S25/26 | The Official Match Thread | Bristol City 3 Swansea City 0 | Att: 23,842 | 22/11/25 | The EFL Championship | Ashton Gate

[Londonlisa2001]

Think it's more the balance and roles each midfielder has. They all appear lost in system than clearly doesn't work.

There isn’t a combination that seems to work.

It’s possible that’s system and it’s possible we don’t have the right balance available.

But whatever it is, week after week there are posts saying x is great, or y is great and they are doing nothing. Flattering to deceive.

 

[Whaleoilbeefhooked]

This resembles the sort of stuff that was going on at the tail end of Williams.

O'Dea and Stearman need to get to f*ck, and when they get there, f*ck off a little bit more just for good measure.

You have to ask the question, who in the building has the football intelligence to stop all these crap appointments, full stop ?

 

[Ringwood]

There isn’t a combination that seems to work.

It’s possible that’s system and it’s possible we don’t have the right balance available.

But whatever it is, week after week there are posts saying x is great, or y is great and they are doing nothing. Flattering to deceive.

We are missing a decent 10.. also our wide players don't make runs behind the full backs for Galbraith to find them. When the likes of Ronald and Eom get the ball to feet, they don't have the technique, pace or physicality to create any decent end product.

Individually, Franco, Stemenic, Galbraith, Yalcouye are all capable at this level

 

[sit_down_jack]

There isn’t a combination that seems to work.

It’s possible that’s system and it’s possible we don’t have the right balance available.

But whatever it is, week after week there are posts saying x is great, or y is great and they are doing nothing. Flattering to deceive.

I think that’s because we do have some good midfielders at the club. Galbraith has stood out in most games for me this season, Franco can be very good as we’ve seen. I’ve seen enough in Stamenic to suggest he can be successful here (that pass against Norwich for Vipotnik being a particular highlight). The issue, as you say is balance.

 

[Londonlisa2001]

You have to ask the question, who in the building has the football intelligence to stop all these crap appointments, full stop ?

Well no one had the football intelligence to realise that putting someone in charge today who knows he’s about to be sacked and was probably stupid.

If they’d put O’Leary in he may well also know he’s going but he has a love of the club that would make sure he did his utmost. Or Margs for the same reason.

It’s amateur hour.

 

[Londonlisa2001]

We are missing a decent 10.. also our wide layers don't make runs behind the full backs for Galbraith to find them. When the likes of Ronald and Eom get the ball to feet, they don't have the technique, pace or physicality to create any decent end product.

Individually, Franco, Stemenic, Galbraith, Yalcouye are all capable at this level

“Individually, Franco, Stemenic, Galbraith, Yalcouye are all capable at this level”.

So everyone keeps saying. And yet we’re dreadful. Maybe, just maybe, they aren’t actually as good as people think.

 

[Londonlisa2001]

I think that’s because we do have some good midfielders at the club. Galbraith has stood out in most games for me this season, Franco can be very good as we’ve seen. I’ve seen enough in Stamenic to suggest he can be successful here (that pass against Norwich for Vipotnik being a particular highlight). The issue, as you say is balance.

Galbraith did nothing today. Pretty but nothing. Franco’s first two contributions were turning a throw in that was ours into theirs by inexplicably trying to control a ball on the touchline, and then fouling someone.

Stamenic was, probably understandably, poor today.

I’m going to wash my mouth out and have a lie down but I’m beginning to think we should try Fulton at defensive midfield. Neither Stamenic nor Galbraith are working there and I don’t think Franco has the discipline.

 

[Menston4128]

A coach is great but a manager needs man management skills. Let's hope he changes our direction

100% agree

We have been hiring coaches not managers. No team I can think of has ever been successful when a coach is running the show.

Fergie always has a good coaching team (which he changed frequently), Cloughie had Peter Taylor.

Modern day Pep has had multiple assistants, Klopp had the guy who is now Pep's assistant and Ancelotti takes Paul Clement everywhere with him (and we all know too well Clement is a coach not a manager).

Let's hope Matos is free to manage and implement the right structure that allows him to focus on managing the club.

 

[Andrew - North Hill]

You have to ask the question, who in the building has the football intelligence to stop all these crap appointments, full stop ?

It is a worry, I agree.

The bottom line is: if Matos turns out to be shite, we can sell all the Snoop hoodies in the world, we are heading to League One.

