spudski

9 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

I've watched the team do shooting practice in the warm up...so yeh I can believe that most of them would miss that chance nine times out of ten.

You have a point

6 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

I can't tell you precisely, but the figure is from Infogol and they describe their methodology thus "...shot location and shot type are the two major contributing factors when projecting how likely it is that a goal is scored from any chance. Minor contributing factors include how the chance originated. For instance whether the opportunity followed a fast break, often a proxy for the amount of defensive pressure or whether the build-up was slower or was created from a set piece."

Full description here: https://www.infogol.net/en/blog/education/an-introduction-to-expected-goals-11112016

If there were defenders in the box and the keeper in position, rather than how it was yesterday, then to score would have been much harder.

He lobbed into an empty unguarded net. That's the difference in this instant. 

To miss an unguarded empty net from that position 93 times out of a hundred, we'd be pulling our hair out surely.

50 minutes ago, DaveInSA said:

 

That second goal…was brilliant. A carbon copy of Foden’s against Brentford. And FYI if you didn’t watch that game, the Sky commentators creamed themselves about the quality.

I also think @spudski you have a point about technical ability. I can’t correlate today’s wages with the talent on show. Maybe my expectations are too high? Some of the crossing I see at the highest levels of the game, from players on £40k a week is shameful. 

I agree with you. Imo, at this level, fitness, strength and durability are far superior to a lot of players technical ability.

The wages paid to many, don't really justify themselves.

There are many who have been rejected by Prem teams, or relegated with them, then end up in this league, taking very good wages, knowing full well they aren't good enough for the Prem...yet expect silly money, or did. Hopefully times are changing.

Your point about crossing is a prime example. Perfect pitches, perfect conditions, yet they still some can't find a man in the box.

But even as an amateur footballer (Yate) everyone of us could cross, take a free kick, trap, pass, find a man, and shoot without scuffing it ( have you watched them shooting warming up? Never seen so many scuffed shots or missing the target) We didn't have the fitness, but we made up for it technically. Oddly....even back then, our least gifted player got more trials because of his speed and fitness. 

Nearly every sport has been taken over by fitness and technology. In the past technical ability, feel, touch, reading of game was far superior at this level and below. 

Football, Rugby, Cricket, Golf, Tennis to name a few...all had technically gifted people playing the game as pros. Touch and feel especially. Now it's more about, power, speed, strength, durability, fitness. 

I scratch my head as to why players at this level often can't control a ball properly... especially in such perfect conditions. 

Obviously the very top level have both...but at this level and below I think the standards have dropped.

15 minutes ago, PHILINFRANCE said:

Yes, I must say I agree with you; it was just the sort of goal I used to score frequently.

In training; when there was no defender near me, when there was no threat of a ‘hearty’ challenge from behind, when there was no crowd ready to jeer and boo were I to miss.

Unfortunately, I was very rarely, if ever, able to score such goals in an actual match, which I suppose is one of the myriad reasons I never became a professional footballer and is why I admire players like you and AW for reaching the giddy heights I could only dream of.

In my defence, though, just like AW, I was able to run around a lot.

Sarcasm aside...he is a professional. Used to playing in stadiums with crowds.

I would have been more lenient if it were a young en starting out in his first team career.

There are many non professional players that have better technical ability. 

His other attributes at this level contribute.

I seriously think as fans our expectations from professional footballers at this level has dropped.

Fitness and athletism has taken over from technical ability.

A couple touches to control then volley over a keeper into an empty net...seriously...wtf is so special about that at this level?

His second goal is class...and why he's a pro, and not everyone can do it. 

His first...nahhhh

42 minutes ago, phantom said:

Interesting thing about the first goal is how hard he's hit it. 

From his position a simple lob would have been enough but he's struck it with real aplomb 

 

Seriously...some of these pundits are complete morons. 

Best goal...the third one because he was fastest to react it literally fell at his feet. Everyone else had to move to get to him. 

