have an option. 

My comments about not having an option were made before it came out from his club that we do so not sure why you're laying into me on that. 

However it possible to be happy about a signing and also wonder where that leaves the likes of Bell and Mehmeti. 

I wasn't laying in to you.

You jumped on a post by someone who obviously wasn't giving correct info about it having no option & your post was after the screenshot of his portent club saying that there is an option.

So many who appear for England youth levels never make anything much of their career. I don't thing Bell is anywhere near at our level - yet.

I'm hoping this new lad has a far bigger impact than Mehmeti.

To progress, we need to upgrade. 

I think Sam Bell would benefit from loan, same as Yeboah.

 

[RedJim]

11 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

For some - the plan is to disagree with anything we do from here on in, because it isn't good old Nige..!

We could surge up the table, finish top 6, win the play offs, in our 3rd Wembley victory of the season as we win the FA Cup, qualify for Europe & get promoted in LM's first season & some would post here insisting that we'd have done it under Nige anyway & that Tinnion is a snake & the Lansdowns need to get out of our club..!

I reckon if that happened I'd admit I was wrong (gladly). But let's be honest, none of those things are going to happen, are they?

[Bar BS3]

1 minute ago, RedJim said:

I reckon if that happened I'd admit I was wrong (gladly). But let's be honest, none of those things are going to happen, are they?

No, of course not - progress will do just fine at first. 

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

34 minutes ago, KendrickDNB said:

My take away from that interview as well was how happy he looks to be here - hopefully we see that on the pitch too

My take away from that interview was that if he was as old as me then a little bit of wee would have come out.

[downendcity]

21 minutes ago, Tim Monaghan said:

Imagine being a new signing for us. You’re buzzing and decide to log on to OTIB to have a read. You’re immediately disheartened aren’t you

Yes - I'm immediately disheartened when I log on to OTIB to have a read.

[red panda]

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

The past few years we could all knew the situation, we all knew the plan. We could see the plan working. Sometimes it didn't always go smoothly but by and large we all remained patient because we could see what we were trying to do. 

I'm struggling to see the plan now and because I can't see it that means I'm unfortunately struggling to get behind it. Maybe if the club could use their fantastic communication skills that they've so say recently found we would know the plan and be able to buy into that plan. 

It's kinda reminiscent of the LJ days. 

Sorry, this is a lie. I did not know the plan and could certainly not see it working

[Harvey86]

1 hour ago, Fordy62 said:

I don’t want to stereotype, but across the course of my history supporting Bristol City, pacey afrocaribbean wingers are my absolute favourite.  

Other than that, I have nothing of value to add to this conversation. 

Greg Goodridges debut still lives in my head rent free, despite being 9 at the time. My young eyes thought he was actually world class, AND he was in the Premier League 95/96 sticker album, albeit on the QPR bench and not as an actual sticker. What pedigree. 

[Jerseybean]

OS: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/mebude-joins-on-loan/

[W-S-M Seagull]

10 minutes ago, red panda said:

Sorry, this is a lie. I did not know the plan and could certainly not see it working

In what world is this a lie? 

The plan was to get rid of the wasters such as Palmer etc, high earners off the wage bill and to cut costs so we could comply with ffp whilst bringing through young players and building a culture within the club all whilst not getting relegated. 

I don't know how you didn't see how that didn't work. 

[Severn Beach Pigeon]

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

Nah that's just how you're framing it. 

Some of us share our concerns about how the club is run. That has nothing to do with the management of the team. 

Manning doesn't set the plan.

By the way, I'm very happy with our Fa Cup performances under Manning. 

Wow, you've finally said something not negative about Manning.

 

Congratulations, are you drunk?

[Port Said Red]

This could help us in our negotiations with Tommy, he will know that the Scottish scouts will be here even more now to see if these two could be their future partnership.

[red panda]

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

In what world is this a lie? 

The plan was to get rid of the wasters such as Palmer etc, high earners off the wage bill and to cut costs so we could comply with ffp whilst bringing through young players and building a culture within the club all whilst not getting relegated. 

I don't know how you didn't see how that didn't work. 

You said "we all".  I didn't.  So it's not we all.  Simples

[Ashtongreight]

13 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

This could help us in our negotiations with Tommy, he will know that the Scottish scouts will be here even more now to see if these two could be their future partnership.

