Leaderboard

If/when we stay up it will be classed as a good season We've signed next to no one but the effort being put in is better then anything we've seen in a very long time

It’s funny isn’t it? Weve always talked a lot about the pathway. It was a buzz word. But in reality, that pathway was anything but open in the tenure of previous incumbents. If we needed a player, the academy was the last place we’d look we’d just buy another - a Diony, a Wells, dare I say a Rodri (god I had banished him to some far part of my brain!). It’s taken years and years of over spending - buying players who ‘aren’t on the bus’, picking up nearly 30k/week for us to realise that the pathway actually was the answer all along. There were 7 clear pathways against Millwall and 5 against Cardiff yesterday. I think many of us agreed that we’d be prepared to fare slightly worse in the league if it meant that the pathway was genuinely open and genuinely open it now is. Whether it’s Nige’s eye, a particularly talented crop, being financially hamstrung into it or just a simple win against Cardiff is anyone’s guess, but these are exciting times for the team. But we must remember that players so young will make mistakes. They may get the occasional drubbing, they will make silly mistakes and from time to time they’ll be anonymous… but so long as we remember they’re young and still learning and we have patience, then we’ll reap in the long term. It’s been a fantastic weekend. Here’s to Tuesday. ?

I really like this team. It’s the savviest side we’ve had since the Cotterill days. We may not win every game and get thrashed a few times - but Pearson is only keeping players who are interested in being here and are desperate to win. Fans can see that. I think this is the most I can remember the fans being behind the team since the good times under Lee Johnson some 4 years ago. I’m confident Pearson will get it right sooner rather than later - not that he isn’t already with the tools he has, I mean getting us higher up the table.

In 6/7 months we have progressed from a team of players that most fans detested to a side that gives a sh8t and is leaving everything out on the pitch. Green shoots indeed.

8 of yesterday’s squad were produced by us. I know Pring had a spell early on at Cheltenham & Semenyo was at SGS before we signed him, but that’s splitting hairs. Amazing achievement, I’m sure there are a few other Championship sides doing similar (Derby? Millwall?) but ours in terms of both volume & quality is doing exceptionally well & personally I’d rather see a side with so much local representation in the Championship than a side with barely anyone British in the Prem.

It’s almost as if you can be a tiny, little bit patient you can see things improving! ??????

To be fair to them they missed a staue being carried a hundred metres across thre centre in broad daylight. It is quite gloomy in the Atyeo.

We always have the tunnel camera footage after a win, but I think Joe Williams has taken it to a new level:

I didn’t think they were “too nice”, I think we just seem to have developed a streetwise streak. Flint would have known of Semenyo as a youth player. What he wouldn’t have expected now was someone who bullied him in every challenge, beat him up physically and, yeah, left a bit on him (within the rules of the game). Was fantastic to see.

The thing that I see when I look around the current team, are players who appear to actually love Bristol City, and that for me goes a hell of a long way.

Not sure if this has been mentioned before so apologies in advance, but just seen this seeing that Albert, bless him, now holds the record for the most championship appearances. No mean feat when you consider his route into professional football. Definitely a bit of a legend in these parts congratulations Uncle Albert. What a top man (as Geoff would say!)

I think it is a two way thing though. Wollacott has blossomed because he left. Had he stayed, I’m not sure he would or should have dislodged Bentley or O’Leary and arguably we’d have been holding him back. Ditto I gather Nurse is doing well in League One but that could be seen as an argument that we have done the right thing in letting a player who was not at Championship level build a career elsewhere rather than stagnate at a key time. Likewise with Britton. He’s behind Semenyo, Janneh, Conway and Bell and it may be there are other younger prospects that the coaches think are only a couple of years away too. I’d be sad to see Britton go but the fact Derry City are after him rather than a Championship or League One club suggests he has some work to do before he gets to Championship level, if indeed he ever does so. I think we hoarded players a bit in the past and I think Morrell is an example of someone we held onto without playing him to a point where it was detrimental to his career. James Morton seems to have stagnated too. Not every player will make it here. If Britton, Wollacott or Nurse get moved on, get a chance they would not have got here, take that chance and build out a career in the game, I don’t see that as a failure of our youth policy but more an example of what an ethical youth policy should look like.

