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As a 60 something who witnessed the "glory days" of the late 60's, 70's and 80's I find it hilarious to see the same old, and I mean old, faces decked out for action...Burberry cap hiding hairless pate or ridiculous hair style making the most of what little they have, Stone Island XXL (or knock off) outerwear, tightly stretched Fred Perry, baggy jeans (alas, those skin tight Lois Jeans will not contain the spread of age) and Samba/Bamba trainers(not the best footwear for aged fallen arches). Victims of magical thinking, self-generated ever expanding legend( as witnessed on this very forum or overheard in the pub), low self-esteem and self-focused masking ego. Sad escapees from their own reality, fuelled by poor quality cocaine and booze. I'd feel sorry for them if they just stuck to dressing up and lying, but no, these little men have to demonstrate their dwindling prowess by disturbing the personal space of others with their mindless acts of vandalism, foul mouths, aggressive posturing and calculated acts of violence against victims who will not or cannot respond. Sad, irresponsible, selfish B'stards!

It seems to be 'fans' of that age who were verbally abusing and intimidating people at the ground yesterday too, same recently at Bournemouth. They arrive late, too pissed that they can hardly stand. If you are lucky they will then fall asleep within a few minutes, I have seen that several times over the last couple of matches. If you are unlucky they will push into any row they like, without any thought for people who have been there an hour or more before. People who have often sacrificed a better view to sit lower in the stands to get away from the idiots who often go to the back, which is the decent thing to do. Some people don't want to sit with drunken morons. They might not be able to stand. They might have children with them. They might not want to get smoked out with flares or have people smoking and drinking alcohol next to them. These people as I say know to sit lower, they don't sit up in the morons areas. But more and more frequently the morons are arriving after KO and can't get to the back as it's full or are really too pissed to climb the steps. They then as I said just think they can stand where they want. At Bournemouth that was on the steps and all along the bottom of the stand. If there had been a medical emergency the stewards would not have had a hope getting through to assist. I really don't know how they gain entry. I understand that clubs might want these in as they will just drink and drink which means £££'s for the clubs. If you are early you are thoroughly searched, arrive late en masse and it appears you can get in with anything. I speak to a lot of fans away, and stewards. Lately it has not been a good experience. I got to stress it's NOT the younger fans. Almost never have any trouble with 25 and younger. They are 'lively' but respect the 'rules' regarding not standing Infront of people (usually) but it's the 40 to 60 year olds who are the most drunken and abusive. They think they are still 'lads' and are embarrassing to themselves and the club who most stewards say have a bad reputation now.

And Pearson can't work with no money??? His entire career proves otherwise - as he has repeatedly said whilst here. Presumably you've not been paying attention. Never mind the fact that, with no money, he's developed untried players into assets worth circa 30-50 million quid this season - and at the same time kept us in the Championship! For your information, no City manager's ever achieved that before. But wait, there's more. How about putting a fit for purpose medical team in place? Or maybe you thought Andy Rolls was doing a great job anyway. And all the while talking to us like adults, giving it to us straight and, most importantly, with no personal agenda - just wanting what's best for our football club rather than for himself and his position. Not good enough for you? Get a grip. Yes, some of our football's been rubbish. But then, it was under other City managers too, at first. But, given time, they proved a great success - Alan Dicks for starters. So maybe give Pearson some time too, eh? Maybe you're not familiar with the particulars of Alan Dicks' success. Maybe you're an impatient Generation Zer who wants everything now, now, now. Or maybe, you just love chattin shit. Because there's no lack of belief where it matters. But if there is where you're sat - after just 1 season of disappointment - I'd humbly suggest Bristol City isn't the club for you or any other snowflakes either. Times hard. The road will be bumpy. Buckle up.

Keep Klose and Cundy, sell Kalas.

Sack Pearson and appoint an up and coming coach to inject a bit of enthusiasm and belief into the club. If we have no money, get someone in who can work with no money.

I have knocked away days on the head after seeing men in a similar ilk smash the roof of a bus on the way to Swansea. Don’t buy the lockdown excuse it’s just weird behaviour. If I ever became such a sorry excuse of a man I would take a long time to recover from the shame. And I’m not exactly tight. Some of our fans need to look at themselves.

