A year ago after 5 games we were just 3 points better off

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Back then, the general feeling seemed to be one of optimism. We could have beaten Leeds and came close at Leicester to getting a point. We'd scored 8 goals in those opening 5 games.

Even at the end of last season, many were suggesting that Bulut deserved a contract extension and some believed we would at least match our 12th place finish.

How things have changed in a month!

[Moodybluebird]

Back then, the general feeling seemed to be one of optimism. We could have beaten Leeds and came close at Leicester to getting a point. We'd scored 8 goals in those opening 5 games.

Even at the end of last season, many were suggesting that Bulut deserved a contract extension and some believed we would at least match our 12th place finish.

How things have changed in a month!

If there was evidence that we had been unlucky in our first 5 games and our generally play had improved, some fans may have cut Bulut some slack. But ONE goal scored, a -10 goal difference, abysmal performances, a distinct lack of confidence shown by the players and a fan base going ballistic.......well, the writing's on the wall isn't it.

[Lawnmower]

If there was evidence that we had been unlucky in our first 5 games and our generally play had improved, some fans may have cut Bulut some slack. But ONE goal scored, a -10 goal difference, abysmal performances, a distinct lack of confidence shown by the players and a fan base going ballistic.......well, the writing's on the wall isn't it.

I felt we had been unlucky at times.
But I think the bar has been raised in terms of expectations this season and unlike last season there’s not much to give us hope for the next few games.

I, and I expect a few others were hoping that the turn around would start yesterday.

[Hot Shot Hamish.]

But are things on the turn? (I’m joking)

Isn’t that the first game in ages we only lost by one goal?

[The Lone Gunman]

Isn’t that the first game in ages we only lost by one goal?

It should been two. Genuinely incredible miss by Adams at the end.

Thing is, it’s crystal clear that Bulut has no idea how to arrest the slide. He made six changes to the starting line-up yesterday and a further five changes as the game went on, but the outcome was the same - another defeat.

[Father Dougal]

It should been two. Genuinely incredible miss by Adams at the end.

Thing is, it’s crystal clear that Bulut has no idea how to arrest the slide. He made six changes to the starting line-up yesterday and a further five changes as the game went on, but the outcome was the same - another defeat.

Yeah so what can he do next week? Take colwill el ghazi and bagan back out? Genuinely wouldn't surprise me if he did that.

A lot of city fans were positive with the team selection yesterday saying things like great to see bulut has learned etc...... I just shrugged as I think it doesn't really matter which individuals he sends out there now as the outcome is basically the same. I also think he's just guessing now. There's no way yesterdays starting team was one he genuinely believes in and wants. He just had to make some changes so he did. Will be same next week and every week until he has gone.

[the other bob wilson]

For me, the difference between last season and this can be gauged by the goals for and against columns. We may only have had four points from our first five matches in 23/24, but we'd scored eight and conceded ten. That goals against figure turned out to be a big clue that, for all Bulut's reputation as a defensive manager, our defending has got worse under him, but it's that goals for figure which is the overriding problem in my opinion and, let's face it, the writing was on the wall as far as that is concerned from about December last year. While I look at the squad and think that we should be doing better than we are, it seems to me that a strong argument can. be made in support of the argument that, with the long term injuries we have at present, we're worse off this season in the area of the team where we were weakest last season.

Having mentioned injuries, I think there are grounds for criticism of the club's transfer policy in that so many of our new signings have been a long way short of the fitness standards required and so we're still in the position where some of them look like they are in the process of being eased into first team contention. Yes, the club have been unlucky in some respects when it comes to the likes of El Ghazi. but we do also seem to have an awful lot of injuries to players who were here before this summer as well - given that we have looked less fit than every team we've played as well (is this down to the lack of pace in the squad that our manager was bemoaning straight after he'd had a three month window to do something about it?), does the club's playing conditioning and fitness training methods need to be looked at as well?

