Esmond Million's Bung

Our midfield is nowhere creative enough.

Shame on them if they lose to this shower of shit.

Gutless so far.

OK we look comfortable but FFS Bolton are shit they look like a pub side, the tippy tappy getting nowhere passing looks pretty but when we get into good forward positions the final ball, crossing, corners, free kicks and especially our long balls need to radically improve they are woeful.

If we lose this the team should be ashamed of themselves.

4 minutes ago, BRISTOL86 said:

Kelly. Dasilva not even on bench. Guessing not quite match fit. Same team as sat except Kelly for Bryan 

 

LJ's love child keeps his place yet again.

2 minutes ago, Super said:

Still no sign of the new stand.....

So it looks like the new east stand hasn't arrived yet. I know they said it was quick to put up, but surely 4 days before the game is cutting it a bit fine.

 

The good news is the official from the camping club is free to issue a safety licence once Rovers get an erection.

"Me and my family have no stand to which we have purchased season tickets to watch the football from".

10 minutes ago, BTRFTG said:

A Gashead who writes like Eric Morecambe played the piano : the correct words but not necessarily in the right order.  I also love the flaw in his argument, what makes him think buying a ticket would enable him observe football being played? 

5 minutes ago, SimonR said:

You are right BTR, Its worse every time i read it!  As for the sag...

I agree football?, stand?

Clarke looks and talks like a man at the end of his rope, a man who has finally realised that the man with the nice watch and his family are full of shit and the people brought in as mouthpieces to try to spin their bullshit are full of shit as well.

The sale of Harrison might see them through this season but I would be amazed if Clarke is still there at the end of this season, he looks like he is heading for a breakdown.

Just had a look at Forest's equaliser.

Pack was on the halfway line for my money needed to be in a far more defensive position and a ball headed over him took him out of the game completely, he only arrived in our box as the ball hit the back of the net.

Baker was weak twice once on the halfway line when to be honest a foul might have been more appropriate and again when defending the header.

Brownhill was ambling back trying to cover for Pack.

The only person who came out of the goal with any credit was Eliasson who actually managed to stop their man trying to cross, but sadly he was left with 2 to mark and a pass back to the other guy resulted in the cross for the goal.

That said although we looked rocky for another 10 minutes or so, little by little we managed to wrestle our way back into midfield contention, something that has hardly if ever happened in the past 2 years and the introduction of Smith cemented that, it looked for all the world after the equaliser that we would go on to lose that game, so that was an improvement.

To be honest it was not a great game, it was a game that lacked skill and I cannot understand people purring about Forest because apart from the equaliser they never looked like scoring, whereas we had 2 cleared off of the line and Bryan's shot the a striker should have followed up on.

We have to go to Bolton looking for a win, these are games we should be looking to win if we are actually to show that we are still improving.

41 minutes ago, JamesBCFC said:

I'll keep an eye out for those things when the game is up on BCTV.

Taylor could well take Patersons spot during these 5 games, and if he was the better performing today then him starting the next wouldn't be objectionable.

I like the idea of COD and Eliasson wide and Brownhill in the middle, so reluctant to put one of them more central.

Forgot about Adelakun because he's not been mentioned much, is he fit?

I do think Eisa and Weimann could be a good partnership, though on paper Diedhiou (when back) and Weimann, or Diedhiou and Eisa would be my first pick longer term.

Just read this from LJ out for 10 to 14 weeks after an ankle op.

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/lee-johnson-confirms-injury-blow-1862579

9 minutes ago, BobBobSuperBob said:

Understand what you’re getting at EMB   and that’s the dilemna

We want IMHO , Pack getting the ball and being the conductor and Smiths energy pressing high

But it would also be ideal to have Pack passing balls around their box and Korey as a defensive safety net when we get broken in as , if the defence are in the ***** , as you rightly point out it’s normally Smith that bales us out

If we are going to play out then Pack (IMHO) needs to be in close contact with keeper / Centre Halves at that point 

That’s the dilemna

Of course a Great passer who tackles like a terrier and has lots of energy , covers ground ,and has real bite would be good, !!!!!!!

and cost a lot of money !!