16 minutes ago, Sheltons Army said:

That’s it then 

Front two next week

Spudski (For his self acclaimed ability and technical skill) (If not busy with his agent friends or playing other professional sports)

and

Rob Atkinson (Ian Gay selection)
 

 

 

Jobs a good un

 

 

 

I'll be busy...but thanks for the acknowledgement. Carry on with your mud pies...

18 minutes ago, chinapig said:

So you expect us to be able to sign players who are good at everything?

Perhaps when we finally catch up with Man City.

No...you know that's not the case. I want players that fit a system.

Not players that would be Prem standard if it wasn't for certain weaknesses. Just for the sake of it. 

Prem left overs...that were bought with no system in mind.

It's a ridiculous strategy and part of the reason we are where we are now.

12 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Yes, you over-expect…it’s why don’t we see so much perfect football from all teams though isn’t it.

I think you are massively underplaying the goal.

9/10 to score…don’t make me laugh.  Left (wrong foot) volley with two players close enough to pressure him. 7% probability (1/14) from infogol.

And it’s much easier to do lots of stuff in training.

 

Then standards have seriously dropped. Kinnel...we are paying over £10k a week for that. Should be normal. Seriously Dave...I think we've got so used to seeing players being extremely fit and athletic, at the expense of technical ability. What he did was bread and butter in my day.

12 minutes ago, VT05763 said:

If he could do what he did for his second goal consistently, he'd be another level.

And not playing for us !!!

The only thing stopping him from playing in a lower Prem/Top six Champs team is his inconsistency and much of that could be down to how awful we have been as a team the last 2 seasons.

Exactly what I've implied for a long time. 

Our ethos was to buy players that were extremely good at one thing, and average/ below average at other things.

Kalas, DaSilva, Palmer, Weimann all came under that umbrella.

18 minutes ago, VT05763 said:

Decent Banjo though isn't it ?

Not really...as Red Colin pointed out...NP is happy to have him in the form he is at the moment. He wouldn't say that if it wasn't normal. 

He has his strengths, and his weaknesses.

Today showed his strengths.

If he could do what he did for his second goal consistently, he'd be another level.

2 minutes ago, VT05763 said:

Bristol C 3 - 2 Millwall - Match Report & Highlights (skysports.com)

 

Annnnnnnnd your point is? My comment regarding the goal in that game is correct.

Crikey...every manager has said he's not technically good...and you know what you get with him.

Hence today's first goal wasn't technically hard. 

His second was a great goal.

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Austrian Brummie accent from signing for Villa as a 15/16 year old.

Decent first touch, little thigh touch, wrong foot volley over the keeper.  You do it a massive disservice.

Thought Weimann had a funny afternoon today.  Some really good stuff, passed it pretty well, but I thought it made some bad runs in the mid-first half when we were struggling.  But all in all, I thought he was very decent, besides his goals.

I think Semenyo’s presence creates space for players like Weimann to make dangerous runs.

First touch and finish are exactly what I'd expect at this level. Cmon Dave...are you seriously saying you couldn't do that 9/10 when you played? It's not technically hard. Should be something they do daily in training in different circumstances. Simple at this level.

2 minutes ago, VT05763 said:

This may explain your harshness tbf.

"He does my head in...can't fault his ability to run all day, give his all etc." 

"But he has a foot like a banjo... watching him trying to control a ball is painful..it's foot, shin, knee...freeking everywhere. It's never fully under control. Like a rubber ball tied to a piece of string. So frustrating to watch at this level."

Look at the context that was written in. You've taken something to back your view without context. I also wrote at the same time that he was best centrally and reactionary... exactly like his goals today. No time to think...just reactionary. When he's at his best. I stand by my statement in general for the rest of his game overall.

9 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

Are you talking the first goal? Think you do him a bit of disservice - easy IMO to either a) slash at that and sky it or b) go for a loopy lob that gives the defence chance to get back and cover/clear (it was what, 20 yards plus out?). He was actually being closed down by 2 players, one of which would have blocked if he’d taken another touch.

It was a good first touch and a slightly ‘sliced’ finish that put the right amount of spin and pace on it to lob the keeper but keep it under the cross bar. 
 

Good finish for me. Yes expected, but not totally routine IMO.

1 minute ago, VT05763 said:

Yep agreed.

