Match Day Thread City v Millwall

[realred1952]

Went for a walk with grand daughter around Chew valley lake .. 90 mins between showers! got a score with 52 mins played and again with 1 minute to go! Really enjoyed the walk. On the way back came through the lanes and on straight bit with banks and hedges "chased " [ in my transit ] a pair of Gold finchs for about 80m as they flew at windscreen height drivers side allowing them to get about 10m in front they dived into hedge and stopped perched on a branch /twig beautiful colours … just thought maybe my dash cam has them!
I guess last 2 games today and Next week will be experimental with players likely to keep? those not injured anyway …. ! look out for a surprise win next week …
playing Max, is this a sign 1 of the top 2 are going to depart?
we currently have 40+ first team [ fringe ] players will it be a case of "holding sales till January .. when hopefully crowds have helped with the coffers …
poor WYCOMBE ...SO CLOSE TO AVOIDING RELEGATION! .actually would like to see Rotherham stay up have 2 games a win and a draw would sink Derby!
What looked a nailed on cant lose bet sank without trace 12th or better made me a profit … finishing in top 6 and a couple other positions would have seen me pocket a couple + grand .. instead lost a few hundred …. with our results and that not happy …………………..
in AUGUST 2021 I will start my 70th season as a fan /supporter/spectator wouldn't it be amazing should our first fixture be against a " foreign country" ...lol

 

[wizered]

And I state again, this largely unchanged squad was in and around the play-offs most of the season for the 2 seasons preceding seasons, so what has gone wrong this season to be flirting with relegation. It can’t be all the players fault, although they and injuries have been high factors.

I don't intend going over old ground but this 2 preceding season period, Lee Johnson was sacked on the 4th July 2020, his last victory was beating Derby County on 12th February, after a nine-game winless run - including seven defeats - either side of the coronavirus, Dean Holden was given the boot February 16th 2021 after a run of six successive defeats in all competitions and the club placed 13th in the Championship. So in that short period we were also involved in moving out Mark Ashton and his motley mates and had to swiftly bring in an experienced man to save a sinking ship, which he has.

This downward decline of failure can certainly be traced back 12/02/20, we have not mentioned the 'Streaky' bits, Nigel Pearson was appointed April 29th 2021, 14 months after. Imagine where we would have ended up if the action taken by Steve Lansdown had not taken place.

That squad of players will soon disappear like their ex coaches, the sooner the better.

 

[Jiffie]

So, still no blame attributed to Pearson then? This is way worse than 12-18 months ago, with largely the same squad. Injuries haven’t helped, but too many are simply not trying. It’s the managers job to fix that and while I think NP will be a good appointment, he has had an awful start. Just had a mate who’s a Newcastle fan text me and say what does Pearson have over SL to get a 3 year deal based on his performance so far? A LOT needs sorting this summer, or we will go down next season.

So far over the this season and last this squad has managed 32 wins out of a possible 91 games and you want to blame Pearson? even though that record got LJ and Holden sacked.

I will ask you the same question that I asked onfer (he never answered by the way) maybe because it's a stupid question). How exactly do you expect him or anybody else to fix the attitude of players who are simply not trying (something that has been going on for pretty much 2 seasons) I am genuinely interested to know what you believe that he could do to change a mindset of a squad that had no shame about LJ or Holden being sacked or the way they are performing now, should he challenge the worst offenders to a fight in a Clint Eastwood fashion? please I am bewildered as to what you think he could possibly do.

Here's the thing, he has managed to bring in one 35 year player from the scrapheap (and of course he is now injured and why wouldn't he be, it was his turn), so is lumbered with the **** that he inherited, **** that have been an embarrassment to the shirt for 2 seasons, I would imagine that a lot of the present woes are down to certain players actually being exposed by Pearson for exactly what they are, ****ing useless pussies.

Your final statement is actually true and almost certainly the reason Pearson was brought in instead of yet another cheap option, LJ and Holden defended the quality of this squad and that squad ended up getting both of them sacked, it needs somebody to fully expose how much too many have been taking the piss, even being shown up by kids and as yesterday proved the senior players never once attempted to protect our kids from the strong arm tactics meted out to them by Millwall players and once more shame on them.

PS:- A Newcastle fan offering advice about how a manager gets offered a job? with their cockney barrow boy's record over managers? and the fans collective hatred of a Steve Bruce FFS.

