Aim has to be a higher finish at least..... On the implementation/change of style, I often wonder if this is a bit of a 'modern fad' brought on by the likes of Pep etc? Thinking back to both Premier League promotions our team generally had an identity best described as 'hard working' and 'direct' for the most part (especially under Warnock), but few fans grumbled because we were successful with it (red rebrand aside). I personally used to bristle a little bit about the 'hoofball' tag we were often labelled with because whilst we DID go direct a lot, we showed on plenty of occasions that we could also play it around a bit and score excellent team goals too - but of course these get glossed over because it didn't fit the narrative and I wonder if there is a bit of blindness where Erol is concerned too? On the flip side, we had Trollope who tried to revolutionise our style of play but results were really poor - the crowd turned on him/the team as a result of this. When it comes down to it, the biggest thing fans nowadays want is a winning team, regardless of how they play... only after they get used to winning frequently do they then start grumbling about 'style' (the West Ham conundrum all over - lets ditch our most successful manager in a generation because the football has become dull - didn't hear too many complaints when their European Trophy was being lifted though eh??) How long would a manager last if we became a mid-table / flirt with the play-offs every other year type of team that played lovely football but never got anywhere (bit like Dave Jones's team in the end)??? A year or two max in these times probably. I honestly think under Erol our style will evolve a little more but we need to be patient with it, it won't happen overnight and things will undoubtedly go wrong - will the crowd (all baying for more attractive football) be forgiving enough to allow mistakes to happen whilst the team build confidence and familiarity with new systems/patterns of play? Can't see it myself to be honest. I know it IS possible to have both style AND results but (to echo one of Clingo's comments about fans nowadays expecting 'instant' results) patience will be paramount and when you think about it, very few teams actually achieve it and sustain it.
See! Why can't I get my points across like that? I can't argue with a single word of it and anything more from me would just repeat most of it but less eloquently.
Good day to one and all. I've been out of the picture for some time with family troubles and work etc. Great to be back and hope everyone is well! I'm curious as to what the general thoughts are on our manager as in my absolute honest opinion, I don't think I've seen a City side more absolutely void of attacking ideas. How we ended up finishing 12th I think is an absolute miracle. With all that being said, I see so much support for EB and I personally just don't see what everyone else does. I genuinely hope I am eating my words at the end of the season, but I just don't see it. Are we even linked with any players?
Good to see you sir. Hopefully your situation is getting easier for you. There's another thread "Bulut and the Future" which carries a variety of opinions. Some good comments from all sides.
Welcome back Jay. I hope your personal issues are being resolved. All reasoned views are welcomed. You will see one poster on this board who's views are not reasoned and totally at odds with everyone else. Regrettably he doesn't get the heavily dropped "hint" and jck off elsewhere. As for Bulut I wouldn't say he has been totally endorsed on here but after a much improved league position and an embargo free transfer window he now has a much better opportunity to show what he can do.
Hello BfB mate! Hope all is well with you! Granted, and point taken on bud. I'm sceptical on it though. I am far from saying we should be playing tippy tappy possession football, but I don't see MUCH of a difference between Bulut's tactics to (for arguments sake) Mick McCarthey's or Neil Harris. I saw so many people breathing a sigh of relief when Bulut signed his new deal and everyone beaming with excitement that I was just a little confused by it. It was like we had just signed Mbappe!
Welcome back Jay.... echo previous comments, hope all is now much more settled for you on all fronts. I'd say the majority of us here are "hopeful" that we see some of the well publicised issues that have arisen under Erol ironed out if he is given more time and some suitable funds to wheel and deal in the transfer window without the hindrances he had previously. We saw glimpses of some good stuff last season, especially early on (prior to long term injuries hitting some of our more creative players) but the safety first/negative approach that we saw all too often needs to become the exception rather than the rule this season if fans are going to get fully on board the Bulut train. I think however there is almost universal recognition that as bad as some of the football as at times, overall there was a big improvement in league position, points return and (finally) a win against our little cousins down the road together with a return to normality against the Wurzels, so it wasn't all bad either and he probably deserves another shot at improving things further!
Just didn't want you to miss the other comments. For me, Bulut has done enough to warrant more time under easier conditions. I think the football was a result of him playing to the limited skills in the squad. Had he tried a different style when the squad was without the stars, I reckon we'd be in league one this season. Yes mistakes were made but there always will be with a new boss. At least the revolving door has been halted. As for the style of football, results will dictate and we'll probably be less fussy if we're winning I don't think any of us are 100% convinced but we're about to find out.
Good to have you back Jay. We need every member we can get, especially level headed ones. Not sure returning will do much for your stress levels though. On the Bulut front, he started well but regressed. He probably did enough to warrant an extension, but where my glass was half full before Christmas, it's half empty now. We need to see a clear pattern if play and some signings to support that.
Great to see you still around matey! I see everyone's points on this and as much as I am dubious about the coming season, it's nice to see the point of view of people who I've discussed things in depth with in the past. As I said previously, I really hope I am eating my words come next May and I'll be the first to hold my hands up and say "I should have given him more time before deciding" but as things stand, yes, he lead us to a mid table finish with a transfer embargo in place but I'm just not convinced and I fear we will be battling relegation as the bookies suggest!
Well, whatever unfolds I hope you're able to stick around on here for the coming season. It's worth it just for Brizzle's match day threads.
J-R All the above posts sum up my views more or less. Looking forward to see whether Bulut can kick on from last seasons Curates Egg of a season. You’re not wrong: how did we end up mid table? So much rests though on him coaching a more positive up beat style of play, and to that end bringing in players to enable that. There were too games last season where we didn’t compete in and looked decidedly second best. I want to see City start every game with the attitude we can win this regardless of the opposition and not do so with freak last minute goals- we had more than our fair share of those last season and can’t really expect a repeat.
I'll certainly be doing my best to remain as active as possible mate! Lets hope the actual matches are as exciting as Brizz's threads
