BigAl&Toby

41 minutes ago, Robbored said:

It’s an attitude shared by many Muslim men. He should have kept his misogynistic views to himself.

Out of interest.

How do you know he’s a Muslim? Where did you read that?

16 hours ago, slartibartfast said:

We won , what's the problem ?

You don’t get nuance or implication do you?

You’re ok with winning games are you? Even if we play poorly or lose other games that we really ought to be winning. If we’re making sustained progress……

And you’re ok with us playing presumably well paid players who are poor. Consistently poor?

See I’m not. 

But then I do like to have fun. And a laugh. Or at least a smile.

Wasn’t a Happy Monday for Mickey.

The day Tranmere twisted their melon man.

I always liked Mickey. 

11 minutes ago, Tom said:

I'm not sure why I keep opening these posts. I know what they'll be, but there's always this morbid curiosity.

Good. I thank you for your interest.

If you want footballing stats from footballing pundits it’s probably best that you don’t. Open these posts.

Life’s too short to fret or sweat over stats and analysis. Only thing that matters is final positions on the last game of the season.

No ifs, no buts, no coconuts. And definitely no cigar if you finish outside of the top 3. 

Anyway. Hope that sheep is safe.

53 minutes ago, slartibartfast said:

?

What are you asking? Why I found the Blackpool game depressing?

I’ll tell ee why. We was poor. Like we’ve been since the halcyon date against Pep’s players.

And like we’ve been for a lot of this season. If there’s been any doubt I’ll raise you the other away trips I mentioned.

Best bit about Luton? Their ground

Me, the boy and the latex mask didn’t get to Swansea.

His illness and recent depressing trips to Cardiff, Huddersfield and Luton, and a depressing trip to BS3 for Blackpool got the better of us. The mask was disappointed - he loves a trip out and having his photo taken.

None of us even watched Toby Wassisname on Robin’s TV…..

I can’t comment on whether Jay, Zac or Harry are up to the job, or whether Max was at fault. I wasn’t there. So I won’t.

What I would say though is spare a thought for this poor bastard. Even in the deep, deep snow those Welsh hill farmers do what they do best….

Keep smiling. Life’s too short to worry about who might be here after the summer, who should be here after the summer or whether Alex Scott really is worth £30M.

And yes. Me and the boy are renewing….

1 hour ago, phantom said:

Just sent you a PM 

I called him and left a garbled message. Talking through the robin mask isn’t easy

Anyway I need to go out now. Off to Swindon to collect an old galvanised feed trough for my hostas. 

I’m leaving tickets under my door mat. I live in Frome. Your mate has first dibs but if anyone else is interested then DM me and I’ll confirm address.

Love to go but the boy’s not well enough.

Swansea in the past was “an experience”. Kettling, rain, helicopters overhead, evening game…. Those was the days. Or nights. And long before I bought the mask that so many love…..

Anyway Swindon, I’m on me way…..

The boy’s unwell so we aren’t going.

I don’t want anything for them - happy to leave the lucky recipient to make a donation to a charity - CHSW?

Short notice I know but if you’re struggling with a last minute Mother’s Day treat then why not treat your old mum to a day out in Wales?

DM if interested.

More good news. You won’t be able to wear the Robin mask!

1 hour ago, GrahamC said:

Apologies if that’s the case.

Re the last one I was trying to say that the reality here is far more dull, we were never in with a prayer of the playoffs, as some (like the bloke with the Robin mask), but not you, had suggested.

Likewise some were saying we could get drawn into the relegation fight, needed 52 points to stay up (!) or that we now won’t get another point.

That’s not happening either.

Slow but steady progress whilst drastically reducing our wage bill.

 

@GrahamC the bloke with the robin mask?

Guilty. Pleased I made an impression.

I’d have hoped that anyone with an ounce of intelligence would have seen it for what it was.

Optimistically tongue in cheek.

There are far too many on here who seem to take life and themselves far too seriously. 

Me? Life’s too short for that and I like to have some fun. And let’s face it. We don’t get much fun watching our beloved BCFC at either home or away.

Unless I guess you play the football expert, like analysing phases of game play or truly enjoy dour performances week in, week out.

Slow but steady progress. Hmmmm. Not based on what this little Robin has seen through his mask.

We were poor against Cardiff. Poor against Huddersfield. Poor against Blackpool. Nine points we should have had in the bag - if we’re making steady progress.

And if we’re making progress we would have played far better last night.

I guess my mask might be affecting my eye sight but frankly I see little tangible and sustained progress.

10 hours ago, GrahamC said:

Here we go again…

I’d like to order a new scapegoat..

Not a scapegoat at all.

Since he signed he’s been ******* dire.

Totally ineffective and - at least so far - a waste of money.

