Blackburn Rovers away match thread

[Jerseybean]

Ewood Park here we come. It’s on Robins TV with a 3 pm kick off.

A couple of quiz questions to start with, answers at the end.

1) What is Ewood Park famous for?

2) Blackburn were one of the 12 founding members of the football league, who were the other 11?

Currently they are fifth having won two and drawn two so far this season. They aren’t getting carried away however, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cdx6xlvn759o

LM presser: https://youtu.be/cGMJcdoFrfk and Rob Atkinson is in contention to be involved https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-handed-significant-injury-9549414?utm_source=bristol_live_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=auto_bcfc_newsletter&utm_content=&utm_term=&ruid=eda3a0ce-34ec-4a85-96cd-ae68727a6b80

Zak Vyner’s pre-match thoughts https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/vyner-previews-blackburn-away/

Sports Mole going for a home win: https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/blackburn-rovers/preview/preview-blackburn-vs-bristol-city-prediction-team-news-lineups_552670.html

Ref is Stephen Martin he will be assisted by Mark Dwyer and Carl Fitch-Jackson. Fourth official is Thomas Kirk.

They were fighting for survival last season which they eventually secured by winning 2-0 at Leicester in their last game of the season, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cd1340vqyd6t they finished 19th on 53 points.

Harry Leonard and Zak Gilsenan have both missed the start of the season due to injury. Striker Leonard, 20, sustained a dislocated shoulder at the start of pre-season while attacking midfielder Gilsenan, 21, is on the sidelines due to a muscle problem.

Here’s their MDT: https://www.brfcs.com/forums/topic/37154-v-bristol-city-h-1492024/ I thought this line was interesting, ‘think their manager Manning is one of the "pass it to death without any threat” ‘

Ex BCFC player Sammy Szmodics left for Ipswich in August. Szmodics, the Championship's top scorer last season with 27 goals, joined the Tractor Boys on a four-year deal after a fee of £9m plus add-on bonuses was agreed.

Head-to-head record, we have won 23, lost 17 and drawn 14.

They signed former Everton goalkeeper Jack Barrett on a free transfer. The 22-year-old, released by the Toffees, had been on trial at Ewood Park, and did enough to land a one-year contract.

At the end of July they made four signings in the space of 24 hours. They brought in three new strikers - Makhtar Gueye from Belgian club Molenbeek, Yuki Ohashi from Sanfrecce Hiroshima and teenager Exauce Mafoumbi from FC Nantes - all on three-year contracts.

They also brought 37-year-old centre-back Kyle McFadzean back to the club on a one-year deal. The former Coventry City skipper initially joined Rovers from the Sky Blues in January on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Also added former Wolves, Stoke City and Sunderland defender Danny Batth on a one-year deal.

Andi Weimann joined them on a one year contract, https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/andi-weimanns-first-words-bristol-9454824, last time out, against Burnley, he scored a Worldie to earn them a point. Ahead of the game he had this to say: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5yl1r5g244o

They also signed Liverpool left-back Owen Beck on a season-long loan.

On deadline day they signed Stoke City midfielder Lewis Baker on a season-long loan, along with goalkeeper Balazs Toth on a three-year deal and Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry also on season-long loan, plus Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell on a three-year deal as well as Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry on season-long loan.

Last time we played them away they bagged the points, https://youtu.be/2b6uJsLXkaI?si=q8t7SCPUxkkyaT8W

Who else remembers this goal, from 2017? https://youtu.be/wIcHlkMGUH4 Tammy scored 23 that season.

Their distinctive blue and white quartered shirts are not a result of the town’s famous cotton checks but came about because the club was formed by a group of public schoolboys in 1875. The two who called the inaugural meeting were Shrewsbury old boys; others attending were from QEGS in Blackburn and Malvern College whose quartered shirts were adopted by the new club – though with Cambridge Blue in place of Malvern Green.

