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Bristol City drew an absurd game of football where they went behind twice despite being by far the better side, scored three goals and, inexplicably gifted Blackpool a last gasp equaliser in a match which they were in total control of both on the pitch and noisily in the stands. Roared on by a bumper away following in an otherwise quiet Bloomfield Road the dominance was in evidence right from the start as in the first minute Alex Scott’s inside ball allowed Tommy Conway to roam free, Andi Weimann teeing up Nahki Wells to curl onto the post. But against the run of play on 7 minutes Scott’s casual sideways pass in midfield to no one in particular was seized upon by the hosts to break, winning a throw in on the left from which a ball into the box and Gary Madine’s slick touch allowed Josh Bowler to bury bottom corner. On 10 Joe Williams sent Weimann clean through on goal as Blackpool’s defence opened up, City’s star man going for the lob and lifting the ball onto the roof of the net. It was all City and midway through the half Wells got to the byline and squared for Weimann to again lift over. Yet in the sunshine in the North West there was always a threat on the break and Jerry Yates fired a warning shot past the post from a set piece, then from a marauding break down the right City chaotically cleared their lines as a header fell to goalscorer Bowler who fired over. But deserved parity was secured a minute before half time as again City probed and Scott worked the ball inside for the irrepressible Conway who hooked a rising shot at the top corner which crashed in off the bar - the youngster continuing his rich vein of goalscoring form. After the break - and the substitution of the ineffectual Han-Noah Massengo for Matty James - City continued to dominate and yet on 55 minutes Blackpool again broke down the right and crossed for Jordan Thornley to force a corner from which Yates bundled in a second. This was now verging on the ridiculous that City could be down a second time in a match they had controlled in front of a noisy and expectant away following, but as with their cup tie at Wycombe, the introduction of fit again Antoine Semenyo was the cheat code they required. The explosive forward netted within a minute of arriving, Conway striding forward through the middle and feeding Semenyo who showed close control to wriggle away from his marker and slot a low shot into the far bottom corner before celebrating in front of the away supporters. Inside 70 minutes and it was three as Semenyo won a free kick on the left flank and just as he did last week Kal Naismith swung a devilish cross into the middle and Wells connected only to divert onto the crossbar but from the rebound Marvin Ekpiteta could only deflect the ball in. 3-2 up and City’s large following roared their approval, a boisterous end to a game they expected to win. In the final exchanges Callum Connolly fired wide given too much time, whilst a well worked move down the right saw Conway drop a shoulder and curl just past the top corner. There was still time for City’s infamous ability to throw away points from winning positions as into injury time looking comfortable, cute passing triangles saw substitute King dawdle, and Naismith stupidly square across his own box to Zak Vyner who was robbed by Theo Corbeanu to score. A ridiculous end to a match that City looked in control of and, even when behind, always looked likely winners of. The positive is their ability to fashion chances and the enterprise of Conway and Semenyo. The negative is a midfield that was easily bypassed with Scott and Massengo miscuing. Bentley 6 Vyner 6 Naismith 6 Atkinson 6 Scott 5 Dasilva 6 Williams 6 Massengo 5 Weimann 6 Conway 7 Wells 6 James 6 Semenyo 8 King 5

This news has obviously got out as Charlie "turn the music up" Methven is 6/4 favourite to be new manager with Skybet.

