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Kolli up front in a two
at 16:08 8 Oct 2025

Agree on Chair.
I think he would be fantastic playing next to Kone. Chair has got an engine and can press as well as being very creative.

What it is to have options!
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Rest of the Championship thread 25/26
at 14:27 8 Oct 2025

12 managers since 2019. Madness.
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Kolli up front in a two
at 12:39 8 Oct 2025

Without doubt he is a better option than Frey, but, and I've thought this for a while, he doesn't seem to really excel at anything in particular to make him a starter long term.

Definitely the odd game when Burrell needs a rest, but is Kolli going to be happy with that?
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Kolli up front in a two
at 11:13 8 Oct 2025

He really needs to be playing as he could make us some money.
I just can't see where fits in this side. Next to Kone? Not ahead of Burrell or Chair. Left Wing? Numerous players in front.
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Kone - too slow to go?
at 13:58 7 Oct 2025

Who cares if he is quick or not, he's banging in goals for us. I just rewatched his Wrexham goal, what a finish.

It's just fantastic that him and Burrell are working so well together.
I was looking at some stats from last season and Chair created on average something like 2/3 chances per game, imagine what he'll do with two strikers that can actually move and finish. I bet he can't wait to get back.

Playoffs, not a problem 😃
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What would be 'success' this season with this squad/manager?
at 12:26 7 Oct 2025

Playoffs
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Coventry
at 10:46 7 Oct 2025

It's very early so can't really call it. It will be interesting to see what Lampard does when they hit a bad patch, which everyone will. I'm not convinced he has the skill set to change it up.
As others have pointed out, this squad is inherited.
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Lewis Moody - Englands Rugby Star diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease
at 10:41 7 Oct 2025

Unfortunately, his tackling style was completely wrong. He would charge head first into rucks, but also tackle with his head in front of the players legs when it should be behind. He was concussed several times because of this yet played on.

The crowd and commentators at the time loved it, but thankfully, rule changes mean much better player protection.
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Déjà vu all over again for Stéphan’s resurgent Rangers – Report
at 16:25 6 Oct 2025

Good report.

Definitely look less mobile at the back without Mbengue and I thought City exploited that really well in the first half by playing the through balls between the centre backs and full backs. Vale and Smyth put a stop to that once they came on.

Loving the new Madsen, is he shading Varane now?
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Julien Stéphan, I mean, come on...
at 13:26 6 Oct 2025

Never said it was a master plan.

What they have done is sign a coach who is adaptable and players who can play various ways. The goals we have scored this season have reflected that adaptability.

Under MC, we had not variation, that could be due to the players he had, but I'm more convinced it was down in part to him.
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Brentford v Manchester City
at 19:43 5 Oct 2025

I thought Brentford were poor against us preseason and I've got them bottom three this season.

They've got nothing up front if they go a goal down except long throws. Dull.
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Julien Stéphan, I mean, come on...
at 16:10 5 Oct 2025

You don't sign Kone and Burrell if your game model is pish ball.
They were signed to play one way, which we are now seeing, coupled with a new coach who likes his team to be direct.

The game model, as you said, is more about principles of play not who gets picked at left back.

What would be good to know is if the DS have become more direct? Anyone been to a DS game lately?
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Madsen
at 15:57 5 Oct 2025

Again, the change in style from pish ball to direct has had a huge impact on several players, Madsen most.
I makes a difference if those around you and ahead are actually moving and have pace so that you can play a pass.

I know MC did well, but I am starting to think a lot of the problems last season were not solely down to the players.
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In The Play Offs.
at 14:08 5 Oct 2025

I'm just delighted that when I look at the league table I don't have to scroll down. We're just there, in 6th.
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Smyth header
at 13:08 5 Oct 2025

The Brizzle manager must be fuming. Both our goals from crosses from their left hand side, poor.

Great header from Smyth and it was never a foul. Their defender just misread the flight of the ball, felt a hand on his back and collapsed.

I was never a fan of Smyth, but the style of football we now play under JS suits him. He was never suited to the slow build-up that MC installed, he needs to play at pace.

He has been excellent when he has played this season.
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Armstrong.
at 08:36 5 Oct 2025

He certainly wasn't forced to sign for City, but if you surround yourself with good people then 9 times out of 10 make the right decision.
These are young lads who are easily influenced.

Going to Bristol City was the wrong decision long term for his career.
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Julien Stéphan, I mean, come on...
at 07:55 5 Oct 2025

Love Stèphan. Has the team playing to its strengths and his in game management is top notch with his subs usually making a big impact.

Only disappointed that both Morgan and Kolli have disappeared in terms of appearances, but Stèphan has experience in bringing youngsters through so fingers crossed.

His man management skills are going to be tested once everyone is back and fit (yes, I know). There are going to be some very good players benched or not make the match day squad at all.
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COOK
at 07:46 5 Oct 2025

He's done well, clearly back to match fitness.

However, he has not faced a rapid striker in those 2 games so no, not a starter for me. Great back-up though.
If he does start I'd switch Mbengue to RB. I know Dunne got the cross in for Smyth, but he looks very uncomfortable at the moment.
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Dembele
at 20:18 4 Oct 2025

There is a huge difference between Dembele and Madsen which should be pointed out.
Madsen was new to this country and had not played in a league with the same physicality. Its taken him 12 months to get up to speed.
Dembele has played for Celtic and had a full season at Blackpool in L1 yet still waves a leg.

He is competing with Saito, Vale, Poku, Chair and Smyth yet based on his performances he is going to be behind them all and for someone with so much natural ability that is unforgivable.
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Shipshape and Bristol Fashion Match Thread
at 20:05 4 Oct 2025

So come on, when does it start getting serious, and you start writing 'playoff' in your match reports?
March, April? Fck it, the next one, we're 6th!

What's great now is how we finish strongly, witchcraft indeed.
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