Leaderboard

Last season it became a bit of a cliché how my reports foretold the quality of the team even if the initial results were misleading. To be honest I found it all a bit embarrassing, in the words of Roy Walker it's not hard to say what you see and I didn't think I had any particular insight, it shouldn't be a surprise that the way the team play is most indicative of standards and progress. This season we have already been (Brentford aside) significantly better than I can remember at this level and Lee Johnson has gone a long way to redeeming himself. But you always need a selection of winnable/losable games to form clearer judgement and today delivered another lesson in how far we have progressed. Today after a first half Norwich shaded we had a) a perfect half time adjustment from our manager and b) an absolutely dominant second half display to run the game and offer only one winner. In our recent run we've had some impressive performances but I actually take even more faith from seeing the team look so comfortable in taking control of a knife edge match and winning everything in defence and in midfield. People usually do that to us. The first half was very even, if anything we got away with poor finishing from Norwich who got wide and broke quickly, setting up several clear chances in front of goal that Norwich wasted. In fact you could say they did a number on us as they stopped us pressing by committing players wide and looking to break quickly, so limiting us getting any sustained pressure at the other end, where Diedhiou and Reid looked more isolated than they have been. The prime culprit in this was Leko who has looked sensational the past two games but was completely taken out of today's match. They made sure their full back was pushed up on him and their winger was further forward and Leko did not know where to play - there was no hole and they closed him down quickly if the ball got near him. He suddenly looked just the 18 year old he is and wasn't able to get on the ball or stop them playing through him. While largely an even half, Norwich created all the clear chances on the break while we played short passing through the middle as per usual but were limited only to a Brownhill shot from distance, not getting behind them and only having square balls outside the box to shoot from. Norwich skewed two clear chances wide but the other feature of their forward play was their young number 11 tumbling theatrically a couple of times. The ref didn't book him but then he didn't book anyone until the 90th minute in an excellent free flowing officiating performance. The feature of the game for me was the comprehensive number Lee Johnson did to take control of the game at half time. It's no secret that I didn't believe in much of what he did last season but I've given him praise for a very different style of football and energy this season (Brentford aside) and today he has further cemented for me that he now knows how the team should play and what to do to adjust. Taking Leko off was obvious but he got O'Dowda on hugging the wing and giving us the outlets to push them back and then press. Later he'd also rightly identify that Diedhiou, despite winning a lot of headers, was not getting behind the defence nor contributing to the slick forward interplay we so exploit these days, and introduced Taylor, which increased our ability to run in behind them and spread the defence. There was only one team controlling the game second half, Smith and Brownhill in particular absolutely ran midfield, our centre backs cleared up anything fired forward, the home team looked exactly like those familiar City sides at home that totally run out of ideas. Brownhill and O'Dowda both had chances from outside the box as we continued to pick out shooting opportunities around the box, before our first really quick passing move saw O'Dowda thread Paterson in and he lifted a dipping shot - out best of the game - that the keeper had to tip over in mid air. Any response from Norwich was eaten up quickly by Smith and Brownhill in midfield who by now looked to be in full control. Reid had a shot cut out, Bryan was put clear on the left and fired way over, before yet another attempt to play in the late running man outside the box saw the ball squared to Korey on the edge of the box with the goal fairly open, but his first time shot was loose and high when a more accomplished finisher would have drilled home. In all this time Norwich had threatened very little such was our complete control of the midfield and our back line. The last five minutes was uncharacteristically scrappy. Keith Stroud was the best referee I've seen in a while with the amount of common sense he used to just let the players play, but he started to call out shoulder barges and other physicality and in the end Norwich got a couple of set pieces to boot the ball into the box from which they had a couple of good chances, one that we desperately cut out, another that they hammered over. It would have been a travesty as Johnson had absolutely run the second half with his changes, and in the end this was a goalless draw that like many of the away games last season had a performance that said more about the team and the manager than the result would. We rode our luck and looked second best in the first half but we adjusted perfectly at half time and it's a long long time since I've seen City look so comfortable for an entire half of football away at a decent team. Ladies and gentlemen this City squad is the real deal and it's manager is making me a believer. The football is a country mile better than last season, we are not scared to pass the football forward where last season we would panic and pass backwards and unlike Tammy we have willing runners across the front to build and press with. But the real difference for me is we finally do not look like conceding and have a set of central defenders who will kick, head or harass anything that comes near them. We haven't looked this solid at Championship level for years. Finally Brownhill, I watched him for some of the second half as I was trying to understand how we were winning midfield so easily. If you drew the pitch as three thirds, he covered every blade of the middle one back and forth, he was pushed up behind the strikers as we broke and an absolute terrier when we were without the ball. Norwich were thoroughly harassed by him. He's still young and he is going to be quite a player. Fielding 7 Flint 7 Baker 8 Wright 8 Bryan 7 Leko 4 (O'Dowda 7) Smith 6 Brownhill 9 Paterson 7 (Pack 6) Reid 7 Diedhiou 6 (Taylor 7)

