Who knows, we’ve always been better against better opposition, Nige had us playing on the break which maybe would have suited a cup run also. Like I said who knows, what we do know is LM did take us on a good cup run, so all credit to him. Let’s hope we can turn it into a good run in the league.
Bristol City verdict: A twist of fate, Robins win in different ways and a sting to Knight's tail All the talking points as Bristol City beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside Stadium Bristol City verdict: A twist of fate, Robins win in different ways and a sting to Knight's tail - Bristol Live (bristolpost.co.uk)
RR last 4 league games, draws with Watford and Cov, 0-1 loss to Leeds ( granted the manner of which was poor ) and a win at Boro. I wouldn't call that relegation form given the opposition. Tomorrow will be very interesting.
RR those 10 games do include poor losses to Millwall and Preston plus Leeds, draws with Birmingham, Watford and Cov, and wins against Sunderland, Hull, Watford and Boro. Disappointing results and performances against Millwall, Preston and Brum but overall not too bad. 15 points from a possible 30, not top six but not relegation either
You’re wasting your time Raver, RR (and others) won’t see LM as a success as he replaced Nige, who for some reason they have lofted to god like status as City manager, despite 3 consecutive bottom half finishes.
2 points of playoffs when Nige was sacked with nothing like the squad at LMs disposal-When Johnny boy threw his toys out the pram.
I would have criticised Nige if we didn’t achieve top 10 this season, I see no reason to not do the same to Liam. There is justification for criticising a non top 6 , but I consider that’s one to be aimed at BT & JL, as it was their justification for bringing a new manager in, hardly Liams fault he was employed by a pair of knuckleheads.
What nonsense you talk. How can you say Nige had nothing like the squad at the disposal of Liam, it’s exactly the same less 2 loan signings made in this window Saying we were 2 points off the playoffs is a bit disingenuous as the league hasn’t really shaped up then. Your rose-tinted glasses need a good clean mate….. The nature of the championship the last 2 seasons means you’re never that many points from the play-offs, or relegation. Nige spent millions in the summer, Liam has had 2 loan signings - get real RR.
League form under Nige the ‘messiah’ 14 games - 18 points Curtis Fleming 1 game - 3 points - at home to rock bottom Sheff Weds Liam Manning 16 games - 20 points Almost the same return from Liam ‘relegation form’ Manning, as the “messiah”. Facts just don’t enter your equation do they RR…
Hardly a big improvement either, better to see where we are come the end of the season, tbf though the injured are returning, when all fit we have a decent squad. It’s one reason I believe Nige should have been given longer, he had to deal with a small squad with multiple injuries.
I wasn’t advocating it was a big improvement. Looking to disprove RR view that Nige had us on the verge of the play-offs (while in 15th place….) and Liam had “relegation form”, when there is little difference from a points and league position standpoint. The intangibles are, Nige spent 2 years building this squad, Liam has had one window, with the least transfer activity in recent history, so had to use players that aren’t ‘his’. The second intangible are the performances, Leeds aside, we have played really well in most games, far better than the beginning of the season. We have an identity to our play now that I feel we never had under Nige.
Tbf - Build a squad ? Wasn't he under instruction to reduce the squad ? Was a points deduction likely if he hadn't ?
You build a squad with what you have. Relative to our financial position NP did had a good amount of money during his tenure. Not as much as those before, but different times and all that.
RR to be clear I was not calling for Nige to be sacked, I think he did a decent job. However once they had decided they weren't going to renew his contract it was going to get messy. And I like the look of Manning and think he has a higher ceiling than Nige in the modern game. At the time Nige was sacked you said you knew why and understood they had to sack him. Are you still of that view?
Yes and No if that makes sense-i understand the reasons because of health but i also found out afterwards Nige was always at training even on the crutches. What i found hard to digest was he was fuming about being restricted on the transfer front when he brought in 40 million. We should have given him the time fans were behind him or lets say the majority were.
