Bristol City Post Match Thread

[teblin]

3 games in and we've already hit the panic button.

It has looked very poor in the last 2 home games, think the problem is we almost have too many players which means sven isn't sure of the best 11 which seems to be transferring over to the mentality of the players.

In my opinion if we are going to play 4-5-1 we need someone up top to make the ball stick to be able to bring other into the game and as hard as Nugent works that is not his game.

But its still early i think we will still be all right.

[davieG]

Now that the anger and frustration has subsided a little I wanted to post a couple of calmer views about last nights performance.

There are those that are calling for time for the 'squad to gel'.... Whislt other squads appear to have already 'gelled' I do think we have actually made so many new signings that we will probably need longer than most to bed them in... So I agree with this

Secondly, there were those last night that were claiming to be happy that Matt mills had been dropped. However shocking mills had been on sat (and to be fair, he did have a stinker), to drop your club captain for the next game is fundamentally ridiculous man management. To do so after a run of poor performances because the player really needs a wake up call is understandable, but to do it after one game is bizarre to say the least. As it happens, St ledger played ok, but that's not the point being made here.

Thirdly, there were times last night when we kept the ball very nicely... Nugent's work rate was again great, king made some good bursting runs and, when the ball actually got to dyer he made a couple of decent crosses last night, one leading to a header in which their keeper made a super save.

So, to summarise.... Neither a Sven hater nor a Sven bummer be... Give him till Christmas time to get this right and if we are obviously not going anywhere under his stewardship by then, a rethink will be needed IMO. By Christmas he will have had long enough to show us whether he is going to be the manager we want or not..

I think the decision is based on many things including their relationship, Mills character, his physical and mental state unless you know all this and other information I don't think you're in a position to judge.

Having been a manager in business I've had to deal with a number of different people some you give a serious bollocking too and some you put an arm around their shoulder and provide encouragement and support.

Then there is the impact on the team if they feel that Mills the Captain is not pulling his weight and not just under the weather then the dropping sends out a clear message to them of fair treatment to all whatever their status.

It's a complex issue and goes way beyond whether he cost £4.5 mill or is the Captain.

[carterfox90]

i've slept on it & still feel angry the 3 league games have been awful we managed to beat a really poor cov team but the two home games have been awful svens tactics are totally wrong & doesnt seem to have a plan b!!! 45 minutes last night before we even had a shot on target that is not acceptable!! we all know he needs a striker to help nugent who has played his socks off!! fear we are in for a right mauling in the next 2 games hope im totally wrong!!!!

[markbsac]

no player should be above being dropped..if you dont put the shift in then somebody else just may do.....st ledger should now be dropped on sat and mills back in.......what a laugh !!!!!!!

[Callabinho]

It's a long old season mate. You've won one, and we pretty much gave it to you.

Right....

Tonight was nowhere near good enough. The Reading game was disappointing but they're a good side, lost in the play-off final last year etc. But not this lot. Apart from Maynard they didn't offer much of note, and we couldn't even keep one man quiet. I've always rated Maynard and tonight was pretty poignant: pay what they want if it's less than the £7million we were willing to pay for Long.

The main problems for me:

We've seen two teams turn up and stick nine men, in two banks, behind the ball and be happy to leave with a point (eventually getting all three). In 180 minutes of home football how many chances have we created? You can count them on one hand. We should have expected teams to come with this approach this early in the season with the money we've spent and should have some way of going about breaking them down.

The first half could be split into two approaches. Firstly knocking the ball around without ever really getting them worried in their own half (why would they be when you're playing it around your own back four?) and secondly hoofing it long because the passing hasn't got you anywhere. Yet not having anyone to win it in the air when you do so. Nugent (brilliant tonight) tried hard and won scraps, but he's clearly playing in a role that is not natural to him. We're so desperate for a striker it's embarassing, and even more so when Sol Bamba is getting chucked up front for the closing stages of games. Desperate.

