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I have thought long and hard about posting this but feel that I have to say something. The ‘Gabe’ mentioned in the earlier thread which is now understandably, locked was my son. He died in a road traffic accident last September, as a pedestrian. He was 21. Gab, loved football, he would watch any game at any level, except when he was playing, but mostly he loved Bristol City. I first took him to AG when he was 5 and he was hooked instantly. For many years we have had season tickets in the Dolman. I have been unable to attend AG since his death as it is still very ‘raw’. The point of this post, and I am being very careful what I say here, is to state my utter disgust at what occurred at the game on the 18th of December and even more so at what happened afterwards. I cannot emphasize enough that I hope the victim of that cowardly attack makes a full and speedy recovery and, that justice is served. I know, without a shadow of doubt, that Gabriel would be equally appalled and disgusted. I am not going to say anymore other than the club meant so much to him and gave him a lot of joy during his short life.

Honestly a terrible performance. We've seen some bad refs this season, but they've tended to be just incompetent and given bad decisions each way. He gave an insane number of free kicks their way, some were beyond baffling. The pen is super soft, Martin booked for a 'foul' when he would have been clean through. He was also constantly slow with the whistle and indecisive - him and the linesmen reversed at least two decisions. 5 yellow cards for us 1 for them. 20 fouls 'conceded' by us - 5 for them. One of the most unbalanced performances I can remember seeing - thank God we won. Honestly think we win that super comfortably (possibly even with a clean sheet) with a competent refereeing performance.

I’m trying to find some words to not come across as overly mean, but if FIFA were to have a footballing intelligence score then he’d have to get a zero. I wish him well at wherever he’s playing next season, so long as it isn’t here. Lightweight, no end product and incredibly dangerous decisions - they’re no attributes I look for in a Bristol City player. Missing since Norwich. Soz.

I said a few days ago on here that he was crap, yet my post got some confused emojis. Crap player, get him out.

A heartfelt thank you to all of you for your kind words. I am incredibly upset and angry that I felt that I had to start this thread because of the events of 18th December, but it has shown, which is no surprise to me, what a caring and compassionate group of people are members of OTIB.