I would have thought the chance to play at a higher level and earn more money would trump any thoughts that Scottish scouts may, or may not, be drawn to watching us because we’ve got two potential Scottish players playing for us.

I happen to believe he’ll only not sign if he’s a chance of playing at a higher level. Of course that would also impress Scottish scouts more as well. 

Edited February 2 by Ashtongreight

[W-S-M Seagull]

5 minutes ago, red panda said:

You said "we all".  I didn't.  So it's not we all.  Simples

I'm baffled how anyone could not see that was the plan and that it was a well executed plan by all involved. 

[Harry]

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

In what world is this a lie? 

The plan was to get rid of the wasters such as Palmer etc, high earners off the wage bill and to cut costs so we could comply with ffp whilst bringing through young players and building a culture within the club all whilst not getting relegated. 

I don't know how you didn't see how that didn't work. 

So the plan was to not get relegated. 
What was the next bit? 

[red panda]

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

I'm baffled how anyone could not see that was the plan and that it was a well executed plan by all involved. 

[MarcusX]

I like the look of this, from the very little I’ve seen of highlights.

I said we needed a Semenyo type and a Scott type. This lad and Twine *could* be those players to an extent.

This lad with an option to buy too if he’s any good.

[bcfc01]

Just now, MarcusX said:

I like the look of this, from the very little I’ve seen of highlights.

I said we needed a Semenyo type and a Scott type. This lad and Twine *could* be those players to an extent.

This lad with an option to buy too if he’s any good.

Agreed, I just hope he is ready for the Championship.

[Curr Avon]

5 minutes ago, Harry said:

So the plan was to not get relegated. 
What was the next bit? 

Proportional representation?

Sorry, wrong forum.

[sh1t_ref_again]

So we have a player that is a bit Meh on 1 wing and Dire on the other, that should keep a few happy

[Ian M]

25 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

This could help us in our negotiations with Tommy, he will know that the Scottish scouts will be here even more now to see if these two could be their future partnership.

Plus if you watch the First Day video it’s clear they know each other (presumably from the Scottish U21s) and Tommy seems absolutely buzzing that he’s signed. It’s genuinely the happiest I’ve seen TC since AS was sold.

[Ashtongreight]

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

I'm baffled how anyone could not see that was the plan and that it was a well executed plan by all involved. 

I agree, they were also the targets set, which by the way were met.

My question is what is the plan now, what is the target this season?, and what is the target next?, also what do we judge success by for LM? , because from where I I’m Sat they seem to be vague and changing. 
 

Is the target this season top 6, top 10, top half, I’ve no idea. Apart from, its a work in progress, or words to that affect.  I’ve also got absolutely no idea what the hierarchy’s expectations are for next season. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

15 minutes ago, Harry said:

So the plan was to not get relegated. 
What was the next bit? 

Definitely not.

We were building but NP was starved of funds somewhat...We cut the wage and amortisation, stayed up, style had 3-4 phases of team tactics which finally finished with a 4-3-3 and over the last year especially improving baseline stats. 

Scott sadly had to go but things were definitely until the Autumn injury crisis trending in the right direction, injuries stalled us somewhat.

Edited February 2 by Mr Popodopolous

[W-S-M Seagull]

15 minutes ago, Ian M said:

Plus if you watch the First Day video it’s clear they know each other (presumably from the Scottish U21s) and Tommy seems absolutely buzzing that he’s signed. It’s genuinely the happiest I’ve seen TC since AS was sold.

Yes it stuck out to me that they clearly have chemistry between them. I look forward to seeing them play together. 

[W-S-M Seagull]

21 minutes ago, Ashtongreight said:

I agree, they were also the targets set, which by the way were met.

My question is what is the plan now, what is the target this season?, and what is the target next?, also what do we judge success by for LM? , because from where I I’m Sat they seem to be vague and changing. 
 

Is the target this season top 6, top 10, top half, I’ve no idea. Apart from, its a work in progress, or words to that affect.  I’ve also got absolutely no idea what the hierarchy’s expectations are for next season. 

Some on here appear to know the plan where as the majority of us don't. 

I'm disappointed that the season is pretty much a write off. I am happy with the Fa Cup run tho and hope we can have some more excitement in it. 