What we're really lacking is someone in the middle of midfield to pick the ball up from the back four, run at those banks of men, pull a few of their players out of position by doing so and then slip the ball through to our forwards. Wellens did this a couple of times and they started to look vulnerable but nowhere near enough. Andy King: you're not a kid anymore mate. It's time for you to start imposing yourself, demanding the ball and doing with it what you undoubtedly can: unlocking defences, creating for others as well as scoring yourself.

In contrast to what others have said, for me, the decision to drop Mills was the right one. I don't think he's been anywhere near good enough in any of our games so far and I think people saying he's been dropped after one bad game are being a little blinkered; it's three bad games (one utterly appaling). That decision sends out a message: I don't care if you're the captain, I don't care how much we've paid for you, if you don't do the business and stay on top of your game then you'll lose your place. Seems fair enough to me. You want to be here earning the big bucks? You play for them. Many of them should have known this when they signed and if St Ledger hadn't made the mistake I'm not sure people would be questioning that decision as much.

I was really disappointed with Dyer tonight. I wanted him to get his chance, he got it, but then was continually dropping deep and not making the runs that he usually does. He looked a little lethargic at times. Similarly, on the other wing Gallagher wasn't great. But... a criticism of Sven: it was obvious they needed switching. Dyer can't play on the right. The guy has no right foot and his crossing is suspect. His game is about being on that left side, knocking it past his full back, burning him for pace and then pulling it back with his left foot. Why wasn't this tried for even 10/20 minutes?

And Waghorn. I'm through with him. I used to love the guy, and I think he still can be a decent player. But not with us. Sell, sell, sell, sell, sell, sell. Because every time he comes on with his terrible set pieces (get your head right and back on form then you can be getting involved with the set pieces) and wayward shots he just emphasises what a sharp decline he is on. And his price is only going to keep going down. Add him to the list of players ala. Hobbs and Fryatt who needed a man-motivator such as NP to get the best out of them. Tonight he took 20 minutes that would have been better given to Schlupp.

So where from here? It's a tough next couple of games but hopefully we'll encounter two teams that will attack us a bit thus opening up a few spaces for us. It's two losses, bad performances granted, so I think we need to be a bit more patient. They don't need the pressure cranking up any more. As someone said, the morons boing St Ledger: do one. That's gona help him isn't it? Fingers crossed such morons won't be at the Forest match, we'll have a striker in (even if it's only on loan - why has this not been done to tie us over?) and we can get a bit of confidence back with a win

It's certainly never boring...

That man to pick up the ball and run with it is Micheal Johnson...No where to be seen! We are always lacking in certain areas and I will go as far as to say the team we had last year is better than our current. I don't think Maynard will ever pull our royal blue on but we are desperate for a winger and a striker. And its even harder to swallow this season due to the cash we have pumped in. And yes I understand that Peltz was injured but I thought dropping Paintsil was ridiculous, He had a good game against Reading, Sven has to stop chopping and changing the back four every game, that's why we conceded so many last year.

[THEFATBASTARD]

Who signed mills in the first place ? you buy the guy then drop him after ONE game? who's judgement is suspect there? he rates him to the tune of 5 mill a few weeks ago, makes him captain last week ,then benches the guy this week...never seen the like of it before..

[crazylegs1984]

we playing rubbish !!! we need new striker !!!!! chop some trees down !!!! :scarf:

[FrankieADZ]

We certainly played like crap for the 1st half imo. but once we started to press them and play a more attacking passing game we started to control the game.

Still a fact of getting out of this league is to have a stable 11, So we dont change every blooming game.

[Wymsey]

Anyone else felt depressed last night?

Woeful performance. A few of them didn't seem fit enough to play the whole game.

[Babylon]

We just need movement, we need players running at them, running behind them and overlapping.

Dyer, Gallagher, King are going to do sod all receiving the ball with their back to the goal. Nugent looked the only one capable of actually receiving the ball with his back to goal and creating something.

The players ARE good enough, we CAN play with a a decent passing game. But if there is no movement or people finding space it all crumbles to what we have witnessed the last couple of games. Without players creating space, the midfield will struggle to create chances and the defence will struggle to pass the ball out from the back.

[Wymsey]

Terrible set pieces along, with individual errors were most at blame.

