cidered abroad

I like these videos and wish that we'd had this technology when I was a boy. We just had matches to see how the pros did things and then we'd try and copy in the streets and the parks. I've just read Andy Cole's book and he stresses how important training should be productive and enjoyable. Fleming clearly follows the same thinking. The number of accurate shots and headers was high - I wonder why they rarely show the same accuracy in shooting warm up on the pitch before matches?

Yes I had the privilege of watching him even I didn't realise how big a star he would become.

I forecast a draw. As we don't seem able to keep a clean sheet, it will be 2-2.

I watched a drab FA Cup tie between two clubs who will never be among my favourite Non BCFC clubs. A game then where I wanted neither side to win! At least Forest tried to attack but Arsenal were pathetic!

We have begun to look like a professional football team that has the ability to compete rather than the replica of an under seven years kick about in the street.

Same as always. His final ball, pass, cross or shot is invariably way off the target. He threatens to achieve but rarely does.

Could be one of several Leicester players who won the Premier League. None of them were in the Grealish region and the best way to consider the fees is to consider what was achieved. And for every Mahrez that arrived, there was also a Wes Morgan who came for a pittance. It's not who you buy, it's what quality you get.

Because some peoples opinions are not based on fact and thus the person cannot remember what their view was last week let alone a few months ago. My father taught me that I should always speak the truth as I see it, as it is almost impossible to remember what you said at a later date. It might not be a correct view according to others but at least one is consistent.

The Bilbao definition would be OK for John Atyeo who was actually born in Standerwick village in Somerset, about three/four miles from Dilton Marsh. He grew up in Dilton Marsh but was only able to play cricket for Somerset Second team as he was born in Somerset as per rules in operation at that time. Birth or residency in the county. Birth and living in Wiltshire would have not allowed him to register with Somerset CCC. Plenty of Bristol boys. Tom Doherty, Brian Clark, Bobby Williams, Jantzen Derrick to name just a few.

We have a number of very promising young players who will make some mistakes as they go. If you never make mistakes, you never make decisions and if you don't make decisions, you never learn anything or make mistakes. The difficulty of making the right decision is highlighted by the first Millwall goal. Max and Towler had approx 1.5 seconds to judge how fast the ball was travelling, it's exact direction and could they position themselves to stop the goal. So for Pearson to keep the young players as much as he is, shows how he believes in them. Subbing them off is not punishment. It is taking care of them as any good manager will do. He must trust them or he would not play them. At least he is playing them. Not like his predecessor who had a gem in Lloyd Kelly and brought in another left back rather than playing him! We are in a reasonable league position, even with mistakes from the young ones so let them learn and improve to benefit City rather than flogging them off to another club.

Reference the first Millwall goal. Initially I thought that Max should have left the goal line in an effort to stop the cross to the Millwall scorer. But after watching highlights a few times, and seeing the similarity with Massengo's pass for Weimann's second goal, I have to give credit to both passers who hit crosses with real pace and the positioning of the scorers. Neither Max or the Millwall keeper stood much chance to stop either.

Have you considered the possible fact that Atkinson had a dose of Covid and is taking time to recover? I don't have any inside info but just think that a very promising and relatively inexperienced centre back has not lost it completely in a few weeks. Even if it's just a loss of confidence because of the pressure that other teams have hit us with, surely it's temporary?

I agree with every word. And definitely agreee that we do not need a relegation (that some seem to want) Whatever I have thought about City managers, it has never included the dreaded drop. When one has suffered seven "R's" in a lifetime with three in three years, you will never want another!

I'd feel much more comfortable when we get to 45. As I think that's the safety point this season.

No. They don't deserve to stay up for all the financial fiddling they have done in the last four/five years.

From NP we get an honest assessment of the games. He won't throw anyone under a bus in public. But neither will he tolerate those not following his instructions. And with the large number of under 23 young ones in the squad, he will sometimes not get the team selection correct every time. I'm sure that the half time personnel and formation changes were as a reaction to how Millwall had scored twice in twenty minutes, and how they were nullifying our efforts to run the match. And not due to perceived poor performances by those two subbed. IMO, Towler got a couple of things wrong but did some good. He was the least experienced when NP wanted to change to a back 3. Not because of those mistakes. Same for the change from Benarous to HNM. A change of tactics to overcome Millwall. Both Towler and Benarous will soon be back in the side.

Modern football requires all players to have the ability to move quickly. Britton does not come anywhere near so a loan until his contract expires is sensible.

Best wishes to all OTIB members for a safe and healthy New Year

I believe that the club should make an official complaint about the standard of the referee. Inconsistent and incorrect decisions for similar offences and incidents! I accept that it will not bring any change in the match result. It could, however, get rid of someone who is clearly not fit for the job - remember this goes back four years involving Bristol City matches as listed in the post by Olé, and save other clubs from his useless and clearly biased refereeing. And I say again. Is he just useless or is he accepting financial inducements?

Or he is a referee who can be bought? I know it is easy to blame refs when things go against us but that evening's work was the worst display from a referee that I can remember. Add the games that Olé has mentioned and I hope that City make a complaint to EFL and the Referees association.

Very probably but the point is that if we need more income to avoid FFP problems, and there is any revenue from stadium use and match day income, as stadium is owned by City Holding Ltd, it can be used solely for income to reduce losses. SL cannot just shovel cash into BCFC but he can to Bears. If its really a tight situation in a couple of years, a way to help us avoid any FFP penalties.

I don't know if my thoughts are accurate or valid. Ashton Gate stadium is "owned" by Bristol City Holdings. Thus any income from the stadium such as hospitality, sales of refreshments at all matches, City and Bears, and events like concerts belongs to BCFC Holdings. I suspect that, as the only financial restraint on Bears, is a maximum spend on players wages, any losses not covered by gate receipts and match hospitality are legally funded by SL. Apart from a rental payment for the use of concourse for Covid Vaccinations, we have had almost zero income from stadium usage. I vaguely remember a while back, seeing a figure of around £12 million per annum. So that would count as Covid losses in full for City? As BCFC Holdings own the stadium.

@DavefevsWWould be grateful for clarification of above. The profit in 18/19 was what? Why only 50%? And what was the profit? What was loss for FFP in 19/20? Also at 50%? What will be the actual loss used for 20/21? £38 million or a lesser figure because of Covid? Sorry to appear dense. I did get Maths O level but that was 63 years ago! (More a cunning linguist as I speak English, French, Portuguese & German)

There have always been football fans who follow and support Bristol Rugby. And likewise Bristol Rugby fans who follow City and Rovers. In former days, I and City fans went to the Mem to rugby matches. Now Rovers fans come to Ashton Gate for Bristol home games. So what is new? For true supporters it isn't a problem.

Best wishes to all City fans wherever you may be. I know it's hard on occasions to be positive but we will survive our status this season.