When I went on tho Tom it was incredibly slow- with their users moaning about it Another big thanks to you and your work - we all fall into the trap for taking the smooth running of this forum for granted We almost never have an issue , despite how busy this forum is So a good opportunity to say a big thanks to you , and all those involved in running the site

Nothing to say but congratulations. Only listened to it on the radio - proper oldschool I am, but it's obvious the best team won. Best wishes for the rest of the tournament. Hope the draw is kind to you. Gutted!

Just a helpful pointer for those who haven't had to study legal Latin: Actues Reus is the criminal deed (punching, glassing, stabbing etc.) Mens Rea is the criminal thought (wanting to cause bodily injury). Chris Rea is driving home for Christmas (unlike Rooney, possibly).

Even as a fan of Johnson's; I feel these type of threads that have been springing up are a bit hasty. Yes - there's a clear improvement in our recent form. The squad looks great, we're playing well and everything seems to be ticking along quite nicely. It is only September though - plenty of time for things to go horribly wrong. I would suggest we enjoy the moment and hope it continues. I'm enjoying this season so far.

good pro, was good for England and always played with a smile on his face and fairly (for the most part) worthy of a clap imo

The crowd last night of 13,826 was very good. There was 6,600 at Palace v Huddersfield, an all-Premier League tie. 11,000 at Villa v Boro 11,800 at Burnley v Leeds 8,700 at Reading v Swansea etc etc

Probably didn't understand the question.

Remember the film 'Never Let Me Go' ? I always wanted to see it simply because it had a scene on Clevedon beach and the Pier. The rest of it, while well acted and starring Keira Knightly and Charlotte Rampling, I found dark and disturbing. Norwich has long been a creative centre where such productions began their life. What makes a city a literary giant? According to Unesco, it takes a rare and rarified combination of editorial initiatives and educational programmes, lashings of libraries, bookstores and cultural centres, plus a vibrant literary event scene. In short, it’s the extent to which literature plays an integral role in the urban environment and the only two cities in England to have earned the status so far are Norwich in 2012 and Nottingham in 2015. There are 20 currently around the world. Why is it that we seem to have a plethora of 'best city for this', 'world cultural capital for that', 'city with the best theatres' etc? The more 'lists' there are the more diluted the reading experience. I find it all rather tedious and a sort of 'dumming down' of things to read about. Is it partly because lists are easier to digest when there is an inxorable move toward on line reading over print? I think so. I am completely and utterly bored and I am sure, also, are most of you. Real authors like Malcolm Bradbury do interest me though and he started a degree course at the University of East Anglia at Norwich called an MA in Creative Writing. From that course some of the best modern day writings have emerged in print and on our screens. Ian McEwan and Kazuo Ishiguro took that course and became superb writers and novelists in their own right. Among many well known novels Ishiguro wrote such as 'The Remains of the Day' , in 1989, which went on to become award winning films with an all star cast including Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson with screenplay by Harold Pinter. Ishiguro, born in Japan but raised in the UK also wrote that disturbing novel 'Never Let Me Go' . It was positively received and a master of writing. McEwan is well known for writing 'Atonement', also adapted for the big screen and again starring Kinghtly, as well as Enduring Love with Daniel Craig and Bill Nighy. Both authors have been highly decorated in their careers to date. Malcolm Bradbury, who passed away in Norwich in 2000 at the tender age of 68 was not a prolific novelist but he left an indelible mark on the literary world not least because of his course at the UEA in Norwich. He published Possibilities: Essays on the State of the Novel in 1973, The History Man in 1975, Who Do You Think You Are? in 1976, Rates of Exchange in 1983 and Cuts: A Very Short Novel in 1987. Some of his works made it to the big screen as well as adaptations for TV the most famous of which was The History Man which was broadcast by the BBC as a four-part serial in 1981. It starred Antony Sher as Howard Kirk and Geraldine James as his wife Barbara; Isla Blair played Flora Beniform. Exteriors for the series were shot at the University of Lancaster and in Bristol. This was the cover for his book 'The History Man'. It shows a dog buried up to its neck in an unidentifiable mass. It was painted by Francisco Goya between 1820 and 1823 directly on to the wall of his house. The dog is gazing upward perhaps in awe, waiting for the right moment, or wishing he could scale the height but can't. Sometimes City fans must feel that way; usually being thwarted, time and again, in our desire to reach greater success. The painting, part of Goya's 'dark period' after suffering two life threatening illnesses, was never meant for public display but today sits in The Prado Museum in Madrid as one of 14 he originally painted on the walls of Quinta del Sordo, his last home. Manuel Mena, Curator at the Prado, claimed: "There is not a single contemporary painter in the world that does not pray in front of The Dog" so named was the painting by the museum. It was revered by the likes of Picasso and Miró and Rafael Canogar referred to it as a "visual poem" and cited it as the first Symbolist painting of the Western world. Spanish painter Antonio Saura thought The Dog "the world's most beautiful picture". Nobody appreciates something that comes easy as much as something achieved through toil and sweat. I too appreciate that 'image' of this dog, of 'the dog'. It seems to encapsulate life in general. At times the 'unidentifiable mass' that the dog is engulfed in might seem like quick sand where one feels the sensation of drowning and helplessness and, at others, perhaps water that one can wade through with relative ease. Either way one should never expect life to be impossible or easy. But the dog seems transfixed and determined. I think that is what is so compelling with this painting and I like to think this is how City are this season. Nothing is going to stop them looking forward, working hard, taking the plaudits, enjoying it and just repeating it week in and week out. Have a closer look. Bit like Noble after he scored that goal against Palace in the semi final of the play offs; I remember an image of him looking up. Whoever goes to Norwich today deserves a medal. 480 miles round trip. That is some commitment and some cost. Well done all of you and have a great day. Bring back the 3 points.