That’s chairmen for you. Compare that with the reception Harry Cornick got from the Luton fans as he walked off at the end.

Mind you Cornick last night was next to ******* useless.

The robin says he hates the M25……

17 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

?

Which bit you struggling with?

Is eating his chips and beans. Not at Smokey Joe’s. He’s watching Bargain Hunt - and the reds have one. Tis a sign….

Anyway we’ll be leaving for Luton soon. 3 points? Top 6? Latter unlikely after poor performances at Cardiff and Udders Feeled.

Got to go. Another Hunt is on the telly. Go Jeremy….

16 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

Where would we be without you to mansplain everything to us? 

The latex robin is going. And taking his boy.

We’re parking here:

6 hours ago, Curr Avon said:

On a serious note, here's the article...

Nigel Pearson reveals latest injury concern to Bristol City midfielder ahead of Blackpool test - Bristol Live (bristolpost.co.uk)

Nigel Pearson reveals latest injury concern to Bristol City midfielder ahead of Blackpool test

The central midfielder picked up a knock to the ankle in the first half during Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Huddersfield

Nigel Pearson has confirmed Matty James will be a doubt to face Blackpool at the weekend after taking a knock to the ankle in the draw at Huddersfield.

The midfielder looked in discomfort in the first half following an impact injury and was limping for periods after receiving treatment from the City physios. There were initial concerns about whether James would need to be replaced as Andi Weimann warmed up on the sidelines but he continued to play the full 90 minutes.

It's unclear when the injury occurred although he was on the receiving end of a dangerous tackle from Matty Pearson, in which his opponent went in with his leg raised. Referee Leigh Doughty brandished a yellow card which could have been a red on another day.

James moved more freely in the second half but Pearson's lack of options in the middle may have been in his mindset as he resisted substituting the 31-year-old. Academy prospect Omar Taylor-Clarke was the only natural midfielder on the bench as he awaits his league debut.

Speaking after the game, Pearson said: "Matty James will be a concern for the weekend just because of a problem he picked up with his ankle from a challenge in the first half. But he managed to play the full game which is a credit to him."

James has been one of City's most consistent and in-form players since the turn of the year and his absence would be another blow should he fail to recover for the visit of Mick McCarthy's Championship strugglers. Andy King made his first start this year and played the full game despite doubts he would be able to play the full game due to his recent lack of minutes.

Pearson is already dealing with a small injury crisis in his squad after confirming Joe Williams will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury while defender Tomas Kalas will be out of action for around six weeks.

"It's not good news I'm afraid, for Joe that will be his season finished so that's a disappointment for himself and for us," Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol. "He's been one of our really consistent performers as of late.

"Tomas will be out for around six weeks I would assume. It could be less but I don't want to build people's expectations up necessarily. It's a setback for Tomas so in the two games he's played he's been really good for us.

"It's never easy when players have to deal with injuries but certainly for those two who have had problems over the last year or so, it's a setback for them. And certainly, for us, it will be a miss because we've got a really tight squad so players will have to step up."
 

My Christ. That tells us everything we need to know…..

Little wonder we are where we are!

2 hours ago, spudski said:

The recent 'Problems up front' thread got me thinking last night. As some valid points were made regarding players. 

With the recent departure of Semenyo, the long term injuries to Kalas and Williams and age catching up with some prominent essential players, I thought the subject deserved a thread of it's own. 

Tinman has alluded to bringing in possibly 4 players next season. 

Is this enough?

We are likely to sell Scott for decent money. 

Kalas (30 next season) injury prone likely to not get a renewed contract, but can't be relied on for a full season. 

Williams...again...injury prone. We can't rely on him being a regular.

King will be 35 next season. Age catches up just like it did with Klose.

Naismith had a bad injury, will be 32 next season.

James...been fantastic this season, but again, will be 32 next season. Age catches up. 

Weimann will be 32, hasn't been great this season. On a downward slope?

Wells will be 33. He's been good, but again...legs don't last.

Massengo will be gone, doubts over DaSilva, maybe interest in the likes of Pring. 

That's 11 players with question marks. 

Take those away...and it leaves us with this.

GK 

Haikin 27, O'Leary 26

DF 

Atkinson (long term injury) 24

Vyner 25

Wilson 22

Tanner 23

MF 

Benarous (long term injury) 19

Sykes 25

Mehmeti 22

Forwards 

Conway ( long term injury ) 20

Cornick 27

Bell 20

So in short. We have age catching up with some influential players. Injury prone players who are deemed first team starts we can't rely on. Our best players leaving/ just left. Players coming back from injury, and new recruits who are showing how long it takes to gell. 

