Signs of change or pressure off?

[Negan]

A great win tonight, 4 clean sheets in a row. Attackers finally looking deadly, defence looks sharp, O’Leary unbeatable. Whilst it’s great to watch you can’t help but feel a bit frustrated we couldn’t be like this 10-15 games ago. So is it actually a sign things have changed, manning has got a grip on things and his way of playing has finally clicked… or is it because the pressure is off, the seasons done, sunglasses and sun tan lotion are already packed and the lads are just playing with a bit of freedom. I’m praying it’s the former and this can roll in to next season. About time we’ve had something to be excited about. If they can keep this up for the remaining 4 games and have a solid transfer window, they might just get the feel good factor they desperately need from the fans as we are certainly a better club when united. 

[TonyTonyTony]

Who knows. Go and win the remaining games boys. Ive wanted to see us whallop a team 4 or 5 and got my wish tonight. Superb night

[Kibs]

A bit of both I expect along with some confidence returning 

[Bs4Red]

100% the former, you just have to look up the road for what it looks like when a side downs tools for the summer early.

 

The signs have been there, it’s just slowly but surely getting more consistent. 
 

Give the man credit he deserves, according to this forum he’s been massively under pressure for weeks so presumably he’s fighting for his job. 
 

Superb tonight and as I’ve said for a long time, I am genuinely excited for next season and really feel under LM we can have a right good season. 
 

[Edgy Red]

We still need a couple of new attacking players (pace and power) despite the result tonight, but IF we can keep our key players fit next season then i think we can push for a top 10 finish.

Blackburn didn't turn up tonight but they are no mugs. We played well and pressed from the front. I'm really pleased for Manning

[Alessandro]

A little run of good results is nothing particularly new, we’ve been streaky for years.

Can Manning make us more consistent? 

Personally (not getting heady after winning 5 nil) I’m reserving judgment for a longer sample of games - especially as in the last few results we’ve been on the right end of some awful finishing (Vardy), Max at his best on multiple occasions and a Blackburn side that gifted, literally handed us 4 goals tonight. 

False dawn or not? Eitherway, we’ll find out next season as Manning will have his shot…

Edited April 10 by Alessandro

[Negan]

2 minutes ago, Bs4Red said:

100% the former, you just have to look up the road for what it looks like when a side downs tools for the summer early.

 

The signs have been there, it’s just slowly but surely getting more consistent. 
 

Give the man credit he deserves, according to this forum he’s been massively under pressure for weeks so presumably he’s fighting for his job. 
 

Superb tonight and as I’ve said for a long time, I am genuinely excited for next season and really feel under LM we can have a right good season. 
 

I’ve been critical of him, but I feel rightfully so. However never called for him to be sacked, it was more of a “I really don’t care if he stays or goes” kind of attitude which I think a lot of fans shared. Now with that though is the opportunity for him to win some of us who feel like that around, which for me he’s doing. I’m still not 100% convinced he’ll be here come the end of next season but if we end this season strongly and have a good window then he may well be. The owners got their man, I’m praying they back him now. 

[mozo]

Only Middlesbrough have more points to than us from the last 6 games.

They're also the only team to have conceded fewer goals.

[broodje]

10 minutes ago, HunstantonRed said:

A new manager needs time. Players need time too.

Whodathunkit

[lenred]

1 minute ago, Edgy Red said:

We still need a couple of new attacking players (pace and power) despite the result tonight, but IF we can keep our key players fit next season then i think we can push for a top 10 finish.

Blackburn didn't turn up tonight but they are no mugs. We played well and pressed from the front. I'm really pleased for Manning

We should been pushing for top 10 this season.  Pearson or Manning.  Anything less than 10th would be a disappointment.  As said elsewhere let’s see some proper consistency. Long shot but we may well yet make it. 

[Lack of Action Man]

100% “pressure off” but at the end of the day winning breeds confidence and confident players perform. 
 

For the moment, LM is proving me wrong. Long May that continue!

[Fuber]

My only caveat is that Hyam and MacFadzean have gifted us all five goals.

Aside from that, solid, organised, nice 'patterns'. Strong performances across the pitch.

Would be more bouyed if Knight takes that Pring full back and smashes it in when 2-0 up. As would then be an open play goal not directly from an error or penalty, but that's obviously nitpicking.

