Eco

52 minutes ago, BCFC1512 said:

Embarrassing, did they even try this season….

The players did, squad just not good enough. They were under no illusions right from the start of the season with Lauren saying 'we're just little old Bristol City'. 

2 minutes ago, The Original OTIB said:

and Sky Showcase for non subscribers.

Listening on 5 Live sports extra, we held out for 4 minutes.

Man City lost to Arsenal, hope are girls are really up for  it tonight otherwise I fear a battering from Chelsea who need goals.

46 minutes ago, phantom said:

Cheers, I saw that but was surprised nobody had written a review 

• So, until a broadcast TV deal is done it'll be carry on as now with the rich getting richer. Our budget will remain high for the Championship but should we go up it'll be miniscule compared with Prem clubs as there's an 'astronomical' difference in funding.
• At least 7 championship clubs will play in their clubs main stadia next season. Blackburn, Charlton, Sheff Utd, Birmingham, Southampton, Reading & us. Newcastle play at Newcastle rugby.
• London City Lionesses  have been brought by a fabulously wealthy individual who'll invest heavily 
• They want to keep the bulk of the squad but won't stand in the way of players who want to leave, some have relegation release clauses, no names.
• Definitely want to keep Thestrup however would she want to risk losing her place in the Denmark team by playing in the championship...
• We won't have four goalkeepers next season
• General annoyance at the club not being compensated from top cubs for players sold on after reaching 18, eg. Lauren Hemp
• The club will lose £1M this season
• Gavin thought there was enough in the squad to avoid relegation, 6 points is not what he was anticipating however Lauren has credit in the bank for the previous two seasons. Injuries in the new year during those key games with teams around us didn't help.

Wasn't there but based on the listen, probably missed some other things.

23 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

For those going to the fans forum tomorrow (see you there!), the club have finally confirmed that supporters can park on side for free, but need to scan a QR code to validate their parking. Much like those that park to travel on coach travel for the men's away games

 

I was going to original date but can't make this one sadly. I hope some pertinent questions are asked.

9 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

This article is news to me (no pun intended!)

Am aware that this is third WSL relegation for the team, but I wasn't aware that City have been the most-relegated team in WSL history.

I noticed a few omissions: Kaylan Marckese only returned back to Arsenal because of her ACL injury, and actually there have been five different goalkeepers that made WSL appearances (Benedicte Haaland who was on a short term deal came on as a sub in one game)

Also noticed that the writer referred to the team as Bristol City, City, and Bristol all in the same article. Err...

Interesting but I don't think Emma Smith actually answered the headline question!

11 minutes ago, mozo said:

Yes Dave, that's the most eye-opening part for me. He made it sound very much like the board told Manning to change. This might explain why in one presser Manning made made a point of saying 'no one was complaining when the block worked against Southampton and West Ham'.

Which brings us to a strange scenario whereby we actually have Jon L to thank for our success 

Similar to SL telling Pat Lam Bristol need to change, or go back, to their old style. Seems to have worked there too.

1 minute ago, JBFC II said:

It's £8 a game isn't it?

Just for comparison, when Reading were relegated last season, theirs were £70 for adults and £35 for u12s for the season after.

An increase after relegation, to what will (I'd presume) be comfortably the most expensive season ticket in the league, feels quite bizarre

Yep my mistake, but even that seems reasonable.

39 minutes ago, Robbored said:

The only time I watch women’s football is when the England ladies are on TV.

I have never ever watched a women’s match ‘live’. However due the exposure our ladies get on the OS and local bulletins their results are kinda forced onto me.

I honestly couldn’t name one player from the women’s team.

Thank you for your contribution

26 minutes ago, JBFC II said:

Why are season tickets prices rising despite relegation?

They'll still be playing at AG and crowds will be a lot lower?  At less than £4 a game for adults you can't complain about value for money.

41 minutes ago, Erithacus said:

We were needing a win anyway, but an extra point may well be of no importance.

Well, here goes the last game of the season. A season of what has to be seen as a miserable time at Ashton Gate. No points (with no sign of any today!) and a real disappointment all round. Of course, we didn't expect to be fighting for the title in our first season, but to be cut well and truly adrift has been a painful lesson.

However, we also should see our time as one to build on, even if it means those lessons are applied for a spell in the Championship. Several players have made their mark and the team has made some improvements in the approach. I'm not sure of the average age of the side but it must be one of the lower in the WSL. I hope we can maintain a significant presence and that those young players will stay here to carry on the dream. Perhaps we can attract some better players for the start of next season too. Hopefully.

COYR

Average age is 24 apparently. I wouldn't necessarily totally write us off this evening, Furniss made a big difference last week while she was on and we do have a fit squad plus they're missing Shaw. Of course they have their other stars but they might take a while adjusting to playing without their focal point, maybe we could grab a goal in this bedding in period. Call me a dreamer but you never know! 

