cidered abroad

@spudskiYou are very similar to so many of us. First game at six years and I have always felt at home when surrounded by City fans. I've gone through the highs and a lot more lows without ever considering not going. But the last four years, since the League Cup run and that pathetic defeat to Wolves, have been a downward spiral for my allegiance. The pandemic made me stay away and as yet with such poor performances and now recovering slowly from a waterworks operation, I'm wondering at 78 years if I should bother again. All the money SL has put in yet it's now the biggest shambles I have ever seen. He has lots of money but not a single clue on how to use it football wise. Typical accountant!

Nail on the head. He has invested in real estate but, until Pearson, never invested in top quality football management. NP is the first real football manager since Terry Cooper and Joe Jordan in 1990's. Always the cheap option. Now, even with Pearson, we are doomed because of the way MA and LJ bought very mediocre players for top prices and wages. I've seen seven relegations in my time and the next one in May is an absolute certainty unless Lansdown pulls his finger out of his rectum. I can't see that happening. As for finances, I understand that we, like all clubs, have suffered with Covid. But how much did we get paid for letting the South Stand concourse for Covid vaccinations? A very tidy sum I expect. Where has that been put in the accounts? I'll bet not in Bristol City FC account.

My first match at Bristol City. April 1950 a Third Division (South) against Aldershot. Harry Dolman had just taken over as the Chairman. The first eleven years we finished below Bristol Rovers who operated a "No Buy / No Sell" policy under a very good football manager. I was football mad as a young boy. I also loved cricket and rugby, still do. I dreamt of City being in the FA Cup Final at Wembley and in the First Division. My Welsh father took me to Cardiff City, First Divsion, when we went to see Nana. Promotion in 1955 with a mgnificent City team. HD was not shy with his money but goofed up with Peter Doherty so back to Div 3. Another five years to go up, followed by one year missing promotion to Division One by a gnat's whisker. The AD with several relegation scraps before his youth policy began to work. After 65 years, we got back to where we should be. Harry D by this time was an old tired person and was surrounded by a board of greedy, selfish idiots. Sensible investment in players would have seen us stay there for a long time. Board and others, skimming of thousands of £'s. 36,000 gate for Man U turned out as 27,000 and the same for every home game. Save on the VAT, police numbers at matches and bring in players who were not good enough for Division 3. So there ended my dream of us competing with the big clubs. Back to 2, 3 and 4 in successive years and financial disaster. Since then under achievement year on year with one or two bright spots. Cooper from 4 to 3, Jordan from 3 to 2, Ward from 3 to 2 and straight back down. Johnson from 3 to 2, missed play off and back down again. Cotterill 3 to 2 all interspersed with the occasional "Micky Mouse" Cup. We have won this more than anyone else. WOW! HD built the Dolman Stand - a two tier indoor bowling arena with seats on the roof. And then sold Chris Garland to pay for it! He did put in £55,000 in 1960 after relegation. The various chairmen between 1995 and now put some in, mostly squandered by various managers. Ward, three high price strikers when we needed a centre half. Danny Wilson's boozers. Cotterill wanted to get in two high value, centre half and striker, to improve us, make the most of promotion and the "New Stadium". Agreed, allegedly, and then blocked while he was on holiday. Since then we have been on a money spending spree with LJ and the scumbag who's name I refuse to mention. £65 million is generally accepted as the amount. The first top quality manager, Nigel Pearson, since Cooper and Jordan, yet he is, IMO, doomed to relegation back to Division Three. I have dreamed and dreamed all my life, but old age and the reality of Bristol City is to be where a chairman in the 1990's said " We like being the big fish in the pond(Third league). I's better that little fish in big pond. (Prem or Championship now)". Unless a miracle happens in the January window, I'm sad to say we are doomed to the drop.

We cannot rely on Williams suddenly becoming fit enough to play 90% of the time. Semenyo is still unproven as a striker or provider. James and King are experienced but don't impose themselves on the opposition. I respect Martin's record at this level but every game he plays, his influence diminishes. We are fortunate to be ten points away from the drop zone but it's still too early in the season to rely on that for our safety. Recruitment in January will decide whether we stay up or not.

Before season started, NP announced that he knew Vyner's best position. Because he started at right back, many, including me, assumed that was the position. Could it be that it was actually defensive midfield, sitting in front of a Two or Three? I'm assuming tonight will be 3-5-2 or possibly3-4-3.

Appalling thing to do while a player is injured and if conscious the player can even see/hear it on the two screens. Imagine him doing it while a player could actually be losing their life.

Like Don Revie or Hideghuti? @Abraham Romanovich

Yes

Kasey Palmer is his own worst enemy. He has talent to make opponents idiotic, but rarely does this to his teams advantage. He is too predictable in what he does. He reminds me at times of Freeman. Receive ball near touchline and turn diagonally across the pitch. Opponents just shepherd him in front all the way and then he looks for a pass with no City player near him.