[Dan Robin]

5 minutes ago, Lack of Action Man said:

100% “pressure off” but at the end of the day winning breeds confidence and confident players perform. 
 

For the moment, LM is proving me wrong. Long May that continue!

I'd say not 100% but the main reason yes. Agree with the rest.

[Ashton Fete]

Credit where credit is due, I’ve been critical but right now happy to munch on some humble pie, signs things are all clicking into place 

[TRL]

It really doesn't matter what the sport is, confidence breeds confidence, turn a bad streak around you can pull it back. Generally most teams be it football, cricket, rugby, Yank Football, Skittles, the actual difference between most teams in terms of quality is minimal, the big difference is self confidence.

 

I have always felt you can see the structure Manning is trying to put in place, there have been a couple of games his team has been smashed,, apart from that we have been in every game, the only downside I have seen is self confidence to potentially slow down the approach play and think what we wan t do with the final ball.. when  you are in form you don't need to slow it down and think, it all comes naturally.

 

Lets be honest good or bad results, I don't think any of us can say the players are downing tools for him.. that for me is a good sign.  The hunger to defend  has never been in doubt for his time in charge, something Pearson installed, and still seems high, you cannot legislate for individual mistakes, but from what i see, they looks a team, if you like what they are producing on the pitch or not

[Alessandro]

10 minutes ago, Fuber said:

My only caveat is that Hyam and MacFadzean have gifted us all five goals.

Aside from that, solid, organised, nice 'patterns'. Strong performances across the pitch.

Would be more bouyed if Knight takes that Pring full back and smashes it in when 2-0 up. As would then be an open play goal not directly from an error or penalty, but that's obviously nitpicking.

Yes it’s nice win but you’re absolutely right.

I don’t think you can understate how poor Blackburn were tonight.

If a team wins 5-0 either you’re meeting a hugely talented attacking team or the losing team have capitulated.

Given the fact we’ve only won a game by more than 2 goals 3 times all season and only 8 teams in the league have scored less goals than us…

Add in Blackburn’s current bottom 6 form and the fact they have the 2nd leakiest defence in the league.

Suggests more of the latter.

A nice win yes, credit for that - but IMo people probably shouldn’t get too carried away though on the back of tonight…

 

[Kodjias Wrist]

I think that despite it being the close season and we don’t have much to play for as a collective, it’s good knowing we have gotten results against teas with something to play for. Blackburn, Plymouth, Leicester all have something to play for. Happy with another clean sheet too! 

[Robbored]

It’s important not to get too high or too low after a match as Manning would say but I’ll bet that all the players and fans are really buzzing having stuck 5 past a piss poor Blackburn Rovers who were defensively shite particularly in the first 45 but you can only beat what’s in front of you.

Its refreshing to leave AG with that buzz after such a game - I can’t remember the last time City scored 5 in a Championship match.

[Davefevs]

I hope the majority of the recent performances are the “new norm”, guess we’ll know more again after Huddersfield on Saturday.  Sunderland last Saturday was bloody poor, despite the 0-0.

[TonyTonyTony]

Just now, Davefevs said:

Sunderland last Saturday was bloody poor, despite the 0-0.

I dont think we are alone in that. Apart from the top 4/5 most teams are steaky as ****. Its a weird league and anyone can beat anyone else.

[Sleepy1968]

7 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

Yes it’s nice win but you’re absolutely right.

I don’t think you can understate how poor Blackburn were tonight.

If a team wins 5-0 either you’re meeting a hugely talented attacking team or the losing team have capitulated.

Given the fact we’ve only won a game by more than 2 goals 3 times all season and only 8 teams in the league have scored less goals than us…

Add in Blackburn’s current bottom 6 form and the fact they have the 2nd leakiest defence in the league.

Suggests more of the latter.

A nice win yes, credit for that - but IMo people probably shouldn’t get too carried away though on the back of tonight…

 

You can only beat what's in front of you. We've rarely been that clinical in the last few years (although we still missed several good chances), and I thought we harried and harassed them very well, were good at picking up second balls, and fully deserved the scoreline regardless of their mistakes.

[Silvio Dante]

I said in the pre match thread that LM was noticeably more relaxed in his presser than he had been at any point (and it was better for it), and the question would be whether that relaxed state would lead to “handbrake off” or reversion to what had been the preferred “possession” style as he felt secure.

