The Relegation Thread 16/17

[TomPNE94]

Birthday in Wigan. Lucky for some eh!

Don't be silly, he won't be going.

 

[Ciderhead]

Massive day in this thread then Saturday. Blackburn v Wigan and City v Burton.

For us, definitely entering the territory where calling it a 'must win' is not entirely ridiculous

 

[The Mustard Tiger]

For us, definitely entering the territory where calling it a 'must win' is not entirely ridiculous

What the hell has happened at Bristol over the last few months? You had a good start to the season and I had a feeling that you might flirt with the playoffs. Instead you've dropped like a stone and now find yourself in the mix with the rest of the tosh at the bottom.

 

[Ciderhead]

What the hell has happened at Bristol over the last few months? You had a good start to the season and I had a feeling that you might flirt with the playoffs. Instead you've dropped like a stone and now find yourself in the mix with the rest of the tosh at the bottom.

Hard to explain really. But in a nutshell I think it comes down to an inexperienced manager. First 8-9 months under Johnson we were picking up points at playoff rate, but once we hit a bad patch he's proved incapable of turning it around. Think that's partly tactical (too much tinkering without really addressing the problems of a lack of width and an isolated Abraham) and partly motivational (a team that scored so many late goals earlier in the season now can't defend a lead to save its life, one that used to press hard and play on the front foot now sits off and looks timid, scared even, on the pitch)

That's normal for a team low on confidence but part of management is knowing how to turn that around, and LJ's been unable to do so. It's not just a bad run anymore; nearly half a season now of almost Rotherham-esque form. Which is ridiculous for what is a decent squad. Not playoffs good, 4th in October was a bit of a false position, but certainly good enough that relegation shouldn't even be in question. Maybe added in a few too many new faces all at once, and some loan players (Tomlin and particularly Matthews) haven't performed upon getting a contract, but we've still underachieved massively, and that's down to the manager.

I like Johnson. Really thought he'd work out here and I'd echo Ciderup's comments I think it was when he said he'll go on to be a very good coach. Think if he does go he'll do well to get a job as an assistant somewhere, he's supposedly had offers from PL clubs before. But he seems to have to be learning a lot as he goes here and to stick with him through that is running the very real risk of the drop. Lansdown appears willing to take that, which is very brave (and most would say foolish) as going down would be disastrous. Especially when I'd expect a new man should be able to keep us up.

Which gets on to your lot, is it too early to say if you're just experiencing the 'new manager bounce' or do you think Mowbray will be able to keep you up?

 

[The Mustard Tiger]

Interesting to read about your view on Bristol. You look at the squad and think that it shouldn't be anywhere near the position that it is. But then there are a few teams in this league that are in surprise positions.

As for us and Mowbray, we'll have to see. I don't think that our squad is amazing but it's better than the position it finds itself in. Whilst I wasn't a fan of Coyle, he was always up against it from the get go and I don't the negative atmosphere that constantly surrounds our club has helped. Mowbray coming in will be like a breath of fresh air and should help get fans a bit more on side for what is a crucial time of the season. I'd like to think we can stay up as we've played well in certain games this year but we just haven't been able to find any level of consistency. Let's hope Mowbray can get the best out of them.

 

[Ciderhead]

Yeah I'll be honest from the outside I had you down as strugglers this season (think I predicted you to finish bottom ) but looking at your squad it's not that bad, wouldn't say it's all that different to Ipswich or Cardiff's say. Against Utd in the cup you looked a side capable of staying up, just hope if you do it's not at our expense!

Don't rate Coyle, but as you say guess it's not easy when you've got fans protesting against the ownership and stuff. What's the latest with Venky's? How's Derrick Williams done as well? He was alright for us but I was a bit surprised that another Championship club came in for him tbh.

 

[The Mustard Tiger]

Williams has done alright to be fair. We've conceded a lot of goals this year but he's been one of our better players in defence. He's still only quite young so hopefully under the right tutelage he can only get better.

