Fan Confidence

[deep blue]

More, was not confident last season despite my optimistic nature. Squad feels varied and threatening with injection of blistering pace, tenacity and raw talent!

Feel the same.

Was worried that Sven wouldn't know how to handle the championship; was relieved when he got Fazackerley in, but then disappointed that he didn't seem to add the right input i.e. the knowledge that Sven lacked.

By comparison, NP has proved himself at Champ level, is quietly professional in his approach, has sussed out the deficiencies in the squad and rectified them over the summer; not just the personnel, but the attitude and fitness.

My only concern is that one full season with his own team might not be quite enough. But the signs are good - already it looks like we're gelling well and can put in the application on the pitch. Whilst the Champ might be very open & tough this season, I'm quietly confident, and excited by the style we might be able to show.

Don't let me down on Satday, lads!

[bmt]

I thought we'd come second last season, but I think we'll come first this! :scarf:

[ADK]

I'm more confident than last season. Last season was an unknown quantity. We had basically changed 90% of the first team and most of the best players who had been on loan had left the club.

This season we have a more usual mix of all the performing players from last season plus new signings who have been brought in early rather than as panic buys. By the end of last season we were averaging the amount of points necessary to finish in the play offs had we held that form since the start of the season. With those players still here and new signings aswell, it is reasonable to predict a top 6 finish.

[acooling08]

Wasn't confident last year, am not confident now either!

[dmayne7]

Did we? I can't think of a player we've lost that I'd rather have kept (maybe Bamba, but he was a liability at times last season).

Most of us thought we had a strong team at the start of last season but it became clear it was average.

I'm less confident than I was at the start of last season but in hindsight we've probably got a better chance of promotion this season. Having said that, I don't think we'll go up.

Think of the sheer amount of proven quality players we brought in last year. Ability wise you would have expected that team to finish mid-table in the prem but the fact is many of those players were just not suited to this level and like it had been said about a billion times, we lacked any balance with about 8 CM's and 1 winger.

Still, you hit the nail on the head, the TEAM was average but the individuals were not. I think we have probably reduced the quality in terms of personnel but now have a much stronger team.

Don't think I am anywhere near as confident as last season but if the defence tightens up then we really should go up.

We shall see...

[Grey Fox]

I had to delve into the inner depths of my mind for this one. It's easy in hindsight to just say more confident knowing how last season eventually turned out. But if I am honest with myself, I thought we would do well at the start of last season, even after the Cov game which I went to and we only won 1-0 (albeit with 10 men for most of the game - shame). I started to change my view after the Reading and Bristol games mind.

So all in all I think I'll vote for the same as last season. I thought we would do well then and I think we will now. With hindsight taken into account though I'm more confident, probably a lot more, but that's not what the poll asked.

[Guest Col city fan]

Easy one this..

More confident by far.

A football teams success isn't only about the players on the pitch, it's as much about who's managing them.

Pearson beats Sven hands down... IMO.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Easy one this..

More confident by far.

A football teams success isn't only about the players on the pitch, it's as much about who's managing them.

Pearson beats Sven hands down... IMO.

The side looks more balanced this year, well hopefully anyway

[Corky]

Football experts Adrian Durham and Darren Gough both think we'll go up.

I'm convinced and very optimistic.

[Tom17LCFC]

More confident. I was confident last season but had the thought at the back of my head that it just wouldn't work; how many times have teams thrown money at a problem and gained success? (with the exception of Man City).

This season though there feels a greater togetherness, we've got young, hungry players eager to impress and a manager who knows what this league is all about.

[Simmo86]

Football experts Adrian Durham and Darren Gough both think we'll go up.

I'm convinced and very optimistic.

Massive vote of confidence that!

I can't spiffing wait for tomorrow!

[Corky]

Massive vote of confidence that!

I can't spiffing wait for tomorrow!

I think they predicted us to go up last year too.

[Simmo86]

I think they predicted us to go up last year too.

No comment!

[Bluetintedspecs]

Feeling like a kid at Christmas can't wait!

[seenitall]

More, never liked Sven from the start and always said you couldn't throw money at things and expect success.

And Chelsea and Man City stand as testimonials to your belief????

[Fox92]

And Chelsea and Man City stand as testimonials to your belief????

Compare the manager's, though. Compare what type of players they brought, and compare the effort on the pitch.

Said all along Sven's squad was unbalanced. I highly doubt Mourinho and Mancini have unbalanced squad.

[seenitall]

Anyway, I am less confident than last year but can only be pleasantly surprised - better than coming down to earth with a bump though, like last year .

