This is the first time in a long time I have enjoyed reading Andy Stockingtops,I think he likes our new manager.... please log in to view this image * If those who preceded him in the Ashton Gate hot-seat were happy to proffer catchy sound-bites and seek refuge behind the kind of spin that would have made even New Labour blush, the 55-year-old Midlander has already shown he is an altogether different animal. * First impressions can be misleading and O'Driscoll has been variously described by those in the media as "dour" and "lacking personality". * Quietly spoken and even taciturn, he would struggle to compete with Wigan boss Roberto Martinez when it comes to charm and he is clearly no match for the likes of Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho in the charisma stakes. * But let me make one thing absolutely clear; Sean O'Driscoll is prepared to give a straight answer to a straight question. And in an age when far too many football managers and players hide behind platitudes and hackneyed responses - and are allowed to get away with it - he represents a welcome breath of fresh air. * Never mind that he comes across as tetchy and sometimes even mildly exasperated when conducting media interviews, City's new boss responds to searching questions in a manner seldom evinced by previous managers Keith Millen and Derek McInnes. * Once away from the cameras and microphones and closeted with a handful of scribes in the media lounge at Ashton Gate, he opened up in a way that recalled erstwhile Robins boss Steve Coppell. * Now City fans may have their own opinion of a man who walked out on the club after just three months in charge, but you felt you were learning something whenever you spoke to Coppell. * It is the same with O'Driscoll, who is clearly happy to answer questions he feels warrant a serious response. * His approach to football differs from just about every other manager I have dealt with during 26 years as a written journalist and discussing issues with a man who is eminently prepared to expound upon his theories and thoughts is already proving challenging and enlightening in equal measure. * He answered questions politely, coherently and intelligently, providing journalists with a real insight into his methods as well as notebooks full of stories and anecdotes. * Certainly, he is sufficiently experienced and self-assured not to succumb to the paranoia that became the hallmark of more than one manager I have worked with while covering Bristol City. * He has been around long enough to know the media has a job to do and, providing he is not assailed by inane questions, is prepared to co-operate in that. * O'Driscoll's manner may appear brusque at times and his habit of speaking plainly may even offend those with liberal sensibilities, but what he has to say is, more often than not, worth listening to. * Surely that is something to be welcomed by all Bristol City fans who feel they have been short-changed by glib answers for far too long. Well if the team can come up to that level of quality,we are on our way..... http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/worl...proach-media/story-17919187-detail/story.html
I'm not sure I like his Kenny Daglish style of interviewing.. dry, boring. Will answer stupid questions with stupid answers.. Mciness was totally different, a interviewers dream will answer any stupid question with long detailed answers.. And our BCFC player interviews are dreadful.. really dreadful "so you lost 4-0 but there are positives to take out the game arn't there" "You've just lost 5-0, is this down to a lack of concentration?"
I agree with Wiz. Let's have it straight and not all the bullsh*t we've got used to recently. SoD is saying that it will be hard to attract permanent signings given our league position. Judging by the comments on the EP site this seems to have upset some fans who want to sign John Terry tomorrow. It is perfectly sensible and he is just stating what anyone with half a brain could see is true. I think he is hoping to hang on to our best players and pick up some loans in Feb to give it a shot at staying up. Chances are a player who will improve us might come for a month or two on loan and see what happens. That same player isn't gonna commit to a club that looks odds-on to go down. I have more confidence in SoD's pragmatic approach than in Del insisting on making permanent signings - as anyone who would come at the moment is unlikely to be up to much..... Where we will have to start worrying that the club has given up is if we sell Albert and still don't make any permanent signings. That would smack of putting money aside for a summer re-build for L1 already. Hope Sean can persuade them not to take this route.
I have every faith in him,he still has time to turn it around,The next two games will give us a massive indication are we going out fighting or down with a wimper.
Bristol City fans tend to idealise new managers fairly easily. We all love him now and his approach to football, but it was barely a year ago that we were all on our knees at the altar of McInnes. He's a good manager with a good record, and although he wasn't my first choice I'm going to give him ten games to make an impact on the team. So far we've lost, albeit with an improved performance against a good team. SOD's job is to keep us in the league and I guarantee that if he doesn't the fans will start to turn on him.
'I'd give him 16 months.. just like we did with mciness' We'll have a clearer idea next November with likely relegation (not his fault) and new transfers in if he's up to it. The same sort of time the idiot McInnes had. You never know, SOD may be a miracle worker, he will be if we stay up. Also have a feeling his transfer dealings will make a lot more sense as well. And what EnderMB said.
If we get relegated I won't be pointing the finger at SoD. No, It will be the boards fault who failed to realise that McInnes was never going to turn it around. DMc should have been sacked immediately after the Blackburn (fa cup) game.