 

[Ciderup]

Don't be silly, he won't be going.

No, I was never going to Wigan. I'm off to Berlin to watch my second footballing love Borussia Dortmund at the Olympic stadium v Hertha Berlin instead.
There might be some Weiss bier involved as well.

 

[Bartonyellow]

Fuck it. I'm going to Ashton gate Saturday. Lots of other things I should be doing, but this has a magnetic pull to it.
Win and we have a chance of staying up.
Hopefully have kightly and Irvine fit. If so, we can nick this.
Hopefully Abraham is still crocked

 

[Ciderup]

Fuck it. I'm going to Ashton gate Saturday. Lots of other things I should be doing, but this has a magnetic pull to it.
Win and we have a chance of staying up.
Hopefully have kightly and Irvine fit. If so, we can nick this.
Hopefully Abraham is still crocked

I wouldn't worry, we're a total mess at the mo. If you don't win, you don't deserve to survive WTGR.
The atmosphere is likely to be poisonous as well, the City support are desperate to get rid of the 'chosen (ie useless) one'.
Have a safe trip down to Bristol. At least the stadium is impressive.

 

[JJH]

Fuck it. I'm going to Ashton gate Saturday. Lots of other things I should be doing, but this has a magnetic pull to it.
Win and we have a chance of staying up.
Hopefully have kightly and Irvine fit. If so, we can nick this.
Hopefully Abraham is still crocked

Good stuff, you'll do us over. No better time to be playing us. Abraham is still crocked.

 

[Ciderup]

I take no pleasure in saying it but we've had it unless our owner acts.
We are heading down.

 

[roversfan2001]

We're staying up bye guys.

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[JaseTheVillain]

We're staying up bye guys.

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No you're not.

 

[big mean bunny]

Point would have been huge for us today, think that's us now unless we are brave enough to get rid of Lambert and get anyone in, even just till the end of the season, to try and save us. From what I've seen of his tactics and selections I'd not have any faith in Lambert being given a summer to make changes. Saville at leftback today and then finally puts Saiss in midfield but puts the weight of Coddy and Edwards around him.

 

[markwwfc1992]

Point would have been huge for us today, think that's us now unless we are brave enough to get rid of Lambert and get anyone in, even just till the end of the season, to try and save us. From what I've seen of his tactics and selections I'd not have any faith in Lambert being given a summer to make changes. Saville at leftback today and then finally puts Saiss in midfield but puts the weight of Coddy and Edwards around him.

I don't think sacking Lambert is the answer. I'm not his biggest fan, not by a long shot but this club is crying out for stability. I would give him the summer to try and fix things, providing we do stay up. To be honest I don't even want to think about what happens if we go down.

Also George Saville as a left back should never ever happen again. It took about 4 minutes of watching him there today to realise he was fucking all over the place. Coady from centre mid, and Iorfa from Right back had to constantly come over to get him out of the shit. Ipswich and Rotherham are huge games, need 4 points absolute minimum.

 

[Ciderup]

We're staying up bye guys.

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[SMH]

That's us relegated and deservedly so. We're the second worst team in the division, two awful managers and awful recruitment primarily in the summer has done us in. We sold out best chance of staying up for 7m on deadline day. Joyce will be sacked either at the end of the season or sooner and we'll go again next season. Hopefully Blackburn join us simply so we have another local game but I reckon it'll be Bristol City. Just praying that Bolton don't go up.

 

[The Mustard Tiger]

If we can scrape another four wins from now until the end of the season I think that's us definitely staying up but there's still a way to go. April will certainly be interesting as we face Forest (away), Bristol (home) and then Wolves (away). Massive games for all concerned.

 

[joethegill]

That's us relegated and deservedly so. We're the second worst team in the division, two awful managers and awful recruitment primarily in the summer has done us in. We sold out best chance of staying up for 7m on deadline day. Joyce will be sacked either at the end of the season or sooner and we'll go again next season. Hopefully Blackburn join us simply so we have another local game but I reckon it'll be Bristol City. Just praying that Bolton don't go up.

