Eco

2 hours ago, redkev said:

Could be a nasty watch tonight against Arsenal

Let's hope not, always believe!

1 minute ago, shahanshahan said:

Napier returns from suspension. Stratigakis starts. Struck drops to bench. Layzell, Jones & Furness back in squad but make bench. Harrison missing from squad

KO 6.45pm. Live on Sky Sports. I'll try post updates while I'm here at Meadow Park

Not bad, I live in hope that Evans will do something. Good to see a stronger bench, hopefully Layzell, Jones & Furness all 100% fit. 

13 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

That is true! Although I think Shania Hayles contract is up this summer (she didn't sign a new one last summer), and Rachel Furness has a one year contract which ends this season

There are others who signed new one year deals last summer e.g. Jazz Bull, Jesse Woolley, but have an option for another year...

Layzell, Thestrup, Connolly? Can't see them wanting to play at a lower level, hope they don't leave obviously. 

2 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Some key points from today's press conference:
- Shania Hayles out of arm sling but not yet match ready
- Rachel Furness in squad contention after playing 45 mins with U21s last week
- Naomi Layzell & Carrie Jones back in training
- In-house 11v11 game took place, Lauren Smith was the ref

 

Lauren also said that long term contracts have been signed (including herself) so even if we go down we could retain a lot of the squad - in theory I suppose.

8 minutes ago, HunstantonRed said:

Blackburn beat Sunderland 5-1 and drew 0-0 with Southampton. Before today only conceded 4 goals in 6 games. John Eustace only 1 win in 12 since taking over.

How did they beat Sunderland 5-1? It beggars belief after watching them tonight.

19 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

According to this article from the England v Sweden programme, Brooke Aspin in what was a 7-3 win over Brighton earlier this month...

If only

On 05/04/2024 at 18:14, phantom said:

More likely they're showing the top two with the chance one of them wins the league that day 

Another TV fixture where I fear for our defence 

Hopefully not as bad a result as 20/21 season!

27 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

City U21 beat Blackburn U21 yesterday 5-0. Probably the most exciting fact was that one of the goalscorers was Rachel Furness! Hopefully this means she'll be match fit for Arsenal next Sunday

(Kudos to a fan page on Instagram who were able to confirm the scorers because the club didn't)

 

I replied to City's tweet asking why there's not a lot of info re. the U21 women on the website etc as it sounds like they're pretty good. Heard nothing back of course. Glad Rachel got a sneaky U21 game!

West Ham v Brighton today, if the Hammers win it's definitely game over for us isn't it?

49 minutes ago, Open End Numb Legs said:

I am generally in favour of refs letting the game flow but he didn't want to make the big calls in the box, particularly for us. Not biased, just too passive. As said, would do well with VAR to make those calls for him. Think he will be a bit embarrassed when he sees the coverage, of course, a ref is only as good as their assistants, if they don't step up.....

Just NO!

12 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Hopefully Furney could be back for the next game against Arsenal on April 14th. Maybe score another wonder goal against them?
 

 

A welcome boost. 

2 hours ago, Midlands Robin said:

On Saturday we went to watch Man City Women v Man Utd women which my lad wanted as part of his Christmas present. 

There were 40 thousand fans in the Ethiad for that game. 

The match day experience was pretty good as well. 

We're throwing away something that's now well established and is worth investment. By not putting any effort behind our ladies we're losing a massive opportunity.

If this was the men's team Lauren Smith would have been shown the door months ago. 

I posted when relegation became inevitable last time we went down (and in similar circumstances with whimper) that we were chucking away a real opportunity to grow the name of Bristol City at a time when the women's game was only going to get bigger and this was before the Lionesses winning the Euros. 

I think Fevs put it perfectly above but I'd like to quote a line from Lotus cars founder Colin Chapman, "If you're not winning, you're not trying"

Lansdown out 

 

 

Not sure if you can put it on Lauren, I think any manager would struggle with the lack of WSL-type quality in the squad, especially midfield, plus long term injuries to Furness, Bentley & others. 

6 minutes ago, Pippintogg said:

Spurs should have scored a lot more. 5 or 6 excellent chances at least. 

Didn't see first half but yep they hit the post twice in last few mins and Spence nearly scored, also Bentley made a good save. We had a couple of half chances 2nd half, Thestrup may be disappointed with her finish when she went through and there was a bit of goalmouth activity towards the without any end product though. My heart sank when Lisa Evans came on. I hate picking on players but she's added nothing since being added to the squad, on the pitch anyway.

Brilliant cut back by Thestrup to where Thestrup should be. Still 1-0 Spurs aren't brilliant.

