havanatopia Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 (edited) Good morning one and all. I would like to wish everyone a very healthy and happy 2016 and hope the Christmas cheer, usually on offer around this time, may be extended at least until 5pm today in Reading. The mere fact of mentioning it should tell the more casual of readers that this is no ordinary first match of the new year. That the team we all hold close to our hearts is struggling is enough to rouse emotions that often spill over into words that, in the heat of the moment, seem right but upon later reflection are out of place. This is far from a sermon because I, like possibly all of us, have been guilty of writing sentences that later on I regret. At times I do wish that there was an edit button a little longer than the approximately 20 minutes. The forum is a marvellous medium for espousing views of all kinds; we are very fortunate in the ability to do so yet we take it for granted every week. I am fortunate enough to travel a lot for work visiting other cultures. It never ceases to amaze me how many countries around the world offer only a small fraction of the freedoms we enjoy in our rather small island. We are all masters of our passion for sport, football and a team, perhaps the only team, from the marvellously noble city of Bristol. Today is no ordinary match but then I suppose no match ever is. However, it feels so. New year, lose again and we risk having to exponentially win so many in the remaining half of the season that the odds start running away from us. More than that every player could be considered to be playing for their ‘right’ to play into February when, we all hope, the squad will be bolstered by the ‘salvage squad’ who walk through the door, sign up and proudly done the crest of Bristol City Football Club. We need those signings perhaps more in the next 31 days than we have done in living memory; the thought of a relegation with a 27,000 all seater stadium is not very palatable. New year is usually a period of reflection is it not? How important Bristol City is in that reflection or how utterly irrelevant it is in the wider scope of things is for each one of us to judge personally. We are fortunate the club will be here tomorrow thanks to an owner the majority of clubs would crave over. So life goes on. And in the context of reflection and life, on this day in 1971, it was cruelly taken from sixty six football fans at Ibrox Park Stadium, Glasgow when they were crushed to death. A minute of silence is probably something on the agenda in Scotland today if not England. In order not to dwell too much on that sad anniversary we can remember on this day in 2005 when eleven year old Sylvia Lucas prepared to be reunited with with her parents having been rescued following the tsunami disaster after clinging to a piece of wood for 24 hours. I am clinging to the hope City can leave the Madjeski Stadium today with their pride somewhat restored. I suppose for that to happen we simply must avoid defeat. Will anybody dare predict a draw or even a win? I leave that as an open question to avoid ending on a negative note again. I am sure the City fans travelling down the M4 today will give their heart and soul in their vocal support. Your support, at the stadium, around the country, is absolutely vital. A truly stupendous effort. 2016 is going to be one huge roller coaster and January will tell us if City, the club, are at least making every possible effort to remain in this league. I am confident they will and, as a result, we will be playing Championship football next season. Good luck to everybody in 2016. Edited January 2, 2016 by havanatopia 17 Quote Link to comment
Major Isewater Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 First of all , Happy new year to you H ! Thank you for your dedication to the match day threads and OTIB . You are spot on with your comments ,i have publicly stated that i think Cotts should go , for obvious reasons . It is just my opinion but some posters feel i 'm undermining the club in making such a statement , so in some ways i regret sharing my opinion. i feel it's already too late to bring in a new man so hope Cotts makes my doubts look ridiculous , starting with a with in Reading that would make all those in favour of change look Berks . 7 Quote Link to comment
Goatersfloater Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Quality post that I am predicting a 2-1 away win Goals from Flint & Kodjia COYR You reds You reds............ Quote Link to comment
CotswoldRed Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 There is always hope. And like the vomiting Brighton player on the pitch yesterday, we can all hope the Reading players had too much to drink on New Year's Eve You Reds. Quote Link to comment
chipdawg Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Got a good feeling about today. City to win 2-1, Kodjia and Wilbs 1 Quote Link to comment
Offside Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Great post from havanatopia. Wish I was travelling along the M4 to watch the game but funds and family commitments wouldn't allow. I can't help myself thinking about what a fabulous result it would be if we could win today. Then I remember how Reading outplayed us at AG earlier in the season. Tough game. Hope Cotts and the team rise to the challenge. 1 Quote Link to comment
redsquirrel Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 2 hours ago, Major Isewater said: First of all , Happy new year to you H ! Thank you for your dedication to the match day threads and OTIB . You are spot on with your comments ,i have publicly stated that i think Cotts should go , for obvious reasons . It is just my opinion but some posters feel i 'm undermining the club in making such a statement , so in some ways i regret sharing my opinion. i feel it's already too late to bring in a new man so hope Cotts makes my doubts look ridiculous , starting with a with in Reading that would make all those in favour of change look Berks . berks at berks. very good (im guessing reading is berkshire ?) Quote Link to comment
Flagon Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Fans are doing our part by continuing to turn up in good numbers. Over to the players now to do their part today. For all those able to go today, let's get right behind them from the start and not let up. Come on you reds!!!!!!!! 2 Quote Link to comment
exAtyeoMax Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Reading will be without Michael Hector through suspension when they host Bristol City. Winger Ola John (hamstring) may be absent but Aaron Tshibola (ankle) may return. From BBC Quote Link to comment
Unan Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Does anyone have an updated figure of how many we've sold so far? Quote Link to comment