I can't see anyone in our current academy that can come in and start on a regular basis and be good enough to make an impact that would make us a solid Championship side. 

So we can't rely on that?

Whilst our younger players will have another season under their belts and positively developing ( Tanner, Sykes eg) our experienced players have imo, reached their peak, and will be on a downward slope. Age just catches up. Even more so when playing with such high intensity we are aiming to play. 

It's been said we will be looking to recruit, young hungry players from League 1 with games under their belt. 

What about replacing our experienced players. James has been a rock. But next season? 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I agree with a lot of this. It might be that sitting at pitch level or that bloody robin mask is affecting my view but the scores given for last night’s mediocre performance worry me.

That and some posters view that we can trust in the Academy, Nige or Tinnion to improve things.

I guess it depends now improvement is measured. Is it enough to finish a few places higher each season? Whilst overall performance isn’t really upto it?

Improvements against whom? Cardiff was dour. Huddersfield was dour. Both are teams that - if we’re seeing genuine and sustainable improvements - we ought to be beating easily.

Nige may well have had to - and probably has - sorted out years of mess and underachieving. He might well have to contend with injuries. Christ alive. He might even have to manage dubious refereeing decisions - definite penalty to Colin’s terriers last night.

Thing is we’re Bristol City. We delight in up and down performances with an occasional evening of joy against a PL team with world beaters.

And as long as we rate performances like those seen last night and in Cardiff as being “progress” or “ok” then that’s the best we’ll ever get.

Thing is there is now no real or obvious answer. We’ve been kidding ourselves for far too many years now kiddos.

This is it. The best we’ll ever get. At least in my lifetime.

1 hour ago, Super said:

Not sure Vyner was a 7 he was pretty poor. James an 8 or 9 for me.

 

I guess it’s all relative. Relative to the rest of them. To me, and apart from Max, no one really looked that good.

If they’d been good then we’d have collectively done better.

Dare I say it but I thought Alex Scott looked as though his mind was somewhere else. Several times he could have played a ball but decided to keep it.

Vyner was ok but again not at his best.  Fair bit of possession but rarely made anything of it.

We’ve come away with a point. We came back from Cardiff with nothing. Both were games where we were poor.

And to think I was dreaming of Top 6. ******* deluded!

Huddersfield. Not Halifax.

We left at 1 on Tuesday and get back at 3 on Wednesday. No snow up north but snow on they Mendips.

Twasn’t a Happy Valley. We was woeful. My Top 6 dream has ended. We simply weren’t good enough.

Blame Colin’s footballing finesse all you like. Like Cardiff on Saturday we didn’t look like doing much and got what we deserved.

We needed 6 points. We got 1. Oh well.  The latex might still make an appearance. There’s Luton and Swansea to come…..

Hath landed….

Hath departed his nest…..

Terriers watch out. Colin watch out.

He be feisty after those Bluebirds……

3 points and back on track to scrape Top 6.

15 minutes ago, Percy Pig said:

I for one am enjoying the Robin. 

8 minutes ago, GreedyHarry said:

Loving Lucy the latex robin.

Ha!

Some don’t. Apparently I’m having a mid life crisis. At 56. I’m past mid life. And past caring.

Life’s too short to worry about whether we need a new CB, if Kalas will be offered a new contract and how much he’ll get paid or why Nige starts Sam instead of Nakhi.

So in the meantime the Latex Robin will be putting in an appearance - some might say - hang on, they have - that it’s over-posting. 

The Robin is a fiesty old bird. Particularly when at this time of the year he’s looking for a Mrs Robin. And working hard to build a nest. So if you’re one of “the confused” or who’d prefer to debate “serious” stuff then the Robin has a message for you.

He’ll tell you what that is later. When his beady eye spots Colin….

As in sleet over Somerset.

Will that keep the Latex Robin away from the Terriers? Will it bollocks.

Leaving at 1ish. Only question is does he fly M5, M6 and M62 or do a cheeky swoop up M1 and East Midlands?

Get ready for lots of photos of the latex that everyone loves so much

Meantime here’s the forecast. For the weather.

Robin’s forecasting 3 points. And a very disgruntled tracksuit wearing Colin

Top 6 finish is still possible. For now.

1 minute ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Ratings were generous but good report as usual.

Don't think we were that bad but was difficult to find space. Had we scored 1st quite possible that we would have won- the injures did us no favours too.

Playoffs gone, but let's aim for top half and maybe with luck top 10. Top half more likely, and hope for an easing of this injury situation! Maybe we can try Wilson out at RB between now and May for certain games given that the playoffs now looks out of reach.

No chance. Shirley hasn’t even started warming up yet.

Still have a chance - ok, slim - of @Robboredpray offs. 

Or are you saying I’ve wasted £13 on me mask?