Their manager, John Eustace, who joined them in February this year, was one of the names mentioned as our next leader when Nigel Pearson was sacked. During his playing career, he played as a central midfielder for Coventry City, Stoke City, Watford and Derby County. He also spent time on loan at Dundee United, Middlesbrough and Hereford United.

A bit of local history

The history of Blackburn stretches back to Roman times where it would have consisted mainly of a small settlement on the River Darwen. The River Darwen was a main route to the Irish Sea during the Roman occupation. The first mention of Blackburn is found in the Domesday Book with a listing as Blacheberge.

There were also several medieval settlements in and around the town, which includes an ancient hamlet called Blackburn. The town has seen a lot of development over the years, with some sections being demolished and new towns built in their place. Most notably, in 1960s when large housing estates were constructed to accommodate the growing population during this time period (1960). In 1963 it was designated as part of Lancashire and in 1974, Blackburn was subsumed into the metropolitan county of Lancashire.

In the 18th century, Blackburn was a centre of textile manufacture. This industry continued to flourish until the late 20th century and as a result Blackburn has always been an important industrial town. In addition, Blackburn has a strong military heritage. This is due to the establishment of an air force training centre in 1937, which continues to serve as one of the largest employers in modern day Blackburn.

Blackburn became the first town to undertake the mass finger-printing of people following the murder of June Anne Devaney in May 1948. She was a three-year-old patient at Queens Park Hospital when she was abducted from her cot and murdered in its grounds, now part of the Royal Blackburn Hospital site, on 15 May 1948.

Fingerprints on a bottle underneath her cot led the police to fingerprint every male over the age of 16 who was present in Blackburn on 14 and 15 May 1948. After taking over 46,500 sets of fingerprints, a match was made with Peter Griffiths, a 22-year-old ex-serviceman. Griffiths admitted his guilt and his trial ascertained if he was sane or not.

After deliberating for 23 minutes, the jury found him sane and he was hanged at Liverpool Prison on Friday 19 November 1948. After his conviction, the police destroyed all fingerprints they had taken.

Pubs

The Golden Cup, 610 Blackburn Road, Darwen, BB3 0AJ, http://goldencupdarwen.co.uk/

The Postal Order, 15-19 Darwen Street, Blackburn, BB2 2BY (Spoons) https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/lancashire/the-postal-order-blackburn

Navigation Inn, Canal Street, Blackburn, BB2 4DL, https://navigationblackburn.co.uk

Oyster and Otter, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, BB2 5DQ, https://oysterandotter.co.uk/ Distinctive clapboard and stone building in modern New England style; open-plan interior with cushioned dining booths by big windows on one side, other cosy seating areas divided by shoulder-high walls and large central hearth, end part with comfy sofas, good food including signature fish/seafood from open kitchen, Marstons Wainwright, a guest ale and over 30 wines by the glass; background music; children welcome, seats on decking above road, open (and food) all day.

The Fernhurst, 466 Bolton Road, Blackburn, BB2 4JP, https://www.hungryhorse.co.uk/pubs/lancashire/fernhurst?utm_source=g_places&utm_medium=locations&utm_campaign=HH_pubpage

And the answers -

1) Ewood Park Stadium was home to the world's first-ever floodlit league match! On 4th November 1878 Blackburn Rovers played its first floodlit game.

As Mike Jackman has pointed out in his book, Blackburn Rovers: An Illustrated History (1995): "The visitors were Accrington and the ground was illuminated by the Gramme light - one being situated at the east end of the Meadows and the other at the west end. Each light was attached to a scaffold that rose some 30 to 40ft from the ground. An 8hp portable engine was required to work the battery and it was said that the system provided the equivalent of some 6,000 candle power. However, it was felt necessary to paint the ball white to aid both players and spectators."

2) In 1888 the first ever Football League matches took place. The 12 founding members were:

Accrington

Aston Villa

Blackburn

Bolton

Burnley

Derby

Everton

Notts County

Preston

Stoke

West Brom

Wolves

[Red Army 75]

Good to be back, really do not enjoy international breaks so early into the season. Happy with a point up there.

