NP - Should He Be Doing Better?

[invermeremike]

Trouble on the pitch - Trouble at the bank - Trouble with the FFP - Trouble with referees - Trouble in the dressing room?

That sounds like a whole lot of trouble no matter which way you look. We are running out of excuses, time and patience Steve and I am beginning to wonder if anyone at BCFC has a clue how to run a football club?

 

[Jiffie]

Trouble on the pitch - Trouble at the bank - Trouble with the FFP - Trouble with referees - Trouble in the dressing room?

That sounds like a whole lot of trouble no matter which way you look. We are running out of excuses, time and patience Steve and I am beginning to wonder if anyone at BCFC has a clue how to run a football club?

SL is a lovely man and we are lucky to have him, but some of his decisions beggar belief and allowing Ashton to run amok making footballing decisions was by far the worst and has held us back from the heady days of August 2017 going into January 2018, when I thought we were really going for it, making money from a great cup run and highly placed in the league and playing great football and then we were let down by a ****ty unambitious window, those chances don’t come along too often especially in the championship, it was a huge and probably costly mistake for quite a few reasons.

 

[bcfcredandwhite]

Are we blaming Ashton for today’s defeat?

 

[AshtonRed]

Are we blaming Ashton for today’s defeat?

Why blame me?, it wasn’t my fault

 

[Red Robin]

100% the decay in our club is long rooted-Nigel is here to sort it and he will sort it - I’m 100% confident of that.@BristolCity

 

[realred1952]

My point is, the thread started with excuses for NP, and people constantly saying on here that his hands are tied behind his back. It was the same for LJ, but in a different way, and all I heard, and still hear is he knew what he signed on for.

he does have his hands tied,maybe not behind his back because one statement made when he signed on was he works with the 2 coach's that cost a few bob to secure! one of his first disapointments was "no you cant have your own back room team" [ sad PS had cancer opened door for temporary cover of my, [ NP's ] old mate! ...] LJ certainly had rug pulled a couple of times, and bearing in mind MA pulled the strings.. ! and wanted to be in the black! He did [NP] reiterate many times that he had a squad to work with. Today although having signed 6 players Klose was only one on display, the 3 30 year old's total of £40k a week and 2 youngsters all injured!!!!
WE ARE IN A RUT ... and need a good pilot to get us out of it or a fortunate jolt ...

 

[Angelicnumber16]

I'm prepared to give Nige as long as it takes providing we're not threatened with relegation, but having one, two or more Transfer Windows will only pay dividends if he is given any decent money to spend.
Moving crap or under performing players on and bringing more crap players in to replace them, probably on even lower wages, will achieve nothing.
Our better and younger players like Semenyo are already attracting attention from big clubs, so it will only be a matter of time before we see our latest crown jewel move to a better club on far superior wages.
It's all very depressing.

 

[AshtonRed]

I'm prepared to give Nige as long as it takes providing we're not threatened with relegation, but having one, two or more Transfer Windows will only pay dividends if he is given any decent money to spend.
Moving crap or under performing players on and bringing more crap players in to replace them, probably on even lower wages, will achieve nothing.
Our better and younger players like Semenyo are already attracting attention from big clubs, so it will only be a matter of time before we see our latest crown jewel move to a better club on far superior wages.
It's all very depressing.

All clubs sell players if a bigger club, or a club in a higher division want them, we have to some how try to keep some long enough to get promotion, which is difficult when the PP clubs have multi £m’s more than us. We have to at least try to keep as many of our youngsters as long as we can and try to finally get promotion. But I understand your frustration

 

[Jiffie]

Are we blaming Ashton for today’s defeat?

I don't know about 'we' But I am blaming SL for allowing Ashton to take us to where we now find ourselves, overloaded with and (for @Supcon72) with expensive and 'allegedly highly paid' uncaring/unmotivated/poor players and without a pot to piss in, hence 4 paltry transfer windows.

 

[bcfcredandwhite]

I read this on faeces-book. I personally think it’s a bit harsh on NP but an interesting take nonetheless:

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Transcript copied below:
These are NOT MY WORDS - they are copied from FB - a post by someone called Rob Blamey….
Can someone please explain NP having a seemingly complete exemption for any culpability with many of our fans, addressing the following points….