 

[Jiffie]

And I state again, this largely unchanged squad was in and around the play-offs most of the season for the 2 seasons preceding seasons, so what has gone wrong this season to be flirting with relegation. It can’t be all the players fault, although they and injuries have been high factors.

If it cannot be the squads fault then it must be LJ's, Holden's and god knows how many coaches + now Pearson? this hasn't happened in the last 15 games, last season we won so far 2 more games in total than this season, this squad has been getting worse.

Your problem is you take everything as a dig at LJ, I am sure when he assembled this squad he expected a much better return than he got, he defended this squad and how did they repay him? oh yes they got him sacked by their inept gutless performances and the same happened to Holden.

 

[oneforthebristolcity]

If it cannot be the squads fault then it must be LJ's, Holden's and god knows how many coaches + now Pearson? this hasn't happened in the last 15 games, last season we won so far 2 more games in total than this season, this squad has been getting worse.

Your problem is you take everything as a dig at LJ, I am sure when he assembled this squad he expected a much better return than he got, he defended this squad and how did they repay him? oh yes they got him sacked by their inept gutless performances and the same happened to Holden.

I think what supercon is saying, we haven't progressed as we were supposed to have.....and we don't know how this season would have panned out with LJ in charge, even with this squad......don't forget he went through a record breaking line of defeats and still brought it back to a better position than we're at this season. Although it was probably time up for LJ, he wasn't the root of the problem IMO,

I agree, not any of the 3 managers have managed consistency with this squad for whatever reason.....and I know you don't like this even though you refer to it as well.......we need and we needed, quality signings for creativeness within midfield, better cover at the back and a strong leader on the pitch. and we've struggled with injuries.
it would defiantly have made a difference to our season...
NB....every time we do lose , there are always comments digging at what LJ left behind......it's not our imagination.....it's fact!!

 

[Jiffie]

I think what supercon is saying, we haven't progressed as we were supposed to have.....and we don't know how this season would have panned out with LJ in charge, even with this squad......don't forget he went through a record breaking line of defeats and still brought it back to a better position than we're at this season. Although it was probably time up for LJ, he wasn't the root of the problem IMO,

I agree, not any of the 3 managers have managed consistency with this squad for whatever reason.....and I know you don't like this even though you refer to it as well.......we need and we needed, quality signings for creativeness within midfield, better cover at the back and a strong leader on the pitch. and we've struggled with injuries.
it would defiantly have made a difference to our season...
NB....every time we do lose , there are always comments digging at what LJ left behind......it's not our imagination.....it's fact!!

You are correct but you are both rising to bait of 1 or 2 posters and it is coming across as if you are sort of enjoying the latest decline and probably in the same way that those 1 or 2 did when LJ was in charge.

I will keep saying this in the hope that one day it will sink in. LJ was as much a victim as SL and the fans, I am sure when he and Ashton assembled this squad he expected far far better, possibly even the play offs, he defended them week in and week out and they kept letting him and the fans down and ultimately that got him sacked.

What happened after was IMHO a shameful con by SL and his poodles to boost season ticket sales by promising a manager with pedigree and delivering the cheapest of cheap options and giving the poor bloke no time whatsoever to wheel and deal and bring in the necessary quality that was needed, add to that I do not believe the bollocks about the only signing we did make of Joe Williams was injured on the 1st day, I do not believe that, the guy went from being a target for a few premiership clubs and higher championship clubs with a value ranging between 2 to 4mil and we end up getting him for 1mil, it stinks.

If anything Holden was even more loyal to this squad than LJ was and they humiliated him and he as well as LJ are good men and deserved equal loyalty.

I am still fascinated to know how you and Sup expect anybody to suddenly extract more from this squad? how can anybody inspire some of this squad of players when they clearly do not care? But hopefully that attitude will limit their transfer choices.

The squad as we know is devoid of leaders, we ain't got one, not even Kalas IMHO, he does lead by example that cannot be denied, but he is not a captain and that might change. The squad is devoid of right backs approaching anything like quality, we have been devoid of left backs all season because of huge mismanagement. One of our downfalls all season has been being taken apart by young athletic wing backs from opposing teams and of course the squad is totally devoid of any midfielder who can stand up to the physicality of the championship and also organise the other midfielders.

Yesterday highlighted everything that is wrong about our squad, no leadership, the first goal found everybody bar Hunt and OLeary ahead of the ball when the move broke down, leaving him exposed to 1 v 3. The full backs were taken apart all afternoon, exposing us to all kinds of danger. for 90 minutes and as much as he has improved and his effort is impeccable Massengo is nowhere close to the required physicality needed to compete in this league. He needs to be part of a far stronger midfield group with a proper leader.