Im not going to say it

COYR

[frenchred]

Looking to see if the manager has the bollox to put round pegs in round holes which would mean dropping one of his favs. Play players in the positions they were recruited for

No excuses now!

[Sir Geoff]

28 minutes ago, frenchred said:

Looking to see if the manager has the bollox to put round pegs in round holes which would mean dropping one of his favs. Play players in the positions they were recruited for

No excuses now!

Not to mention he's also had another two weeks 'on the grass' with them. No excuses now.

[frenchred]

@Unan which bit are you confused about?

[DaveInSA]

Can’t see us getting anything up there. 2-0 Blackburn, a brace for Weimann.

[Back of the Dolman]

1 minute ago, DaveInSA said:

Can’t see us getting anything up there. 2-0 Blackburn, a brace for Weimann.

That’s the positive spirit I’ve missed over the international break

[Major Isewater]

Is Ewood Park famous for being the home of Blackburn Rovers ? 

[GrahamC]

I’m a huge fan of Andi but I’ll bet good money some of those now predicting he’ll score were regularly slagging him off when he was with us..

Tough game, they have started well but aren’t Real Madrid, Gueye’s suspension will probably alter how they look to set up.

Hope Manning has spent the break getting a clear idea of who plays where & in what formation. Not sure Bird as a 10 & Twine wide is worth persevering with, myself.

Also at the risk of stating the obvious, we need to be much harder to score against.

Expect McNally to start but won’t be surprised if there are very few (if any) other changes.

[Unan]

2 hours ago, frenchred said:

Looking to see if the manager has the bollox to put round pegs in round holes which would mean dropping one of his favs. Play players in the positions they were recruited for

No excuses now!

 

1 hour ago, frenchred said:

@Unan which bit are you confused about?

Who is the favourite square peg player?

And who is the round peg player that would take bollox to put in the team?

Who has said x player was brought in to play in y position?

Do you think that once a player is bought they are then resigned to playing in only one position?

Do you think rigidly playing players only in their preferred positions limits tactical flexibility and creativity?

Aren't modern footballers expected to be versatile and adapt to different roles based on the needs of the team?

Do you think managers should limit that flexibility?

If a player performs better in a different position than originally recruited for, wouldn't it be counterproductive to stick them in a less effective role?

Are you sure the manager is playing his 'favs,' or could it be that these players are actually performing better in training or fit the tactical plan better?

What if injuries or suspensions mean the manager has no choice but to shift players around—would you still argue they should stick to their original positions then?

Considering the depth (or lack thereof) in the squad, do you think it's realistic to always play every player in their natural position?

Football is full of examples of players who thrived after switching positions—should the manager not experiment and evolve players’ roles?

Could it be that the manager is setting up the team based on the opposition's strengths and weaknesses?

How important is positional rigidity when adapting to different opponents?

Do you think fan pressure about playing 'round pegs in round holes' sometimes overlooks the bigger tactical picture a manager is trying to implement?

Could moving players around help them develop new skills and improve their overall game?

Isn’t adaptability a key part of modern football?

Edited Friday at 12:07 by Unan

[Swede]

Max

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

Knight Williams

Bird

Sykes Twiney

Sincs

I can't see Manning being too adventurous. I am less than convinced that this lineup gets the best out of Twine as I think one of the other three midfielders would need to make way but hey ho he should know what he's doing (gulp)

[robin_unreliant]

We will have to improve A LOT on the last performance to get anything out of this one.

The next 5 games are crucial for Manning. We should ge getting 10 points from them, even if it's a defeat tomorrow. If we are much below that I think he will be failing to get what should be expected and will come under serious pressure. Not convinced he will deliver on what we've seen so far.

[FNQ]

8 hours ago, Unan said:

 

Who is the favourite square peg player?

And who is the round peg player that would take bollox to put in the team?

Who has said x player was brought in to play in y position?

Do you think that once a player is bought they are then resigned to playing in only one position?