Thankfully, it was the former. We had less possession than Blackburn but harried and pressed 20 yards further up the pitch than seen in prior games. Yep, they were awful defensively - and as so said at half time, it was a mix of bad defence and a good press; you still have to capitalise. 
 

I think it’s too simplistic to say “he needed time” as that implies he needed time to get the players playing his way (or his players). What I am seeing over the Leicester, Plymouth and Blackburn games is a coach who has pulled himself more away from his base principles - and is better for it. Whether that’s been the treble sub at Plymouth or the willingness to be without the ball tonight, and to press higher up (leaving yourself possibly more vulnerable at the back) it’s been positive signs. Maybe the time he needed was, in Liams words, to allow him to be “braver”. He’s being braver. It’s getting results and all credit to him - we could easily have lost to Leicester and I’d still be saying that as the intent in the performance was better. I’d rather lose like a lion then draw like a lamb.

So I go - cautiously - on signs of change. But that change has been exercised in part by a release of pressure. And I think it’s a change in the managerial approach. If that was borne of necessity due to how things were going I don’t care - just realise that we’re better this way and keep going down that track and people, including myself, will be happy.

 

[alexukhc]

3 of our best players playing their natural positions in Roberts and Knight has made the difference to me. Mehmeti also being played by a manager who wanted him before and is getting the best out of him, huge confidence boost that must be.

Yes tonight we was gifted 4 outta 5 goals and that’s luck, that’s football but we have been better since the international break but then there was Saturday we was bloody crap.. though **** me 5 at home, 3 points, don’t care how we score them, bloody have it!

No matter who the manager, the players we bring in, change about is we have huge inconsistencies and we always have hence why we are a mid table team and have been for however long, it’s frustrating I know we support the same team

Edited April 10 by alexukhc

[Numero Uno]

35 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

A little run of good results is nothing particularly new, we’ve been streaky for years.

Can Manning make us more consistent? 

Personally (not getting heady after winning 5 nil) I’m reserving judgment for a longer sample of games - especially as in the last few results we’ve been on the right end of some awful finishing (Vardy), Max at his best on multiple occasions and a Blackburn side that gifted, literally handed us 4 goals tonight. 

False dawn or not? Eitherway, we’ll find out next season as Manning will have his shot…

Exactly this. A few have predictably decided to go all in tonight and fair enough you’ve got to enjoy a 5-0 win however achieved (he put a crap side to bed and that’s what I’ve wanted him to do so no complaints from me) BUT the serious football and expectation levels start all over again in August.

Get off to a good start and it’s happy days. Poor start and the club will be under pressure. The next transfer window and how Manning integrates new players will determine how long he’s at the Gate. His recent impressive run of results has bought him that opportunity.

[Silvio Dante]

1 minute ago, HunstantonRed said:

What are Mannings “base principles”?

Theres loads of threads on this. Im sure you’ve been a member long enough to remember them or find them.

[lenred]

11 minutes ago, Kodjias Wrist said:

I think that despite it being the close season and we don’t have much to play for as a collective, it’s good knowing we have gotten results against teas with something to play for. Blackburn, Plymouth, Leicester all have something to play for. Happy with another clean sheet too! 

Yep. This is a really good point and it’s really good to see.  Credit has to be given for that. Lots of people on here saying it doesn’t matter what we do in these games almost as an excuse, but it really does of Manning wants to begin start to win large sections of the fanbase around.  Important to not let the season slip away and tbf to them they haven’t.  

[Feral Williams]

4 minutes ago, HunstantonRed said:

What are Mannings “base principles”?

Anyone else smell BS ?

[Mr Popodopolous]

I'd say it is a bit of both.

When we press we look a better, more cohesive side but that Swansea win was probably hid saving grace even if a terrible watch for the majority.

Beating Leicester bound to bolster confidence. Results buy time..We are better when we press, if you can add some improvements in possession (as opposed to dominance in possession) to that then the combination starts to align.

[slartibartfast]

My only disappointment tonight was the first time an under 20k  crowd (officially) announced, I was hoping for the first time in my 60 years of supporting them they could have got a plus 20 every game........we didn't even do that in the 1st div  !