What was nice was when Nige was being interviewed after the game, fans shouting “we are with you Nige” and his response….”that’s nice that” ? Give him the time and he will make us better and get us much closer/into the top 6

Apologies if not, but I think you might be missing my point. There us only so much Pearson can do. He can’t turn some players into 8/10s week in week out. We watch worldie stuff from the lower leagues every week. Why are they playing at that level? Because that’s the exception to their norm. It’s the same as you go up the leagues. Matty Taylor sublime chipped pass to Smith….he doesn’t do that every week, or in fact more than once. Most pro players have a lot of ability, it’s the consistency of good level performances that sets them apart. As individuals, City’s players are very capable in one off performances. But if you look at their “middling” performances, you kind of see why we are where we are. Its why OTIB can view Semenyo as both £15m and “Lg1 striker”. He’s somewhere in between. Today was a team performance where our defence defended well, whereas so often someone has switched off, made an error, given the ball away, etc, etc. Our front line didn’t really function for the opening hour, and a 0-0 looked the most likely result. I don’t think anyone is getting carried away that today was great yet it earned 3 points. We are probably a tad better than 18th as a squad imho, but not much….and with the odd injury we are easily weakened. That’s what we’ve had to put up with all season.

I’m also in the ‘sign him up’ camp. A calming, organising presence. Remember how Webster improved Kalas’ game? Well, Rob Atkinson starting to look very good alongside Klose.

Completely agree with the posters on here. Sad little men.... Pitiful sight who really are spoiling it for the majority of fans who just want a good day out with no trouble. Last Sunday I had the opportunity to stand in the notorious curva a in Napoli's maradona stadium... Absolutely brilliant atmosphere... And guess what ?... Their fans whilst fanatical were not acting as complete bell ends - respectful of others around them... I was with the missus and my son and they were great with them ... Getting them involved with the chanting... Great experience.

I am so disgusted at the absolute idiots onboard the train from Birmingham to Bristol tonight smashing up the tables and behaving like idiots , what makes it worse it’s not young kids but middle aged tossers who think it okay to behave in this manor

This all sounds sadly familiar, the OAP's trying to relive their youth, and the coked up youngsters who imitate their behaviour. Can be major spoilers of away days for the rest of us.

3 points, clean sheet, **** Stoke In Nige we trust. Up the City,

Christ never seen you so happy even over a city win,be jacking one off over your bowling ball later

How would that work? How could they prove random people on trains have a connection to a specific football club? As for the original issue, we have a problem with male culture & violence that I rarely see when I go to continental Europe. I don’t know why that is the case, but truly pathetic.

Maybe there should be a OTIB Insta page where those travelling could also put their photos so they are all in one place?5

You have made my day. Everything I feel and wanted to say but just can’t express myself that well. As I said I know lots of other people are noticing. Sadly I doubt if anything will change though. I’ve seen that you cannot reason with this morons. The Stewards don’t act as it’s just not worth the trouble to them, and I do understand that but it doesn’t make it right. The vast majority of our fans are great and I’m certainly not the fun police. Going away should be a good experience. It’s sad though when I can walk around any ground and mix with rival fans with absolutely no trouble except in an away end with our own.

Gotta be a great Manager to keep that squad in the division..................

Goodbye Irene Goodbye Irene the gas are going down, sung from all 3 of our stands in complete unison.

And the realisation sinks in that they are a midtable mediocre third tier team, Ashton is taking them backwards at the cost of millions

Never forget….

Then again, if Derby and Reading hadn't got the players they managed to keep though financial rule breaking where would they be? Much worse off I reckon. Nigel Pearson has managed to get through the season with no threat of the drop whilst slashing costs. Unfortunately for us it looks like he'll have repeat the trick next year. Well done to him - think we're in very good hands and I hope he's here for the opportunity to build a competitive team.

As season comes to a conclusion what are the thoughts re Klose…. Should he be nailed down ASAP for a deal, or should NP hang fire and see what else is available…. My own thoughts are he’s a class act and former captain of Norwich with promotions on his cv it’s a no brainier to try and keep him, and to think he was a free out of contract player…

All, FYI that on Easter Monday the OTIB fanzine hits a rare milestone for the paper-based fans’ forum in this digital age - the 250th edition, no less. I’m not officially associated with the publication although full disclosure I’ve been writing for them on and off over the course of the past quarter century. Can’t be many fanzines still alive and kicking, many City fanzines have come and gone (Stand Up…, The CideRed, Come in No. 7, Your Time is Up), but OTIB has endured. The Gas fanzine, Second of May is long since defunct, possibly due to the events on that date in 2001 but also due to the fact the editor now follows a different team of blue itinerants in AFC Wimbledon. OTIB merchandise has been excellent consistently too. Grab yourself a copy if you happen upon a seller on Monday.