It all started back in 2000. I'd finally managed to find enough time and money to be able to get my first Season Ticket. The 99-2000 season was not a great time to start though. It was the season after our relegation in embarrassing fashion after the John Ward / Benny fiasco. Halfway through the season the most unpopular City manager of all time, Clueless Pulis had walked out on us to join Pompy prompting a One Team cover that thanked all of the directors, players and supporters of Portsmouth Football club for taking him off our hands. For some reason our board decided to replace him with a scout (Tony Fawthrop) and the acadamy director (Dave Burnside) whose collective managerial experience at any level was zero. Scott Davidson our young chairman was running out of ideas and clearly starting to realise that he didn't have enough money to get City to where he wanted us to be and the whole mood around the club was as flat as pancake. Attendances had barely climbed above 10000 all season and to cap it all, we spent most of the season behind the sags in the table. There was however, a ray of light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks to a 5-1 drubbing of Exeter in the Southern Area final first leg and the intervention of Peter Beadle's backside salvaging a 1-1 draw on a cold wet Tuesday night in Exeter, City were on their way to Wembley for what would be their first appearance there in over a decade and the last chance to see the old twin towers before their demolition at the end of that year. The Northern Area winners were Stoke City. A big club with a big following which would set up a great day out in London. There were signs however, that it was just not going to be our day. In February 2000 Stoke legend Sir Stanley Matthews had passed away and it was announced that this game would be dedicated to Sir Stanley and that the FA Cup hymn 'Abide with me' would be sung before kick off. City announced that we had lost the draw to wear our home shirts and therefore as the nominal 'away team' we would celebrate our trip to Wembley with a special shirt to mark the occasion. Bad omen number 2. I can almost hear the telephone call to our kit supplier. The one where the guy on the other end of the phone has to cover the mouth piece and tell his mate that he's finally managed to find somewhere to offload that kit that no one wants. So, for our big day out at Wembley, the mighty Reds would be wearing an horrendous gold shirt with a BLUE and WHITE stripe down the front. BLUE and WHITE? Seriously? I know, I know, City had a blue and white kit for the 1909 FA Cup Final but that was in pre gaseous days when the Eastville Squaters FC were still playing in a park somewhere with jumpers for goal posts. By the year 2000, the last thing any self respecting City fan wanted to see on a kit at Wembley was blue and white. With ticket sales totalling over 75000 the atmosphere on the day was set to be a cracker. As most people know, Stoke sing a song about some Welsh bloke who murders his wife with a knife for laughing at him. No, I don't get it either. So to ensure that every City fan would do his duty, the last issue of One Team had the words to Drink up thee Cider printed on it in the hope that we could all get beyond the bit where we are 'going down the rovers' and actually give the Stoke fans a run for their money in the song stakes. So come the big day and the stadium announcer says here's a song for the Stoke fans and 37000 voices sing Delilah in unison it was rather impressive. The stadium announcer then says 'here's a song for the City fans', I turn to my mate and say this is going to be good as I expect 37000 City fans to launch into the Cider song. Suddenly, from the Wembley PA System comes 'you're everywhere and nowhere baby.....' as Hi Ho Silver Lining plays. Cue 37000 City fans all looking at each other in confusion. The song falls flat with a half assed 'Hi Ho Bristol City' for the chorus. This day was not going well. And on to the match. In two previous attempts that season, City had not managed to beat Stoke. We'd drawn both games, 1-1 away thanks to a late goal from Brian Tinnion and 2-2 at home just a few weeks before the final thanks to a brace from Tony Thorpe. Stoke started the better of the two sides and went a goal up while City really struggled to find their feet. Moving into the second half, slowly City started to come back into the game and then, in the 74th minute the ball was hit across the Stoke goal and Paul Holland sprang like an arthritic salmon all of about 4 feet into the air and headed the ball home. 1-1 and at last things were going our way. But it wasn't to be. in the 82nd minute, Louis Carey gave away a free kick on the edge of our box. To this day I have no idea what his conversation with the referee was about. Maybe Lewis was trying to find out which idiot thought Hi Ho Silver lining was the appropriate song or maybe he just felt like having a nice chat with the ref but either way the Stoke player politely enquired of the ref that while he was having a chat to Louis would he mind very much if he got on with the free kick. The ref told him to carry on and a few seconds later the ball was in the back of the net. 2-1 Stoke and that's how it ended. To make matters worse, as the coaches left the stadium at the end of the game we found ourselves stuck in the inevitable traffic jam. Just then, passing us slowly in the outside lane a coach load of Stoke fans drew level with the windows of our coach. Insults were exchanged like two passing ships at the battle of Trafalgar. A broadside of middle fingers, bare arses and general abuse all directed from the Stoke coach as we were sat in our gloom after the days events. It was a long, long journey home. City ended the season in 9th place in the table, 2 places and 16 points behind the sags. Scott Davidson resigned as chairman the following year. Tony Fawthrop almost had the City managers job full time but it fell through and City would have to wait another 15 years to taste further success at Wembley. And to this day, I still don't like Stoke. Let's hope we can knock them out of the cup tonight. COYR.