If what I have heard is true expect an unprecedented double figure number of players to be shown the door and not all of them out of contract, it will be interesting to see exactly where these players actually end up, lets put it this way I can think of more than a few who have not done their future prospects any favours at all.

 

[Redprintt]

Plus points today
HNM 19 years old
Conway 18 years old
Scott 17 years old.
The rest of the, words fail me to describe them

How about appalling.

 

[realred1952]

This downward decline of failure can certainly be traced back 12/02/20, we have not mentioned the 'Streaky' bits, Nigel Pearson was appointed April 29th 2021, 14 months after. Imagine where we would have ended up if the action taken by Steve Lansdown had not taken place.

no one can really imagine or can say we would be better off or less better off after 12/02/20, the one major factor you have not highlighted is the loss of a player who was capable enough to control things and also come up with the odd goal …. this attribute may have negated the "streaky bit"[ your reference to losing points ] to a degree that may have given us 6 or more points! & left us in the top 8 [ or better ] at seasons end. With that scenario [ conjecture ] LJ may well have been our manager to start this season who knows?? we all have opinions that quite often are tailored to our way of thinking, and influenced by many sources.
No ones comments on here will make the history books, instead what will be written is the facts that happened, BCFC changed managers in 2020 and that manager failed to make the grade he was replaced by another manager who failed dismally, being in charge of a team that fell from a strongish mid table position to just above relegation zone.
The reality is unless Brentford don't play a "real first team" we might make 16th ..providing Florest Coventry and Birmingham lose! we could lose!!! Huddsfld win and we are 20th ……………….

 

[wizered]

no one can really imagine or can say we would be better off or less better off after 12/02/20, the one major factor you have not highlighted is the loss of a player who was capable enough to control things and also come up with the odd goal …. this attribute may have negated the "streaky bit"[ your reference to losing points ] to a degree that may have given us 6 or more points! & left us in the top 8 [ or better ] at seasons end. With that scenario [ conjecture ] LJ may well have been our manager to start this season who knows?? we all have opinions that quite often are tailored to our way of thinking, and influenced by many sources.
No ones comments on here will make the history books, instead what will be written is the facts that happened, BCFC changed managers in 2020 and that manager failed to make the grade he was replaced by another manager who failed dismally, being in charge of a team that fell from a strongish mid table position to just above relegation zone.
The reality is unless Brentford don't play a "real first team" we might make 16th ..providing Florest Coventry and Birmingham lose! we could lose!!! Huddsfld win and we are 20th ……………….

I only quoted written facts, last win 12/02/20 against Derby, 9 game winless run - including 7 defeats, ( either side of the coronavirus ) 04 /07/ 20 LJ sacked by SL for failure, bend it any way you like, nothing changes.

 

[oneforthebristolcity]

You are correct but you are both rising to bait of 1 or 2 posters and it is coming across as if you are sort of enjoying the latest decline and probably in the same way that those 1 or 2 did when LJ was in charge.


I am still fascinated to know how you and Sup expect anybody to suddenly extract more from this squad? how can anybody inspire some of this squad of players when they clearly do not care? But hopefully that attitude will limit their transfer choices.

I'm gonna answer both these point as honest as I can, but I'm not able to speak for Supercon, but imagine his answer maybe similar.
I'm not enjoying the latest decline whatsoever, in fact like everyone on here...I am Bristol City through and through and am only interested in progression.
I was as shocked as anyone on here when LJ was appointed, but was impressed with his love for the club and his attitude especially at a young and inexperienced background of management that he had the enthusiasm within himself of progressing our club on from SC. And it's wasn't a problem for me (unlike others RP) of how he got there in the first place.....he's not the first and won't be the last to make his way, in the way that he did....fathers son and all that..(No different to Nigel Clough) but hey that's ok for some!!
The idea that SL sacked him, also wasn't a problem for me, so long as it was a move for us to progress further.....thus, with an experienced or a manager renowned for such success,,,it would have made sense....................but I knew, with our history in making such decisions this had the makings of a disaster, or as RP would say...it would all end in tears............like it has previously!!
Apart from Houghton, that I'm not a fan of, there wasn't much to choose from, that seemed to being offered at the time......it was always gonna end up as a cheap option, as it has in the past......Deano came in, knew of the squad, knew what he was dealing with but still agreed the appointment........and now this can be said regarding NP........had he done his homework, would have known the challenge and was willing to accept it,,,same goes with the 3 year deal he's agreed...he's accepted it on what he sees before him........no excuses...IMO