[breadandcheese]

I'll be honest, the only signing I like of Sven's so far is Nugent. The rest look decidedly average at best, including Fernandes (who looks reckless), Schmeichel (who I never felt comfortable with on any of their corners or free-kicks) and Peltier (who is an average right-back). maybe I'm judging them too early, but at the moment, it appears we've been mugged in the transfer market.. As someone else mentioned, we spent £5 million on Mills and £1.2 million on St Ledger. That's a combined £6.2 million for players who look no better than Hobbs.

Last night we were awful. Make no mistake, that Bristol team, despite being well organised, were not very good. You could see that when we scored.

Our attacking players need to move more. They're far too static. Bristol had a game plan, closing down our full-backs extremely quickly (sometimes with 2 men) so that we had to channel everything through the centre where it got bogged down due to lack of movement.

[Dr The Singh]

I'll be honest, the only signing I like of Sven's so far is Nugent. The rest look decidedly average at best, including Fernandes (who looks reckless), Schmeichel (who I never felt comfortable with on any of their corners or free-kicks) and Peltier (who is an average right-back). maybe I'm judging them too early, but at the moment, it appears we've been mugged in the transfer market.. As someone else mentioned, we spent £5 million on Mills and £1.2 million on St Ledger. That's a combined £6.2 million for players who look no better than Hobbs.

Last night we were awful. Make no mistake, that Bristol team, despite being well organised, were not very good. You could see that when we scored.

Our attacking players need to move more. They're far too static. Bristol had a game plan, closing down our full-backs extremely quickly (sometimes with 2 men) so that we had to channel everything through the centre where it got bogged down due to lack of movement.

Agreed, Bristol deserved there win, individually most of the new players aren't the all improving players that we really need!!

But, to me the formation is also to blame we always try and play through the middle, at pedestrain pace, and lack pace (other then dyer, who we rarely used) on the flanks!! The 433 isn't working, Nugent always seems to be isolated!!

[Dr The Singh]

We just need movement, we need players running at them, running behind them and overlapping.

Dyer, Gallagher, King are going to do sod all receiving the ball with their back to the goal. Nugent looked the only one capable of actually receiving the ball with his back to goal and creating something.

The players ARE good enough, we CAN play with a a decent passing game. But if there is no movement or people finding space it all crumbles to what we have witnessed the last couple of games. Without players creating space, the midfield will struggle to create chances and the defence will struggle to pass the ball out from the back.

Players lack confidence, you could see it last night, the passing and movement, or should it be the lack of passing and movemet was apparent......the players opted for alot of the time the easy ball!!

[Babylon]

the players opted for alot of the time the easy ball!!

That's because that's all that was on 99% of the time.

[sg6]

On reflection, there were times when we got forward and played some lovely passing football, just the final penetrating pass was lacking and that will come once the players get to know each others movement more, you may say that's what pre-season is for but the games we played were nothing like championship games!

Yes its disappointing but no matter what we've got to get behind the boys on Saturday as now we'll be more like the underdogs due to our form and hopefully they'll give a performance to be proud of! They don't need to be told that they haven't performed because they know that, we are supporters and so let's.do our job on Saturday and get a huge win! Come on!!!!!

[Legend_in_blue]

Secondly, there were those last night that were claiming to be happy that Matt mills had been dropped. However shocking mills had been on sat (and to be fair, he did have a stinker), to drop your club captain for the next game is fundamentally ridiculous man management. To do so after a run of poor performances because the player really needs a wake up call is understandable, but to do it after one game is bizarre to say the least. As it happens, St ledger played ok, but that's not the point being made here.

One could also suggest that it was ridiculous man management to make him club captain in the first place.

The fact that he was dropped as club captian only compounds the issue further.

I'm not too concerned about the new-look back 4. Peltier seems steady enough, Konchesky limited although adequate for this level, St Ledger was ok and Bamba needs no introduction.

However, where we fall down is in the middle of the field. No-one is dominating the game, taking the game to the opposition and no-one is moving around making runs. To call it static would be an over-exaggeration. It's ridiculous. Everybody needs a rocket up the proverbial.

[Dr The Singh]

That's because that's all that was on 99% of the time.

