Does it all stem from the Swansea game?

[the other bob wilson]

Bob, we have been playing terrible, one paced, directionless football for months now but people have chosen to ignore this due to the odd win (usually Tomlin-inspired last season).

The malaise doesn’t hinge on one specific result. It has been ongoing for months - anyone who watches the team and how it plays can see beyond the results.

The idea that this is some sort of recent crisis triggered by a specific episode or event, is well wide of the mark. We have been sleep walking to this point for months.

I hope I’ve made it clear over a period of years what I think of the type of football we play, but I’m a City fan first and foremost and I’ve said that as long as we kept on winning enough games, I could put up with all of the functional football and, for much of the time, the wins kept on coming.
Although we were rarely enjoyable to watch, we had a resolution, determination and attitude which enabled us to grind out wins - most of our victories came through “winning ugly”, but since the Swansea game, our belief levels have been on the floor, we look weaker physically than our opponents and, from being the sort of team which won games like last night’s 1-0, we’ve become a soft touch that loses them 1-0 now by conceding ridiculous goals.

[AfricanBluebird]

I hope I’ve made it clear over a period of years what I think of the type of football we play, but I’m a City fan first and foremost and I’ve said that as long as we kept on winning enough games, I could put up with all of the functional football and, for much of the time, the wins kept on coming.
Although we were rarely enjoyable to watch, we had a resolution, determination and attitude which enabled us to grind out wins - most of our victories came through “winning ugly”, but since the Swansea game, our belief levels have been on the floor, we look weaker physically than our opponents and, from being the sort of team which won games like last night’s 1-0, we’ve become a soft touch that loses them 1-0 now by conceding ridiculous goals.

Yes you have always been critical of the football we have played for some years.

Malky and Warnock teams were ugly, but successful. I didn't like the football much but as a fan enjoyed the success. I think we all knew however that success would only be short term given that our style of play isn't amenable to long term football success and to compete at the top level.

I have maintained for years we need a director of football to harmonise coaching, playing style and recruitment across all ages groups at the club.

In terms of your point about the Swansea game, I think that it was a game where the fans, players and coaches probably recognised what a disaster of a team we are on the pitch and that our current approach can never deliver sustainable success. Sadly, out of that group, only the fans can truly admit it and be honest. Players, coaches and the manager must indulge in a public relations exercise that we are getting better and can bounce back. Fans know this is nonsense and even a few wins can't paper over the glaring cracks of our footballing approach that has been poor for years.

Watching the Swansea game I was firstly annoyed we didn't go for Lowe when we brought in Moore from Wigan. The jacks got him for peanuts really. However, as I thought about it more, I realised that even if we had brought him in, he couldn't thrive with us and his talent would be wasted here, as happened to so many attacking players over the last few years.

We need to be very truthful and admit we are not a good team and have over relied on one or two individuals for years. Things need to change, and soon.

[the other bob wilson]

Yes you have always been critical of the football we have played for some years.

Malky and Warnock teams were ugly, but successful. I didn't like the football much but as a fan enjoyed the success. I think we all knew however that success would only be short term given that our style of play isn't amenable to long term football success and to compete at the top level.

I have maintained for years we need a director of football to harmonise coaching, playing style and recruitment across all ages groups at the club.

In terms of your point about the Swansea game, I think that it was a game where the fans, players and coaches probably recognised what a disaster of a team we are on the pitch and that our current approach can never deliver sustainable success. Sadly, out of that group, only the fans can truly admit it and be honest. Players, coaches and the manager must indulge in a public relations exercise that we are getting better and can bounce back. Fans know this is nonsense and even a few wins can't paper over the glaring cracks of our footballing approach that has been poor for years.

Watching the Swansea game I was firstly annoyed we didn't go for Lowe when we brought in Moore from Wigan. The jacks got him for peanuts really. However, as I thought about it more, I realised that even if we had brought him in, he couldn't thrive with us and his talent would be wasted here, as happened to so many attacking players over the last few years.

We need to be very truthful and admit we are not a good team and have over relied on one or two individuals for years. Things need to change, and soon.

I agree with virtually everything you say and your point about Lowe is a good one.

We've approached football as if we were a team like, say, Rotherham for getting on for a decade now. It's strange, for many our first promotion was inevitable given the money we spent to achieve it, yet when we went up five years later, having blown £6 million in January on a striker who never scored a goal for us, it was considered a miracle - why the change in tone?

Expectations have been lowered by us finally achieving the long term goal of promotion to the Premier League it seems. I'm not saying that we should be spending fortunes in chasing another promotion, but it would be nice to see a recognition that we're a bit more than Neil Warnock's "plucky little Cardiff".

I would say that from around the time Russell Slade became manager we have approached games, no matter who we were playing, like a side going into a cup tie against a team a division above us - that's why I often say we play "underdog" football.

I just think that the Swansea game was the day when the penny dropped with some that we've gone backwards with the philosophy which has hung over the club since our first relegation and there was a realisation just how far we've fallen behind.

[A Quiet Monkfish]

I think we've playning 'underdog' football because in footballing terms that's exactly what we have been. Even more so lately. Football at this level looks just so difficult for at least half the side..

[the other bob wilson]

I think we've playning 'underdog' football because in footballing terms that's exactly what we have been. Even more so lately. Football at this level looks just so difficult for at least half the side..

Point taken, but I'd say that, unbelievably, we opted for underdog football when we had the financial means to go for so much more.