[SydneyCity]

I have literally no opinion on this one as have no idea who he is, or where he’s come from.

I have to admit though, this signing does excite me.

[Fuber]

42 minutes ago, red panda said:

You said "we all".  I didn't.  So it's not we all.  Simples

I mean. If you still can't see the results in the accounts in context of the league position(s) at this stage with the clarity of hindsight. Then sure, OK.

Others, myself included, saw a manager who got results while under severe cost cutting restrictions lowering the wage bill by 30% and sorting perhaps the most toxic playing staff culture the club has had - in a long time. This a forum, can agree to disagree.

Alternatively, if you want to see where we could have ended up without Pearson, look at QPR the last 15 months. Huddersfield. Blackburn. Swansea. Cutting costs and falling down the league season after season. No momentum nor culture.

32 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Definitely not.

We were building but NP was starved of funds somewhat...We cut the wage and amortisation, stayed up, style had 3-4 phases of team tactics which finally finished with a 4-3-3 and over the last year especially improving baseline stats. 

Scott sadly had to go but things were definitely until the Autumn injury crisis trending in the right direction, injuries stalled us somewhat.

Gist of it. We were stable.

I prefer underpromising and overachieving. No we've lined up four signings (Mebude, Murphy, Stokes, Bird) for next season in what looks to be a changing of the guard, TGH clause activated. Twine TBD

No money remember, but if sources are correct, between the first five of the above, we're talking £3m+ spent.

Just grates of what could have been, this season. Now we have to see for next, instead, outside of something utterly remarkable and out of nowhere.

[Davefevs]

4 hours ago, Hocca said:

We have an option to buy according to Westerlo’s statement on twitter

Yes, the big question will be how much that option is for, especially at they paid circa £1.65m for him just 6 months ago on a 4 year contract.

Appearances wise it hasn’t worked out there.

You wonder with his older brother in Belgium whether that was the attraction, albeit different club (100miles away)

4 hours ago, Silvio Dante said:

Positives: Man City Youth Record

Negatives: Couldn’t get in mediocre Belgian team.

This is one where if we signed him directly from Man City I think there would be universal acclaim, potential pathway blocker or not. Westerlo being happy to get rid after six months does raise an unwanted question though. Could easily be that he didn’t settle.

With the option in place to allow us to assess if it was just that, or as others have been he’s a bully in a top prem academy but not as hot in the real world, it seems an overall sensible deal. 

Been busy tonight but did spend a “few minutes” watching clips from Westerlo.  I don’t take tonnes of notice of YouTube highlights, especially of Academy stuff, because it’s hard to judge levels.  So I watched some warts n all stuff, no filters, just every action, with, without, winning the ball, losing the ball, etc.

FWIW I didn’t see anything too special.  But that’s not to say he won’t be.  He looked a bit lost in “senior football” stuck predominantly on the left wing, a bit uncommitted in the challenge.  He looked like an Academy player getting his first taste of senior football…which of course he was.  He certainly didn’t look powerful.

Funnily enough, Tammy looked like a gangly Crouch-like youth in some stuff I watched of him, but the boy was a man by the time he stepped onto the pitch against Wigan.  He’d bulked up from the previous season.

But it will be what he does in a City shirt that matters.

3 hours ago, GrahamC said:

No, you’re right.

Can’t face Forest either (wasn’t signed before first game).

In the squad for Boro, I guess.

Seeing as he trained yesterday (assume in the morning) it wouldn’t surprise me if they might’ve registered him before midday.  We will see.

3 hours ago, Robbored said:

This new guy must be the player that Ian Gay knew about but couldn’t tell us……….

In fairness to Ian, when I spoke to him as we readied for the pod on Wednesday I asked him if he knew the name of the incoming players.  I wasn’t asking him to give me the names.  He could’ve easily said “Dave, yes of course I know but I can’t tell you”, but he actually said “no, I don’t, just the details / positions he put in tweets”.  It was very unlike Ian.

[TheCulturalBomb]

Puzzled here, we've signed a player who can't even get in a Belgian team I've never even heard of. 