Most exciting forward we’ve had since Maynard imo. The fact he’s clearly nowhere near the finished article makes him even more exciting.

He's actually a really knowledgeable lad who's been doing this for years, and for many without much of a viewership. He has a real passion for the game and provides an insight into the stands across all levels of football, not just here in England but all over Europe. Not exactly big of you to belittle someone by calling him a geek without clearly knowing anything about him.

It’s strange that yet again the people who don’t think it’s good enough are conspicuous by their absence since yesterday lunch time. What a terrible way to support a football club ie only show up to bellyache.

Great to see MP clapping the crowd at the end. I live pretty close to MP and he is a genuine nice guy. My son broke his leg in the first lockdown and within 24 hours MP has used his contacts at Bristol City to produce get well clips from all the city 1st team. My son was over the moon with it and something he’ll always cherish. He didn’t need to do this but did as he’s one of the good guys in the game. We could do a lot worse by bringing him back as some form of coach in the youth set up in the future.

Our ability to pass out from the back has only happened since Max has been in the team. It’s such an important part of our play. Imo he’s far less rooted to his line than Bents, too. There’s no doubt that Bents is a great shot-stopper but sometimes he makes saves having previously given away possession through his own poor distribution. I agree that Max should have done better with Cardiff’s second goal today but right now, I prefer to keep him in the side.

Another Gift

Luton is a major hub for Easyjet John, I think you're missing a trick here

Really pleased for him today, came on at a tough time & asked to play out of position but stuck to his task & got a high five from Nige late on when he blocked a through ball. Clearly not his position but should be pleased with his efforts.

Perversely not having any money could make us a stack . We have put teenagers into the starting line up and seen them produce the goods . We have done something rarely seen at the club, coached players to be better. These players will either bring us success on the pitch or decent transfer fees.

We had a good idea of what to expect this season and the difficulties involved. Hearing a lot of people talking as if we’ve done enough now and another season in the Championship is a certainty…..don’t agree with that. Think Barnsley and Derby are gone and it’s nice to have a 14 point cushion but until we’re mathematically safe I’m not taking anything for granted. At that point we’ve had a satisfactory season as far as I’m concerned. Anything mid table or above would be a big bonus but survival is fine by me given our current circumstances.

Nail on head. Couldn't agree more mate. Slowly but slowly Nige is chipping away and getting the players on board. If you don't like it then he's saying you know where the door is, and don't let it hit you on the arse on the way out. The cosy comfortable days are over thankfully.

Don’t ask Cardiff to front the bill we all know they refuse to pay their debts..

For those who following the Away Days YouTube channel, you might already know that the game today was ours. The video is up quite early (and linked below), but for those unfamiliar with the channel, it's all about football shirts and away games. Just watched it and it's well worth 15 minutes of your evening. And if you aren't familiar with the channel, the football shirt videos are well worth a watch as well.

This pathway is going to encourage other talented youngsters to hitch up with us .

Worth a read: https://www.ccmb.co.uk/showthread.php?451773-LETTER-FROM-CARDIFF-FLO-regarding-Bristol-City

Ralls was a bit handy with his elbows too. Off the ball usually. The couple of cards the ref showed calmed that down and allowed us to play football. After a few nightmares at AG recently, I feel I should praise yesterday's officials. Let the game flow, got very little wrong, were unobtrusive but professional.

To be fair, their 'normal' fans appear rightly disgusted. Ashton Gate was a breath of fresh air for me today. Bristol City deserve to be commended for their outside fanzone style atmosphere and the welcome offered to me and my son in all areas. We had space around us in the stand and access to a pitchside snack bar. It was disappointing then to hear about the toilets being smashed and to see young lads having their collar felt for anti social behaviour outside the ground. 15 - 20 year olds giving it large and thinking they have the right to be offensive. Also seeing middle to late aged men with rage in their eyes towards other similar aged men because they support another football team. One in particular was right in the face of a Bristol City fan for no reason other than machismo was trying to intimidate and provoke a fella who was with his young son. I know Bristol have caused enough trouble themselves at times but it was some of our lot who disappointed today under the stands and when in contact with the locals.

