We are getting down to the wire and I thought it would be nice to get your overall thoughts on the comings and goings during the summer. Obviously we have lost 2 key players from last season in Reid and Flint and although some might say this is a negative I believe that if a player truly thinks he can move to a higher level then all very well and good and perhaps what originally felt a bit glum could turn out beneficial to all concerned. The new signings, along with some current squad members who have put pen to paper on a new contract, are the basis of our team for 2018-2019 and only time will tell if all, or most, of the pieces are firmly in place for a challenge. It looks like we have some unknowns prior to the kick-off including Joe Bryan and the possibility of some other changes in the works and the same old questions arise for me in have we done enough to improve? Mmm I'm not sure yet but I can be convinced - how about you?
Now the dust has settled I’m reasonably happy , could all depend on what , if anything , happens between now and the start of the season. Will Bryan leave , if he does I assume we have a replacement lined up. There’s also the question of keeper. With Frankie injured for the start of the season and no number 2 as such I believe something will happen in the next 10 days or so. I’ve no idea what to expect next season in terms of where we are likely to finish, it will all depend how quickly the additions settle in , I think we’ll be in for a bit of a rollercoaster ride , I can’t wait. Reddzzzzzzz
No, I'm not wrong. It was you who told me specifically that Fielding had signed for Sheff Utd, apparently 'backing up your point' that he was a Championship keeper.
I remember saying Luke Steele had joined them , because I thought he had , but don’t recollect saying Frankie had , see post 490 on transfer and rumour mill thread .
Will all depend how the new players settle in and Matty Taylor doing the business.If these go to plan i think it will be a reasonable too good season. We need to improve in the goalkeeping department for sure. Now if these new signings struggle,we are in for one big struggle. I'm sat on the fence at the moment. The so called better players we have been linked with have either gone to other championship teams, or we have not meet the asking prices. Time will tell.
I think the upheaval will likely result in us finishing a bit lower than last season, though I'd like to think we shouldn't be embroiled in a relegation dogfight. Some fans will be very disappointed with that, which is hard to deny, although, being understanding of the situation whereby the club has maybe been forced to sell and being able to replace those players with a mix of other promising youngsters and more experienced heads means that a promotion challenge has perhaps simply been postponed a season, rather than full on squandered. The goalkeeper situation is uncomfortable. I'm more of a fan of Fielding than most as I think he won us many more points than he lost us last year, but having essentially no backup (sorry Max O'Leary) is not good. Having seen apparently our top targets pass us by, it's looking like it will be very difficult to find someone who is a significant step up on Frankie, who, despite possessing great strengths, probably isn't good enough all-round to be part of a team challenging for promotion. One player in particular I'm keeping my fingers crossed for is Niclas Eliasson. He looked a bit lost at times last season, but he's apparently looked sharp in pre-season, so maybe he's that much more settled and understands the English game and his own team that much better to make an impression. Lots of wingers on our books now, so maybe Brownhill will move to the centre and give us more depth there?
All fair points RR , if somewhat negative, conversely if the new signings hit the ground running we could be in for a really good season , I’m somewhere in the middle, I don’t expect as good a season as last , we’ll before Christmas anyway, hoping for middle third finish with a more even spread. Looking forward to the new season, seeing the new signings, the ones we have so far , and also I believe a couple more we will have before the season starts.
Personally, I think if we are relying on Matty Taylor to do the business,,,,,,,we will be in serious trouble...that's my view!
New signings may be quantity over quality and the team again fluxing through styles due to the Managers lack of confidence in his players. My hope is that the signings are a move towards a clear playing style.
I agree there should be a main playing style but I also think that the players coming in are able to adapt to alternative playing styles.
First and foremost the team and its squad should be filled with players whose job description and playing ability fits the XI's playing blueprint. Wolves, Cardiff and Fulham last season with differing deliberate football did not abandon their direct, vertical and aggressive or managing the ball through the thirds football for altogether differing approaches . I would truly question if Bristol City can afford players who can play multiple styles adeptly. Bristol City cannot pay 25 - 30k a week for a team, and squad (24+?) that can.
Don't agree with that. They are footballers not robots and most decent players are able to adapt to different styles..I don't know any footballers growing up playing only one style of football.
Many players do not have the ability to play "adeptly" differing styles. Famara last season could not adapt to the aggressive high pressing the team was using so the approach had to be abandoned for his inclusion. I would not call the player anything other than more than decent. I would suggest Fulham's more than decent players would find Cardiffs football alien and the challenges problematic. The technical, tactical, physical and psychological demands differ. I don't know any footballers growing up playing only one style of football … Some certainly do, and more to the point many are used in roles that suit their skill sets, while players frequently fail when asked to take on responsibilities they are not suited to.
Players have limitations e.g. Mark Little great pro but will never be a highly skilled full back in possession.
Mainly how they are coached.. I don't believe any young footballer sets out with one style in mind, especially good footballers (normally with brains).....they just want to play football. whether they're good at a particular style set out by their current coach is IMO down to that coach. I think it;s called, "getting the best" out of the talent that's there.