Of course he is here for the same reason as Andy King and even Chris Martin. To play some first team football as and when required to. Most importantly though, they are here to be the elder pros. To listen to our young ones, to give advice and sometimes a gentle kick up the backside. We haven't had this type of pro for several years. Still, just about, good enough for a game or three. There to teach and nurture the next generation. I once worked for a German company in England. In Germany, most companies move elder employees at all levels, sideways. To pass on their knowledge to those who have/will replace them before they retire or die. If we did that in UK, it would be seen as an insult to the one who is moved out of the firing line. Germans understand it as a positive for everyone. Is Pearson doing the same?

I was just trying to highlight that a twenty minute sub debut isn't the best way to decide how well an 18 years lad will progress. Also I'm not privy to Pearson's reasons for bringing him on. What I do believe is that NP knows exactly why he gave him his debut and trust that he would not risk his football career. If we can stay in this league at end of season, the club will benefit from the appearances last/this year by the City Academy boys.

No, Sir Gerry. In his first full season, plenty of City fans voiced very negative opinions about him. Tons of humble pie eaten I'm not saying Benarous will be as good. But experienced managers like Pearson do not throw 17 year old kids to the wolves. They know it will be tough but have confidence that the young one will not let anyone down easily.

How many of the members of this forum can remember the debut of a seventeen year old, still skinny and very raw in football terms? I can't remember his name but he did have one or two tidy games for two City's. Well you could be seeing the beginnings of another one!

Why? What has Palmer done during games that would get a place on the bench?

I was told once that I did not have to be friends with him. We just had to work together. So, as long as there is respect and honesty between Pearson and the squad, everything should be fine.

I agree with you that we should have higher expectations than my example. But in some ways, it doesn't matter if we finish 12th, 17th, or 21st. The simple aim for this season is to not be relegated. Staying in the Championship is absolutely essential. As for how we stay up, home wins will be essential. And to help this task, we need another striker who will convert enough chances to help get those wins. We, SL, has enough money to buy any player on the planet. It's how we comply with FFP that will be the bit of financial genius to do it.

Give it a rest. You really don't understand how difficult it is to redress the massive damage done in the last five years by the "Unmentionables". One point above the bottom three at the end of season will be a magnificent achievement by Pearson, coaches, medical staff, playing staff and supporters.

Managing people is relatively easy for the good managers as they can stay remote from the mass. Coaching needs are so different. Being firm yet being friendly can be a disaster if the latter prevails. And with a group of mickey taking, young footballers, it is very easy for a coach to lose control and respect.

Not a clue. No segregation. Away fans were usually spread out on all sides, possibly not at Stretford End. So hearing a lone voice in 47,000 is difficult. This was our second win at Old Trafford in four seasons. That was the day that I lost any respect and affection for Man U. The boy who cried all night after Munich, had grown up. Their manager Docherty, slagged City terribly to cover up their inadequacies. Donnie Gillies specialised in winning away games 1-0. Remember also Leeds!!!

All people who originate from Tonypandy are top quality and integrity whatever their line of work is. My Father and Grandmother both told me this when I was very young. Neither if them ever lied to me so the referee Mr Don must have been excellent!

I was there. Absolute heaven.

A defeat like that is devastating for everyone involved at the Club. From Lansdown and Pearson to a five year old child. We know that they had not recovered at West Brom but it is how we perform against Barnsley that will show what we are made of? Rebuilding the team's confidence will show how good Pearson and his senior pros are at man management. I can't go this Saturday because I've just had an operation that will take a while to recover from. I will be glued to the radio and would like everyone there to make a real noise in support of Our Bristol City Team.

I know nothing about the last sentence. In fact if memory is correct he signed Irishman Tommy Casey in March 1959 and he lasted at City until 1963 so I would not think that he was a problem in that respect. Dermot Curtis, the Republic of Ireland centre forward had left before Doherty arrived. He brought in Gordon Hopkinson, born in Sheffield, to replace the aged Ginger Peacock at right back. Also Roger Collinson, born South Yorkshire, another right back. The other two signed were John McCann, born Glasgow but no indication on religion found and Malcolm Graham, born in South Yorkshire. I never heard during this time about any racist, religious problems with the dressing room. In fact the split dressing room only became public knowledge, as far as I know, a couple of years after Doherty left the Club.

Do we really need to know about anyone's sexual, religious, food, ethnicity, etc preferences? As long as they do their job to the best of their ability, obey laws ofthe country, be a decent person in relation to others, why do we need this information.

He Kelly stayed with City for personal/family reasons.