Do you think rigidly playing players only in their preferred positions limits tactical flexibility and creativity?

Aren't modern footballers expected to be versatile and adapt to different roles based on the needs of the team?

Do you think managers should limit that flexibility?

If a player performs better in a different position than originally recruited for, wouldn't it be counterproductive to stick them in a less effective role?

Are you sure the manager is playing his 'favs,' or could it be that these players are actually performing better in training or fit the tactical plan better?

What if injuries or suspensions mean the manager has no choice but to shift players around—would you still argue they should stick to their original positions then?

Considering the depth (or lack thereof) in the squad, do you think it's realistic to always play every player in their natural position?

Football is full of examples of players who thrived after switching positions—should the manager not experiment and evolve players’ roles?

Could it be that the manager is setting up the team based on the opposition's strengths and weaknesses?

How important is positional rigidity when adapting to different opponents?

Do you think fan pressure about playing 'round pegs in round holes' sometimes overlooks the bigger tactical picture a manager is trying to implement?

Could moving players around help them develop new skills and improve their overall game?

Isn’t adaptability a key part of modern football?

So basically what you’re saying is that Liam’s playing his own tactical style and selecting the team accordingly with what are now his own players.. He’s been here long enough, he’s had his pre season and he’s been fully backed by the club.. No excuses now.

[38MC]

I think this is a pretty good game for us after the international break, because it’s a decent test so it’s a chance to judge based on performance more than result. 

For me Blackburn away is one where you’d target a point, but won’t get carried away if it’s a win or a loss. So it’s the performance that counts tomorrow. Over to the coaching staff. 

[Shauntaylor85]

Manning has had two weeks to realise the error of his ways. It’s clear we need to play players in the right positions, if he doesn’t change that then can see another pasting. Especially if Pring is exposed tactically yet again. Big game for Manning 

[38MC]

Just now, Shauntaylor85 said:

Manning has had two weeks to realise the error of his ways. It’s clear we need to play players in the right positions, if he doesn’t change that then can see another pasting. Especially if Pring is exposed tactically yet again. Big game for Manning 

I guarantee it’s not big. His career defining moment won’t be Blackburn away for the fifth league game of the season. 

[Unan]

27 minutes ago, FNQ said:

So basically what you’re saying is that Liam’s playing his own tactical style and selecting the team accordingly with what are now his own players.. He’s been here long enough, he’s had his pre season and he’s been fully backed by the club.. No excuses now.

No that isn’t what I’m saying at all, I’m saying why I’m confused about the other posters comment & asking them questions to help clarify their position.

Edited Friday at 20:48 by Unan

[Mr Popodopolous]

28 minutes ago, 38MC said:

I guarantee it’s not big. His career defining moment won’t be Blackburn away for the fifth league game of the season. 

If we lose and lose badly, in the midst of a potentially on paper okay start fixtures wise and with Oxford at Home next- who he quit just under a year ago, some pressure could mount.

Here is to 3 points we hope and the start of a strong run.

[frenchred]

9 hours ago, Unan said:

 

Who is the favourite square peg player?

And who is the round peg player that would take bollox to put in the team?

Who has said x player was brought in to play in y position?

Do you think that once a player is bought they are then resigned to playing in only one position?

Do you think rigidly playing players only in their preferred positions limits tactical flexibility and creativity?

Aren't modern footballers expected to be versatile and adapt to different roles based on the needs of the team?

Do you think managers should limit that flexibility?

If a player performs better in a different position than originally recruited for, wouldn't it be counterproductive to stick them in a less effective role?

Are you sure the manager is playing his 'favs,' or could it be that these players are actually performing better in training or fit the tactical plan better?

What if injuries or suspensions mean the manager has no choice but to shift players around—would you still argue they should stick to their original positions then?

Considering the depth (or lack thereof) in the squad, do you think it's realistic to always play every player in their natural position?

Football is full of examples of players who thrived after switching positions—should the manager not experiment and evolve players’ roles?

Could it be that the manager is setting up the team based on the opposition's strengths and weaknesses?