This was the official kit of the short lived Bristol City darts team

An unexpected return for long term injured star Antoine Semenyo off the bench against a lively League One Wycombe, turned what at times was a nervous and edgy draw, into a convincing victory as the substitute striker created a sudden attacking mismatch that went far beyond how experienced defenders Kal Naismith and Timm Klose also tidied up comfortably at the back, adding star quality up front that ended the cup tie as a contest. City had actually gone ahead early through debutant teenager Dylan Kadji's hook in off a Naismith corner, but despite flashing their quality in patches, City created few chances and Wycombe grew into the game in the run up to half time - netting a deserved leveller soon after the break. Nigel Pearson sent on more first teamers and his side was a threat via Kane Wilson out right, but it wasn't until Semenyo that the division advantage told. The absent striker was involved in the build up as Naismith notched a third consecutive assist returning the ball to Wilson to slam a volley into the top corner, and then after the Ghanaian had toyed with defenders holding the ball up at the corner flag for seemingly an age while the clock ran down, he turned up on halfway in injury time to rob the ball, send fellow sub Tommy Conway away, who allowed Semenyo to finish and seal the win. Kicking off in a burning sun set, City almost enjoyed a carbon copy of their second from Sunday as Naismith sent a free kick in from the left and Klose angled a header towards the top corner before being clattered as Han Noah Massengo followed in. Next Massengo won a corner from the right which Naismith whipped into the six yard box - Tanner got a touch and new man Kadji glanced in under the crossbar at the far post to put City ahead. Wycombe did not settle easily and their first chance came on 18 minutes as Al-Hamadi was given a chance to run at City's defence which opened up only for the striker to steer a low shot well wide. At the other end a busy Massengo won a corner from another - now deeper - left wing Naismith free kick, whilst on the half hour a quick exchange let Wilson embark on a barnstorming run infield from the right, his shot forcing another corner. However heading towards the break, Klose, Naismith and in the 40th minute King were all forced to block or mop up crosses as the hosts' wingers found room to threaten the City box, and with minutes remaining Tanner conceded a free kick wrestling his opponent on the edge of the box, the away side able to head clear Joe Jacobson's set piece - as City coach Jason Euell argued the decision with ex Wimbledon teammate Ainsworth. In form teenager Conway replaced Nahki Wells at half time but from the restart it was all Wycombe - away down the right to force an early corner which was met far post and deflected wide of the post for a succession of corners. City could not clear their lines on the right and Anis Mehmeti lifted a ball over to the far post with players queueing up to head in and striker Al-Hamadi with the easy header to make things more uncomfortable. After 50 minutes Massengo powered away on a brilliant break shrugging off defenders before spreading the ball wide left which let Pring in on the flank whose cross back into the box was half cleared away. City were by now finding a rhythm again on the right and from Wilson's reverse Conway raced to the byline and cut back for Chris Martin's diving header in the six yard box, somehow beaten away with Massengo then Kadji following in. Matty James and Alex Scott were sent on to replace the two midfielders as City slammed balls into the box - Conway squaring across the face of goal after the hour with no one in place to convert, Wilson recycling to secure a corner that Pring rose to power over. Next Scott swept wide to Wilson whose crosses were causing chaos - this one finding Pring out left who dropped a shoulder, got to the byline to center, Martin inches from burying. Inside 70 minutes that man Semenyo was roared back onto the field by City's bumper away following and though his first touches were rusty, in little more than 5 minutes he'd recover a deep Wilson cross and lay it back for Naismith whose looped cross returned it into Wilson's path, the wing back stealing into the box to sidefoot a rising volley inside the angle of post and bar to put the visitors ahead right in front of their massed fans. Now City would turn it on - with five minutes left slick interplay by teenagers Conway and Scott saw the striker skip inside off the right exchange passes and win a corner. On the other flank heading into injury time an even more dominant spell as Semenyo endlessly held off an array of opponents at the corner flag to win first a throw in, then a corner and finally a free kick before he was finished. In front of away supporters it was heady stuff. The absent frontman was not finished, he'd already raced onto one cute through ball by Pring on the left, and simply bamboozled his way past a confused defender on the same flank on another occasion but in injury time he would stretch to rob the ball on halfway and send Conway racing clear, the teenager bearing down on goal, drawing the keeper and unselfishly slipping the ball left inside a defender for Semenyo to prod home a third. Turning to the away fans in front of him the highly rated forward grinned and took a bow - no doubt aware how well his unexpectedly early return to first team action had gone - and knowing that he had sealed City's place in the 3rd round of the league cup and given his manager a selection dilemma after their fourth win in a 5 match unbeaten run which further proved Pearson's men are finding a fluidity and the 'solutions' that he demands. Bentley 7 Klose 7 Naismith 8 Tanner 5 Pring 6 Wilson 7 King 5 Kadji 6 Massengo 7 Wells 5 Martin 6 Conway 7 James 6 Scott 7 Semenyo 8

Just got onto the train at Marylebone, opened OTIB, read this thread and got back off the train.

Where have you seen it's not running? Thought it ran 1750 and 1850 on midweek matchdays? The trouble with the 32 is the last one back is 21:23 so there will be none running after the game is over. In the Tammy Abraham season got lucky with a taxi after 10 minutes walking back but don't want to rely on that.

11am officially.