I've just told her....

Oh I’ve been there, all the way. Maybe not the 70’s but certainly started following in the 80’s and very aware of what it was like then, home and away. But like it or not not football has changed. It should be a safe place for everybody. There is a lot of effort making the game open to everyone, Black, LGBT etc rightly cutting out racist chants and homophobia. Next we need cut out the thugs amongst our own somehow.

And you stand accused of still not grasping the mess we’re in . It’s a achievement staying up with the squad we have. You can only really judge nige when he’s has the squad he wants . He’s been working with one hand tied behind his back. You constantly fail to see this though

The same younger generation chucking full cans of Thatchers at away players at AG? I'm far from middle aged by the way (in my 20s) but it's both from my own experience this season. Most of these embarassments remind me of bullies from School

Of course much will depend on what other irons we have in the fire this summer, but agree with what you and others say. We have seen with Klose, what we’ve seen with Curtis Davies, Phil Jagielka, etc, that a top pro can play well into their 30s. He looks to be a player who doesn’t rely on pace, nor does he get exposed when dragged into wide areas of the pitch. I would have no qualms about seeing him get another year. He’s taken a trial to earn a 5 month deal, so must think we’re “ok” as a club. One of those rarities that passes the ball for his fellow CBs to move onto.

Yes I witnessed this at Bournemouth, absolutely disgusting, verbal abuse at home fans,too pissed ,could hardly stand,, wouldn't sit down after being told to by supervisor steward, if there was an emergency in the ground they'd have no chance, disabled fans had to move ,they couldn't see the game, I'm disabled in a mobility scooter ,wanted to go to toilet couldn't get through,,they pay for a seat,then sit in it, these weren't young kids ,they were grown men, disgusting,

I know. You wish Pearson would just say "Carry on Cam Pring"

Met by a large Police presence at Bristol apparently, let’s hope they prosecute for criminal damage ! ….Morons

Hello TAFKARMLF

I think there are a fair few managers who would have got relegated with this squad to be fair.

First of all we are finally mathematically safe so even the most pessimistic of our supporter's can breathe deeply again. I seem to remember posting at the end of February when we had 40 points, that we were already safe, it's going to be close but I still think that will be true. Nigel said he wanted a strong finish to the season and that's understandable but difficult to achieve with players that will have one eye on the break, individual targets can help with motivation but we need some as a team too From here we could look at: - 60 points - The most ambitious, will mean winning all the remaining games. Reducing our terrible goal difference/some more clean sheets - Something that would increase confidence throughout the club. 15th place - looking at the way the table has split, that would put us at the top of the bottom group of teams. Finishing above Cardiff - A bit of local ambition admittedly but one the supporter's will enjoy. I would also like to see a few young players getting minutes, but that comes under the individual targets.

I’d definitely keep Klose - as others have said good defender and looks most likely to help those around him, more vocal than Kalas. Can see Atkinson and Cundy developing faster alongside Klose than Kalas. For financial reasons, think Kalas is pretty high on the list to go, he’s a good player, been to the Euros and a decent age, so should carry value, but not sure he’s got a higher ceiling and think we can cope without him. Maybe we keep Idehen as well, BCTV mentioned him in glowing terms yesterday and probably wouldn’t break the bank. Would aim to keep Scott and Semenyo at all costs, HNM would be the other I’d be prepared to lose, should be able to get value, last year of contract, again, think we can cope without him. 4-3-3 is tricky, probably has a higher performance ceiling than 5-3-2/4-4-2, but also requires better players? For a struggling team, yesterday showed the benefits of 5-3-2, ie more natural cover across the pitch, eg LCB/RCB able to push wide, 2 CMs screening the defence, 2 WBs able to create width when we had the ball. Think 4-3-3 would require rabbits out of the hat in the transfer market, eg we would need competition for Pring at LB (don’t think Dasilva is a plausible option in a 4 man defence) and Tanner looked more like a RWB than RB to me, but as a min would require competition. And where does Dasilva play? Think, along with Scott, he’s our best player with the ball at his feet, particularly in tight spaces. Maybe he can be converted into a left side of 3 up front, terrorising defences with Semenyo and Weimann! 4-3-3 would allow Scott back into a more central role, which would be a big positive. An interesting summer ahead.