FF has been outstanding this season - as good as Bobby Reid His shirt unless he loses form

What an outstanding, remarkable turnaround we have shown, from a point where many/most people could see little/no light at the end of the tunnel. To only lose 3 games (in all competitions) in our last 23 matches is testiment to just how much hard work must have been going on behind the scenes during those tough times last season. It wont last forever. We know that! We've all seen false dawns. Too many. However, I'd go so far as to say that this is possibly the best squad & best set up, we have ever had here. Certainly in my 30 years of watching City. Long may the positives outweigh the negatives! P.S. Fix the bloody PA system!

I have always been a Bobby Reid fan, I like "footballers", all those fancy turns and flicks and tricks are sooo entertaining. That was Bobby in midfield, entertaining, until he gave the ball away trying one trick too many, and put us under pressure, then he would start to fade as the opposition realised there was a weakness to exploit. However move him 20 metres further up the pitch and suddenly the flicks tricks and fancy turns become a real threat that are difficult to defend against. When they don't come off, there is less danger because there are players behind him to pick up the pieces. In this team we were never going to have the luxury of playing him as a true number 10, we need all the midfield working in all areas of the pitch, but playing him as a striker has given him that area to play in and his response has been nothing short of incredible. His confidence must be through the roof right now and it's showing in every performance, he is our Aguerro, our Sanchez and he is one of our own.

We've beaten more Premier league sides than they have this season.