PS, The Times has predicted us to finish top of the div with Cardiff 2nd

[Guest Col city fan]

I'll say it again

Pearson is a better manager IMO than Sven.

If we learnt anything by the whole Sven debacle it was frankly that he didn't know what he was doing and missed a great great chance of getting us promoted.

I trust Pearson more than I ever did Sven.

Anyway, fingers crossed.

[Chairman of the Bored]

On the basis that I'm a firm believer in the old adage "hope springs eternal", I'm very confident right now. That could change by 5pm though. Having said that (don't you just love a cliche?), we appear to be a better unit this year, with more mobility in midfield and slightly better options up front. Defence is my big worry and pace might expose us (Posh today will be a good test as I rate Tomlin and Taylor). I'd still be looking for a quality, ball playing centre half and I can see why Pearson wanted Chester as he fits the bill. Apart from that, Up the City and I hope all city fans enjoy another season, good, bad or indifferent!

[seenitall]

I'll say it again

Pearson is a better manager IMO than Sven.

If we learnt anything by the whole Sven debacle it was frankly that he didn't know what he was doing and missed a great great chance of getting us promoted.

I trust Pearson more than I ever did Sven.

Anyway, fingers crossed.

Damn it, I am going to bite - what, exactly Col, has Pearson achieved in his admittedly short but highly undistinguished career that leads you to think he is a 'better' manager than someone like Sven - NP's record is dismal, one third tier promotion so far and precisely nothing but a lot of near misses (or worse) since. He has not stayed at any club for more than 2 seasons, plays sub standard favourites when clearly they are not fit or capable, cannot man manage and is tactically unaware of any of the opposition teams he plays.

I hope to God he has changed and becomes the manager you believe he already is, but after the past 3 failed seasons for him, it is a big jump up to becoming a 'better' manager than the Serie A and Portuguese league title winning Sven, or indeed, many of the managers in the division he is in now!!

[Guest Col city fan]

Damn it, I am going to bite - what, exactly Col, has Pearson achieved in his admittedly short but highly undistinguished career that leads you to think he is a 'better' manager than someone like Sven - NP's record is dismal, one third tier promotion so far and precisely nothing but a lot of near misses (or worse) since. He has not stayed at any club for more than 2 seasons, plays sub standard favourites when clearly they are not fit or capable, cannot man manage and is tactically unaware of any of the opposition teams he plays.

I hope to God he has changed and becomes the manager you believe he already is, but after the past 3 failed seasons for him, it is a big jump up to becoming a 'better' manager than the Serie A and Portuguese league title winning Sven, or indeed, many of the managers in the division he is in now!!

We could go round and round in circles regarding when Sven actually won something with anybody, so I won't do that.

The difference is that I believe in Pearson in a way I never did Sven. I think Pearson is tougher, more disciplined, wants to build a team, considers players for positions, doesn't spend money as though he's playing monopoly, demands respect from his players, gets it most of the time, doesn't pussy foot around the media, and is a much better man manager. Sven was a nice guy, but well past his sell by date when he was with us. IMO.

I've got far more belief this season that we will be a more solid, together squad than we ever were under Sven.

You're still wearing your 'Sven tinted glasses' even after all this time? Sven missed the best chance of promotion that City have had in recent times. Get over it and get behind the bloke in charge.

[Jace]

Damn it, I am going to bite - what, exactly Col, has Pearson achieved in his admittedly short but highly undistinguished career that leads you to think he is a 'better' manager than someone like Sven - NP's record is dismal, one third tier promotion so far and precisely nothing but a lot of near misses (or worse) since. He has not stayed at any club for more than 2 seasons, plays sub standard favourites when clearly they are not fit or capable, cannot man manage and is tactically unaware of any of the opposition teams he plays.

Coca Cola Cup runner up 1997

[Fox92]

I'll say it again

Pearson is a better manager IMO than Sven.

If we learnt anything by the whole Sven debacle it was frankly that he didn't know what he was doing and missed a great great chance of getting us promoted.

I trust Pearson more than I ever did Sven.

Anyway, fingers crossed.

I totally agree Col.

Damn it, I am going to bite - what, exactly Col, has Pearson achieved in his admittedly short but highly undistinguished career that leads you to think he is a 'better' manager than someone like Sven - NP's record is dismal, one third tier promotion so far and precisely nothing but a lot of near misses (or worse) since. He has not stayed at any club for more than 2 seasons, plays sub standard favourites when clearly they are not fit or capable, cannot man manage and is tactically unaware of any of the opposition teams he plays.