I hope to god they've picked well this time.

 

[Londonlisa2001]

100% agree

We have been hiring coaches not managers. No team I can think of has ever been successful when a coach is running the show.

Fergie always has a good coaching team (which he changed frequently), Cloughie had Peter Taylor.

Modern day Pep has had multiple assistants, Klopp had the guy who is now Pep's assistant and Ancelotti takes Paul Clement everywhere with him (and we all know too well Clement is a coach not a manager).

Let's hope Matos is free to manage and implement the right structure that allows him to focus on managing the club.

I’d suggest that one of the qualities those making the appointment found appealing is that Matos will have no expectation of doing anything other than coaching.

 

[sit_down_jack]

Galbraith did nothing today. Pretty but nothing. Franco’s first two contributions were turning a throw in that was ours into theirs by inexplicably trying to control a ball on the touchline, and then fouling someone.

Stamenic was, probably understandably, poor today.

I’m going to wash my mouth out and have a lie down but I’m beginning to think we should try Fulton at defensive midfield. Neither Stamenic nor Galbraith are working there and I don’t think Franco has the discipline.

Yes, he didn’t offer much today Galbraith, but he’s had his fair share of decent performances for us. Franco is the same player as last year, a bit rough around the edges but definitely has quality.

Stamenic, has shown enough for me to be worthy of a place. He’s the only player we have that is capable of a quality long ball and switch of play, he just isn’t a lone 6. He’s been asked to play in front of 2 8s that go very high and then he’s left to do too much by himself, makes him look worse in my opinion.

I do agree with you though, I’m not sure about the right combination.

 

[monmouth]

Galbraith did nothing today. Pretty but nothing. Franco’s first two contributions were turning a throw in that was ours into theirs by inexplicably trying to control a ball on the touchline, and then fouling someone.

Stamenic was, probably understandably, poor today.

I’m going to wash my mouth out and have a lie down but I’m beginning to think we should try Fulton at defensive midfield. Neither Stamenic nor Galbraith are working there and I don’t think Franco has the discipline.

I think it’s fair to say I’m not a Fulton advocate these days (I have been, in days gone by), but if he’d put in the recent standard of performances like Galbraith (who certainly has potential but currently way over hyped on here) or Franco, or Cullen, or Ronald, he’d be absolutely slaughtered.

Stamenic, I think has something about him, but I’m not sure where that can be best used, or if it will be enough.

This next few weeks could be pretty ropey from what I saw today.

 

[Menston4128]

I’d suggest that one of the qualities those making the appointment found appealing is that Matos will have no expectation of doing anything other than coaching.

If you are correct, then we may experience groundhog day again.

 

[Bluenile]

Well no one had the football intelligence to realise that putting someone in charge today who knows he’s about to be sacked and was probably stupid.

If they’d put O’Leary in he may well also know he’s going but he has a love of the club that would make sure he did his utmost. Or Margs for the same reason.

It’s amateur hour.

Sorry Lisa, but I wouldn't put O'Leary in charge of an under 8's team. He shouldn't be anywhere near the first team. I hate the term, but I hope the owners are ruthless in getting these people out of the club. I couldn't believe that Fulton made it onto the field in the 2nd half. Widell sitting on the bench must be wondering why he signed for us. Stamenic had a shocker, for me Widell is not a winger and should have replaced him.

 

[Londonlisa2001]

Yes, he didn’t offer much today Galbraith, but he’s had his fair share of decent performances for us. Franco is the same player as last year, a bit rough around the edges but definitely has quality.

Stamenic, has shown enough for me to be worthy of a place. He’s the only player we have that is capable of a quality long ball and switch of play, he just isn’t a lone 6. He’s been asked to play in front of 2 8s that go very high and then he’s left to do too much by himself, makes him look worse in my opinion.

I do agree with you though, I’m not sure about the right combination.

I like Stamenic. He shows glimpses of real quality. He’s in the wrong position.

Galbraith, I’m not as sold as most are on here tbh. He’s very very neat and tidy, technically very good but doesn’t actually create anything very much. And doesn’t drive the team forward.

I’m hoping a different coach will get more from him as at the moment, to me, he’s just a bit too similar to players like Tom Carroll, or that boy we had from Chelsea. Josh Mc something.