[Bar BS3]

22 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

Yes it’s nice win but you’re absolutely right.

I don’t think you can understate how poor Blackburn were tonight.

If a team wins 5-0 either you’re meeting a hugely talented attacking team or the losing team have capitulated.

Given the fact we’ve only won a game by more than 2 goals 3 times all season and only 8 teams in the league have scored less goals than us…

Add in Blackburn’s current bottom 6 form and the fact they have the 2nd leakiest defence in the league.

Suggests more of the latter.

A nice win yes, credit for that - but IMo people probably shouldn’t get too carried away though on the back of tonight…

 

Aren't most people basing in on the last 4 (certainly) possibly 7 games.? Not just tonight.

After the Cardiff game I was properly pissed off at how dreadful we were.

Swansea, I actually think was deliberately cautious to stop the rot.

Ipswich - at least we competed.

West Brom - wasn't great, but now looks like a blip in the run, rather than reverting to type.

What makes you think anyone is basing it on 1 game, when we haven't conceded a goal in 4 games & taken 10 points from the last 12 available..?

[bpexile]

12 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

So I go - cautiously - on signs of change. But that change has been exercised in part by a release of pressure. And I think it’s a change in the managerial approach. If that was borne of necessity due to how things were going I don’t care - just realise that we’re better this way and keep going down that track and people, including myself, will be happy.

 

[ashton_fan]

People saying it was just Blackburn being poor, it's only a couple of weeks or so since they won 5-1 at Sunderland. We got goals at key moments, it could have gone either way before the first goal.

[Silvio Dante]

Just now, ashton_fan said:

People saying it was just Blackburn being poor, it's only a couple of weeks or so since they won 5-1 at Sunderland. We got goals at key moments, it could have gone either way before the first goal.

I’m not sure it could tbh as they were really poor going forward as well and I didn’t see them scoring - other than that Sunderland game I think they’ve not scored in 4 or 5 games.

Undoubtedly we did score at a good moment but that I think was more based on possession as opposed to them threatening.

As I said, you still have to convert and the goals were a mix of rank defending and a good press. But there were defensive errors for 4 of 5 goals, and the Sykes/3rd Conway chances in the first half were also given to us.

Bottom line for me is this - I think we win that game 99 times out of 100 based on how poor they were and the quality of the press. And if the season was 48 and not 46 games long, I’d be putting the house on Blackburn going down.

[petehinton]

Please god don’t be a repeat of the Watford 4-0 episode!!!

Great win. They seemingly made it bloody easy for us, but too often have we come out of those games cursing our luck. 

[Galley is our king]

1 hour ago, HunstantonRed said:

A new manager needs time. Players need time too.

So you joined yesterday and have 23 posts so far.

Bristol Sport.... you are doing yourselves no favours by keeping up this bull shit! Just bloody stop ok!

[glynriley]

1 hour ago, Negan said:

A great win tonight, 4 clean sheets in a row. Attackers finally looking deadly, defence looks sharp, O’Leary unbeatable. Whilst it’s great to watch you can’t help but feel a bit frustrated we couldn’t be like this 10-15 games ago. So is it actually a sign things have changed, manning has got a grip on things and his way of playing has finally clicked… or is it because the pressure is off, the seasons done, sunglasses and sun tan lotion are already packed and the lads are just playing with a bit of freedom. I’m praying it’s the former and this can roll in to next season. About time we’ve had something to be excited about. If they can keep this up for the remaining 4 games and have a solid transfer window, they might just get the feel good factor they desperately need from the fans as we are certainly a better club when united. 

We do this most seasons. Pressure is off and we go and spank someone. I’m not getting carried away this year though. Next season will be a struggle in my opinion.  

[David Brent]

We absolutely have to follow this up with a similar performance in our next game. Otherwise we’re likely to forget our recent form. If we continue then we can all have a bit more optimism. 

[Silvio Dante]

4 minutes ago, Galley is our king said:

So you joined yesterday and have 23 posts so far.

Bristol Sport.... you are doing yourselves no favours by keeping up this bull shit! Just bloody stop ok!

I don’t think it’s Bristol Sport. It’s following a similar well worn path that will end tomorrow with it flouncing off and asking for its account to be deleted, then signing up again the next day with a different IP address.

Regular as bloody clockwork.