[Father Dougal]

For me, the difference between last season and this can be gauged by the goals for and against columns. We may only have had four points from our first five matches in 23/24, but we'd scored eight and conceded ten. That goals against figure turned out to be a big clue that, for all Bulut's reputation as a defensive manager, our defending has got worse under him, but it's that goals for figure which is the overriding problem in my opinion and, let's face it, the writing was on the wall as far as that is concerned from about December last year. While I look at the squad and think that we should be doing better than we are, it seems to me that a strong argument can. be made in support of the argument that, with the long term injuries we have at present, we're worse off this season in the area of the team where we were weakest last season.

Having mentioned injuries, I think there are grounds for criticism of the club's transfer policy in that so many of our new signings have been a long way short of the fitness standards required and so we're still in the position where some of them look like they are in the process of being eased into first team contention. Yes, the club have been unlucky in some respects when it comes to the likes of El Ghazi. but we do also seem to have an awful lot of injuries to players who were here before this summer as well - given that we have looked less fit than every team we've played as well (is this down to the lack of pace in the squad that our manager was bemoaning straight after he'd had a three month window to do something about it?), does the club's playing conditioning and fitness training methods need to be looked at as well?

I can't imagine there is anything at the club that doesn't need to be looked at to be honest.

I'm glad you mentioned our awful defensive record under bulut. It really annoys me when people criticise him for being too defensive or bulut ball being boring etc.....these criticisms give bulut far too much credit. He isn't defensive and has no style at all. Not a good one or not a bad one he just doesn't have one.

I'd have more respect for him if he made us defensive and hard to beat etc.... even if fans wanted football like russell martin plays, if bulut was doing it his own way I could get behind that.

I really don't think bulut has any kind of plan and he is just playing around now. We may as well appoint a random fan to do that. He has been found out big time and needs to go ASAP.

[goats]

I can't imagine there is anything at the club that doesn't need to be looked at to be honest.

I'm glad you mentioned our awful defensive record under bulut. It really annoys me when people criticise him for being too defensive or bulut ball being boring etc.....these criticisms give bulut far too much credit. He isn't defensive and has no style at all. Not a good one or not a bad one he just doesn't have one.

I'd have more respect for him if he made us defensive and hard to beat etc.... even if fans wanted football like russell martin plays, if bulut was doing it his own way I could get behind that.

I really don't think bulut has any kind of plan and he is just playing around now. We may as well appoint a random fan to do that. He has been found out big time and needs to go ASAP.

Laughing all the way to the bank, he’s getting well paid for the next two years whatever he does. No faith in those running the club to get a replacement right anyway. Miracle if we stay up this year. Besides, I can’t even think of a potential manager who’s free……

[Father Dougal]

Laughing all the way to the bank, he’s getting well paid for the next two years whatever he does. No faith in those running the club to get a replacement right anyway. Miracle if we stay up this year. Besides, I can’t even think of a potential manager who’s free……

Yeah hes played it well to be fair. However id have been happy to see him go in january when he started throwing his toys publically to try and distract from the serious decline on the pitch.

[Forest Green Bluebird]

Laughing all the way to the bank, he’s getting well paid for the next two years whatever he does. No faith in those running the club to get a replacement right anyway. Miracle if we stay up this year. Besides, I can’t even think of a potential manager who’s free……

David Moyes?

[Father Dougal]

David Moyes?

I'm sure you are joking but some would be serious about that.

He'll be in the Premier league again soon. If he did go to the championship absolutely no way would he be here. He'd go to Wrexham before us. Most managers would.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

For me, the difference between last season and this can be gauged by the goals for and against columns. We may only have had four points from our first five matches in 23/24, but we'd scored eight and conceded ten. That goals against figure turned out to be a big clue that, for all Bulut's reputation as a defensive manager, our defending has got worse under him, but it's that goals for figure which is the overriding problem in my opinion and, let's face it, the writing was on the wall as far as that is concerned from about December last year. While I look at the squad and think that we should be doing better than we are, it seems to me that a strong argument can. be made in support of the argument that, with the long term injuries we have at present, we're worse off this season in the area of the team where we were weakest last season.

Having mentioned injuries, I think there are grounds for criticism of the club's transfer policy in that so many of our new signings have been a long way short of the fitness standards required and so we're still in the position where some of them look like they are in the process of being eased into first team contention. Yes, the club have been unlucky in some respects when it comes to the likes of El Ghazi. but we do also seem to have an awful lot of injuries to players who were here before this summer as well - given that we have looked less fit than every team we've played as well (is this down to the lack of pace in the squad that our manager was bemoaning straight after he'd had a three month window to do something about it?), does the club's playing conditioning and fitness training methods need to be looked at as well?

