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I’m still on board with the three-year project as we enter into the second year. I think there’s been progress on the pitch. It’s the first time in my three decades of following City that we’ve been able to rebuild in the second tier and that’s a positive IMO. I think it’s clear we’re recruiting to a plan, while slowly getting rid of those costing us a fortune and offering nothing in return. Again, that’s another huge stride forward after the scattergun recruitment of the past. Right now, I think we’ll finish in the middle eight — anywhere from 9th to 17th — but there are so many variables in there. If Semenyo, Williams, Scott, Weimann stay fit all season, who knows. If injuries bite again, survival will be again the goal.

Bentley; Klose, Naismith, Atkinson; Wilson, James, Scott, Williams, Dasilva; Weimann, Martin.

Ha, I wish! I’ve just been watched the Tour since the late ‘80s and ride a lot myself, so I know how fatigue grows. There looked to be some tired legs yesterday so it was no surprise to see the peloton treat it as a bit of a rest day after the Alps. It’ll probably be another day for the breakaway tomorrow and hopefully Fred will have his day.

Great ride from Pidcock yesterday, his descending down the Telegraphe was awesome. I suspect today might be a day for the breakaway.

Depends how Pog recovers and I wonder if he might have the virus after a few UAE boys went down with it. Assuming he doesn’t lose any more time, he should be able to reclaim that two minutes on Vingegaard in the time trial — but that’s a while off yet. Sensational stage today. I don’t think we can expect the same fireworks tomorrow. I expect a few of them to pay for today’s efforts tomorrow. Game on.

There’s no doubt we’ve regressed massively since Benkenstein came in and GvB took over the captaincy. Any early season fight has subsided and we’re a shadow of the side we were over the last three years, despite having largely the same players. Make of that what you will. Back to the drawing board we go.

Indeed. I’m pleased for Jungels after his injuries and being ditched by QuickStep, and for the breakaway. I’d like to know what happened with Pogacar’s group on that final climb, because they ate around a minute out of Pinot.

I’ve never known a pro rider crash as often as Thomas. He’s already crashed in this Tour and I think he’s on his limit already. It’s a running joke within the peloton, apparently. Pog put metres into Thomas on the first double-digit steep section today. I expect that distance to grow in the mountains. Roglic might be a danger for stage wins now he’s out of the GC, mind. I’m with you on Kamna, though. He would’ve been a worthy winner today and I was hoping he’d stay clear. A good young rider on the up, he is.

Pogacar looks in ominous form. The way he sprinted away today to take the Maillot Jaune will have sent shudders round the peloton. I’ve been watching since the late ‘80s and I suspect he might become the best of the best I’ve seen during that time. Classics, mountains, time trials — he can do it all.

Can only echo what others have said about Coberan, and his was a name I suggested when LJ went. No mugs work under a coach like Bielsa, who Guardiola says taught him everything.

Definitely. I’m fortunate enough to have ridden most of the French Cols. The Tourmalet was great last week, although the headwind are the top was a bitch! We weren’t far from Siestriere in 2019, when we went over the Telegraphe, Galibier and down to Briançon on the Route de Grande Alps but pressed on to Col de Vars and the Izoard.

Vingegaard is the only one who can challenge Pogacar IMO, and it’ll be interesting to see if he genuinely has co-leadership at Jumbo-Visma as he’s stronger than Roglic. I rode across the Pyrenees last week, from the Med to the Atlantic. Can’t wait to see the peloton go up the D’Apsin and Aubisque.

I’ve heard Hull (a) first up, Sunderland (h) first home game, Blackpool (a) August Bank Holiday, WBA (h) on Boxing Day

I’ve got a feeling this one will bite us on the arse. He developed nicely in the second half of last season and it’s no coincidence we looked a lot more solid with him alongside Klose and Atkinson. Good luck to him but I’d rather it was Vyner or Moore who went to Barnsley than Cundy.

Undergoing a medical at Barnsley ahead of signing a three-year deal https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-barnsley-defender-medical-7233863.amp

That struck a chord with me. How can he take credit for turning Weimann into a 9.5 when a) Weimann started his career playing through the middle, b) he rarely played him through the middle, and c) when he did, his tactic was to lump it long. Usual bullshit from the second biggest bullshit merchant we’ve had at the club.

Surprised to see a couple of Brentford youngsters in that squad. I thought they ran a reserve side instead of having a youth set-up?

On his day, Semenyo’s unplayable at this level and worth every penny of the £20m asking price being banded around this summer IMO. I thought, however, there were signs teams were beginning to figure him out towards the end of the season and for that reason I think it’s a massive season for Semenyo next year. He’s no longer an unknown quantity and will have to raise his game to maintain the standards he’s already set.

Fantastic signing, this. Wilson’s an outstanding prospect in a problem position for us. He’ll have to work hard to develop and manage the step up, but he had all the attributes to do well. Great to have two young bucks battling for/sharing that RB/RWB role.

Can’t help but feel we look more like a cross between Arsenal and Rotherham, rather than Bristol City. Not keen on this at all.

Most of the content on our official site is extremely poor IMO, and has been since Beanhead left.

I think, and thought at the time, we missed the boat with taking a punt on Twine last summer. I reckon he’s out of our price range now, sadly. He has to be worth around £2m now IMO, if not more.

He fits the profile, for sure, having had seven years in the Chelsea academy and at 24, has scope for improvement. Interesting one, Bolton’s POTY as well.

And who’s the common denominator in all this? SL. Enough said, really.

Can’t say I know anything about Sykes, but he fits the profile of the sort of signings we should be making IMO and adds balance to the squad. We’ve been crying out for pace and width, certainly before Semenyo’s return from injury, and if he can offer us that on the right he’ll be doing well.