[DaveF]

I'm delighted by the recent form but reluctant to get ahead of myself. Leicester and Sunderland missed some absolute sitters and on another day we could have lost both of those games comfortably. 4 of our goals today were the result of comically bad defending, Sunday league stuff. 

Cautiously moving in the right direction for me, keep this up and we can look forward to next season with a solid foundation. 

[ciderwithtommy]

Do not underestimate the importance of Twine. Not necessarily his end product, but the fact he is a natural “between the lines” player. It pulls the opposition defence into areas they don’t want to go, whether he capitalises or not, it’s the question he poses that makes a big difference. Essentially we are less predictable, and harder for teams to do a “millwall/Cardiff” on us. Whether he stays or we go elsewhere- imperative we sign a player who does this. 

[Wanderingred]

1 hour ago, lenred said:

We should been pushing for top 10 this season.  Pearson or Manning.  Anything less than 10th would be a disappointment.  As said elsewhere let’s see some proper consistency. Long shot but we may well yet make it. 

Realistically with Preston and Middlesbrough in good form and Hull and Coventry 4/5 points ahead with a game in hand, the top 10 is probably beyond us. If we can finish above Cardiff in 11th, with a positive goal difference and more wins than losses, that would be a very positive end to the season.

[BITW]

I’ve been pretty critical of Manning but credit where it’s due we’re in great form at the moment and it’s actually been enjoyable to watch us in recent games for the first time since he’s taken over! 
 

Hopefully we keep it up and take some momentum in to next season. As always with City consistency is the issue so the jury is still out but finally some promising signs. 

[mozo]

50 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I hope the majority of the recent performances are the “new norm”, guess we’ll know more again after Huddersfield on Saturday.  Sunderland last Saturday was bloody poor, despite the 0-0.

One thing I can guarantee you is there will be peaks and troughs, individual errors and inconsistent performers. That's just the reality of supporting a mid table Championship side.

I do hope though that we continue the way we look to pass the ball forwards, which isn't a new thing, but is more evident during this hot streak.

Bravery + confidence = sexy football. Stick that in the coaching manual...

Edited April 10 by mozo

[Red Army 79]

Do we think that during the international break there were some constructive meetings between the management and players where the players stood up to Manning regarding the way we were playing or Tinnion has had words as he originally said he would regarding the front foot playing style. Or finally it got through to Manning that the possession style wasn’t working and he adapted  to safe his job. 

What ever the reason  since the international break results wise anyway we are a completely different side.

I haven’t seem them since the change in form has moving Knight deeper made a big difference? 

[Out of his pie crust]

54 minutes ago, TonyTonyTony said:

I dont think we are alone in that. Apart from the top 4/5 most teams are steaky as ****. Its a weird league and anyone can beat anyone else.

Not even the top four at this point

[Out of his pie crust]

17 minutes ago, Wanderingred said:

Realistically with Preston and Middlesbrough in good form and Hull and Coventry 4/5 points ahead with a game in hand, the top 10 is probably beyond us. If we can finish above Cardiff in 11th, with a positive goal difference and more wins than losses, that would be a very positive end to the season.

Said earlier in the season, possibly under Pearson, that a season with more wins than losses would constitute progress. Close at the moment, without the cigar just yet 

[mozo]

7 minutes ago, Red Army 79 said:

Do we think that during the international break there were some constructive meetings between the management and players where the players stood up to Manning regarding the way we were playing or Tinnion has had words as he originally said he would regarding the front foot playing style. Or finally it got through to Manning that the possession style wasn’t working and he adapted  to safe his job. 

What ever the reason  since the international break results wise anyway we are a completely different side.

I haven’t seem them since the change in form has moving Knight deeper made a big difference? 

Nooooo... you just invented a story

[Davefevs]

33 minutes ago, mozo said:

One thing I can guarantee you is there will be peaks and troughs, individual errors and inconsistent performers. That's just the reality of supporting a mid table Championship side.

I do hope though that we continue the way we look to pass the ball forwards, which isn't a new thing, but is more evident during this hot streak.

Bravery + confidence = sexy football. Stick that in the coaching manual...

Yep, the whole division has that.  For me it’s method, approach, intensity.  When Manning came in he talked about if teams press you can go over it, don’t always have to play through it (and risk getting caught).  Tonight was the first time I’ve heard talk about mixing it up since Sheffield Wed where his channel-ball was all over the place.