Agree with all you say, Bob.

One of my arguments last season was that our supposed more defensive style of play hadn't led to any improvements in the number of goals we were conceding, so if we were going to leak goals like a sieve, at least have a go at the other end and try and win games 4-3, a la Kevin Keegan. We got the 3 quite a few times last season, but usually to 0.

10 goals conceded after the first 5 games last season was our worst at this level since 1985 and, for all of our crap seasons bobbing between the bottom two divisions in the 80s and 90s, there were only 2 seasons where we conceded double figures in our first 5 games, back in 1988/90 and 1989/90. Like then, we've now managed this achievement in successive seasons. We finished 16th in 1988/89 in Div 3 and were relegated the season afterwards. This has a certain familiarity to it.

Back in 1989/90 we had won 1 point after 5 games and scored only 2 goals, so this season we've managed a marginally worse start than then. It's the only time we've only scored 1 after 5 games. Our lowest after 6 games is 3 goals scored. We are in one of the worst starts ever territory. For any suggestions of having had some difficult games, it still takes a special kind of dreadful to have one of our worst ever starts.

I also agree about our transfers. I held back from commenting much on our summer transfers as this board seemed awash with comments saying how they were going to transform us from mid-table to playoff contenders. Those thoughts seemed bollocks at the time and increasingly do now.

[Mr Soul '68]

L. Miracle if we stay up this year. Besides, I can’t even think of a potential manager who’s free……

I can see either Dyche or Russell Martin staying long at their respective clubs if their poor form in the Prem continues. I'd love to have either here. Would any of the pair them come to City though?

[Crisp White Lines]

For me, the difference between last season and this can be gauged by the goals for and against columns. We may only have had four points from our first five matches in 23/24, but we'd scored eight and conceded ten. That goals against figure turned out to be a big clue that, for all Bulut's reputation as a defensive manager, our defending has got worse under him, but it's that goals for figure which is the overriding problem in my opinion and, let's face it, the writing was on the wall as far as that is concerned from about December last year. While I look at the squad and think that we should be doing better than we are, it seems to me that a strong argument can. be made in support of the argument that, with the long term injuries we have at present, we're worse off this season in the area of the team where we were weakest last season.

Having mentioned injuries, I think there are grounds for criticism of the club's transfer policy in that so many of our new signings have been a long way short of the fitness standards required and so we're still in the position where some of them look like they are in the process of being eased into first team contention. Yes, the club have been unlucky in some respects when it comes to the likes of El Ghazi. but we do also seem to have an awful lot of injuries to players who were here before this summer as well - given that we have looked less fit than every team we've played as well (is this down to the lack of pace in the squad that our manager was bemoaning straight after he'd had a three month window to do something about it?), does the club's playing conditioning and fitness training methods need to be looked at as well?

I closely monitor goal difference to spot trends for teams.

At this early stage of the season, I place Cardiff City in the “they fully deserve to be rock bottom” classification with a “zero prospect of short term improvement“ prediction.

[Lawnmower]

I can see either Dyche or Russell Martin staying long at their respective clubs if their poor form in the Prem continues. I'd love to have either here. Would any of the pair them come to City though?

I’m sure RM would run over hot coals to manage us and be welcomed like a long lost son by our fan base 😂

[Hilts]

I can see either Dyche or Russell Martin staying long at their respective clubs if their poor form in the Prem continues. I'd love to have either here. Would any of the pair them come to City though?

No.

Our best hope Is the likes of Gary Rowett.

I dread to think who they will appoint though.

What's Russell Slade doing?

[Gofer Blue]

No.

Our best hope Is the likes of Gary Rowett.

I dread to think who they will appoint though.

What's Russell Slade doing?

Probably reading:

https://bcoach.app/en/football-team-...ties-and-role/

on how to be a football team manager.

[Gofer Blue]

Having seen his name pop up on here, I just took a look at his career achievements just out of interest.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Slade

It's an unenviable record - I didn't realise how bad it was!