- It’s the players fault, he can’t help what he’s inherited and/or the players aren’t good enough. Forgive me, but amongst our ranks we have a Goalkeeper touted for the top, a Czech international defender, a whole host of talented youngsters (HNM, Scott, Pring & Semenyo to name but a few), 2 former Chelsea players that I seem to recall many being excited that we signed them (JDS & Palmer), a £5m striker many thought was what we needed, and a current 14 goal top scorer. We also have Joe Williams that was inherited and although only slightly, has played more under NP than he did under anyone previously, due to injury.
- NP needs transfer windows (6 conveniently, whilst securing himself a 3 year contract - what manager wouldn’t say that!) to turn things around. Firstly there are many managers who have to work within constraints of tight finances, and particularly now in this current climate. It can’t be the ONLY reason for success/failure.
- 2 windows in, we have seen Diedhou, Paterson, Nagy, Walsh & Smith depart, with at least 3 of them deemed surplus to requirement; and replaced by King, James, Simpson, Atkinson & Tanner. All injured currently, with the former 3 ex Leicester players coming in with little success or game time in recent history. Are we better off for the trading to date?
- NP talks about players committing to the cause, and taking responsibility. Should he not accept the same? It is he who is responsible for coaching, preparing and picking the team, and it is he who is responsible for tactics. Is he inspiring those players under his management or is his criticism having a greater detriment to the spirit and good will within the dressing room.
- Actions speak louder than words, and the results under NPs tenure, which is now approaching 50 games, is one that over the course of a season would mean relegation.

Like any fan, I want the team to succeed under whoever the manager is, whether that’s NP, Holden or LJ, but I remain concerned and open to consideration that maybe, just maybe NP is not the Messiah. Like some of the players he has signed, his success is from quite some time in the past, so I’m reluctant to blindly buy in when results don’t back the hype up

 

[Jiffie]

I read this on faeces-book. I personally think it’s a bit harsh on NP but an interesting take nonetheless:

You must log in or register to see media

Transcript copied below:
These are NOT MY WORDS - they are copied from FB - a post by someone called Rob Blamey….
Can someone please explain NP having a seemingly complete exemption for any culpability with many of our fans, addressing the following points….

- It’s the players fault, he can’t help what he’s inherited and/or the players aren’t good enough. Forgive me, but amongst our ranks we have a Goalkeeper touted for the top, a Czech international defender, a whole host of talented youngsters (HNM, Scott, Pring & Semenyo to name but a few), 2 former Chelsea players that I seem to recall many being excited that we signed them (JDS & Palmer), a £5m striker many thought was what we needed, and a current 14 goal top scorer. We also have Joe Williams that was inherited and although only slightly, has played more under NP than he did under anyone previously, due to injury.
- NP needs transfer windows (6 conveniently, whilst securing himself a 3 year contract - what manager wouldn’t say that!) to turn things around. Firstly there are many managers who have to work within constraints of tight finances, and particularly now in this current climate. It can’t be the ONLY reason for success/failure.
- 2 windows in, we have seen Diedhou, Paterson, Nagy, Walsh & Smith depart, with at least 3 of them deemed surplus to requirement; and replaced by King, James, Simpson, Atkinson & Tanner. All injured currently, with the former 3 ex Leicester players coming in with little success or game time in recent history. Are we better off for the trading to date?
- NP talks about players committing to the cause, and taking responsibility. Should he not accept the same? It is he who is responsible for coaching, preparing and picking the team, and it is he who is responsible for tactics. Is he inspiring those players under his management or is his criticism having a greater detriment to the spirit and good will within the dressing room.
- Actions speak louder than words, and the results under NPs tenure, which is now approaching 50 games, is one that over the course of a season would mean relegation.

Like any fan, I want the team to succeed under whoever the manager is, whether that’s NP, Holden or LJ, but I remain concerned and open to consideration that maybe, just maybe NP is not the Messiah. Like some of the players he has signed, his success is from quite some time in the past, so I’m reluctant to blindly buy in when results don’t back the hype up

This is comedy gold, a goalkeeper destined for the top, but still here in a struggling team, a Czech international still here at a struggling club.

Diedhiou was greedy and that greed got him burnt and now playing for a Mickey mouse Turkish club. Paterson yes has been a success at Swansea but still cannot even secure a similar wage to what he earned with us. Nagy a player who never wanted to be here from the minute he arrived more interested in playing for his country than the club who paid his wages. Walsh has been so **** and injured that they have already farmed him out to Hull, where his first game for them was so bad even the local paper was taking the piss out of him. Holden allowed Smith to leave not Pearson.

 

[invermeremike]

There is a lot of truth in this Facebook post but it needs to be noted that a previous person in charge went way beyond his self confessed requirement of 3 transfer windows to put us right and also was the lead hand during a time went the crown jewels went missing. Bristol City have previous when it comes to allowing things to go way too far before addressing the situation and so I don't think that giving Pearson more time is even close to out of order. My biggest fear is that Nigel has lost his way along with the dressing room, and if that is the case then that is something else entirely.

Whatever or whoever is the scapegoat for our problems is no longer an issue because we can't change the past no matter how hard we try so let's move forward with belief that Nigel is the guy to take us to a better place. Having said that I know we all are aware that everybody in Nigel's position is subject to being shown the door at a moments notice but let's just hope he turns us around before that inevitable date.