After Alan Dicks, Joe Jordan,Paul Cheesley and Kevin Mabbutt next up for Flashback for the fans treatment is Terry Cooper. I would say our best and my personal favourite manager. Good as a player absolute legend as a manager. Putting money into the cash starved club and running himself into the ground to make us better and keep us alive. The man deserves legendary status as much as anyone , but if you're not sure watch the clip of him crying after we beat Bolton at Wembley to see just how much he cared. Seeing him bombing down the wing aged 40ish , and the story of coming on with an already torn sock so at the first tackle he could complain to the Ref about the bad tackle and show proof . Seeing him nearly dropped off of the stand at Chester when we got promoted from the old 4th division. I love the man for what he did for us. I loved that period in our history, as hard as it was , small hardcore of players and fans , I'm glad I got to see it , and him.

Some peoples view on Cup draws baffles me! We've got a Home, winnable tie, against premier league opposition, which could see us reach the quarter finals of a major domestic trophy, yet some people would prefer us to go and get spanked at Old Trafford or the Ethihad..?

Reckon it's about time he had a thread better suited to him, now that it seems he has found his feet at the club. I love him, and love the way he plays the game. He has pure drive and determination; he celebrates a goal with a roar and tears around the pitch at times like a lion. I had the pleasure of being sat directly in front of his celebration for the goal against Derby and he won my heart with his display of passion. Hell, I was almost going to rush onto the pitch and beat my chest with him - though after reading the other thread, thank God I refrained! Long Live King Diedhou - just hope he can stay here for longer than one damned season!!!

He deserves a standing ovation just for bagging Abby Clancy HUBBA HUBBA!!

It is posts like this that 'scare' me. People who swing from one end of the spectrum to another, inevitably quickly swing back. OTIB is on a kind of knife edge at the moment. I'm sure others feel it. Will we keep up this form, or will we fall away, again.....then....... Don't get me wrong, i'm positive about the start, and felt positive about this season in the summer, but I think some people are beginning to get too carried away. If you read the opinions of some, we've gone from 'one of the lowest points as a club, no direction, a owner who only appoints his mates, who happens to be the worse manager in our history, whose Dad is interfering with our club and a squad of players who want to leave' etc etc etc to literally only a few months later 'having the most exciting and unified squad we've had for as long as many can remember, and an exciting, ever learning young manager who has given us a clear style and is the "real deal", oh and thanks to our owner for having the balls and vision, and money, now we have a real chance to do something in this league' etc etc etc. How is that possible? In a few months. Anyway, I guess what i'm saying is - expectation, and a dose of level headedness right now. Because, what I see, is slowly, slowly, post by post, expectations rising this season. And rising too quickly IMO. We've quickly gone from "i'd take fourth from bottom this season now with LJ in charge" to "i'd be happy mid-table" to "we should kick on in this league now" to "we should beat Bolton, no problems"......which will inevitably turn into talk about the playoffs and all of a sudden not finishing in the top 6 will be a huge waste, given LJ has spent £25m, after all. Maybe we should just all enjoy the ride so far, and if we all stay calm when we lose a few, i'll be happy to eat these words.

https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/the-long-read-merry-times-ahead-for-bristol-city-saved-from-brink-of-collapse-now-targeting-premier-league-status-1.632880 Man Untied Fanzine chap who's very friendly with Holden. Wrote this after watching the Derby game.

Quoted for annoyance

Crouchy has earnt a huge amount of respect from English football fans in general. It's clear that he's a top bloke as well as a top player, so a round of applause for such bloke is fair enough. I'd imagine it would have been different if we were losing and he'd scored against us.

Here’s a prototype that they will be issuing tomorrow if it rains

After reading through this thread, it is obvious there are lots on this forum who are either negligent or just were not around back in the 80s/90s when the CSF were highly active. And AG was quite frankly quite a fearful place to visit for away fans from certain clubs. The 80s were the best days supporting BCFC for me, never to be repeated, but the rave scene really took over for some of us. Also away days in the 80s for City fans were lively at some clubs to say the least. Some guys "involved" are no longer with us, of which some were good mates with several on OTIB I know for a fact, including myself. PL has written his "take" on BCFC, the culture, and believe me, he was in a good position to put his view in writing. Regardless of what you may or may not think of the book or PL, read it 1st before making comments on OTIB. If you are'nt interested in the culture/history of BCFC fans 80's/90's, just ignore this thread.

...and then we took their best player for £300k just for the giggle...