It does seem an oddly harsh critique of the goal for some reason.

Have gone back and watched it several more times to confirm I wasn't seeing things but around 25 yards out being closed down by 2 defenders and it was a shot not a "simple lob".

Pure quality at any level.

That should be a bread and butter finish for this level...cmon guys...that isn't technically hard. I'd want that opportunity in a game, every week, when I played. Not hard to finish. If you can't raise the ball, first time over the keeper, into an empty net, from 25 yards centrally, you shouldn't be a pro footballer. Bread and butter touch. 

Just now, VT05763 said:

Agree to disagree,

At Championship level that type of chance is missed more often than scored - IMO.

Then standards have obviously dropped. Kinnel...the ball has landed at his feet, controlled, steady, keeper off line, no one closing you down, lob into empty net. If a pro can't do that at this level then God help us. That was standard when I played. Not technically hard. 

14 minutes ago, VT05763 said:

Not so sure about that, superb, calm finish. Looked much easier than it was - IMO

It was...but standard for this level as a professional. Should be finishing that all day long. 

That's why they are paid massive wages...to do that and make I look easy.

There are amateur footballers that would do the same, every time, but don't have his other attributes.

Simple finish at this level imo...unless standards have dropped considerably.

20 minutes ago, Dredd said:

I would normally agree with that statement wholeheartedly but the first goal today was super composed. Lobbing the keeper was the perfect finish

The ball arrived to him fortuatively. Had any other player been in that position, as a professional, I would expect them to score from that position. Keeper miles off his line and not under pressure.

As NP said..he was in the right places at the right time.

Today was a prime example of when he's most effective as a goal scorer.

No time to think...just react. It's when he's best.

Think his second goal was a proper strikers goal. And he anticipated and moved in a way I wish he'd do on a more regular basis.

For everyone of these threads praising him, there will be two after other games doing the opposite.

That's what you've got with Weimann.

If he was technically better he'd be playing for Austria. He hasn't in years.

5 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

I get your point, but it is much easier with the money than without. It doesn’t guarantee things, but when the purse strings aren’t so tight it isn’t as hard. 

And therefore aiming for top six when essentially two of the top six are already taken, you’re now only aiming for four spots, not 6. 

Top 2 on an even playing field would take a miracle imo.

Recruitment and coaching throughout the Club is more important imo.

Wasting wages on journeymen pros, who go from club to club is more damaging. 

Does anyone else think the excuse of not being able to compete against teams in this division with parachute payments exaggerated?

Granted some teams like WBA and Fulham seem to do well with it. But there are many others who struggle with parachute payments and even get relegated.

Yes...we may never win the league, but I don't see how, like other teams, you can aim for top 6.

I'd say this league is pretty even by the majority.

So whilst it's great to have the money, you still have to buy and sell wisely, and get players motivated and well drilled/coached.

1 hour ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

First time a mate has been in a while.

Not saying that it's terrible but it hasn't really kept pace with the development of the ground.

 

Not the biggest and neither is the range. One thing that surprised a mate of mine is that they seem to have no City masks.

Masks are a necessary evil atm and if any I'd quite like to wear a City one from time to time, they nipped down too for a mate who is looking for some rugby ones.

Surprisingly, not only do they have none but they don't know when they'll have any. One for @JerrySLO perhaps.

Thank **** for that.

At which point did people think having a mask as a fashion statement or showing support was normal or even acceptable? 

So many ' brands' taking people's money for a mask protecting lives. 

It's disgusting imo. Really low. And people have just gone along with it...like it's friggin normal

Didn't I read recently that Bristol is the cocaine capital of the UK?

Just stick it inside your Bristol City requested mask, and no one will know FFS

******* fashion accessory or support on a mask...yep...let's make it the new normal

58 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

Lifelong fan ? 

 

Sorry to pick on these two (could of been a load of others), but it always amuses me that people announce that they aren't supporters anymore as if it matters to anyone except themselves. Just devalues their contribution on this site.

Bit like flouncing off the forum with a long post on why they've left - who the **** gives a shit ?

Just go.