 

[Supcon72]

There is a lot of truth in this Facebook post but it needs to be noted that a previous person in charge went way beyond his self confessed requirement of 3 transfer windows to put us right and also was the lead hand during a time went the crown jewels went missing. Bristol City have previous when it comes to allowing things to go way too far before addressing the situation and so I don't think that giving Pearson more time is even close to out of order. My biggest fear is that Nigel has lost his way along with the dressing room, and if that is the case then that is something else entirely.

Whatever or whoever is the scapegoat for our problems is no longer an issue because we can't change the past no matter how hard we try so let's move forward with belief that Nigel is the guy to take us to a better place. Having said that I know we all are aware that everybody in Nigel's position is subject to being shown the door at a moments notice but let's just hope he turns us around before that inevitable date.

Those "crown jewels going missing" are the only reason we haven't broken FFP rules. We would be potentially in the same points deducted game as Derby and Reading if we hadn't sold them!

 

[Jiffie]

Those "crown jewels going missing" are the only reason we haven't broken FFP rules. We would be potentially in the same points deducted game as Derby and Reading if we hadn't sold them!

Ummm that is a bit of a stretch because by the same token we would have spunked over 20mil and 'allegedly high wages' on Kalas, DaSilva, Palmer and Wells.

 

[realred1952]

There is a lot of truth in this Facebook post but it needs to be noted that a previous person in charge went way beyond his self confessed requirement of 3 transfer windows to put us right and also was the lead hand during a time went the crown jewels went missing.

There is indeed a lot of truth in this post, right back to when SC WAS REPLACED! I add in this quote ............

Those "crown jewels going missing" are the only reason we haven't broken FFP rules. We would be potentially in the same points deducted game as Derby and Reading if we hadn't sold them!

............. LJ wanted 3 windows and was on track ...! ...

2018 /19 we finished 8th [ 7th really allowing for cheats DERBY CTY ] just 3PTS/4pts off PLAY OFF'S .... had bought 2017/18 in Fammy [ now doing very well in Turkey and playing for Nat: side ] Nathan .. and 2 for the future!
sold Flinty, Bobby and Joe. and replaced with WEBSTER, WEIMANN, HUNT + 3 FOR FUTURE and also had Palmer, Kalas, DaSilva ON LOAN = finished 6th /7th we conceeded 5pts to DERBY [ 3 last home game ]

2019/20 sold Kelly and Webster THEN Brownhill look at it realistically 2 Prem class defenders and a prem class Midfielder we got HNM, Bentley, Smozdic, Rowe, Nagy .. Afobe played a couple looked good out for season [7 goals for Millwall 21/22 ] when Brownhill left we had just WON x4 on trot ! after he [JB] left ... LOST 8 D2 W1 [ bye LJ! after he lost LLLL] Teams in 11th, 16th, 7th,5th ... but last 5 games were against 24th W, 17th W, 15th D, 6th L , 9th D [ the easy way of getting rid when fixtures look easier! ]

 

[Angelicnumber16]

SL is a lovely man and we are lucky to have him, but some of his decisions beggar belief and allowing Ashton to run amok making footballing decisions was by far the worst and has held us back from the heady days of August 2017 going into January 2018, when I thought we were really going for it, making money from a great cup run and highly placed in the league and playing great football and then we were let down by a ****ty unambitious window, those chances don’t come along too often especially in the championship, it was a huge and probably costly mistake for quite a few reasons.

It's my belief that it's been Lansdown who has largely shaped the club we see today ever since he took charge, and even if it's not all been 100% of his major decisions along the way, he is the owner, and he is therefore answerable for all of the past failings, and lack of ambition, and as to where we are today. Even more anonymous than before in many respects.
Gates are falling, Season Tickets are not being renewed, form is patchy (and that's being kind) and none of this is helping the club.
It's very unfortunate that following all of the previous false dawns, we finally get a Manager with a very good CV, and then can't back him financially to get us out of the Championship.

 

[Jiffie]

It's my belief that it's been Lansdown who has largely shaped the club we see today ever since he took charge, and even if it's not all been 100% of his major decisions along the way, he is the owner, and he is therefore answerable for all of the past failings, and lack of ambition, and as to where we are today. Even more anonymous than before in many respects.
Gates are falling, Season Tickets are not being renewed, form is patchy (and that's being kind) and none of this is helping the club.
It's very unfortunate that following all of the previous false dawns, we finally get a Manager with a very good CV, and then can't back him financially to get us out of the Championship.

Absolutely spot on, as I keep saying my support goes back to the Fred Ford era and I cannot think of one manager at BCFC who has been sacked that didn't deserve it and the same could be certainly said about Pearson and even he knows that. My question is who could change our fortunes with this current squad? a squad where we couldn't even give certain players away on deadline day, 3 managers have already ultimately failed with the core of this squad.

I don't buy into the myth of Bentley, ODowda, DaSilva, Palmer, Wells and even Kalas being quality players, because in our present state they would be playing at bigger/better clubs but they are still here, there has to be a reason, all getting older and richer, one of them probably hasn't had to buy a new pair of boots for a year.