How important is positional rigidity when adapting to different opponents?

Do you think fan pressure about playing 'round pegs in round holes' sometimes overlooks the bigger tactical picture a manager is trying to implement?

Could moving players around help them develop new skills and improve their overall game?

Isn’t adaptability a key part of modern football?

Wow

Common knowledge twine was brought in as a 10, bird wasn't!

If Naismith is the answer at CB, then no question fits!

Williams or knight should be dropped on form, will he do it?

If your so blind that you cannot see what is staring most in the eyes you maybe lacking in football knowledge

Dunno what he may e "trying to implement" but it ain't working

Had long enough, no excuses

[Peter1450]

The common thread here is no excuses and he’ll be under pressure…….. can’t see him being under any pressure from those that employed him. 
       That would be admitting the appointment has been a failure and our hierarchy aren’t exactly known for      owning their past cock ups, the Oxford fans don’t seem to be missing him too much .

[Son of Fred]

10 hours ago, Swede said:

Max

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

Knight Williams

Bird

Sykes Twiney

Sincs

I can't see Manning being too adventurous. I am less than convinced that this lineup gets the best out of Twine as I think one of the other three midfielders would need to make way but hey ho he should know what he's doing (gulp)

Would be letting Knight have an extended rest today -

Sadly not going to happen though.

[mjd]

Got to be honest was hoping for a win  a Derby so I won't hold my breath on this one . Still can always hope for a win. 

[redsquirrel]

our one striker that will be on the pitch that knows how to find the target will only get the last 30 mins. that needs to change.

if we go 2-0 down before then, they will shut us out and we arent creative enough to get in.

thats not to mention we could still be vulnerable at the back to their breaks .  i can only feel a 3 or 4-0 defeat coming on, unless fally starts and twine or bird stay on the bench.      maybe something like this

                          max

sykes ,tanner ,vyner, roberts, pring

         knight,       bird      williams

                       armstrong

                           fally

                     

[RedEyez]

Would like to see LM play players in their actual positions today and be a little adventurous.

I would like to see him drop Knight, he’s been well off it so far this season imo. Play our best performing player , so far, in his natural position along the tenacity of Williams and Twine in the 10. I think Mehmeti’s off the ball work has improved hugely since he first joined and could give Pring the required help down the LHS , that Twine will not offer.

 

                    Max

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

            Bird  Williams (C)

       Yu     Twine   Mehmeti

              Armstrong

[Loosey Boy]

3 minutes ago, RedEyez said:

Would like to see LM play players in their actual positions today and be a little adventurous.

I would like to see him drop Knight, he’s been well off it so far this season imo. Play our best performing player , so far, in his natural position along the tenacity of Williams and Twine in the 10. I think Mehmeti’s off the ball work has improved hugely since he first joined and could give Pring the required help down the LHS , that Twine will not offer.

 

                    Max

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

            Bird  Williams (C)

       Yu     Twine   Mehmeti

              Armstrong

Agreed - he needs to play players in their best positions. Twine being the main one as after all, we signed him as the 10 we’d been after ALL summer!

Whilst I don’t think he would play it, I like this team although, at the is stage, I would start Sykes over Yu, simply because I think we’d be more solid from a defensive perspective (not seen enough of Yu to know his defensive traits)…..

Either way, we need a positive performance and result (draw is fine) to erase the Derby debacle!

COYRs

[RedEyez]

3 minutes ago, Loosey Boy said:

Agreed - he needs to play players in their best positions. Twine being the main one as after all, we signed him as the 10 we’d been after ALL summer!

Whilst I don’t think he would play it, I like this team although, at the is stage, I would start Sykes over Yu, simply because I think we’d be more solid from a defensive perspective (not seen enough of Yu to know his defensive traits)…..

Either way, we need a positive performance and result (draw is fine) to erase the Derby debacle!