Under the Ashton Gate lights it’s Reading at 745 pm. Yes, it’s on the red button and Robins TV. Here is some important travel information for tonight: RAIL: Buses will replace trains for all post-match departures from Parson Street with additional vehicles provided to support the 22.26 departure (calling at stations towards Weston-super-Mare and Taunton) and the 23.16 (calling at stations towards Exeter). Please visit www.gwr.com for full information. BUS: Fans travelling from within Bristol are advised to use the new AG3 service from Temple Meads, Broadmead and The Centre. The AG3 connects with bus routes from across the city and is also suitable for those arriving in Bristol by train or bus. For those travelling from outside Bristol, free parking is available at the Portway and Brislington Park & Ride sites with the AG1 and AG2 matchday bus services. These subsidised services offer return travel from just £2.12 per person. Tickets are valid across the First Bus Bristol Zone so you can connect to other services without paying extra. More information including tickets, pricing and stop details are available here. The match programme: https://robinstv.bcfc.co.uk/digital-matchday-programme/ Tonights opponents have never really recovered from a sluggish start to the season, picking up only four points from their first six games. To be successful with a small squad this season Reading needed to keep everyone out of the treatment room. Most of this season has been played with more than 10 first teamers out injured. Back in August we won 3-2 at their place, here are the highlights: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/highlights-reading-2-3-bristol-city/ so a win today would give us our second double of the season. The head to head stats are very close, over the years we have won 40, lost 41 and drawn 20. Reading are nicknamed The Royals, due to Reading's location in the Royal County of Berkshire, though they were previously known as the Biscuitmen, due to the town's association with Huntley and Palmers. Established in 1871, the club is one of the oldest teams in England, but they did not join The Football League until 1920, and had never played in the top tier of English football league system before the 2006–07 season. The club played at Elm Park for 102 years between 1896 and 1998 when the club moved to the new Madejski Stadium, which is named after the club's co-chairman Sir John Madejski. They finished 7th last season but are something of a basket-case, this Guardian article from January paints the picture well: https://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2022/jan/18/how-reading-hit-crisis-point-on-and-off-the-pitch-championship They were deducted six points in November as a result of exceeding the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability limits. A further six point penalty has been suspended until 2022-23. This will be applied if the club cannot fulfil an agreed business plan going forward. At the time owner Mr Dai Yongge said, “As the owner of your club, I am naturally dismayed and disappointed to accept the punishment issued by the EFL. And as a fan, I too am hurt by a deduction of six points this season. However, my determination to succeed has not diminished but has amplified. My team and I believe this settlement is just and will still enable us to be competitive as a football club this season and beyond. So, in the short-term, our aim is to fight for every point there is to fight for this season. In the long-term, we pledge to fix the issues of the past and together build a club capable of competing with the very best and challenging for honours. But we can only do that with your support, so I would like to personally thank you for your loyalty to your club! It is truly appreciated by all who cheer on the Royals.” Their fans are to protest against the club's ownership, with a protest planned for 1pm next Saturday, February 12, two hours before the team is due to kick off their Championship fixture with Coventry City at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Given the relatively short distance down the M4 and despite their grumbles, it being midweek and their dire situation there will likely be a reasonable following of their faithful followers. They may actually sell out of their away allocation of 1,047 tickets. Their Romanian striker George Puscas left the club on transfer deadline day to return to Italy and sign for Serie B side Pisa where he is now on loan for the rest of the season. Andy Carroll joined West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer until the end of the season after his deal with Reading expired. On deadline day Liam Moore joined Stoke on loan and has made it known he would be interested in a long-term stay with the Potters. Tom Ince (son of former England midfielder Paul Ince) headed the other way as part of the deal. Ince is left-footed and began his career as a left winger. However, when he joined Blackpool, he was often deployed on the right, either as a winger or an inside forward, cutting in on his favoured left foot. He has also played more centrally as an attacking midfielder or forward. His main attributes are his pace, acceleration and skill on the ball. He has said that he enjoys "exciting people, scoring goals, creating goals" and is "not one of those old fashioned wingers who just gets crosses in, I like to create things, show bits of magic." Let’s hope he doesn’t get any crosses in tonight! Yakou Meite and Tom McIntyre are returning from injury and both played for their U23s earlier this week, but won't be ready for tonight. They are currently in 21st place on 22 points (after 28 games) they’d be in the same place even if they’d not received the points reduction. They have conceded 55 goals (one more than us) which is the worst (along with Posh) record in the league. The Royals are currently on a run of just two wins in their last 16 Championship fixtures. As for us with our ridiculous inconsistency and our Dracula approach (cowering from crosses) meaning we too often demonstrate our inability to defend crosses, NP might well shuffle his small pack, so we might just see Bentley, Williams and even Wells starting, at the expense of O’Leary, O’Dowda and Martin. The referee tonight is Oliver Langford who has given out a total of 54 yellow cards and one red (Joe Allen when we played Stoke) in 14 Championship games, an average of 3.9 per game. Here’s an entertaining and informative extract from their match day thread: City’s form isn’t great. The Robins have clocked up 2 wins and 2 draws in the last 9 league games, which is obviously better than Reading’s 5 points from their last 9 league games, but still less than a point a game and therefore would be worrying for the City supporters if it wasn’t for the ineptitude of sides like Reading. So there is some hope that Reading might be able to at least match City and the fact Bristol haven’t kept a clean sheet in the last 10 will give some encouragement. Sadly for Reading though City can be very potent in attack as the 22 goal forward line of Andreas Weimann (14) and Chris Martin (8) goes to prove. The other issue with this game is Reading’s utterly appalling away league record in midweek fixtures which currently stands at 4 wins from 46 attempts over the last 7 years. However the brighter news is that all 4 of those wins were at teams beginning with the letter B; Birmingham, Burton, Blackburn and Bristol City - but then will the fact the Reading have already won at City in that run mean it won't happen again? If we lose this then we may as well give up. Bristol City's season is more or less over. They won't go up or go down, very little for them to get excited about. We also have a much better team than them on paper imo, it is about time the players show it on the pitch. Reading They marked the 150th anniversary of their formation on Christmas Day 2021. If you are interested in their history here’s a link: https://www.readingfc.co.uk/history/our-story/ Well known fans include Damian Green (politician), Chris Tarrant, Kate Winslet, Ricky Gervais and Irwin Sparkes (the lead singer of The Hoosiers.) Believe it or not the Dyslexia Research Trust is based in Reading! The Madejski Stadium represents some real value for money as the location that it was built on, a closed landfill site, was believed to have been purchased for £1 under the agreement they would develop the A33 relief road. Fellow-Reds sing loudly and proudly. Support Bristol City Football Club on the way to the game, at the game and after the game and from wherever you are around the world. COYR!