[exAtyeoMax]

3 hours ago, Harry said:

Your eyes are wide shut when it comes to the new manager though. 
Your strict allegiance to Nige means you wouldn’t recognise a Manning plan if you walked down Plan Street, turned into Plan Lane, over Plan Bridge, along Plan canal, into the Plan shop, perused the Plans in the window and a Plan came up and smacked you in the face screaming “Hey, Look. I’m a PLAN”. 

Tony Robinson might know of a plan…

[ashton_fan]

2 hours ago, TheCulturalBomb said:

Puzzled here, we've signed a player who can't even get in a Belgian team I've never even heard of. 

They're mid table in the top Belgian league, other teams Anderlecht, Standard Liege, Royal Antwerp, Bruges etc so it's probably a slightly higher level than the Championship 

[City oz]

1 hour ago, ashton_fan said:

They're mid table in the top Belgian league, other teams Anderlecht, Standard Liege, Royal Antwerp, Bruges etc so it's probably a slightly higher level than the Championship 

Been watching video clips all day. What an exciting player. I have now a good feeling about this season. 

[Red Skin]

7 hours ago, petehinton said:

Option changes things, as I say, and he hopefully ends up being a worldie, but I personally get more joy out of seeing the gradual blooding and development of our own youngsters vs having them ‘signed over’ for more short term reasoning. 

I am with you on seeing our young players come through.   I haven't seen anything of Nelson but Yeboah is still very young and very raw.   He was a hand grenade in Pearson's era, all energy and enthusiasm but I don't think he really has the discipline to play in a LM team just yet.  The club do favour looking to academy first - it's cheaper after all - but you have to accept the coaching staff see these players everyday and make a much more informed assessment than we can, so I am happy to trust that this guy is better than what we have (and potentially have once they develop).

I know nothing about this signing other than from comments on here, but it seems like a gamble worth taking.   I am not overly concerned he has predominantly played as a winger.  I think he'll be deployed as one of the front 3 so basically an inside forward.  Plenty of wingers have successfully converted to strikers, and more commonly to wingbacks if that's where the coaching staff see him.   He is young enough to be coached to play a different role, and to spend so long in the Man City academy he must have something about him in terms of talent and coachability. 

[Silvio Dante]

1 hour ago, ashton_fan said:

They're mid table in the top Belgian league, other teams Anderlecht, Standard Liege, Royal Antwerp, Bruges etc so it's probably a slightly higher level than the Championship 

With no comment on the players ability, it’s not - and it’s common that people get drawn in by big names like you mention. The latest (2024) opta rankings on league strength confirm the Championship ranks 6th in the world (Behind Premier League, Bundesliga 1, La Liga A, Serie A and Ligue 1).

The Belgian league is 9th - not a mass difference in coefficient but he is moving to a stronger league having not got in the side for a lower team in his current league.

What he does here that counts, and as I said, direct from Man City it’s probably more exciting. The Belgian spell tempers that a bit so it’s about seeing what he can do in his loan period.

[One Team]

9 hours ago, Rudolf Hucker said:

 

Scotland football fans adopted this didn’t they?

TBF it does fit perfectly:

Oh, yes Sir, Dire Mebude 
But I need a certain goal
Dire Mebude, bude bude, all night long
Yes Sir, Dire Mebude
If you stay, we can't go wrong
Dire Mebude, bude bude, all night long

[DaveInSA]

9 hours ago, petehinton said:

One rhat doesnt “block the pathway” for those involved in the periphery of the first team, potentially ready for first team exposure, for want of a non wanky phrase. Becoming overloaded in positions where we have good enough talent in the 21s to blood through. 
 

If he does have an option as the parent club suggests, that changes things a bit vs just having someone else’s player take Nelson/Yeboahs wide player ‘spot’ for example.  However not exactly sure how he’d fit with how we’ve played here the last month or so, unless they see him becoming a central striker. 

I think they know that Tommy is out the door in the summer and want to have a closer look at this lad, possibly as a striker.

we’ll see…

[Curr Avon]

22 minutes ago, One Team said:

Scotland football fans adopted this didn’t they?

TBF it does fit perfectly:

Oh, yes Sir, Dire Mebude 
But I need a certain goal
Dire Mebude, bude bude, all night long
Yes Sir, Dire Mebude
If you stay, we can't go wrong
Dire Mebude, bude bude, all night long

It's a yes from me.

[One Team]

2 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

It's a yes from me.

Opening song for the next FBC mate?