COYRs

Sykes has been really poor thus far, and based on that, I would just throw Yu in and see what happens. Can’t be any worse 

[Shauntaylor85]

One thing is guaranteed. Manning will make a double like for like change on 60 mins irrespective of score…….yawn. 

[Tony Tootle]

When Roy Hodgson was in charge of Blackburn he drove the long way round between his home and Rovers' picturesque Ribble Valley training ground in order not to become "depressed" negotiating the town centre.

[Major Isewater]

Our new City specialist had a hit in the seventies with ‘ Billy don’t be a hero ‘ . 

[FNQ]

56 minutes ago, RedEyez said:

Would like to see LM play players in their actual positions today and be a little adventurous.

I would like to see him drop Knight, he’s been well off it so far this season imo. Play our best performing player , so far, in his natural position along the tenacity of Williams and Twine in the 10. I think Mehmeti’s off the ball work has improved hugely since he first joined and could give Pring the required help down the LHS , that Twine will not offer.

 

                    Max

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

            Bird  Williams (C)

       Yu     Twine   Mehmeti

              Armstrong

I would also swap Pring for Roberts… and just as soon as Rob Atkinson is available I’d drop Zac too. Our defence has looked calamitous too often this season and others deserve a chance.. 

However, Liam will be brave and put McNally in for Naismith and that’ll probably be that.

[Mr Popodopolous]

Error.

Dickie was injured a goal up v Coventry iirc?

[RedEyez]

Bring back Piercy. This new guy is awful. His predicted line up doesn’t even feature Bird

[robin_unreliant]

5 minutes ago, RedEyez said:

Bring back Piercy. This new guy is awful. His predicted line up doesn’t even feature Bird

He also can't write in English. A depressingly common problem with modern sports journalists.

[Major Isewater]

11 minutes ago, robin_unreliant said:

He also can't write in English. A depressingly common problem with modern sports journalists.

They don’t not got no edukashun. 

[robin_unreliant]

11 minutes ago, robin_unreliant said:

He also can't write in English. A depressingly common problem with modern sports journalists.

I mean, who will Liam turn too to understand what the hell this means?

[Red Ferret]

That command of the English language is pitiful. 

[Major Isewater]

1 hour ago, Red Ferret said:

That command of the English language is pitiful. 

Scenes at Bristol Live this morning. 
 

[maxjak]

I see that Blackburn have recently signed the Ex Norwich player Todd Cantwell from Rangers..........a player who i had   rated highly, and i always  thought would end up in the Prem?  However, I have just read that he is not up to match fitness so will not be making his debut today, which i am pleased about!

[West Hill Red]

The negativity here is depressing! 

[Glen hump]

2 minutes ago, West Hill Red said:

The negativity here is depressing! 

Wait until 5 pm

[DT The Optimist]

The Blackburn view, stated earlier,  of LM as another manager who ‘passes it to death, with no threat’ made me smile… i think last season that might be fair, do not  think that can be levelled at us this season to date… looking forward to the selection today

[MarcusX]

24 minutes ago, Glen hump said:

Wait until 5 pm

3:10 you mean

30 minute delay on the m6 not ideal!

[Sleepy1968]

3 hours ago, robin_unreliant said:

He also can't write in English. A depressingly common problem with modern sports journalists.

I blame the useless Reach Plc news stories this ai bot was trained on.

[David Brent]

Would take a point away from home. As long as we see a good performance, we’ll have a chance of winning. 

[Spike]

5 hours ago, redsquirrel said:

our one striker that will be on the pitch that knows how to find the target will only get the last 30 mins. that needs to change.

if we go 2-0 down before then, they will shut us out and we arent creative enough to get in.

thats not to mention we could still be vulnerable at the back to their breaks .  i can only feel a 3 or 4-0 defeat coming on, unless fally starts and twine or bird stay on the bench.      maybe something like this

                          max

sykes ,tanner ,vyner, roberts, pring

         knight,       bird      williams

                       armstrong

                           fally

                     

The issue is that most of our key chances are falling to Armstrong because he's got the power and pace to create them, Fally doesn't have those qualities and doesn't chase down the opposition as much either. I agree that he's a far better finisher from what we've seen but he doesn't have the qualities in this set up that help create chances, Armstrong does.