He did say pre-match that against Sunderland our distances front to back were poor, and it’s no coincidence that our better performances have come through being more compact.

More please, seriously, please!

21 minutes ago, mozo said:

Nooooo... you just invented a story

There were some pretty credible sources saying meetings had been held (and I’m not talking Ian Gay).

[Davefevs]

3 minutes ago, CiaCru said:

What sources? Can you provide a link? 

No.  Sorry I can’t say who told me.  Others heard the same.

And then Ian Gay blurted out similar on FBC a few days later.  And we know how “in” he is these days.

With all these things it’s up to you whether you think there’s any truth in it or not.

Edited April 10 by Davefevs

[Davefevs]

Just now, HunstantonRed said:

Shock - no link. Usual internet nonsense. 

Why would there be a link, it wasn’t public information.  Of course I can’t post a link.

As per above.  Up to you whether you choose to believe it, just like I chose too.

+++++

Bit like your Burnley posts earlier too, then.  I chose “nonsense”.  Whatever floats your boat.

[Davefevs]

Just now, HunstantonRed said:

I don’t believe it. I suspect someone is feeding you for a laugh. 

Yeah probably.

Welcome to OTIB btw!

[Superjack]

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Yeah probably.

Welcome to OTIB btw!

He can do one. Just like he probably has a hundred times before. 

 

 

Unless of course he's a plant.

[INCRED]

2 hours ago, Alessandro said:

Yes it’s nice win but you’re absolutely right.

I don’t think you can understate how poor Blackburn were tonight.

If a team wins 5-0 either you’re meeting a hugely talented attacking team or the losing team have capitulated.

Given the fact we’ve only won a game by more than 2 goals 3 times all season and only 8 teams in the league have scored less goals than us…

Add in Blackburn’s current bottom 6 form and the fact they have the 2nd leakiest defence in the league.

Suggests more of the latter.

A nice win yes, credit for that - but IMo people probably shouldn’t get too carried away though on the back of tonight…

 

Totally agree and whilst it’s nice to put 5 past the opposition I would reference the last 3 games as a better marker of where we are under LM. 
 

Huddersfield & Norwich will provide a stern test as they are desperate for points for different reasons. If we can dispatch them then perhaps LM has cracked the formula 

Maybe next season could bring something better?

[Red Army 79]

1 hour ago, mozo said:

Nooooo... you just invented a story

I’m not making up story’s I find it bizarre that before the international break we were shocking. Couldn’t score couldn’t defend and now we have suddenly gone on this run.

Hope Manning doesn’t turn out like Lee Johnson where we lose 6 on the trot then win 6 on the trot etc. 

[Ian M]

1 hour ago, Silvio Dante said:

I don’t think it’s Bristol Sport. It’s following a similar well worn path that will end tomorrow with it flouncing off and asking for its account to be deleted, then signing up again the next day with a different IP address.

Regular as bloody clockwork.

He doesn’t need to go to the bother. I already banned him. And the new account he made after.

[Northern Red]

6 hours ago, INCRED said:

Totally agree and whilst it’s nice to put 5 past the opposition I would reference the last 3 games as a better marker of where we are under LM. 
 

Huddersfield & Norwich will provide a stern test as they are desperate for points for different reasons. If we can dispatch them then perhaps LM has cracked the formula 

Maybe next season could bring something better?

Blackburn were meant to be desperate for the points, though you wouldn't have known it.

[Vespa Red]

What I was really enthused about tonight was that the game was drifting in the early second half, 3 substitutions and we got the momentum back again.

Blackburn though; for a team who were under pressure at the wrong end of the table were nothing short of woeful.  Utter, utter dogshit!

[Hamdon Mart]

One can be a little too analytical about why things have turned around just lately and yes, one can bemoan the fact it didn't happen 10-15 games ago, or maybe even 6-8 games would have made a huge difference. But it's happened/is happening and long may it continue and it's time to enjoy it. Hopefully LM can keep their performance levels high and City can go into 24/25 with some genuine optimism. 

Last night at times was a joy to watch and although Blackburn were woeful at times, give credit to City's press forcing the errors. If the press didn't happen, then the defenders would have had time to clear - last night, City pressed further up the pitch IMO creating huge uncertainty in their wobbly back four. Great to watch though.

