cidered abroad

So we go back to long ball to a big striker who will be marked by two defenders of a similar size. Pearson prefers pace from his players to outwit and outrun defensive lumps.

Their stewards could be the same as ours are now. Young, small and totally disinterested about anything. As for the F word from Gary, every film and TV plays after 21.00 hrs, contain plenty of that word. It's become almost meaningless and heard so often that does anyone take notice now?

How many Bristol City managers would have the nerve to introduce a teenage kid who has, I think, just signed his first professional contract. I can only think of two in my lifetime. Inspired thinking by NP as the lad Yeboah must have run his guts out to not allow their defenders a peaceful last ten to pound our defence with long balls. We may not make it this year but it won't be for want of trying. COYREDS.

Yes, well done everyone at The Den today!

Noting the good display by Roberts, I suggest that NP picks Roberts at left back with Pring wide left in midfield. An extra defender but one who can create openings at the other end.

But Man U didn't have an FFP problem as it didn't exist. Before yesterday, we were living on the edge of FFP danger. That has now been relieved but we still have the problem that our wage level is still way behind what those with Premier money have. It's going to be a real slog to get through that brick wall but Luton proved that it is still possible. So we, the fans, have to back Pearson and his squad in every situation on the pitch. We can make as much noise as any other club but as we've not done promotion and or winning titles/cups it's still strange for us to do so.

Yeboah making a lovely debut. Much too early to try to forecast his City future. But already showing good determination.

1-1

Half full? You really are joking. Get your eyes tested.

Now I realise why, apart from a few seasons, I'm nearer pessimistic that the positive . Oh well, back to normal. And some had the stupidity a few weeks ago to suggest that PNE would struggle in the bottom three or four.

I believe in him. He has turned us from an eternal West Country holiday camp to a Football Club in less than three years. Not by trying to buy our way to success but by his management and concern for the people who matter; the playing staff, the coaches, the ground staff and many others including the eternal tea lady. He manages by making everyone responsible for their own contribution to Bristol City. I could try to compare him with many great managers but I'll mention only two. (*) Bill Shankly who changed a floundering Second Division Liverpool into a club that existed, for the people of that city instead of themselves. Alan Dicks, with no disrespect to any other City manager, because he built us, without vast sums of money, into a First Division club. (I know it all went pear shaped in 1980-82 but he got us up there first.) I've always been a person who usually believes in failure instead of success. Not a total pessimist but nowhere near boundless optimism. I may well be proved wrong, there I go again, but this season could become the greatest in our history. (*) No disrespect to the great Terry Cooper.

Anyone know how we can pay for a programme? Cash or card? I want to buy one to send to the boy in Malawi who we sponsor as he is football mad.

Spoke to ticket office this morning. A very helpful person sorted me a paper ticket for Saturday and a plastic card for rest of season will arrive before the Brum game. I feel sorry for those who are having to sort such a stupid mess. Amateurish is too nice to describe the ST situation.

@MarcusX

We'll never have such a good relationship as we had with Richard Gould. Son of an ex City player, brought up in Portishead, worked for us twenty years ago. And a brilliant communicator. I don't even remember seeing any photos of Alexander when he arrived here. I haven't heard him on Radio Bris like Gould did or seen any statements in press, internet or Club web site. In fact while we have one of the best football managers that we've ever had, the rest of Bristol Sport seems to be on the downward trend quicker than the St Moritz ski run. The ST fiasco three days before season starts is so indicative of a shambles off the pitch.

Exactly my problem. What a complete shambles. If I cannot get in to the match on Saturday, I want a complete refund of my ST's for City and Bears.

There's your answer.

My smartphone cost around £130, if I remember correctly. I don't call that cheap. It's the internet that says Nokia 10 is a cheap phone.

Not the foggiest. The ticket details refer to the PNE game only but it tells me that the ticket is not valid because my phone does not have NFC, whatever that is

So if I go to ticket office on Saturday, I'll need to be there at 9am as the queue will stretch back several miles. What also annoys me is that they have waited four weeks to tell me this instead of responding to my email on the day I received their email with ticket details on. Yes. But no square block , don't know what they're called.

Exactly what I did when I got the email back in early July

I tried that but was number TWENTY FIVE in the queue.

Hi Gerry, Because I downloaded my ST on to my phone before I found that I could not get NFC as it's a fairly cheap Nokia 10, I cannot get a plastic ST. So I won't be able to go to any matches. Looks like my days as a City fan are over. PS A Bears ST will have the same problem. Regards, Colin Coombes

My cheap smartphone phone, a Nokia G10 will not allow me to get NFC so I cannot complete moving the season ticket moving to Google wallet. Thus, I assume, I won't be able to get entry at the turnstiles. I can't put it on my wife's iPhone because it is too old. Because I've downloaded the info onto my phone, I cannot get a plastic ST. I've used computers since 1978 but it now appears that we need to buy a new top of the range phone and/or computer every year and I refuse to be bullied like that. I've supported City since 1950 so it looks like I won't be going anymore. PS. I've got the same bloody pantomime to come with my Bears ST to come.

Just received an email telling me that because I have downloaded the ST onto my phone that I cannot have a plastic ticket. My very cheap smartphone will not allow me to download the piece of equipment to carry the ST. So how the hell do I get into the game? Totally hacked off that after 73 years supporting, I might not be able to get in.