I hope to God he has changed and becomes the manager you believe he already is, but after the past 3 failed seasons for him, it is a big jump up to becoming a 'better' manager than the Serie A and Portuguese league title winning Sven, or indeed, many of the managers in the division he is in now!!

He kept Carlisle in the league, and also kept Southampton in the league. He won promotion at the first attempt from League One (other big clubs, such as; Leeds, Huddersfield, Swindon, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United all didn't do that). He then made us the fifth best team in this division, and we made the play offs. Went to Hull and did amazing background work, which you don't seem to notice; he turned Hull around in terms of finances and got rid of their debt to start again. Built a new team and probably would have made the play offs last season if he would have stayed (thankfully he came back here). Guess what, they were above us.

You might not like his direct style, but name me a team that has won promotion from this division playing fantastic football, because I can think of Swansea and Blackpool, that's all. Most teams play the direct way, look at West Ham, Reading and even Southampton at times. Sven and Sousa both tried real football and where did we end up? Nowhere man. Thing is, Pearson's former Leicester teams all looked like a unit, together, a force and we were consistent. That's something we need back, and I believe we'll see this year.

'Cannot man manage'? Where's that come from? Just because big-headed Mills seemed to fall out with Pearson, and ok St Ledger did, but St Ledger worked hard to get back in the side. Massive names I'm pretty sure that's something made up, so you hope to fall back on it. All manager's have their favourites, by the way. There is no doubt Pearson is a better manager, at this level, than Sven. I have more confidence in Nigel Pearson, than I ever did in the over-spending Sven.

I find it funny how all the Pearson haters say 'he needs to get promoted with all the money he has spent'. Hang on a minute, Sven spent £15million and failed.

[Guest Col city fan]

I totally agree Col.

He kept Carlisle in the league, and also kept Southampton in the league. He won promotion at the first attempt from League One (other big clubs, such as; Leeds, Huddersfield, Swindon, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United all didn't do that). He then made us the fifth best team in this division, and we made the play offs. Went to Hull and did amazing background work, which you don't seem to notice; he turned Hull around in terms of finances and got rid of their debt to start again. Built a new team and probably would have made the play offs last season if he would have stayed (thankfully he came back here). Guess what, they were above us.

You might not like his direct style, but name me a team that has won promotion from this division playing fantastic football, because I can think of Swansea and Blackpool, that's all. Most teams play the direct way, look at West Ham, Reading and even Southampton at times. Sven and Sousa both tried real football and where did we end up? Nowhere man. Thing is, Pearson's former Leicester teams all looked like a unit, together, a force and we were consistent. That's something we need back, and I believe we'll see this year.

'Cannot man manage'? Where's that come from? Just because big-headed Mills seemed to fall out with Pearson, and ok St Ledger did, but St Ledger worked hard to get back in the side. Massive names I'm pretty sure that's something made up, so you hope to fall back on it. All manager's have their favourites, by the way. There is no doubt Pearson is a better manager, at this level, than Sven. I have more confidence in Nigel Pearson, than I ever did in the over-spending Sven.

I find it funny how all the Pearson haters say 'he needs to get promoted with all the money he has spent'. Hang on a minute, Sven spent £15million and failed.

Another top post.

REALLY think about it... 15 million quid... That was 5 more than West Ham and God knows how much more than The Saints and Reading?

Yes, Sven got sacked before the end of the season, but that was after an utterly dismal display against Millwall at home, one of the worst games of football I've ever seen a City team produce in recent times.

Money is important... Especially moreso with FFP looming. Last season was a complete disaster in so many ways. I'm so glad it's all been put to bed and we can start afresh.

Whether Pearson himself will be the answer.. Who knows?

But I'm more confident now.

[Bluetintedspecs]

Another top post.

REALLY think about it... 15 million quid... That was 5 more than West Ham and God knows how much more than The Saints and Reading?

Yes, Sven got sacked before the end of the season, but that was after an utterly dismal display against Millwall at home, one of the worst games of football I've ever seen a City team produce in recent times.

Money is important... Especially moreso with FFP looming. Last season was a complete disaster in so many ways. I'm so glad it's all been put to bed and we can start afresh.

Whether Pearson himself will be the answer.. Who knows?

But I'm more confident now.

Agree totally Col & Fox92 Sven had a sweety shop transfer policy which created an unhappy unbalanced squad IMO. Think NP has gone a long way to addressing this and I am considerably more confident than last season. Obviously time wil tell,l us positive people will be optimistic and the negs pessimistic.... East is East West is West etc, whichever camp you are in nobody is right until the season starts to unfold. So lets be radical eh support the team and see where this ride takes us