Merrick's Marvels

Yes indeed but even then, when it came to the properly competitive drills involving contact, he was off with the U21s, not in the thick of it with the first teamers. So it's steady as we go with him. And why not, he's got the potential to be a massive player for us.

Not there, same as Atkinson - it's a long road back from an ACL, especially if you've don't it twice in short order. He's further along his rehab than Atkinson obviously but still way off being ready for first team action. And with a player of his potential, there's no reason to rush him and loads to be extra careful with his recovery.

Why isn't he going to Stoke?

Ffs don't start.

Not a fan of the most successful England team since 1966 then. Interesting. You must be about 12. It's modern football, not just England, that's boring and slow, btw. You can thank Pep Guardiola for that.

Not at centre forward it aint

Boyd (youth keeper) and Omar Taylor-Clarke.

Players now employed as clothes horses and part time models. They want to be having a word with their agents.

If Pearson had arrived earlier - instead of Holden, say - who knows where Massengo would be now. But it's pointless crying over spilt milk, he's history, good luck to him but we look to the future.

We've already offered him a new contract. It's been on the table for 6 months at least: Bristol City offer Alex Scott new contract in bid to ward off Tottenham, Leeds and other suitors - Bristol Live (bristolpost.co.uk) As far as we know, he hasn't signed it. Which tells us.....

Good luck Cav.

Good luck, Joe. Except when etc...

For context, £22M is a shade over 2% of his personal fortune as estimated by the Sunday Times this year.

Yes we get it. 1. You've been supporting City a long time. 2. Have seen us achieve sweet fa in that time. 3. You are frustrated. Now here's the news. 1. Your proposed solution would make the club you love WORSE OFF, because 2. We have to sell players to survive and, as our expenditure exceeds our income by so much, it has to be our best players that we sell. 3. Lots of people share your frustration, especially about the likes of Luton getting promoted ahead of us but not selling our best players won't solve that - having a better manager, better coaches, better recruitment, better youth policy and - above all - better decision making at the very top of our club, will solve it. And btw, Luton got promoted after doing just what you're arguing against - selling their player of the year, one Kal Naismith. We all want a taste of the good life mate but your recipe for doing so won't work for a club our size under its current ownership. And another thing - how do you think Webster would have played for us if Brighton - his hometown club and a Premier League team - had bid for him and we'd refused to sell? He'd have loved that, wouldn't he.

Wow, that's a bargain.

That's a funny way to go about strengthening. Unless it's for the Championship!

Yes I saw that. But they must have a plan to strengthen otherwise he wouldn't be staying, I would have thought. Whether that involves Alex Scott is another matter entirely, of course.

Not sure they're selling Coady. Comments I saw a while ago said he was returning "to be re-integrated into the squad" which doesn't sound like he's got a "For Sale" sign round his neck. They have other sellable assets though, for sure. Agree that Lopetegui wouldn't have stayed unless they have a plan to strengthen. Will be interesting to see how that pans out - I'm surprised he stayed, tbh

Yes, until the penny dropped between his ears about what is required. Since then - first pick at LCB. Which is way - now - I can't see him being left out when fit.

Naismith has been picked every time he's been available. Sykes also. Don't see that changing this season. Can't see Atkinson being left out once he's recovered either.

In the latest Uncut video, Benarous is not included with the 1st team for the full contact drill shown from 12:20 onwards. He's with the U21s and, even then, is keeping himself out of harm's way rather than being in the thick of it. This would suggest he's some way short of a full return to action.

Listen to what Pearson said on Monday. Last season is irrelevant. We start from scratch, from Monday. That goes for everyone, whether that be Tanner, Scott or Lionel Messi. Which is exactly how it should be - it's how you drive standards upwards. It’s a fundamental principle of any successful side. It's how you get rid of cosy, comfortable Bristol City and replace it with a proper team. This has taken too long but finally we're getting somewhere.

Too early to say but it'll be something like: O'Leary - McCrorie - Vyner - Naismith - Pring - James - Scott - new CM - Sykes - Conway - Bell Then again, we might not play 4-3-3, we might play two up top Wells + Conway, we might have sold Scott, who knows? Too early to say.

Yes, I know RR. But do you think that's how it will pan out in reality, given Rees' personal bias and the historic inclination for BCC to bend over backwards for the Blue Few?

Thank you, didn't know the specifics. That is quite a bit bigger. I guess they'll just say - "We won't fill it anyway, so there's nothing to worry about"! And I still believe Rees will make sure everything is smoothed over and waved through, retrospectively if necessary.