Welcome to the Club  Mr Smith-Pack

or perhaps we could clone them and have two pairs of them !!

 

 

 

 

We do not possess a player who can unlock defences, in fact we run out of ideas in and around the opponents box and not even Pack can do that but he is the best that we have got and better than nothing or until LJ sees the light, Smith is not a player who is going to excel with assists but will excel in bailing us out.

1 minute ago, JamesBCFC said:

RE first bit.

Yep, crossed wires on my part, sorry.

I think I'm used to disagreeing with you 

RE second bit (the Paterson part)

It's a conundrum. I do think you are a bit harsh on him, but the general point you make is absolutely true with his dramatic drop off in form post illness.

I think, even while in this poor form he has had spells where he still creates chances, but he goes missing much more often.

He has had consistancy issues throughout his career, but at his age that shouldnt be the case any more. At the moment he wouldnt be in my first choice 11, but with Diedhiou out for another 5 games it is a tougher decision.

Not really I thought Taylor did more when he came on and some players were tiring at that time. Adelkalum can play there, Eisa could probably play there, at a push COD or Eliasson can play there.

On another point I was also slightly disappointed with twice during the game Paterson in the first half and Brownhill in the 2nd both got into good scoring positions on the edge of the box and both attempted to caress the ball in instead of lacing it, also I believe that Bryan was entitled to expect a striker following up on his 2nd half strike that their keeper pushed back into the danger area.

2 minutes ago, frenchred said:

That point may keep us up at the end of the season

Post of the day.

1 minute ago, BobBobSuperBob said:

If it helps EMB I think  his place is looking in danger

COD has shown last season his qualities , Elliasson was excellent first half and looks a much better player than he did last season

And I can’t see Diedhiou or Weimann missing out to Patterson

Thats ignoring any impact Watkins or Adelukan may have 

Think he needs to up his game / contribution as I’m not sure where he starts when Famara is back

 

I thought that last season mate but LJ found a way of shoehorning him in, but as ever I live in hope.

50 minutes ago, BobBobSuperBob said:

Liked the Centre Halves splitting and Pack dropping in between to receive the ball

Not sure when Korey came on why he was then designated that role 

Pack is better at it and Koreys energy would have been far more useful higher

 

Surely Pack's passing is why he should be the more forward player, Smith made 3 timely tackles one was brilliant when they were attacking in our box, Smith is far better at that IMO.

3 minutes ago, JoeAman08 said:

Bit moot because I don’t think he is a starter long term anyway but not sure I have ever seen him so annonymous. I have seen plenty where he gets on the ball and gives it away but not one where he had so few touches. For Pato to be effective he needs to be on the ball and today, playing centrally, barely touched it. 

Again your comments amaze me because, I cannot think of another person who believes he is better out wide and not a starter long term really?, I cannot recall him being dropped much at all last season and I fully expect him to start at Bolton next week, that is what happened for most of last season, I don't see it changing this season.

Also playing him wide?, at least Eliasson (who has improved) and COD are some help defensively, Paterson is a liability.

5 minutes ago, JoeAman08 said:

Yes think he finds more space roaming from the left where it is harder to mark him. Of course he could roam from a central position but rarely did and barely touched the ball as a consequence. Even in his poor form he was getting on the ball but just didn’t look as sharp after a combination of burnout and virus. We saw him play centrally today and probably the worst I have seen him. Like he had no idea where to be

Well I can think of quite a few worse performances and boy there is a lot to choose from.

2 minutes ago, JamesBCFC said:

I generally find your reports to reflect on the game a bit more negatively than my own, but that is simply a matter of opinions.

However with your report on the game today you werent particularly negative and did say a few positives, but did highlight some concerns (not a criticism at all, but a good thing).

So I actually took your thoughts on the game as a positive thing.

 

I was more referring to the likes of Keepuplino and Wolf who have been open saying they still dont want LJ here (or words to that effect) being among the most critical today.

I know you were, I wasn't trying to defend myself, I was actually trying to defend you because I believe that you are correct this time.