LJ aside I cannot think of anything happening off field that I don't whole heartedly support. - Radical overhaul of scouting and analysis. Getting players before others spot them. - Recruiting young hungry players with good attitude and character. Cherishing local lads in particular. - Developing a club identity and recruiting players at all levels to deliver it. - An identity that is attack minded high pressing game and encouraging players to be brave on the ball. - Getting the most promising premier league talent on loan without inhibiting our own. - Recruiting best youngsters for the U23s, both local and from afar. - Loaning youngsters out for crucial first team experience. (Even if they don't succeed with city we will only continue to attract top talent if we can prove we can secure them some kind of career in football). - Succession planning to replace players that may be sold if the price is right (and not being afraid to do so). I continue to support LJ, but to me what is much more important is that we know who we are as a club now. The time will come when we will need to replace LJ, for whatever reason, and it's the things being put in place behind the scenes that will mean we can continue to progress whoever comes in. You cannot understand the impact of having the kind of stability that SL provides in helping us think and plan long term. Personally I have never been more excited about the future of the club. COYR.

one swallow does not a summer make. We've had some decent results culminating in a fabulous result on Saturday, but I wish people on here would be a little more measured in their reactions - we're either going up or we're going down, there's never a middle ground. He's looked pretty smart the last few weeks, but there's still time for everything to go wrong. It's asking the impossible, but it'd be great if people just followed a policy of cautious optimism and positive support.

Match days book ended by Havanatopia and Ole. I doubt any other forum can boast such quality.

Taking nothing away from Pack, Smith and Brownhill, but i'd be looking for a classy game changing centre mid, especially going forwards.

Everyone played superbly tonight but I thought Callum deserves his own thread. He was simply unplayable tonight. Every time the ball came to him something happened and their defence just didn`t know what to do with him, he absolutely tormented them all night. I can see what Martin O`Neil means when he says what he does about him when you see a performance like that. Well done lad, you were simply brilliant tonight - just get a goal and I think you`ll get many.

So. Having missed Saturday's rampant performance, was a bit sceptical tonight against a decent Stoke eleven. No problems with 9 changes to our side, the plan was always to pick two sides to keep players fresh, and the ones coming in chomping at the bit. Fully deserved win, could'be easily been 4-1/5-1. They had a bit of ping-pong in our 6 yard box in first half injury time (reminiscent of Hull last season) and after the missed one on one by Sobhi at 1-0 (perhaps a key moment) they flashed a couple of good balls across our box late on. Tactics were spot on, good pressing on a central two of Fletcher and Adam (neither massively mobile these days), and also at the right times against Martins, Zouma and Wimmer, none of who are sufficiently decent on the ball when pressured. You wouldn't have seen Flint look out of place alongside any two of those three, and Hegeler might look the pick! Sobhi was their dangerman (never heard of him), but luckily he was a bit wasteful. Ratings - 6 equals a player earning their corn Steele 7 - impressive debut, made a couple of very good saves and pushed the ball away from danger when right to do so. Has the experience and back story to be an astute signing to push Frankie. You certainly wouldn't worry about him coming in based on that performance. Cane out and took a great ball to ease the pressure from a late cross. Vyner 6 - tough game for him tonight. Often Stoke's best (if few) chances came down his side. Caught a little bit by trying to overplay. Will be fantastic learning for him, and always makes himself available. Magnússon 7 - wonderful player to have as cover for Joe or the CBs. Looked assured on the ball, and good positioning for the flicks from Crouch. Choupo-Moting rarely got the better of him. Flint 7 - perfect game for him v Crouch, and dealt with him well. A great volleyed clearance in first half and good headers from crosses. Close to an 8. Looked a threat in their box too. And what a drilled pass to O'Dowda (I think) late on. Hegeler 8 - great partnership tonight, never got caught with Crouch, picked up flicks and so good on the ball. In fairness Flint played good balls into midfield tonight, but Jens looks so calm. A couple of Inspector Gadget tackles too. Eliasson 6 - a few flashes early on, but not the final ball we wanted. Worked hard, picked up fouls on him, neat and tidy. Would like to see him with Pisano. O'Dowda 7 - what an eye-catching, hard working performance. So often took the ball deep into Stoke territory, and would've so deserved that point blank shot had he lifted it over Grant. Thought his awareness at the back post was very good tonight. Worked well with Hördur. Pack 8 - tireless performance, so good with the ball, made Fletcher and Adam look ordinary. Great closing down of the keeper late on typified how he set the press tonight. Brownhill 7 - pest of a performance, everywhere. Kept it simple on the ball, the the fluid movement with Pack made Flint and Hegeler's job much easier...they rarely had to go long. A lot to look forward to in the future from Josh. Diedhiou 7 - so much more like the player I saw on tv / Internet at Angers. Gave their defenders a physically tough time. Great ball for Taylor first half. Should've taken his one on one inside 2 minutes. Great flick to set Taylor free for his goal, and great follow-up for his own. Mmmmm 4 in 9 starts. Taylor 8 (and a bit) - saw a very good striker's performance tonight that I didn't think he had in him. Super finish across the keeper for 2-0. Made some very good runs....I've never had a problem with that, it's always been the bit of quality lacking. Tonight that was the chance into side-netting late in first half. But he made up for that, involved in everything second half. My MOTM...just. Bryan, Smith, Reid - can't be bothered! Well done City.