The Red Planet Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 11 minutes ago, Griffin said: Does anyone have an updated figure of how many we've sold so far? I believe we have sold out our initial allocation of 2800 tickets but POTD is available so we should be over 3000 ! A fantastic turnout - considering our recent form. Quote Link to comment
Unan Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 1 minute ago, The Red Planet said: I believe we have sold out our initial allocation of 2800 tickets but POTD is available so we should be over 3000 ! A fantastic turnout - considering our recent form. We sold out the 2800 a few days ago, a friend rung up this morning to book tickets late and the woman on the phone said it's been non stop all morning, hundreds buying last minute tickets! Quote Link to comment
Shtanley Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 We Burns winner Quote Link to comment
Welcome To The Jungle Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Getting a lift up with two Reading fans before going into the away end on my todger. Could be a long journey home. 1 Quote Link to comment
CotswoldRed Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Just now, Welcome To The Jungle said: Getting a lift up with two Reading fans before going into the away end on my todger. Could be a long journey home. Be safe in the knowledge you support a proper club. When they were at Elm Park none of the current brigade bothered to go. 3 Quote Link to comment
WhistleHappy Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 6 minutes ago, Welcome To The Jungle said: Getting a lift up with two Reading fans before going into the away end on my todger. Could be a long journey home. Hmm, Words rearranged in above sentence could produce amusing one liners worth 'Reading' ... (todger, end away, etc) -over to you lot, lets hear 'em (can add up to 3 words of you own) Quote Link to comment
JoeAman08 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 I said it in another thread, I have a good feeling about today. Similar to how I felt before the Forest game which is probably our best performance of the season. 2-0 or 3-1. Reading has so much quality but seem to have hit a mid season block. It doesn't make any sense to fancy us but I do. COYR 1 Quote Link to comment
Portland Bill Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 37 minutes ago, Griffin said: We sold out the 2800 a few days ago, a friend rung up this morning to book tickets late and the woman on the phone said it's been non stop all morning, hundreds buying last minute tickets! A lot of local football matches have been postponed, so I would imagine a lot of lads who normally play on a Saturday will now be going to Reading instead. Quote Link to comment
Garland-sweden Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Reading is not in form as we are. Think we have 50-50 to win. Always Believe. Coyr Quote Link to comment
havanatopia Posted January 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 (edited) 1 hour ago, The Red Planet said: I believe we have sold out our initial allocation of 2800 tickets but POTD is available so we should be over 3000 ! A fantastic turnout - considering our recent form. Truly stupendous effort. 1 hour ago, Griffin said: We sold out the 2800 a few days ago, a friend rung up this morning to book tickets late and the woman on the phone said it's been non stop all morning, hundreds buying last minute tickets! Humbling how many are going given our league position. Imagine if we were at the right end of the table. 16 minutes ago, Garland-sweden said: Reading is not in form as we are. Think we have 50-50 to win. Always Believe. Coyr City Last 6 - W1, D2, L3 Reading Last 6 - W1, D0, L5 I see what you mean! Appreciate the compliments.. as always, thanks. Edited January 2, 2016 by havanatopia Quote Link to comment
TheCulturalBomb Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Not expecting anything from this game, absolutely killed us at Home, quick and brutal on the counter-attack. They have a worse form guide than us though, which is saying something. Reading 2 - 1 Bristol City Quote Link to comment
Redrobbin Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 (edited) 1 hour ago, Garland-sweden said: Reading is not in form as we are. Think we have 50-50 to win. Always Believe. Coyr We are in form? I do hope we can get something from this game. Sneaking a win would be awesome! But my head tells me it's going to be a tough day of the lads. Edited January 2, 2016 by Redrobbin Quote Link to comment
samo II Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 15 minutes ago, Redrobbin said: We are in form? I do hope we can get something from this game. Sneaking a win would be awesome! But my head tells me it's going to be a tough day of the lads. The only thing I hope is that with two heavy defeats on the road behind us the team go out with nothing to lose, and perhaps by showing no fear we can nick something. We need Leeds, Forest and next league opponents say Preston to do us some favours today. Quote Link to comment
Murraysrightplum Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Sticking my neck out for a draw. The away following enough to rouse a good 0-1 first half performance but tiredness, lack of confidence and no substitutions or change of tactics let Reading back in second half with a late equaliser. Many will say 1-1 is a good away point but if we want to stay up we need to win these. Hope I'm wrong and we batter them obviously!!! Quote Link to comment
Fordy62 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Being a Bristol City fan is all about maintaining hope on a Saturday irrespective of what occurred the previous matchday. For that reason I'm predicting we walk away with all three points. 7 Quote Link to comment
nickolas Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Last time i went to reading we won 2-0 a few years back. Also saw us win 3-1 there so think i'm at 100% for away games here! Hoping for more of the same and the 'we're just to good for you' chant to be resurrected!! Quote Link to comment
I am the mole Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 On our way coyr! Weather is ******* shite though! We will win 3-0 Derek Williams 2 and Korey Smith 1! 1 Quote Link to comment
havanatopia Posted January 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Williams with 2.... ?....... Lorra larfs... Well u never know i guess. Off the backside of Fielding for all we care right?!! 1 Quote Link to comment
djb6162 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 14 minutes ago, I am the mole said: On our way coyr! Weather is ******* shite though! We will win 3-0 Derek Williams 2 and Korey Smith 1! Be difficult Derek won't play today Quote Link to comment
Nogbad the Bad Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 6 minutes ago, djb6162 said: Be difficult Derek won't play today If that means Joe is considered to be back to his best then I'm pleased to hear it. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.