I was at Torino v AC Milan last Sunday. Great atmosphere. Home and away fans in the curvas singing non-stop beginning to end, but all very well organised - searches, ID checks, masks...the works...all endured with patience. In normal life I'm a boringly sensible, sober, grey haired professional man. Pitch up at a football match in England and I'm marked out as a potential hooligan...thanks to the legacy of the actions of the 'top lads' 'back in the day'. It was embarrassing enough 40 years ago, thought it had died out, sorry @RedM to read that they are still around.

I think it’s almost certainly a case of better have them inside where you can keep an eye on them than wandering around outside. Sadly. I don’t envy the police or the stewards one little bit.

Yep, I watched it on the red button and even before Dasilva scored I thought it was a good game, end to end with both sides getting chances. Bentley pulled a good save at one stage. City looked really solid and never looked like losing the game and that’s very different to many games I’ve watched this season! The players will go into Mondays game full of confidence and another win will make a happy Easter.

You’re spot on @RedM and you’ve expressed it very well. I’m of a similar era to @adamski and my recollection of the 70s and 80s is that the “aggro” was generally two sets of fans having a go at each other, was avoidable if you wanted to, and within the away end there was always a feeling of comradeship between fellow reds, even if some of them were nutcases outside! Just recently it’s got more and more unpleasant at away games - Bournemouth, West Brom, stand out. As you say, these guys just seem completely out of it, completely selfish. And that selfishness, unpleasantness and aggression is directed at City fans as much as anyone else. The apparent need to get to a seat by simply clambering over other seats - occupied or not - is a really weird and irritating habit. As you say, sometimes when they get there they’ll just stay slumped there and that’s probably the best outcome. At Bournemouth (where it was impossible to move) I ended up by a group whose constant obscene, aggressive abuse of the Bmuff fans involved flinging their arms out wide like a gorilla beating it’s chest - generally hitting neighbouring City fans in the process. And completely unaware of it.

Absolute losers these types of people. What is scary is they actually think people respect them or see them as 'hard'. So cringey even for young lads but when you are middle aged....

Excellent photo journalism. I have a photo of you outside the station but it was without your permission so I won't allow OTIB to see the legend in action. In the meantime. 1. All good things - must come to an end when this lot turn up at the away pub and throw their weight around. (The WPC was very cheerful though). 2. Did you know Stoke has Britain's only tyre manufacturer-based driving restriction. Cars with Continental or Goodyear wheels have to go left here. 3. Just after the limbs. Notice how Joe Williams is insisting on telling his teammates all about the fish he once caught while on holiday in Morecambe.

I’d definitely hope to see him here next season. I think he’s done well, and also seems to have a great knack of interacting with fans in a way that seems very natural. Last week he was seemed to be apologising for the inept display and got a few claps in amongst all the boos. Yesterday he got a few laughs too, leaving the pitch last and pretending that he thought the booing of the officials was aimed at him. Just seems genuine and down to earth.

Nailed on to get an offer, I think. Arrived having not had a club in 6 months yet hasn’t missed a game since being called up against Preston. Seems to have an excellent attitude & presumably on far lower wages than at the peak of his career.

Happy with survival as thought this year would be tough. Even happier that we actually look like we can score goals which wasn't the case under LJ's last season and under Holden. Also, they both had money to spend and we were still no threat in attack Sort the defence out and get a little bit more strength in depth and it' certainly could be looking a bit more positive.

And if we hadn’t conceded so many goals in stoppage time, we’d be in the play-offs. Talking about ifs and buts is pointless IMO. We are where we are.

Hasn’t got back from The Minimal yet give it time

Dasilva is a real success story this season. Seemingly cast out at one point, fought his way back in when the opportunity arose, and has proven himself. Topped off with a flukes but enjoyable goal. Hope he gets the praise he deserves!

Could be a quiet night on here tonight.