Red Skin

I like Sykes.  Got a bit of attitude about him. 

Thanks for all the replies.  Gonna change my VPN and give it another go.  

Fantastic as a player and you could make a case that he's even more valuable to the club now.  So pleased he has been given a strategic position in the club to ensure young players progress.   Thanks for the memories Tinman. 

7 hours ago, Super said:

I went for Vyner and Scott. 

On a sidenote would it not be better to do the men's and women's separate? I expect lots may not have heard of a lot of the players and might randomly pick one.

True.  Who's this Scott you mention.  Is she any good? 

Watching via VPN isn't working for me.  Keep getting blocked.  (They let me pay for the package though!)  Anyone else? 

Nice to hear your son had such a great time.  

16 hours ago, Norn Iron said:

 

Having lived on this island for nearly 20 years I can't see how that font is supposed to be Irish.

Spot on.  Nothing Irish about it. 

45 minutes ago, CrackingCheeseGromit said:

Keith Weller always springs to mind.

31 minutes ago, Midred said:

Orange balls? 

Steve Jones surely? 

As a carer I get a free ticket when I purchase my son's season ticket, so I have no complaints.   I think the club has done great with reduced ticket prices for young people.   I have three kids and have been able to afford season tickets for all of us until they were earning and could get their own.  

10 hours ago, marmite said:

I have this thought about Vyner getting injured Tuesday. 

You may have a point.  This is getting serious now.   I don't think we should play Vyner or any other players capable of playing CB.   Seems drastic, but the only option now if not to play any CBs at all, so we can ensure we always have CBs available.   

Good listen. Thank you.

Be interesting to see if Jason could get an opportunity to manage us.  Obviously, recruiting from within is tricky if like Holden you are associated with a previous manager who was was relieved of his duties due to downturn in performances etc.  However, NP is a manager who I can see leaving even if things are going relatively well, just because he either wants a new challenge once he has done the hard work to set the club in the right direction, or he just wants to go for some long walks and feels that life is bigger than football.

I can see NP appointed as DoF once he's sorting our mess out (which he is well on the way to doing) after his tenure and JE stepping into the managers role. 

37 minutes ago, RedM said:

I think it's a really nice squad we have at the moment and I am enjoying watching them develop, but I am also mindful that we won't be able to hold onto some players, Scott, for too much longer.

There seems to be such good spirit within and I think this largely comes from there being no 'big' names, no one here for one last pay cheque and wanting an easy ride. We have had far too many of those players in the past which has dragged everyone down. Young players progress was previously blocked by a bloated squad of semi-retired players. The younger players have been a breath of fresh air and have really stepped up.

Talking of young players, I believe a lot of credit has to go to Nahki Wells regarding the effort and encouragement he in particular has given to many of them. And he has become the most unlikely hero at AG, fantastic to see his reaction after the final whistle to his name being sung. Well done and thank you Nahki, you are part of our progress

I would still hope for a season long loan back if he is bought in the summer.   He is developing nicely in the Championship.  

13 hours ago, Silvio Dante said:

I’m not buying it.

Saving your cash for when SL sells instead eh? 

2 hours ago, Glen hump said:

’ he doesn’t go smartly dressed 

I suppose he's rushing to get there, and only has time to put on an undercoat. 

10 minutes ago, B1ackbird said:

Agree mate, I suppose a chance to work in the Premier League iwas too good to turn down..

It's strange in a way that the Southampton board didn't have the strength of their own convictions and stick with their choice as manager....

Agree.  He is probably the man to get them back up if they are relegated. 

2 hours ago, bearded_red said:

The thing about Ian Gay is that he absolutely loves Ian Gay.
 

Ian Gay would give Ian Gay a solid 8/10 for most podcasts.  

I do understand you have to take these jobs when become available, but I really wonder if a coach like Jones that needs to embed his style of play would be better off holding out for a position where he has the whole summer to work with players. 

Kal Naismith was very generous in his praise of Jones as a coach, and what he did with Luton is remarkable so he must have ability despite his critics on here. 

If we are to play on the front foot with a high press and hit teams on the break, then we will need to use the full quota of sub's to keep the attack fresh.  All our attackers will get planty of minutes and feel involved. 

12 hours ago, cidered abroad said:

After watching the video, how did we get him so cheaply?

O'Dowda looked amazing in his showreel too!!  The difference here is that NP will trust him play his own game and have players around him that'll help him shine. 

I still think we coached all the O'Dowda out of O'Dowda.  Shame.  

There's very few players that can drift past opponents so effortlessly and break the lines like Scott can.  I don't think you can teach that.  Can't wait for the second half of the season to watch the interplay between Scott, Mehmeti, Cornick and Bell (and next season Benarous).  I don't think many championship defence will be able to live with the speed of thought and play.  We'll be devastating on the counter.

7 hours ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

City don't get thousands travelling from all over the country for home games like United do. 

I wonder if perceptions are down to age?  I grew up in the 1970 when all the glory hunters were Liverpool fans. Obviously United had success in the 60s winning the European Cup, but for my parents generation the love of Man United (which was passed on to their children) and their universal popularity across the country were probably more down to two things.  The heartbreak of the Munich air in 1958 which touched the hearts of the whole country and for my parents (being Irish) was the admiration they had for George Best.

Growing up in the 70s United did have a spell in the second division and their crowds were regularly the highest in all divisions.  I'd wager at that the time these were almost exclusively Manchester/Salford based so in terms of support they aren't that different to City's.

Obviously United success in the PL era has brought them more fans across the nation and internationally.  That'll happen for any club achieved sustained success.  It is happening to Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and all the rear.  That doesn't make their support less real and somehow something to be sneered at.  It has priced out some of the local fans which is the real sadness about the globalisation of football. 

Personally I love the fact we have a small and dedicated set of Swedish fans.  I value their support as much as any Bristolian fan.  All are welcome.  We are all one family.

Anyway.  Thrilled and slightly nervous to be playing Man City.  Whatever the result it's a massive test for our young academy players, so I can't wait to see how they get on. Hopefully Scott v Grealish will be a duel we'll all get to see.

Not sure about dead wood, but plenty of dead space in this thread. 

On 16/01/2023 at 08:02, SecretSam said:

...I can call him that 'cos I went to school with him! 

Anyway, it's been an absolute privilege having Richard Gould in charge at Bristol City, and I'm gutted he's going.

No, to used to take my dinner money and flushed my head down the toilet on more than one occasion.  To be fair he did just get with it in a quiet way without seeking the limelight, so he'll get my respect for that.   

Congratulations Sam.  Watching these homegrown players make an impact is fantastic and one of the main reasons I go to football, along with watching attacking play.  I appreciate that NP has his faults, but he has managed the introduction of our academy players really well.  Long may it continue.