as to your 2nd point.
IMO and I know not yours.....I believe, as I've said 100s of times, that with other quality players coming in, we would extract more from this squad,,,,,,like you've said, we have no leader on the pitch...in fact I'd go as far to say, we haven't had one in years,,,,,,,IMO it's been a major disadvantage.....we lack creativity and better cover at the back.. Just a few additions would make a vast difference IMO to the whole attitude of the rest....but with such a bad run in, I imagine NP may look to have a major reshuffle.
I still feel (you won't change my mind) that NP should have got better results since he's been here.......but on the plus side, he's shown, that he's willing to give the youngsters a go........quite glad that Fammy was injured these last couple of games as i'm convinced he would have started him, yet again.....still unsure why, both him and Deano were convinced by his ability!!
Hope that's answered your questions!!

 

[Redprintt]

1For

1/ to mention a Clough or a Redknapp in the same context as Junior is laughable. They played for other managers, Junior only had a contract with his father in English football.
Furthermore they played international football judged again by other managers. You may come back about Junior playing for Gibraltar but these rumours proved, allegedly, unfounded.
To defend nepotism on Junior's part is just silly.

2/ you mention the need for creativity and better defenders, a problem 'we've had for years'.
If Pearson gets 65 attempts we won't be, as we are now, the worst team in the Championship.

Ps
Think you mean Chris not Bob.

 

[Red Robin]

Well they really are pissed off now.
Apparently fines are being issued for turning up late and missing training sessions.
Been a frigging holiday camp down there for years.
NP will have them gone and watch him build a team to compete.
But give him time guys it has been a holiday camp and that is changing already.
Get those that are not part of his plans gone and sooner rather than later.

 

[oneforthebristolcity]

1For

1/ to mention a Clough or a Redknapp in the same context as Junior is laughable. They played for other managers, Junior only had a contract with his father in English football.
Furthermore they played international football judged again by other managers. You may come back about Junior playing for Gibraltar but these rumours proved, allegedly, unfounded.
To defend nepotism on Junior's part is just silly.

2/ you mention the need for creativity and better defenders, a problem 'we've had for years'.
If Pearson gets 65 attempts we won't be, as we are now, the worst team in the Championship.

Ps
Think you mean Chris not Bob.

We were never the worst team in the championship in the four years previous, in fact in most of those years, we were a top half team, close to playoffs.....with more or less the same squad......just saying!!

 

[Redprintt]

There you go again, Jiffie's called yout out more than once, answer my post and not spout the usual blah blah.

 

[Jiffie]

I'm gonna answer both these point as honest as I can, but I'm not able to speak for Supercon, but imagine his answer maybe similar.
I'm not enjoying the latest decline whatsoever, in fact like everyone on here...I am Bristol City through and through and am only interested in progression.
I was as shocked as anyone on here when LJ was appointed, but was impressed with his love for the club and his attitude especially at a young and inexperienced background of management that he had the enthusiasm within himself of progressing our club on from SC. And it's wasn't a problem for me (unlike others RP) of how he got there in the first place.....he's not the first and won't be the last to make his way, in the way that he did....fathers son and all that..(No different to Nigel Clough) but hey that's ok for some!!
The idea that SL sacked him, also wasn't a problem for me, so long as it was a move for us to progress further.....thus, with an experienced or a manager renowned for such success,,,it would have made sense....................but I knew, with our history in making such decisions this had the makings of a disaster, or as RP would say...it would all end in tears............like it has previously!!
Apart from Houghton, that I'm not a fan of, there wasn't much to choose from, that seemed to being offered at the time......it was always gonna end up as a cheap option, as it has in the past......Deano came in, knew of the squad, knew what he was dealing with but still agreed the appointment........and now this can be said regarding NP........had he done his homework, would have known the challenge and was willing to accept it,,,same goes with the 3 year deal he's agreed...he's accepted it on what he sees before him........no excuses...IMO

as to your 2nd point.
IMO and I know not yours.....I believe, as I've said 100s of times, that with other quality players coming in, we would extract more from this squad,,,,,,like you've said, we have no leader on the pitch...in fact I'd go as far to say, we haven't had one in years,,,,,,,IMO it's been a major disadvantage.....we lack creativity and better cover at the back.. Just a few additions would make a vast difference IMO to the whole attitude of the rest....but with such a bad run in, I imagine NP may look to have a major reshuffle.
I still feel (you won't change my mind) that NP should have got better results since he's been here.......but on the plus side, he's shown, that he's willing to give the youngsters a go........quite glad that Fammy was injured these last couple of games as i'm convinced he would have started him, yet again.....still unsure why, both him and Deano were convinced by his ability!!
Hope that's answered your questions!!