It's because the lack of confidence, as a seasoned pro footballer in foxestalk matches I always avoid running in space or being available to pass because i'm too lazy, but it's thought of failure, it's easier to 'hide' or make a mistake with a clump of players around you.

Alot of the passes were astray not because the players are shit, but because of the pressure and lack of confidence, hence players didn;t move into space in fear of being exposed and players opted for the easy pass for the same reason!!!

[Matt]

I refrained from posting in the post match thread last night so like you could reflect with a clear mind and perhaps calm down abit. Not really worked.

We were beyond shit, not alot else to say.

Don't worry though no doubt the 'it's only 3 games' brigade are out in force. It was 'only' 9 games last season, look how detrimental that was to our season.

[David Guiza]

Just read that on this day, 9years ago now, was the 6-1 mauling by Ipswich at Portman Road and i believe we went on to finish 2nd that year. So anything can happen i suppose but at least we shown spark early on in that season.

[Tielemans63]

I know it'll take time for the new players to bed in but I have been shocked at just how poor we've been in the two home games. I don't think people would be as livid if the team were really trying to play football and build something.

My concern is that for all Sven's qualities (and he is a good manager) the team has that disinterested / disorganised malaise that Sousa's team had this time last season - that's what concerns me.

I thought we played some nice stuff at timed last night but ultimately we were completely toothless.

[Callabinho]

Well, Its okay to panic and as a paying customer every one is entitled to an opinion. From watching the games so far it is clear what the main problem is. We are not playing as a team, now we all know the other reason is we are not predatory enough upfront. However individual mistakes are costing us at either end, last night Gallagher's miss was just as much as a mistake as SSL defensive lapse. the point is we are creating chances. No matter what people's opinions are we are still gelling and it will take 2 or 3 games to bed in. As far as this Sven out nonsense just be realistic for a second. He isn't going anywhere whilst his contract is alive, It will cost far too much to sack him but give him a chance to get it right. Whats loosing a few early games to get in right? I'd rather loose a few games at the start getting it right and finding our best eleven! Look at teams like Derby, last year they were flying, they came to our place lost and then the wheels came flying off, we have a chance to turn it around and I would rather we get the bad performances out of the way now than later on. If we beat Forest on Saturday all this will be forgotten you can't look at the table after 3 games, It starts to take shape next month and by then we could be in the top 6! So as long as you keep the faith and get behind the lads we should come good! Now forget last night and bring on Forest!!!

[Jace]

I'll be honest, the only signing I like of Sven's so far is Nugent. The rest look decidedly average at best, including Fernandes (who looks reckless), Schmeichel (who I never felt comfortable with on any of their corners or free-kicks) and Peltier (who is an average right-back). maybe I'm judging them too early, but at the moment, it appears we've been mugged in the transfer market.. As someone else mentioned, we spent £5 million on Mills and £1.2 million on St Ledger. That's a combined £6.2 million for players who look no better than Hobbs.

Last night we were awful. Make no mistake, that Bristol team, despite being well organised, were not very good. You could see that when we scored.

Our attacking players need to move more. They're far too static. Bristol had a game plan, closing down our full-backs extremely quickly (sometimes with 2 men) so that we had to channel everything through the centre where it got bogged down due to lack of movement.

I think schmeichels been a great signing shown loads of passion for team would of been a good choice for captain agree mills shouldnt of been dropped thought st ledger had an awful game really think the problem is we need another top striker mayard really was the difference between the teams last night

[breadandcheese]

I think schmeichels been a great signing shown loads of passion for team would of been a good choice for captain agree mills shouldnt of been dropped thought st ledger had an awful game really think the problem is we need another top striker mayard really was the difference between the teams last night

I never felt confident that Shmeichel would win come and win the ball when they had a corner or freekick. I worry that he's not as secure as people hope.

[Guest Col city fan]

I think schmeichels been a great signing shown loads of passion for team would of been a good choice for captain agree mills shouldnt of been dropped thought st ledger had an awful game really think the problem is we need another top striker mayard really was the difference between the teams last night

You are right here... Maynards running and finishing was superb. He is sooo too good for brizzle...