Merrick's Marvels

I getcha, but... New manager in the summer = different prospects for the club, that loan doesn't have to be repaid just yet if they're not relegated ... and who says Brownhill wants to leave??

Why would Burnley sell if they're still in the Prem?

Would have been great for us. But if Gareth Southgate thinks he's an international centre half, I worry for his sanity!

Undoubtedly has an eye for goal - that talent is obvious. But nowhere near athletic or physically dynamic enough for modern pro football. He was worth a look and its good to know we've eyes on the local talent as, down the years, there's been too many local players we've completely missed (Ashley Barnes at Paulton; Darren Peacock from Hartcliffe ffs) Good luck to the lad but this is the right decision.

Pondlife.

Let's hope he's not another Bakinson!

Did we ruin Chester's lap of honour that day? Lap of embarrassment more like - I see they finished bottom and had to apply for re-election, although they didn't play like it that day. They also had a centre-forward called Coy - what a terrible name for a footballer.

I completely agree with you. But we have to be honest on this one - it was complete luck. Brian Tinnion wouldn't have been anywhere near Grimsby if we hadn't loaned them a player. Pure serendipity. Much work still needed on the recruitment side going forward, although the fans scouting group is obviously a step in the right direction.

Steaming horseshite from start to finish. You can create a fantastic atmosphere in support of your team without acting like selfish d1kheads.

Well done Boro. Any chance anyone at City wants to grow a pair and do likewise?

Probably because they're morons?

Divorcees?? These pricks would be so lucky.

I hesitate to say this but... What we need this summer to get rid of deadwood like Kasey Palmer (and one or two others) is a CEO who's a top notch snake oil salesman. What we need is.... Mark A - no, I can't bring myself to say it.

Ordinarily I would agree. However, they're trying to paint Cardiff City as a bunch of appalling scumbags and I'm struggling to find fault with that.

Macboatfacegregorymcgregor likes the look of him! Well, that's a relief.

Don't forget we're a phoenix club, too! The trailblazing original one, at that ?

Very few City players have got 20 league goals in a season at Tier 2 level. So have a Thatchers on me tonight, fella. Prost!

Yes it might well turn out like that. But it's all about learning the game for Benarous - and Pearson learning about him. This afternoon may, or may not, prove a steep learning curve but it will surely stand him in good stead. And we can't be relegated, so what's to lose? Irrespective of the result, today's about backing up a good performance last time out - both for Benarous and the team as a whole.

Maybe injured. Maybe rested. Maybe out of form. He's young. It's his first season at this level. Time is on his side. Why the need to catastrophy?

"Hearts aim to keep 3 English-based loan players next season". Runs the headline in today's Edinburgh Evening News. Brilliant! Read a little further.... "Robbie Nelson admitted he would like to retain striker Ellis Simms, defender Alex Cochineal and forward Ben Woodburn". Which says it all.

Who the f!k said that?????

True, although as Head of Communications he had the good sense to stick someone on tannoy duty who was a City fan and also, crucially, wasn't a prize pr1ck. Do you need to be a City fan? Of course not. Do you need to be a football fan, even? Of course not. But it sure does help, as "Downsy" demonstrates week after week! It's the little things that count. At a time when rather too many supporters are turned off by the whole Bristol Sport thing, and feel increasingly disconnected from their football club, it really doesn't help if you sack off employees who were not only excellent at their jobs but also City fans themselves, and replace them with buffoons. That only makes rather too many supporters feel disengaged and the matchday experience feel like something to be endured not enjoyed.

We can't afford him.

Yes, the Kalas comments were in the same interview I'm thinking of, now you mention it. It was also a classic example of what makes me despair about our local journalism. As soon as Pearson used the word "thug" I thought - blimey! It just leapt out at you. It begged a follow up - "That's an interesting word to use, Nige. Can you expand on what you mean by thug?" But the dull journo didn't react at all, of course, just pressed on with the next pre-prepared, obvious question. It's difficult to make those interviews interesting, they mostly follow a predictable pattern, so missing - being oblivious to - the chance to ask something other than "Is Joe Williams fit this week" etc is plain dumb. Talk about missing an open goal.

Interesting, didn't know that. Fair play to him. The fact he also had the nuts to accept (ask for?) reduced terms on a new contract because he wanted to stick around and prove himself, you have to wonder.... .... is he too clever to be a footballer? Certainly a Centre Half - they're a special breed ?