Personally I don't care what people think about my reports, I try to be as honest as I can based on what I have just witnessed, I don't have an overriding need to be right either, because all I am interested in is seeing City progress but until we see consistency for me it will be the same old same old, I don't really have favourites within the team (I am a bit too old for that) and I know it might be difficult to believe but I don't dislike Paterson but I cannot see what over the now past 23 games he gives us I really don't, but I would love to see him tear up like some people believe that he did earlier last season, I am fed up about hearing about some of our players 'there is a good player in there', I can only judge in the here and now.

16 minutes ago, JoeAman08 said:

Missed Diedhiou today. Thought that was a huge difference. Pato still better as a wide option imo. Bit deeper and easier for him to find space. Maybe start against lesser teams who look to get behind the ball and defend deep. 

COD didn’t look quite right but got some good minutes. Thought Pack and Brownhill were good but Watson and Guediora were better. 

I'm sorry mate I really cannot let that go.

The woeful form of Paterson in the final 22 games of last season was blamed by his glee club as being because he is a 'number 10' and not and never will be a wide player which where he played those 22 games, today he played 'number 10' and you claim that he is better as a wide option?????

4 minutes ago, JamesBCFC said:

Vast majority of those being extrenely negative are those who openly dislike LJ.

Surely just a coincidence

I still remain unconvinced by LJ, mainly because I fear that consistency from his teams will always be a problem.

However I did see several things today that were different and impressive and hopefully something that we can build on.

But I hope that playing Paterson come what may is not going to be the norm again this season, he has started the season in the same form as he left the last 22 games of last season and could have cost us the game on 3 occasions in 15 minutes during the 1st half.

I did not see the same beauty in Forest that some seem to have seen but maybe that is just another stick to hit LJ with.

I am reasonably happy, just a few tweaks for me and of course a creative midfielder who can unlock defences because that is one thing we do not have anywhere on the books.

1 minute ago, Red_Wizard said:

Sounds better. Indeed, still lacking a Paul Hartley type of midfielder 

Yes we are, either that or maybe lacking the correct formation with what we have perhaps?

2 minutes ago, joe jordans teeth said:

That will come for forest when they have played a few games together 

It might, but I am not so sure personally.

1 minute ago, Super said:

Just about deserved a draw poor second half. Forest are a good team.

Disagree I thought we were well worth a point and Forest might become a good team but look too much like a lot of individuals to me.

5 minutes ago, Red_Wizard said:

@Esmond Million's Bung were you at the game today? If so, was our midfield non-existent as normal?

 

I watched on BCTV.

Our midfield was great for most of the first half Pack was excellent all game apart from the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half, Brownhill was my MOM I thought he was our best player and probably the best player on the pitch, COD not really in the game maybe not fit, Eliasson started well but tired in the last 20 minutes he was on but his defensive work was much better.

What was different with our midfield today was that after a really poor first 15 minutes in the 2nd half we managed to get back our composure and looked good again, normally I would have expected our midfield to have totally caved in, but we need Smith to start IMO.

The minus for me was we still lack a player to unlock defences.

I have to say I am sort of OK with what I saw today, after starting the 2nd half surrendering midfield and shipping the inevitable goal by the hour mark I feared the worst and expected our midfield to completely crumble but the introduction of Smith and Taylor strengthened our midfield assisted by the removal of Paterson.

I hope that for the next game LJ starts with Taylor rather than Paterson, he offered nothing today apart from putting into trouble and Smith for COD.

The keeper looks ok, I must say I quite like Hunt, he is robust and just keeps going, perhaps what people don't like about him is that he looks a little ungainly, Webster is quality, Baker is quality but sometimes is far too casual, Joe had a mixed game but mostly good, Eliasson tired towards the end but he has improved and will continue to improve, I hope that LJ shows him the same sort of patience that he shows Paterson. Brownhill was my MOM he played well throughout, Pack excellent in the first half, really poor for the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half and excellent from then to the end, ODowda does not look fit to me. Wiemann what an engine we might not miss Reid as much as people think.

Smith one very loose pass but some great interceptions at very important times, we need him to start. Taylor as I said offers far more than Paterson and his link up play is far better.