At the end of the day, we are all in it to see our football teams do well and enjoy the good times when they come. I'm off to Gloucester tonight to hopefully see my team Yeovil win National League South. Not a phrase I thought I'd say, least of all when we were preparing to face AFC Bournemouth in the Championship ten years ago tomorrow. But as a wise old sage once said, "We are where we are because we're here" and I'll enjoy tonight even though we have sunk so low in recent years. We HAVE to enjoy the good days like last night, like Southampton, like Leicester etc otherwise why do we follow our team? 

 

[Numero Uno]

1 hour ago, Northern Red said:

Blackburn were meant to be desperate for the points, though you wouldn't have known it.

I have never seen a more obvious example of a team totally letting down it's travelling fans.......like ever. The bit I couldn't fathom was simply how much more aggressive WE were than them, the team with effectively bugger all to play for. We pressed, harried, stuck our foot in, looked like we were mildly interested in performing and winning the game etc. etc. the complete opposite of them who looked like they were in Bristol for a kickabout to fulfil their obligations to the league and get out and get home as quick as possible. They have Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry and Leicester in their last four games.................if we were in their position this board would have us relegated after last night.

[Son of Fred]

19 minutes ago, Hamdon Mart said:

Last night at times was a joy to watch and although Blackburn were woeful at times, give credit to City's press forcing the errors. If the press didn't happen, then the defenders would have had time to clear

High press.........not low block ....

Cheers Nige

Edited April 11 by Son of Fred

[SecretSam]

10 hours ago, Negan said:

 The owners got their man, I’m praying they back him now. 

I think this is key. With a number of key players potentially OOC in the summer, we need to invest solidly.

[LondonBristolian]

I really don’t get why people find it so implausible that there are people on these boards with contacts at the club and that they occasionally hear info that isn’t in the public domain. I also don’t really get why people find it wildly implausible that - after a run of bad results and poor performances - the players took a view on that or that the Technical Director had words with the manager. That strikes me as what would almost certainly happen, whether anyone heard about it or not.

What I would say is that, if either the players or Tinnion had views on what was needed to improve, I think Manning deserves credit for listening and taking feedback on board rather than being stubborn or defensive. A lot of people don’t engage with or learn from feedback and it can be a real flaw.

[Davefevs]

A lot of talk of high press last night, and yet our opening two goals came from defensive errors, albeit forwards latching into balls into channel.  One a weak backpass, the other missed control / volley.

But what we did was condense the pitch, more than press hard per se.  Blackburn occasionally broke the line of our front 3, but with Pring and McCrorie playing quite high, they were suffocated.  Our front 3 split their back 4 really well.  Blackburn were able to knock it about but they went nowhere.

Second half, they went to a back-3 and for 20+ minutes it was stalemate, they had possession, we just didn’t let them get back into the game (nice job done, no need to risk a 2-0 lead).

Then the subs came on, and we ripped them a new one.

Condensing the pitch is what we didn’t do on Saturday, do did we work as a team.

If we aren’t (generally) that creative in build-up, then best way is to win it high up.  I think a few of us have been crying out for this.  It doesn’t need to be reckless, last night was efficient to say the say the least.  And with Joe Williams and Jason Knight ready to pounce on balls into midfield, we gained a lot of ball / possession in their half, before they could set.

[Bazooka Joe]

10 hours ago, HunstantonRed said:

A new manager needs time. Players need time too.

“HunstantonRed” - yet another alias, but just “a Rose by any other name.

I can think of a more appropriate word than “Rose” but as we won, I’m in a good mood.

 

[Alessandro]

10 hours ago, Bar BS3 said:

Aren't most people basing in on the last 4 (certainly) possibly 7 games.? Not just tonight.

After the Cardiff game I was properly pissed off at how dreadful we were.

Swansea, I actually think was deliberately cautious to stop the rot.

Ipswich - at least we competed.

West Brom - wasn't great, but now looks like a blip in the run, rather than reverting to type.

What makes you think anyone is basing it on 1 game, when we haven't conceded a goal in 4 games & taken 10 points from the last 12 available..?