 

I still go...just not a season ticket holder anymore.

It's a bit like falling in love, getting married, being blindly besotted and still caring, but the spark has gone, not feeling the same anymore, and rather than going through the motions deciding to take a break. I can change...but sadly the other half and infrastructure around it won't...just dieing slowly. 

I'd suggest most would stop going if they based it on being entertained. Most go out of habit, seeing mates, having a few beers etc. 

Everyone cares about the Club...they wouldn't be on here otherwise.

Thing is...a great majority moan about how football is run ..but do very little about it. Just words. It won't change unless fans take action.

Perhaps those that are willing to step away and want change, are actually better supporters long term, than those who blindly follow,  moan, but do nothing physically about it. It'll never change if you keep supporting something that obviously isn't working...not the Club perse...but professional football in this country.

We lose £412,000 a week, and have done weekly for 10 years. 

Why the hell would you support that.

Think about it.

14 minutes ago, Tin Soldier said:

Great post. I stopped going to AG this season after 40+ years. Really don’t miss it at all. Got loads of spare £££s to spend elsewhere. Costs me £5/game to watch local football or rugby and I enjoy it more. Football will implode sooner or later. This can’t go on. 

Similar to me. It wasn't so much the money for me, just the ball ache of getting there, either by car or public transport. 

Plus...I was bored with it. It just wasn't entertainment. Regardless of results.

I now watch my local team. Can decide 15 mins before to go, have a few pints, stand or sit anywhere around the ground, see mates etc....plus I find it more entertaining. 

It's been cathartic and feels like FREEDOM.

All for a tenner and no hassles. 

What's not to like.

Just now, maxjak said:

Spot on...........20k a week for most of our players is money for old rope?  I bet they cannot believe their luck? 

The problem you have at this level is that many will never be Prem players and they know it. Too easy to go through the motions, picking up a decent wage without having to bust a gut....or have the desire. Going from Championship side to Championship side.

8 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I present evidence for the defence (or attack in this case!).

 

And what a fluke...that's what I mean, the runs he makes have to have a pin point accurate pass. He doesn't even control the ball on receiving it. Can't trap a bag of cement. Ends up with a goal, through fashion. Defender watching the ball rather than him. Poor defending.

It worked on that occasion...but more often than not...it doesn't.

I will agree he's more effective centrally. 

We need a video showing what happens every game rather than a one off

11 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I don’t disagree that Weimann could do things differently, but the argument was Pato worked as hard as him, which I don’t think he did.  But we can agree to disagree.

Its a bit like the “offside-Kodjia” joke.  Wasn’t until Tomlin signed on loan that we saw someone in tune with his runs.  I think Weimann makes good runs (not always) but I don’t think he always gets the ball.  He has his faults as most of us have posted, but that’s why he’s playing at this level not higher.  Same argument with Pato, with his great technique why isn’t he playing higher?  Andi’s goals and assists have kept us in a relatively safe place.  Pato got 7 in 19/20 across a variety of positional roles.  Nobody (bar Flint) has got more than 5 since promotion and we cry out from goals from midfield / defence.  

I do think too much is made about “purity” of football rather than “effectiveness”.  There is a balance admittedly.  Weimann is not aesthetically pleasing on the ball but he is effective when played in the middle of the pitch.  He is not a (conventional) midfielder though, he has little defensive intuition.

I agree, as I said in an earlier post that he is more effective high and central.

Pato worked harder with his brain and technique. He ran far less, but was more effective overall for the team imo.

Watch Weimanns runs...I have over the years. Many aren't read well. He'll run into a space that is often behind a defender, where its impossible to receive the ball, as the ball route is blocked or into a dead end. 

I've looked again and again...thinking why has Weimann run there, not received the ball, and the ball has been recycled instead of going to him. On further views, it's because although he runs into space...it's the wrong space. Or poorly timed. Often ahead of the play.  He simply doesn't give the passer the correct passing option. He's crap at angles. He'll run in a straight line behind a defender expecting the ball to be passed through the defender. Or if he does eventually create an angle it will be towards the corner flag.

It's cool though...we can agree to disagree