Also whilst we're discussing that line up, it would fail horribly because it would be back to the 5 at the back only without the count attack as Manning doesn't play that, all this would do is cause Bird to push up on Armstrong, Armstrong to push up on Fally and force a congested middle with very little width allowing us to be countered with pace as we were at Derby. If we played that lineup against Derby they would have done exactly the same thing, look at our left wing, see there is not enough cover and pump multiple people at Pring leaving him overwhelmed and unable to stop 2-3 players at once.

Our formation isn't the issue IMO, it's the same issue we've had under almost every manager.... predictability. We play a passing, possession game under Manning, under Pearson we played a low possession full counter attack style of football and both have had successes and more so failures and this is because when either style fails we do not adapt. Derby switched up at half time against us and ended up drubbing us, despite the fact that we dominated the first half. They showed Mannings short comings in that they identified the issues, they identified our weaknesses and then they adapted their playstyle and did we react to that? no. Manning and Pearson both have great qualities, Pearson could identify weaknesses and build us to suppress them and get the best out of players to give us something going forward and could get the best out of what he could pick up. Manning is not so much a man for getting the best out of his players but more bringing in the men who can do what he wants, he's decided to change our defence to improve our attack by putting more pressure on the opposition, something Pearsons tactics lacked but much like Pearson when the plan fails he has no ability to get the team to adapt to what's changed and get the upper hand. 
Both Pearson and Manning are/were plan A masters, the problem is they were playing Checkers whilst the teams that stripped them apart were playing Chess, the opposition had a second option, they had trained in different ways to give them a plan B or even a plan C.

I don't think switching formations is a good idea, Mannings formation as it is reacts in a dynamic way, which is actually a strong point, the issue is that when it fails he doesn't react to what is failing, he just hopes we'll push through and in modern football you just cannot do that, sometimes you may get lucky but other times you'll get pulled apart. I see Manning as that guy who sees a crack in his windscreen and just keeps putting it off only for it to shatter and leave him sat on the roadside sooner or later rather than getting the windscreen repaired.

Today Manning's real test is going to be in his reading of the game, if we play the same line up today and Blackburn come out and double up on Pring again because Twine is coming too central and crowding out the middle and he doesn't instantly make a change to fix that then we have to accept we're not going to progress under Manning. It's the same issue in almost any job and management, avoiding or trying to ignore the glaring issues never works in the long run, in the short run you may be able to glaze over it but in the long run it'll catch up to him.

I do like Mannings base style of play and set up, I like the squad we have and when we come up against an opposition that are as one-dimensional as us I'm sure we'll see some great wins with some lovely football but that's not how you get promoted, by hoping the opposition don't adapt, you create the ability to adapt on the fly and push the game on the opposition, something I'm yet to see Manning do for us.

[Unan]

15 hours ago, frenchred said:

Wow

Common knowledge twine was brought in as a 10, bird wasn't!

If Naismith is the answer at CB, then no question fits!

Williams or knight should be dropped on form, will he do it?

If your so blind that you cannot see what is staring most in the eyes you maybe lacking in football knowledge

Dunno what he may e "trying to implement" but it ain't working

Had long enough, no excuses

You seemed to have missed the questions attached to my post sir

[frenchred]

3 minutes ago, Unan said:

You seemed to have missed the questions attached to my post sir

Didn't think they warranted a direct reply, your obviously happy with the situation, let's just agree to differ!

[Malago]

1 hour ago, West Hill Red said:

The negativity here is depressing! 

Welcome to the land of the Determined to be Disappointed.

[Spike]

1 hour ago, West Hill Red said:

The negativity here is depressing! 

Unfortunately, that is down to the club itself, we've been in many positions to have a real go at this level but the people running the club are the only ones consistent through all of those times. The negativity comes from the club talking a big game and rarely delivering it. 