Apart from the goals....the biggest effect Bobby has had on our improved play, is his energy over 90 mins. I've not seen a 'number 10' run as much as he does. Constantly badgering the defenders and keepers....they don't get time to pick out a pass. They are rushed into mistakes....our offensive midfielders pounce in numbers and intercept. Our offensive 'defensive' play is outstanding over 90 mins. This style of football is what LJ has been trying to achieve since he's been here. You could see what he was trying to do. It failed miserably imo, because of the gamble made on Tomlin. For all his natural ability....he didn't give what LJ required. Energy, movement and mobility. Bobby's energy, movement and mobility is excellent and it enables the rest of the team to do their required duties without having to worry about others. Patterson also gives that energy...and if Bobby is ever rested or injured I can see Pato taking that role.

I like him. Unfussy, calm, made some useful saves, good distribution. Looks a decent addition to the squad on that evidence and good competition for Frankie.

There's a hole in the bucket, dear Wael, dear Wael, There's a hole in the bucket, dear Wael, a hole. So fix it dear Irene, dear Irene, dear Irene, So fix it dear Irene, dear Irene, fix it ! With what should I fix it, dear Wael, dear Wael, With what should I fix it, dear Wael, with what? With a loan, dear Irene, dear Irene, dear Irene, With a loan dear Irene, dear Irene, with a loan. But where will I get it, dear Wael, dear Wael, But where will I get it, dear Wael, where ? From me dear Irene, dear Irene, dear Irene, From me dear Irene, dear Irene, from me ! Oh how can I thank you, dear Wael, dear Wael, Oh how can I thank you, dear Wael, how ? With interest, dear Irene, dear Irene, dear Irene, With interest dear Irene, dear Irene, with interest. But how shall I pay it, dear Wael, dear Wael, But how shall I pay it, dear Wael, how ? With money, dear Irene, dear Irene, dear Irene, With money dear Irene, dear Irene, with money! And where will I find it, dear Wael, dear Wael, And where will I find it, dear Wael, where ? In the bucket, dear Irene, dear Irene, dear Irene, In the bucket, dear Irene, dear Irene, in the bucket. There's a hole in the bucket, dear Wael, dear Wael, There's a hole in the bucket, dear Wael, a hole.

Here to take my oil! Wasn't at the game tonight as I was doing my FA level 1 over in Almondsbury but well played. Sounds like you more than deserved it on the night. Good luck in the next round & beyond. Hopefully Chelsea will feel a backlash on Saturday (yeah right!)

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/margarets-special-day-at-failand/ Hope Margaret enjoyed her day.

Firstly troll - I don't know wtf you are on about and on a serious note ...., you may think that some find you funny , maybe some do but with advance apologies to the mods I think you are genuinely a complete p***k and so glad I don't have to suffer you in real life Hope that's clear

All looking very promising now and very exciting. For the me progress would be establishing ourselves as a good team at this level with potential to kick on. Something we haven't done since Andy Cole was here. There is a confidence and a style to us that to my mind gives this group the edge over Gary Johnson's play off team, who for all the positive results, always felt like we were somehow grinding results out through sheer bloody mindedness, with no real long-term plan and the impending realisation that the bubble would burst at any minute. This feels completely different. Our first 2 years back at this level were really not very good (I'll refrain from swraring) littered with some of the worst performances I've seen. You can debate whether Cottrell or Johnson should have been sacked at those times and I feel the body of work presented would have made few eyebrows raise when Cottrell did go and if Johnson would have gone. I sometimes think we confuse the personal with the material. I liked Lee as a player and am sure he's a nice guy, I don't think it was unfair to question his position during the first 18 months. The same goes for Steve Lansdown. I am truly grateful for his financial commitment but don't think it was unfair to question his tenure over the past 15 years, given all the false dawns and the club's obscurity and failures during the period. Enough of that now though. Whilst it was fair to question and hold a negative viewpoint of the club during this time (and I certainly don't think apologies are needed for them) the vast majority (myself included) all still believed and hoped, to some extent, as we all still followed and loved the club. I have brainwashed three children during this period, so i must have believed in something! Lee has been allowed to shape and mould his team since then and this season has created a squad and style that fills me with more comfidence and hope than i have felt in long time. Lee Johnson deserves credit and praise for this and whilst I think it's fair to be negative at times, it only has weight if it is objective and balanced be being positive when clearly that is the case. The other factor this period will bring is time. As Ole has pointed out, yes we had good spells last year in respect of points, but anyone who watched those will know the performances were still poor and there was no sense of progress or a team building for the future. This is different and this will allow Lee Johnson time and have something to point to that demonstrates what he and the club are trying to achieve. Credit to Lee Johnson so far, let's hope it keeps going. This difference this year though is that I honestly believe it will. Belief. Ahhh, it feels nice.

