Forever Bristol City Podcast

Pearson now fully aware of the task that faces him if he accepts [is offered ?] the challenge

In this latest episode we review a limp wristed performance against the west Londoners as City went down 0-2 and the "new manager bounce" had clearly come to an end.

Pearson's post match comments were telling. I detect he's now aware after no more than a week on the training ground that whilst they may be a skilful bunch of individuals this squad lack heart and are simply to nice. Never mind the out of contract players, how many of those who are contracted to still be here in August would Pearson keep.

The goals conceded were poor, we suffered two more injuries and, allied to the tactical substitution of Bakinson the whole midfield had gone after 35 minutes.

We also discuss the, as it appears, the largely unimpressive list of OOC players at other clubs. They are OOC for a reason and whilst on FBC we have said there should be rich pickings to be had that position appears to be a myth.

We conclude that next season could already be described as one of consolidation 

The planning for next season starts now

We discuss the disappointment of losing to Bournemouth after taking the lead.

What is success between now and the end of the season?

When will Pearson be given a long term contract?

When will season ticket details be released?

Other than that we are in calm waters - no relegation threat, play off challenge finally gone.

This is it, this time I know [hope] its the real thing

The feelgood factor in the wake of Nigel Pearson's appointment is like no other I have seen for a new City manager in more than 50 years.

OK, it's only two games, both on the road at tough venues and by the same 3-1 scoreline but the group huddle at the end of a game in which City had to thank Dan Bentley for still being in it at half time and then trailing to a harsh penalty summed up for me a togetherness that has banished the misery, on top of lockdown, of a miserable 3 months of supporting this club.

The resilience shown in the 2nd half was a million miles away from the recent Barnsley and Watford performances as City won at a canter due to some astute tactical changes and three more quality goals.

This upturn in fortunes is probably too late to make an assault to the playoffs but if it continues Steve Lansdown MUST get Pearson's name on a 3 year contract ASAP.

We may be embarking on a pathway that could take us to where we want to be

We now have our Pat Lam equivalent ....

City raced to a 3-goal lead in 35 minutes at the Riverside last night and watching new manager Nigel Pearson, and all of us for that matter, must have wondered why we hadn't seen that sort of showing for months.

The recent villain in the eyes of many, Nahki Wells, scored one and made one and Fam's brace took his goal tally to 10 for the season and a milestone 50 overall.

The second half was a different story and although victory was never in doubt Pearson saw extended periods of play which perhaps showed why City's play off challenge has evaporated.

We talk of Pearson's appointment which we agree has Lansdown Sr's name all over it and muse on how Mark Ashton will spin why him, or someone like him, wasn't appointed in the summer.

A great appointment and now we await to see what plans Nigel has in store!

 

 

 

Vigorous, rigorous process, nah ..... JFDI now!!!

City put in another horror show of a performance against a hard-working Barnsley side who emerged worthy winners albeit by a single goal.

One would have hoped the temporary coaches could have got a tune out of the players but they showed with their set up of the team and the fact that City had only one shot on target in the whole game that they are part of the problem and should go now!!

Ian, Mark, Lezz & Headhunter say there isn't time for a drawn out recruitment process and the right person needs to be hired within 7 days by which time, looking at the upcoming fixtures, a further three defeats could be on the board to make it a perfect 10 in successive league games!!

Holden Gone, not a hero!

Little did we know as we started our live podcast that barely an hour after the final whistle we would be reporting on the ending of Dean Holden's tenure as Head Coach after just 41 games.

He had a credible win rate of 44% but a sixth straight defeat in another dreadful showing against Reading who cruised to a 2-0 win brought about his demise.

Mark, DaveFevs, Ian, Lezz & DaveP analyse the match action and went on to discuss the contents of Steve Lansdown's Radio Bristol interview before the rumours became fact that Holden had gone. Talk then switched to who will be next in the hot seat and has Lansdown got a masterplan that could surprise us all!

Holden was no hero in the eyes of the City fans. He is a decent bloke but one who should never have got the job in the first place and the Man who fired the Holden Gun, Mark Ashton, looks as though he will live to fight another day.

Holden's Tinnion Moment

This was on a par with that day in September 2005 when City were thrashed 7-1 at the Liberty Stadium by Swansea. Brian Tinnion cut a dejected picture slumped in the dug out some while after the final whistle. He knew his short time as manager had run its course and he was gone within days.

Losing 6-0, City's performance can only be described as a disgrace and that goes from the way the side was set up by the coaches to the application showed by experienced professionals who, with a few exceptions,  showed no pride in their performance.

Ian, Mark, Lezz, Daniel and host David P discuss the action and suggest what the outcomes should be. Will Ashton pull the trigger on Holden to save his own skin or will the Lansdown take the brave decision to axe both of them plus the coaching staff and start building for next season now - sadly I think not.

We talk about the mooted idea of Richard Scudamore being a candidate for CEO should Ashton be gone and question whether Tuesday's game against Reading could be make or break for Holden and how on earth the Berkshire side can afford to be paying [allegedly] Lucas Joao £38k per week!!!

 

"We'll get value by playing him" - really?

The cup doth not runneth over for City as they lost out in a place in the 1/4 finals through a VAR awarded penalty at Bramall Lane.

Ian, DaveFevs, Mark, Lezz & DaveP dissect the action which, save for a sound display from debutant Ryley Towler, showed City turn in another lacklustre performance as an attacking force.

For us, Fam has switched off now the window has closed and Nahki Wells really does look like he's sucking on a lemon with intensity!

What of Williams -how long will he be out?

How should City tackle the rest of the season?

We discuss this and more in our 50th episode

 

 

11 Empty Shirts

Ian, Liam, Mark & Headhunter analyse a disjointed and losing display from City in the Severnside derby.

The starting line up looked sound [on paper] save for Mariappa out of position and perhaps the need for an extra pair of legs in the middle but poor defending led to both goals and up front one solitary shot was all City had to show for their attacking efforts.

We debate at length Holden looking more and more out of his depth and what Mark Ashton is going to do to change things - probably nothing.

If City were a company their shares would be tanking now and in those circumstances the CEO is often the first to go!!

Green with Envy .... a review of Brentford away

We lost, which wasn't unexpected, and the scoreline suggests it was close but most City fans will look at Brentford and ask the question: why not us?

Zac Vyner's goal gave City the perfect start and like vs. Huddersfield the high energy in the opening 20 minutes was not sustained. Brentford, themselves without four regulars, took control and their finishing was lethal

Vyner, Massengo & Edwards all showed that perhaps the future is to focus on youth and we pose the question, is Mark Ashton under more pressure than Dean Holden in terms of worrying about a job after 1st July