Sandhurst Red

A perhaps odd forum title, but I'm keen to hear if others have had similar experiences or seen such situations regarding our team. I won't go into all the details, but recently I have had the fortune to be introduced to one of our first team, who upon learning about my son and how much of a fan he is of the team and of him as a player in particular, has gone above and beyond what a player needs to do by way of kindness and gifted something to him. It is easy for us to be high-up in a stand to groan at a wayward pass, a miss-timed tackle or a poor strike on goal - but it is important to remember that away from that playing field, we have players who really do care. Players that really engage with the fans and the Bristol City community. In the modern game, where money and commercial activity quite often take centre stage, I truly believe we have a squad of players who are very aware of this fanbase, who want to make a difference. Yes, we as paying customers we can still offer-up our opinions during a game, and on message boards, but maybe we should look that bit deeper and remember that they are no different than us the supporters. People who care and look out for one another. The player in question has reminded me that football is still about that connection between club, player and supporter and I'm not sure that is true across the football spectrum these days. I still think of Bristol City FC as a rather special football club, and this recent interaction has reminded me that is still the case.

Totally agree, and in modern work cultures (due to HR policies, be it a football club, a factory or a bit corporate) these things take time and need to be handled carefully. I'm still of the firm belief we will get towards the playoffs under Pearson but we need to show some patience in the meantime.

https://fb.watch/a2u9IsOY12/ An interesting story about what Nigel Pearson did when he became manager at Watford. Video is on FB - so will need to be logged in to watch.

Totally agree. Looks like he's worked on many aspects of his game. Feel like we have a great player coming through next season.

Not my style whatsoever to turn on one of our own, but so angry, I'm actually sat at the gate typing this. How does he get a place in our team, let alone starting XI. Absolutely bloody awful. Anyone else see differently?!

How good is Joe WIlliams? Simply put, wIthout him, we lose that game yesterday That is how important he was. He also carried Bakinson for 90 minutes, who quite frankly is stealing a living as a professional footballer. League One at best, and that is being kind. I can deal with misplaced passes etc, but he's so lazy and lethargic and showed zero fight.

Surely that is a dig at Palmer? I'd also guess O'Dowda, who was often publicly vocal about Lee Johnson during his time in charge. Not sure they're the only two, but Nige is right that the culture in a team is critical for a happy camp. We clearly need new blood, not only as we have an ageing team on the field, but new players will breed a healthy competition in the squad and provide some new voices too.

Went to QPR v Birmingham at end of September and Birmingham looked very average. My worry is that we just give the ball away cheaply - Martin won't get a sniff out of their back line if we resort to punting it hoping for a flick on. Kiss of death now..... but goals for sure in this one. Can't see either team keeping a clean sheet. Going for a 2-2 draw, with City throwing the lead away twice.

Hi Jerry - I hope you may be able to supply this suggestion to the club please. I actually saw you as we left the game yesterday as you were walking back up the hill from the away buses, as we left about 10 minutes early but felt it would be better to write on here. My main suggestion is around the provision for families at away games and my question is in 2 part. 1. Smarter Seat Selection Despite buying my tickets for my son and I on the first day of sale with ST, we ended up with seats in row XX - the back row. Whatever ground you are at, and in particular away games, you know that people are going to go and stand there etc. and so was a completely unrealistic place to watch the game from. With it being sold out, we had to chance by sitting in other seats, and thankfully were not asked to move. Where people sit/don't sit at away games is always a tricky issue - but with any child ticket, can more thought be considered on where the seat is, before it being allocated? 2. Creation of a family safe area at away games. Despite avoiding the back of the ground, our chosen section of being to the far right of the stand and near the front also ended up not being the best of choices. For whatever reason, this area seemed to attract a large group of individuals who just showed little care or compassion for children around them. You know what you will encounter at football, but this was on another level. Despite asking a steward to perhaps intervene, he just shrugged his shoulders and said it wasn't his concern. Quite frankly hilarious. Witnessing numerous families with children looking visibly scared and in tears, meaning they had to leave early is simply not acceptable. This is not the first time I have witnessed this either - both Reading away and Fulham away have seen similar incidents over the last 4 years or so. With this in mind, can a certain amount of tickets be allocated to create a family area for any away game - meaning families can enjoy an away game, and not be put-off attending due to the selfish actions of other so-called Bristol City supporters?

I totally agree with both of these comments - usually I am proud to to support the club, yesterday I was quite frankly ashamed of some of our supporters. It's becoming more of an issue over the last 4 years or so - an always at sold-out, or near capacity away games. I've absolutely no issue with people vocalising their frustration at what they see on the pitch. Yes, we are a team yet again in transition and we played a good West Brom - but where was the bottle, the bite, the passion?!. The first 65 minutes were absolutely atrocious - they would all be given less than a 2 match rating - not due to individual performances - but no cohesion as a team. We are lacking leaders in every part of the pitch. Back to our own support though - for me it was on a whole new level of poor yesterday. Far too much time trading insults to opposing fans. The amount of coked-up and pissed individuals who barely watched the actual game, and instead made certain sections of support a uncomfortable place to be was depressing. Seeing children in tears and parents being made to leave a game early due to someone else's selfish behaviour, you'd think these idiots would stop. Sadly not. Instead they just filled the seat those families were in, to get 10cm closer to a fan in another part of the ground - it's so hilariously pathetic. Would love to know if others felt the same today, I genuinely feel respect amongst supporters is hitting an all-time low, and for the first time I am now questioning whether I wish to attend away games with my 6 year old son, as I don't want to consistently expose him to these sorts of things.

TBH - my emotion of wanting something that is synonymous with the club and area got the better of me. I didn't even to stop and think that it was alcohol. Poor choice perhaps in retrospect.

https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-betting-gambling-advert-ban-is-likely-to-affect-nine-premier-league-teams-20210923 As outlined in the article, this is looking ever increasingly likely that it will get passed. From our perspective, that means an end to Mansion Bet as sponsor, so will open up new commercial possibilities - but potential a shortfall unless we find another sponsor quickly for next season. In current times, that may be easier said than done. That said - I would love to see Thatchers emblazoned across the front of our shirts tbh! Does anyone know how many years the Mansion Bet contract was for, or was it all hidden from sight and yet another fine example of machiavellianism displayed by the Ipswich Ego?

Last day of the season when we welcome them to A.G could be interesting. I'm sure they would love to be the reason we miss out on Play-offs or dare I say it, something even better. Mark your diaries for May 6th.

No-one likes us. We don't care!

We've lost all sense of shape. We're running around like kids on a Saturday in the park just chasing thin air. We all know the boys are better than this - which is what makes it so frustrating to watch.

A team that has changed its style, system, formation and starting XI this week after they sacked their manager. If only he had a crystal ball...

Stop trying to be sensible and logical Bar BS3 - that type of beahvioir is forbidden and discouraged on here.

It is when done in isolation. Stats can be very reflective. But in many cases they simply are not. We could have had 15 crosses flash across the 6 yard box and not one be classed as a shot but all could be considered a goal scoring opportunity.... Score wise - yeah we're 0-0. So let's get behind the team.

Never said you weren't allowed an opinion but many on here base their opinions on stats alone which is foolhardy.

This thread is an embarrassment and just highlights the intelligence levels of some on here. Wait til 90 minutes are up and then have your moan. Forest are setup in a completely different way to any shape they have played this season and with a new starting XI under new management. That has thwarted us so far this half. Let Johnson do his thing at HT and then come full time if we are still that crap, by all means moan. Being at the game, rather than at home being a keyboard warrior looking at stats- gives you a far more accurate picture of what is going on...