Been really busy, so had a quick log onto the BBC website to see what games were on tonight and the only one showing was a women's game. Are the BBC now so equality driven that professional league games are demoted to sub sections below women's games? I personally have no interest in women's football and I do understand that some do, but I still don't understand why a minority area of a sport takes precedence.

So change the formation that has served us so well for a majority of all our games to accommodate the 3 CBSs - really? Not for me.

Deserves a standing ovation for giving the best answer to a question ever... What would you be if you weren't a professional footballer? Crouch: A Virgin!!

went today... quite simply we were beaten by the better side. out manoevered and at times out classed watching it i was thinking to myself this bristol side is probably in terms of style the sort of thing that rowett is trying to move us towards Raw power and pace up top , graft and mobility in midfield and then plenty of pace and trickery on the flanks - leko absolutely destroyed us all afternoon, was simply excellent, all held together by a couple of no nonesense centre halves at the back

Always happy to oblige ...

....I've been astonished by the reaction of some fans since our win against Derby. Previous dissenters now appearing to think LJ is ok as a coach. I await with baited breath if we get ripped a new one against Norwich :laugh: However....it got me to thinking. As you've probably worked out over the years, I've always been in favour of LJ being our coach. His appointment has been a long process and planned, which imo is a good thing. As a person or in business, you pretty much always turn to someone you trust, is qualified respected or know well, if you want an opinion on something, a job done, a recommendation etc. If running a football Club, you want everyone, in EVERY part of the Club, be it Community trust, Academy, First team etc, all working in the same direction with the same belief. It only needs a few 'bad eggs' to be working as a lone wolf, to start problems. Over the years it's become apparent that not everyone was pulling in the same direction at the club, even last season we saw this, and even in our double winning season...hence the dramatic failure the following season....the wins glossing over and detracting from what was going on behind the scenes. Surrounding yourself in people you can trust and doing due diligence when employing, is something that this Club seem to have taken very seriously of late. Some bad apples may get through, but over all, this is the first season where it seems everyone is working in the same direction. It's been a gradual process, which imo, is a good thing ( football is way too reactionary ). It's never going to be perfect...but imo, is essential if you are going to succeed. I've often been told by those in the game, that results on the pitch often (not always) reflect on the health of the football club. So maybe from this due diligence we will start to become a bonafide Championship Club and not a yo yo club. Maybe finding people who have the talent, who you know and trust, can work with, believe in your blueprint and willing to work with it, is the way to go. They maybe not the most experienced, qualified, won everything, be the best footballer ( but have a great attitude and stable background )....but if you all work together, in the same direction, that becomes a very strong unit. We shall see...but if I was running a football Club, this is exactly the way I'd do it. Not a case of giving jobs to mates....but to people you know, trust and have qualities you want. To give a balanced view to this....there is an article that offers a slightly different view. http://trainingground.guru/articles/challenging-footballs-old-boys-network

I'm going to put it out there and say this kid is one of the best attacking midfielders in this league. Second top chance creation in europe? Work horse, creates, scores goals. Finally flourishing and for me one of the most important players in our high press attacking system. Not yet.....but becoming.....a class act.

How about.... (Big intake of breath and.....) "His name is Bobby Reid and he came through our academy system which we are pleased about because its taken a while to produce results and he originally started in midfield but our canny manager moved him further forward this season and now he's scoring goals for fun. Ooooooh his name is Bobby Reid."

Heavy handed actions against fans on the pitch..? Maybe just stay off the pitch..?!