steveybadger

Southgate out ? Sorry!

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/21/inside-world-premier-league-football-referees-pgmol-howard-webb-andre-marriner-darren-england?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

I’m sure cash (and votes) are the drivers but I read that of the 200+ nations that can qualify only 78(?) actually have, so the theory is that it increases the chance of smaller countries qualifying. Now I accept that many nations are so small as to be also rans, that it will dilute overall quality (though not the latter stages) and it will be cumbersome, but try telling that to a small nation which might get to experience it for the first time. I wonder that if it is going to be increased to add a last 32 round then it might as well be made 64 teams. At least then you get rid of third place teams qualifying from the group, which to me seems like rewarding failure and is potentially open to some manipulation if a team is in the last group to play. Still rather keep it 32 though.

It might be a bit retrograde but we do have the possibility of going back to a 3 at the back (Tanner Pring Vyner) with Sykes / Wilson (eventually) RWB and Jay on the left. Then play King with Scott in the middle and Andi in last season’s position which might get his mojo back, or Mehmeti. Then Wells and Bell as a 2 up front? Given the time it took Nige to move away from this I don’t expect him to go back to it, but if it fits availability….?

Yes sadly I thought some idiots would do that - sorry to hear that.

True - he’s not getting in the England team ahead of Scott ?

Probably mentioned elsewhere but also thought the scarves on seat thing was a great touch. It would’ve been great had we had any floating fans in, in terms of free gift to encourage back, but given all the tickets were snapped up by season ticket holders or members it effectively rewarded the core support. Plus it made AG looked really red and impressive.

And in the interests of political balance ? https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/feb/27/nigel-pearson-interview-bristol-city-manchester-city-woodland-mongol-rally?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Wow that’s right up there with Southend’s(?) Rose West stand ?

It’s a sign - we are nailed on for a pen now ?

Ok now I wasn’t there today but….. This isn’t meant to be negative; more a voice of realism? I love we have a young team with many home grown elements. I love that we seem to be a tight ship and Pearson deserves credit for this (and disclaimer - I still don’t completely warm to the guy). I love that we are playing good stuff, have a bit of fight in us and have scope to improve further. BUT as we have a young team it is likely to have moments of inconsistency. It isn’t likely we are the new Busby Babes. The Championship is the relentlessly hard work and the moment you drop standards you won’t get many points. However, half (most) of the point of watching games is the ride, not necessarily the outcome. It’s going to be fun watching this team over the next year or so and I for one am really looking forward to it.

I did wonder….

After lots of phone queuing turns out not all my 4+ games had pulled though to my online account, so posting in case anybody else has same issue: you’ll need to phone up ?

Ok so anybody else do this? Logged in as member, Mcfc ticket box has no ‘buy tickets’ option but press on it anyway, then it lets me select seats, add to basket, then get a message saying event is no longer available for use, refresh the screen and gives me option to add to basket again, press that button and end up on the Bristol Sport ticket screen with options to buy tickets for football, rugby or basketball, I.e. back to square 1. Tried it on laptop I pad and phone, always the same. Any help appreciated. Ta for response, all on broadband

Yep

Keeps throwing me out every time I press ‘buy tickets’ - anybody got a tip?

Love that show, love that song!

My lucky red socks single handedly kept us up in the last 10 games of the 12/13 season. Well that and Jon Stead.

Possibly. Or he’s not dumb enough to leave him out

No relegation, progress then next season challenge. That’s how we did second half of the seasons pre promotion in 07 and 15

Already better analysis than Chris Sutton

Nige said he was a bit of tackler other day?

He’s been alright before that tbf

Blimey people enjoy the performance without all the so and so said so and so is rubbish so so and so is a …..

Bloody tease, thought we had a pen!