On the contrary, I'm praying Bolton DO go up, and that one of yourselves or Blackburn stay up there (preferably both, but that's unlikely). A League One with potentially Bolton, Blackburn, Wigan, Oldham, Rochdale and Bury in is just grim.

 

[SMH]

On the contrary, I'm praying Bolton DO go up, and that one of yourselves or Blackburn stay up there (preferably both, but that's unlikely). A League One with potentially Bolton, Blackburn, Wigan, Oldham, Rochdale and Bury in is just grim.

I'm not surprised considering Sky move all your Northern aways to midweek evenings. Should be another fun season for us providing we don't sell Bogle. Looks like Scunthorpe have bottled it so Sheff Utd and Bolton/Fleetwood top two with Millwall winning the playoffs. Hopefully Carlisle hang on in there and get that top three spot in League Two as well.

 

[Ciderup]

On the contrary, I'm praying Bolton DO go up, and that one of yourselves or Blackburn stay up there (preferably both, but that's unlikely). A League One with potentially Bolton, Blackburn, Wigan, Oldham, Rochdale and Bury in is just grim.

Oh FFS, Gillingham? I had forgotten about you WTGR, Another 5 fixtures next season no doubt.

 

[joethegill]

Oh FFS, Gillingham? I had forgotten about you WTGR, Another 5 fixtures next season no doubt.

Believe me, we'd be delighted to have to play you again next season as well. On second thoughts, Blackburn doesn't sound so bad, at least we haven't played them for a bit.

 

[JJH]

Believe me, we'd be delighted to have to play you again next season as well. On second thoughts, Blackburn doesn't sound so bad, at least we haven't played them for a bit.

No chance Blackburn will go down mate, will be us, Rotherham and probably Wigan if Wolves get their shit together.

 

[joethegill]

No chance Blackburn will go down mate, will be us, Rotherham and probably Wigan if Wolves get their shit together.

Oh god, worse than I thought! At least Blackburn would be a novelty factor, the rest are just dull.

No offence, obviously

 

[JJH]

Oh god, worse than I thought! At least Blackburn would be a novelty factor, the rest are just dull.

No offence, obviously

None taken, after 14/15 I bet your lot are still sick of the sight of us.

 

[Ciderup]

Oh god, worse than I thought! At least Blackburn would be a novelty factor, the rest are just dull.

No offence, obviously

Joe, at least you will get to laugh at our new stadium even though it will be more than half empty. It was still a building site when you last played us, it's a bit different now.

 

[joethegill]

Joe, at least you will get to laugh at our new stadium even though it will be more than half empty. It was still a building site when you last played us, it's a bit different now.

I'm a stadium geek so I guess that's a fair point. Most stadiums in league one are half full most weeks anyway!

 

[Ciderup]

I'm a stadium geek so I guess that's a fair point. Most stadiums in league one are half full most weeks anyway!

It won't be anywhere near half full if the useless prick of a Manager isn't removed. We'll be lucky if it's a third full. I went to a couple of Bristol rugby matches down there where the crowd was 10K and it looked empty. If you've been to our place before, the new main stand is twice the height of the Dolman which was the biggest stand when you last played us. It will look ridiculous!

 

[tiltontrev]

We're definitely in this following last nights debacle. Quite impressive really considering we were level with 6th and 3 points off 3rd going into Christmas.

Sat in the ground last night thinking back to our relegation in 2011, in similar circumstance we'd fallen down the table and were playing Fulham at home in a game that could put significant daylight between us and the relegation places. We totally rolled over and lost 2-0, that was the day I knew we were relegated. Last night was eerily similar, total fucking gash, I know the stats say we had 3 shots on target, I 100% guarantee the keeper never had his gloves warmed all evening.

Worrying times.