Hopefully most of the squad will stay. If players like Bentley, Powell, Napier, Harrison, Morgan, Layzell, Connolly, Rodgers, Jones, Syme, Layzell, Thestrup (please) stick around we'll be near the top. It would be interesting to see who's coming through from the Academy U21's. Sounds as though there are some good players there based on the snippets from the City women twitter but there's sod all on the website, that I can see anyway.

Good news, Bunny Shaw not available for Man City on Sunday according to Lauren in her presser. 

1 hour ago, Coach said:

It's been ridiculous. With none of them doing badly at all. Serve Smith right if they all cleared off to better clubs.

 

Yaneltz was good yesterday, the charged down kick notwithstanding.

2 hours ago, phantom said:

Lots of huff and puff but never looked like scoring 

We looked stronger with Furness on the pitch, but once her and Morgan were subbed off our chances were all but done 

I'm at a loss why it took until the 93rd minute to bring on Harrison for defender 

That was the best I've seen them this season at home, possession-wise it felt pretty equal. Thestrup had a great chance blasted straight at the keeper, she also should have been put through by Rodgers (think) 1st half but the pass was overhit. A few goalmouth scrambles and Evans had a decent effort. All in all a decent team performance, especially first half where Furness was a big influence. Kudos to Jasmine Bull, she done well as they say. Personally I like the drummers.

4 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Some key points from the press conference:
- Abi Harrison back in contention for the squad this weekend
- Carrie Jones will be in the squad this weekend but Lauren Smith doesn't know yet if she'll play or not
- Smith still doesn't think there's any major reason why the team hasn't won at home
- A journalist in attendance said "Good luck for Sunday" not realising the game is on Saturday

 

Could this be our first W? Liverpool have nothing to play for, well, 4th maybe.

8 hours ago, phantom said:

The Championship is looking really interesting to see who will be taking our place 

This Sunday (21/04) is:

Lewes (11th) Vs Crystal Palace (1st)

Sunderland (2nd) Vs Charlton (3rd) 

Sunday 28/04 is:

Charlton (3rd) Vs Southampton (4th)

Crystal Palace (1st) Vs Sunderland (2nd)

I hope Lewes stay up, they have a unique stadium and sound a proper club.

1 hour ago, shahanshahan said:

https://www.90min.com/posts/what-are-ffp-rules-womens-football

Article from June 2023; but hopefully still relevant

How does FFP function in the women's game?
There is a lot less financial regulation in the women's game in the United Kingdom and Europe right now and that has led to calls for changes to be made.

In the Women's Super League, there is a salary cap which allows top flight sides to spend 40% of their turnover on wages. The issue with that is that those totals can be merged with the men's team within the same club, so the likes of Manchester United Women can spend 40% of a much larger pot of cash as the overall club of Man Utd generates so much money.

Man Utd's head of group planning and finance that has been recently calling for more financial regulation in the UK women's game so that a small set of teams do not kill the competitiveness of the division.

Speaking at the European Club Association's first women's football summit, Francesca Whitfield said: "Currently in the WSL we have a salary cap system which is 40% of revenue, but that includes parent club income, meaning the larger clubs naturally benefit from shirt deals on the men's side.

"That's creating a gap that is affecting the product and this can't be something that we just address domestically, this has to be something we address on a European level to make sure the European tournaments are the best and we're at the forefront of that."

In the Premier League right now, the rules allow for total losses over a three-year period of £105m. There are penalties in place for clubs that exceed that figure. Whitfield is aware that it is not as simple as copying the rules in the men's game as it is a different financial landscape.

"We can't simply emulate or replicate what we did on the men's side, the game is in a different space and we need to ensure that we can invest but equally attract investment," said Whitfield. "Smaller clubs are not able to invest at that level, so how do we encourage them to do so if it's not a fair playing field and they can't possibly ever be competitive with how things currently are?"

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/womens-football-needs-ffp-rules-says-manchester-united-chief-j632d2sdf

Another article from June 2023, which I can't read because of a paywall.
But it's title & heading are
Women’s football needs FFP rules, says Manchester United chief
Present rules allow men’s clubs to transfer wealth to their women’s team, which it is feared will harm competitiveness

Aren't Man Utd one of those clubs?! They appeared to have more support staff, coaches etc, than players in their huddle following the win over Chelsea.

44 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

In true NTTDS style, here are most of my away day photos!
Meadow Park in Borehamwood is a nice little ground. Not sure how long Arsenal will play there as they continue to have more games at the Emirates.
I'm definitely in no rush to go again but at least I can say I have now been!
 

 

Great stuff. Good to see a large contingent of Reds made the trip. 

18 minutes ago, Spoons said:

Layzell comes on and sets up Arsenal for the 5th goal with a shocking pass

We've had hundreds of shocking passes this season tbh

3 minutes ago, phantom said:

Is it these (after 70 minutes) 

Nope it was our record in previous seasons v Arsenal plus the fact we'd lost xxx number of games after trailing at half time. Thanks for posting these though, scary enough.

2 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

six

Not yet!

0-4

The stats the commentator on FA Player is reeling off are not a good listen.

0-2

I do like the crowd singing.