There’s a few on here using that win last night as justification to say they’re vindicated for their strong support of Manning - and sticking the knife those who’ve, rightly ImO, been critical of an otherwise underwhelming, and at times little streaky, reign under Manning so far. 

As I said in another thread, the last 4 ‘results’ have been very good - but in those 4 games we’ve been the beneficiary of some poor finishing (Vardy) and top keeping from Max (v Sunderland in an otherwise pretty poor showing) and we were literally gift wrapped 4 goals last night.

So all I’m saying is, within that nice run, it’s not all been perfect sailing - we’ve ridden our luck at times and despite the clean sheets we’ve continued to give away big chances, statistically that will catch us up.

That’s not taking away however from a big improvement from Manning, playing a footballing style that is better suited to the squad finally and more akin to what was suggested the club wanted when they appointed him. Hopefully that means he has adapted (voluntarily or otherwise) which would be very good news. 

Big improvement but as I say, I’m not celebrating anything yet….long way to go. 
 

EDIT - I dare say the results uptick have also been helped in part by the return of a player we don’t have next season too…

Edited April 11 by Alessandro

[awbb]

I'll lend my voice to the cautious.

The Championship is utterly abject and ruthless in equal measure. It's incredibly difficult to perform to an average level consistently match by match, let alone well. The stars can align, of course, especially if a team has momentum, as we have seen with Ipswich this season.

Nothing would really surprise me regarding Huddersfield on Saturday. We could be as bad as Blackburn were last night and somehow find ourselves on 60 points at 5pm or play as well as we have in years and somehow contrive to lose. 

Geniunely, I hope Manning has seen that, despite what the analytics might say, our performances will be better when we press when we're out of possession and look to move the ball "vertically" at pace when in possession. That style of football is one that I enjoy watching and if there is any belief that a home crowd can make a difference, an intangible that most statistics, I suspect, will struggle to identify, having your fans enjoying the match will help.

[Major Isewater]

11 hours ago, Alessandro said:

Personally (not getting heady after winning 5 nil) 

#emotions 

[Alessandro]

4 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

#emotions 

#allthefeels

[W-S-M Seagull]

17 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

There’s a few on here using that win last night as justification to say they’re vindicated for their strong support of Manning - and sticking the knife those who’ve, rightly ImO, been critical of an otherwise underwhelming, and at times little streaky, reign under Manning so far. 

As I said in another thread, the last 4 ‘results’ have been very good - but in those 4 games we’ve been the beneficiary of some poor finishing (Vardy) and top keeping from Max (v Sunderland in an otherwise pretty poor showing) and we were literally gift wrapped 4 goals last night.

So all I’m saying is, within that nice run, it’s not all been perfect sailing - we’ve ridden our luck at times and despite the clean sheets we’ve continued to give away big chances, statistically that will catch us up.

That’s not taking away however from a big improvement from Manning, playing a footballing style that is better suited to the squad finally and more akin to what was suggested the club wanted when they appointed him. Hopefully that means he has adapted (voluntarily or otherwise) which would be very good news. 

Big improvement but as I say, I’m not celebrating anything yet….long way to go. 
 

EDIT - I dare say the results uptick have also been helped in part by the return of a player we don’t have next season too…

This is how I feel. 

Let's see if things are any different against a team that plays with a low block before we start to get excited. 

 

[Red Army 79]

1 hour ago, LondonBristolian said:

I really don’t get why people find it so implausible that there are people on these boards with contacts at the club and that they occasionally hear info that isn’t in the public domain. I also don’t really get why people find it wildly implausible that - after a run of bad results and poor performances - the players took a view on that or that the Technical Director had words with the manager. That strikes me as what would almost certainly happen, whether anyone heard about it or not.

What I would say is that, if either the players or Tinnion had views on what was needed to improve, I think Manning deserves credit for listening and taking feedback on board rather than being stubborn or defensive. A lot of people don’t engage with or learn from feedback and it can be a real flaw.

Completely agree

Id also be disappointed if these type of closed doors meetings that may or may not have happened got leaked to the public. 

It would show a lack of respect, integrity and not great for both trust and team morale. 
 

Let’s hope we can continue to finish the season on a high creating a bit of positivity going into next season. 
 

Our last two promotion seasons started with a change of management that didn’t start off to well but on both occasions got on a bit of a run at the end of the season prior and that momentum continued into the promotion season.