[Slippin cider]

37 minutes ago, David Brent said:

Would take a point away from home. As long as we see a good performance, we’ll have a chance of winning. 

Bigger , more physical side than us , 2-1 ….

[RedorDead BCFC]

[Sandhurst Red]

Happy with that.

 

Fally in for Armstrong

McNally in for Naismith 

Edited Saturday at 13:01 by Sandhurst Red

[Shauntaylor85]

Honestly Manning is losing the plot! You’ve signed a 10, play him as one! Can’t believe what I’m seeing. 

[Jose]

Sticking with Twine on the left and Bird in 10……………….

[frenchred]

Just now, Jose said:

Sticking with Twine on the left and Bird in 10……………….

IF that's the case it is a gutless decision from a timid coach

As I said if

[petehinton]

Persisting wirh Twine and Bird in the 10

[CiderHider]

2 minutes ago, Shauntaylor85 said:

Honestly Manning is losing the plot! You’ve signed a 10, play him as one! Can’t believe what I’m seeing. 

Let's just see 

[Shauntaylor85]

Just now, frenchred said:

IF that's the case it is a gutless decision from a timid coach

As I said if

Sorry but if we lose today and Pring still gets isolated on that left he should be under pressure ahead of Oxford. I am stunned by this. Poor decision.  

Just now, petehinton said:

Persisting wirh Twine and Bird in the 10

LJ and Mciness all over again. I have no faith 

[PortInTheMorning]

4 minutes ago, Sandhurst Red said:

Happy with that.

 

Fally in for Armstrong

McNally in for Naismith 

Well, happy with those two changes above - but Twine on the left and Bird in the 10 again? Definitely not...

Edited Saturday at 13:06 by PortInTheMorning

[frenchred]

Just now, Shauntaylor85 said:

Sorry but if we lose today and Pring still gets isolated on that left he should be under pressure ahead of Oxford. I am stunned by this. Poor decision.  

I agree with you mate

[Spike]

1 minute ago, RedorDead BCFC said:

So Twine on the left and Sykes on the right.... not sure how I feel about that but I guess we're looking to get more crosses in for Mayulu as Twine can deliver a cross and Sykes tries to push up on the wing. Really not sure how I feel about this line up, neither pessimistic or optimistic. Be interesting to see how McNally does but my main concern is Twine coming central again, I really hate the fact we're putting him out there where he clearly would be better in the middle but I get it with how good Bird has been other than against Derby where the whole team looked off in the second half.

[Ivorguy]

We need at least a draw today or else the pressure begins to mount onLM.

A good 2-0 win or even 2-1 will do nicely

[The Original OTIB]

2 minutes ago, petehinton said:

Persisting wirh Twine and Bird in the 10

+ Sykes has been underwhelming yet starts. Hope he has a good one today.

[Mr Popodopolous]

Don't see us winning today, a point perhaps.

[Port Said Red]

1 minute ago, The Original OTIB said:

+ Sykes has been underwhelming yet starts. Hope he has a good one today.

One of our better players last home match. 

[Out of his pie crust]

For balance, See a comfortable 3-0 win for City.

[ProfitInMyPocket]

Twines been signed to play that inside left drifting inside either with a back four or wingbacks.

Everyone said he played 10 last year which he didn't, he played the role he is now but we had wingbacks instead. That's what Manning wants to do with his starboy, he's got to perform now.

 

[mozo]

9 minutes ago, Shauntaylor85 said:

Honestly Manning is losing the plot! You’ve signed a 10, play him as one! Can’t believe what I’m seeing. 

I think he's trying to get all his vest midfielders in but agree I'd rather Twine in the 10. 

Who would you drop to make that happen?

1 minute ago, Out of his pie crust said:

For balance, See a comfortable 3-0 win for City.

You miserable git.

5-0 

[Davefevs]

What do we reckon?  Vyner right, McNally left?

[Loosey Boy]

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

What do we reckon?  Vyner right, McNally left?

Yep, that’s how I see it Dave