Thanks for the honesty.

Just one point, I am sure that Pearson himself expected better results, that should go without saying. Especially given that many of this squad were playing for their futures, either with us or elsewhere and too many have shown that they are too set in their ways too change, I know if I was the manager of a club looking at a lot of our players, I would not touch them with a barge pole, I would assess that their attitude left more than a lot to be desired, I would assess too many of them as shameless and that has now been exposed to SL (who probably needed convincing after the BS of Ashton), the vast majority of the fan base and hopefully the wider football world. I hope they end up at some ****hole backwater on crappy wages, because that is what many of these pussies deserve, they are a disgrace.

 

[oneforthebristolcity]

There you go again, Jiffie's called yout out more than once, answer my post and not spout the usual blah blah.

There is nothing to answer RP....Your narrow mind is already made up..
Remind me, what was the question again?......your comments are very predictable....
Nepotism is nepotism....whether it's Clough, Rednapp or LJ....where it takes you is down to the individual..............it's a leg up..end of..

 

[oneforthebristolcity]

Thanks for the honesty.

Just one point, I am sure that Pearson himself expected better results, that should go without saying. Especially given that many of this squad were playing for their futures, either with us or elsewhere and too many have shown that they are too set in their ways too change, I know if I was the manager of a club looking at a lot of our players, I would not touch them with a barge pole, I would assess that their attitude left more than a lot to be desired, I would assess too many of them as shameless and that has now been exposed to SL (who probably needed convincing after the BS of Ashton), the vast majority of the fan base and hopefully the wider football world. I hope they end up at some ****hole backwater on crappy wages, because that is what many of these pussies deserve, they are a disgrace.

I don't disagree with that...I imagine, as in many clubs, where players think they can take the piss....I have no doubt that NP will assess and rectify this within the club...it's good, from the outset, he seems he could be the sort that won't stand for nonsense.......which is why I'm a little confused to why he hasn't put the boot in earlier regarding attitude within the squad..

 

[Jiffie]

We were never the worst team in the championship in the four years previous, in fact in most of those years, we were a top half team, close to playoffs.....with more or less the same squad......just saying!!

Sorry but you cannot go back 4 or 5 years that is not where the problem actually is, yes the start of the rot can be traced back to January 2018 when we had our best shot since 1976 of promotion to the top division and the club was exposed for it's innate lack of ambition and we only won 4 out of the last 21 games. That was the start.

However the important time frame is the last 2 seasons because that is the period that we lost 2 managers, only won 32 games out so far 91 (but will almost certainly be 32 out of 92, 2 complete seasons) The evidence was there last season and the way SL and poodles screwed up the closed season it this season was always going to be worse this season.

 

[Supcon72]

Just watched the goals, 2 very good finishes from Milwall for the first 2 goals, so difficult to attribute too much blame there. The last 2 goals, and particularly the 3rd summarise our season well, an absolute $hiteshow of defending. A big task to rejuvenate and reshape the whole club this next few months! Far too many folded and gave up, which is the most worrying characteristic for me, the towel gets thrown in far too easily by too many. We have players with the ability for this level, but it's clear we don't have enough players with heart, bottle and leadership.

 

[oneforthebristolcity]

Sorry but you cannot go back 4 or 5 years that is not where the problem actually is, yes the start of the rot can be traced back to January 2018 when we had our best shot since 1976 of promotion to the top division and the club was exposed for it's innate lack of ambition and we only won 4 out of the last 21 games. That was the start.

However the important time frame is the last 2 seasons because that is the period that we lost 2 managers, only won 32 games out so far 91 (but will almost certainly be 32 out of 92, 2 complete seasons) The evidence was there last season and the way SL and poodles screwed up the closed season it this season was always going to be worse this season.

I was answering RP's comments, that we are the worst team in the championship......my answer, was, that's not been the case in the 4 years previous.
IMO, even though decay was creeping in towards the end of LJ tenure.....since November, we've had full blown rot........using more or less the same squad.