First time I seen him play tonight. First half thought he was exceptional. Good in the air very composed with the ball at his feet. With a bit of time him and TK could form a good centre back pairing.

In case anyone is thinking this is the first double the season, that was Cardiff. Only saying because I’ve not seen anyone mention it ?

The Referee was an absolute clown. One of the worst Ive ever seen at AG (and Ive seen a few)

Being in hospitals saved him 10k in fines.

Thought I'd do a search to definitively conclude which stadium was higher: The Hawthorns The New Lawn So that's cleared that up then. You're welcome.

You have displayed tremendous dignity through your words in your post. Your son would be proud of you as you were so proud of him. Neither yourself or your late son are tainted by those few idiots who chose not to honour his memory as he deserved. We respect his memory and your humanity in expressing your feelings so eloquently.

Cod can seriously **** off away from this club.

I think it’s formed from insecure fans peddling rumours to make themselves feel better but don’t quote me on that

To be fair to him, they were overdue a penalty, not having had one for 5 days.

Genuinely think we'd have conceded again if he'd stayed on.

A pick me up for Nige ??

Ref is up there with the Davies, Stroud, Eltringham etc in this league. Dreadfull referee.

Suffering from a bad side. (Not my joke, someone on Facebook's)

Cameroon You Reds. Egypt the keeper from 30 yards. Kenya believe it?

Ghana be good to watch his progress. (Gets coat)

There should be more I agree

Would actually have been comfortable if not for the weird penalty. Ref gave us nothing all game. I guess he has lost money tonight.

Don’t care who survives but after tonight I hope that Reading go down, absolute embarrassment with their repeated diving. Pathetic.

“Worst City signing ever” ... oh well, not even close, you must be very young ...

An utter clown, to add to the list of utter clowns that we've been subjected to recently.

I’ve been feeling pretty positive about tonight. That was until I read this thread. Now the gnawing doubt and fear has returned. Thanks OTIB.

Well that'll learn those moaners who feel their club's too big to lose in League one. Hopefully they drop like a stone now. They'll soon miss the hot air, buzz phrases and jargon of a LJ tenureship.

Serves them right.

Hope he’s been jabbed!

He was my MOM. All about opinions...

Brutal last 20 minutes. Absolutely convinced that this team will see me into an early grave.

Referring has been awful. We have 'conceded' 20 fouls today. I'm not saying we are the cleanest team in the league, but that is crazy. Reading 'conceding' just 6. Awful, awful performance by him. Add in being constantly late to blow the whistle too.

Why? Why do you think it’s ok to peddle this bullshit?

We don't know the details. Your health should always come first. Nige has had a tough time on and off the last 18 months.

They've lost their last 6, conceding 21 goals in the process. Nailed on away win.

I’ve never known a player that experienced, know absolutely nothing about playing football. Basically everything he does is brainless. Constantly runs head down, presses people needlessly and gets passed around, and bottles any hard tackle. Think Nige is starting to see it.

It’s a pleasure to watch these young quality players playing for our club. Semenyos chest and volley was absolutely class

Please get him gone end of season. He epitomises everything that’s been bad about city past couple seasons.

Absolutely awful. His cameo nearly cost us the points. Never again in a City shirt. He’s had his multiple chances

I wonder if the ref had given them a 2nd Pen if he would have taken it himself ?

It’s tempting to turn over and watch Greg Wallace in an ice cream factory…..

He's only played 3 games .. that could be premature contractulation.

Actually take a Cardiff win tonight, if we manage it, 17 clear and can think of looking up and working on next season. Give AS a contract and let’s protect our asset!

Well done Weimann

I wouldn't go as far as to say that this is a "6 pointer" or a "must win game" from a relegation perspective (at least not for us - we should be safe). However, it is a game that we should be winning IMO. Reading are in catastrophic form and have been accused by some of lacking commitment to the cause - quite reminiscent of us this time last season. After a disappointing points return from Blackpool, PNE, and Luton, this is a good opportunity to put down a marker and show that we're a midtable side, rather than a bottom third side.

Bents and Williams to come back in, O’Dowda surely can’t start ?

That’s Accra-ate.

Don’t let them see this, they will be playing with themselves all week as they are above us! Had a chuckle at 29 mind.