The Atyeo Stand Steward Toilet Investigation Team (who aren't keen on acronyms), are struggling to complete their investigation, as after the incident they have nothing to go on.

Probably still getting over the shock of seeing electricity & running water. It’s like the Middle Ages where they’re from.

The fascination with Britton is baffling to me. He scored a nothing goal late in a game where both teams fates were decided. That plus some goals against increasingly younger u23 sides. Couldn’t make it at conference level last season. Then again this season. Now his trials are at Derry City. What is there to discuss here? Pearson told you what he thought of him in June. Contracts for Scott, Edwards, Conway etc and Britton nothing. Then says his fitness isn’t up to standard. He doesn’t train with the first team. Yet still some saying he should have had more chances here? Crazy

Your comments have been noted. Cheers, Nige.

There’s no doubt that we had Flint at his very best and sold him for top dollar as he’d just past his peak. Yesterday he was too slow, ponderous and second best to a (relatively) ‘new kid on the block’ which was great to see!

Pack did that twice on Martin. It didn’t work, basically they’ve appointed their Holden & the bloke who lasted 5 minutes at Preston, haven’t they?

Apparently this is the officer in charge.

I’d be amazed if he doesn’t have a very successful coaching career, starting off at city. As someone involved with North Somerset RTC, Marlon coaches some of our u13/14s groups over the summer and he’s a great coach. Absolutely destined to have a very long career in the game after retiring from playing

Yep. Those booing and singing “you’re a ***” at Marlon & Flint need to give their head a wobble. Embarrassing.

Nice touch clapping all the home end post game today- (it’s riled a few Cardiff fans on twitter). thought he actually was very good today, OOC in the summer, wouldn’t mind him back.

What we all think is a good season is entirely subjective. For me back in August, 18th or above would be a good season. Anything else is a bonus, so I’m enjoying seeing youngsters develop this year (all while we slowly bomb out the wasters) even if it does bring inconsistency.

I think we probably have to say that Louis has missed the bus in terms of making it at City. He undoubtedly seems to have the knack of scoring goals, but if there was ever a season to break through it was this one - we’re operating with a small squad, a manager who’s giving young players minutes and he was the like for like replacement for someone who desperately needed resting in CM. Add into that I think it’s now three loans at Conference level without pulling up trees, and I think it looks the right decision to part ways. A comment that I haven’t seen referenced much from Niges presser was his statement to the effect of that if you’re not in and around at 19, you rarely will be in and around (yes there are Vardy and Reid type exceptions) and this seems to fall into that category. What I think we have to realise is that now the academy is producing, players that may have made it here or at least been given a crack won’t come through - I’m thinking players like Harper here - and the 19 year olds will have 18/17 year olds snapping at their heels.

Love that he plays for QPR now. Not enough players get the chance to play for their team. I remember that season we were so shit. Literally the only outlet we had was pass it to Albert and let him run at them. Proper top bloke.

Seems unfair that Britton doesn't drink and doesn't get a look in but Chris Martin loves a Thatcher's Gold and gets to start every match...

There is a huge hole where the urinal used to be. The police are looking into it.

Bentley easier the better keeper.

Agreed he put in a shift but how good defensively was Pring today… very impressed with Cameron today

Never understand how fans could boo a key player in the double winning team. At times we've missed him since he's left. Happy that today wasn't one of those times.

Not sure it's the booze that much these days that causes people to misbehave.

There are definitely a few on here with short memories when it comes to Pack. Our midfield struggled from the time he was sold and even this season, I can see how a player like Pack who is willing to cover as a defensive midfielder and bring the ball out from the back would suit how Pearson wants to play. Given that our current more experienced midfielders (James, King, Williams) all seem particularly injury prone, bringing back Pack when he is out of contract this summer would not be the worst idea ever. And I absolutely think he would meet Nige’s requirements in terms of effort and professionalism. Plus for family reasons, still living locally, it would certainly suit Marlon. Finally it’s clear that he still has fond memories of his time with us. Anybody else spot that he gave our fans a long clap to the Dolman, South and Lansdown stands, before he gave a much shorter one to the Atyeo , by which time most of them had already left? Says it all really!