1 hour ago, shahanshahan said:

Press conference from today.

Some key points:

Smith pleased with Man Utd performance, acknowledges the away support but still wants that home win. Has praise for former City loanee Grace Clinton & Spurs manager Robert Vilahamn.

Jamie-Lee Napier suspended again after being sent off (one match ban I assume as she had two bookings), Carrie Jones has damaged ligaments in her ankle & won't be available for Sunday or probably for Wales in next international break.

Kudos to the journalist who asked about the fans forum that was postponed for no reason that was made public, and Smith replied that it's likely to be held before end of season

 

Wonder who'll replace Napier? Ward did pretty well tracking back after she came on, plus she's quick. I'd go with her. 

11 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

Belated upload from Sunday. My first time to Leigh Sports Village. Initially built (and still used) for rugby league, so there's a lot of references at the ground. Decent enough crowd of 4,254, considering it was United's first game at home in over a month. Probably could have been more if United men weren't at Old Trafford later that day.

Still a great performance compared to previous ones. Shame there were no City goals...
 

Great stuff. If only Shania's shot had gone in or we'd made more use of the corners. Ah well.

15 hours ago, phantom said:

Possibly too late for most, but a decent discount none the less being advertised by "Her Game Too" 

Hopefully will get wider publicity from the women's social media accounts 

 

You'd hope so. Hopefully a decent crowd will turn up, maybe 6-7K for this one.

7 hours ago, Pippintogg said:

Totally agree. The gulf in quality is massive. Thestrup isolated constantly trying to press 3 central defenders. They could just stroll around and find a pass. Setup was about damage limitation, which worked due to poor MU finishing. Still a huge problem holding onto the ball. It's laudable trying to play out from the back, but the players aren't good enough. To many misplaced passes, particularly in midfield. I've said before that there is too much space in the formation of the team. It's too easy for teams to fill these gaps with a press, and force turnovers. Hopefully the players have learnt a lot, not sure about the coaching.  They could struggle in the Championship next season. 

A quality midfielder, or two, is what we've missed all season, Emily Syme is probably the only one who looks comfortable on the ball but her lack of pace is an issue at this level unfortunately. IMO anyway. Not sure we'd struggle next season, depends how many of this season's squad we'd keep I suppose, also there may be talent in the Academy we're not aware of. Signing Thestrup was a stroke of genius but no doubt she'll be off if, or rather when, we go down. 

0-2 final, game over once Napier was sent off. Glimpses of quality, battled their hearts out as usual but Utd strolled it really.

Started this half really well, can hear the away fans.

Hayles hits the post

5 minutes ago, Pippintogg said:

It's going to be a long afternoon.  Like a training game for MU. We drop so deep when they are in possession, their players can play walking football. 

Not too bad after the goal, defensively anyway. Some hefty challenges from Rodgers, Hayles & Napier.  

7 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

Yanez returns to goal. Harrison back from injury but makes the bench. Napier back from suspension 

Clark & Evans drop to the bench. Jones not in the squad

KO 12pm, live on FA Player

Former City players Mary Earps & Millie Turner start for United. Gemma Evans ,& Hayley Ladd on the bench

Hayles' first start this season I think? Glad Napier's back. 

10 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Some key points from press conference today:

Naomi Layzell still injured - potentially out for up to 4 weeks;
Recent illness within camp caused a training session to be cancelled (but everyone affected has since recovered);
Abi Harrison potentially available for Sunday
Carrie Jones picked up knock on training, awaiting scan results;
Liv Clark injured in training, status questionable

Lauren was also asked on her view about player/coach relationships, after Leicester manager (and former City manager) Willie Kirk was suspended pending investigation,  after an alleged relationship with a player at the club

 

Great, losing Layzell & Jones!  Will be interesting to see if Shae or Fran replace Clark. We played OK against Utd at home, they're a bit fragile maybe we can get a sneaky point, or 3. 

50 minutes ago, Dr Balls said:

Enjoyed the fact that we won but hated the way we played. This possession football is duller than dishwater and less exciting than watching paint dry. That’s entertainment? I think not!

Good grief, the best bits today were the worst corner in living memory (thanks Swansea - especially from Gardner-Hickman after his kicking straight over the goal line before it even got to the penalty box has been clearly outdone) and the sprinkler not turning off at the start of the second half!

Swansea have a pretty good away record, 8th most goals scored in the division so you could argue we 'did a job' on them. Watching the Swansea goalkeeper stood there with his foot on the ball for what felt like most of the  game was not an edifying sight though. And yes, thankyou to Ronald who played like a Ronald and brought the house down with his short corner routine.