I used FBRef mostly plus WhoScored (WhoScored more so for the shots data). WhoScored uses Opta which has a measure of "Key Passes" but that's any pass which led to a shot, so it's not much different to what I had. They do also have a number for crosses (which is a subset of Key Passes) so in theory it would be possible to measure proportion of key passes that are crosses to help answer your question. Some simple maths for this season and the prior two (from 2020) as follows: 2022/23 - City 6th for crosses as a proportion of key passes; City joint last (0) no penalties awarded = SOME correlation between use of crosses and lack of penalties (but small dataset) 2021/22 - City 6th for crosses as a proportion of key passes, City joint last (21st) for penalties awarded = HIGH correlation between use of crosses and lack of penalties 2020/21 - City 21st for crosses as a proportion of key passes, City joint last (23rd) for penalties awarded = NO correlation between use of crosses and lack of penalties Further: 2022/23 - Reading 1st for crosses as a proportion of key passes; and first (1) with a penalty awarded = NO correlation between use of crosses and lack of penalties (but small dataset) 2021/22 - Cardiff 1st for crosses as a proportion of key passes, and joint last (21st) for penalties awarded = HIGH correlation between use of crosses and lack of penalties 2020/21 - Stoke 1st for crosses as a proportion of key passes, and joint last (23rd) for penalties awarded = HIGH correlation between use of crosses and lack of penalties So @BCFC101- if you exclude current season for being too small a dataset (teams with 1 or 0 penalties) then over the prior two seasons in the examples above 3 out of 4 show a clear correlation with dependency on crosses and lack of penalties, and the exception (City in 2020/21) has a known explanation, which is that we were the most limited attacking team in the division (24th/24 on shots, all time record league low). Sadly I don't think this is a slam dunk for you though: 21/22 2nd for dependency on crosses Millwall, 8th for penalties awarded; 3rd for dependency on crosses West Brom, 1st for penalties awarded --- 20/21 2nd for dependency on crosses Birmingham, 13th for penalties awarded; 3rd for dependency on crosses Rotherham, 5th for penalties awarded!! In this group the teams relying on crosses seem to do rather well, sorry!

While you're busy looking at teams (you must miss the beach!!) have a look at Forest, Blackburn, and of course Preston. Until Forest's promotion season we could reasonably say all these teams (and ourselves) were lower mid table also rans. Yet to the extent that a) propensity for being fouled + b) taking shots in the box MIGHT have some link to penalty awards: Isn't it odd we're consistently awarded below our ranking on those factors, while those 3 are consistently over their rank. Preston's case in 19/20 was widely remarked on (@GrahamC called it out - they even had 2 against us up there in 2019). #1 for penalties awarded 19/20 when only 16th most fouled and average attack. 5th most in 20/21 while tamest for both! It's bizarre. No conspiracy, but just a good (literally) old fashioned question: do wholesome, historic clubs get more love?

That was my reaction at about 3am today during my daily period of insomnia. The first question in my head was what other data points could serve as a control for this level of anomaly. Not 100% reliable but I decided that a) the level of fouls sustained on the pitch and b) the level of activity performed in the box, should have some correlation to level of penalty awards. On a) this number is available, on b) I looked for box entries data (shout out LJ!) but couldn't find it so settled for shots taken in the 18 or 6 yard boxes (regardless of whether on target). This data shows little correlation for Bristol City's level of penalty awards - City are far from the least fouled team in the division and bar one season, far from least attacking team either. Without this correlation, the hypothesis holds: something else is distinguishing City on penalty awards. Your point about "which refs" is fair, but over a large sample that should even out. So what is driving City to be so badly off in such a specific category - penalty awards - when City's league ranking in related statistics don't correspond. And why for such a long period? You asked about beyond the previous 87 matches (perception of Pezza's "since November 2020" stat), well that view does still bare out the trend. We can go back to the start of 18-19. In every season since then, City has been awarded the lowest or second lowest number of penalties in the division, with the highest games / penalty ratio (more than double most clubs). Only once - shots in the area in 20/21 - does any of City's rankings in related statistics fall as low as our ranking consistently lands on penalties awarded. No other team has this pattern. And this is now on a much larger sample of data (5 seasons, one in progress). Consistently worse than City's ranking over that period for being fouled, or (in most cases) shots in the box. Finally, the focus on 2020 onwards is because the trend has become even more pronounced (and ridiculous), and something else in that period has too - penalties awarded against City. Since the start of 20-21, as well as having this extraordinary outlier on lowest number of penalties awarded, we are simultaneously top 3 for having the most penalties given against us. This is a curious twist given the level at which City are fouled, or have fouled, in the same period, is pretty average - with City more fouled than fouling anywhere elsewhere on the pitch. How have we managed to reach two highly polarised extremes of penalty decision making when related statistics show no such extremes - and what (or who!) links those two decisions? ? Here's the analysis, over to you @ExiledAjax : Since 2020 - Penalties Awarded, Penalties Conceded vs Fouls Since 2018 - Penalties Awarded vs Fouls, Shots in the Area

I'll tell you what the 50p increase is NOT for: - The cost of postage, which did increase in April but is 77p (City send tickets 1st class UNG via a business account, printing the barcode on the envelope): - The cost of booking which is covered by the £1 booking fee - The cost of printing the ticket, the envelope or putting the ticket in the envelope which is also performed for people who collect tickets in person for free - The cost of staff, for whom a person collecting in person will require 3-5 minutes of dedicated attention (£1 on a £25k salary), whereas posting is a fraction of the time as part of a bulk daily mail run - The cost of Royal Mail picking up the post, as I'm pretty sure City do enough business with Royal Mail each year to get this for free (if not its £800 a year) You'll have to make your own mind up what the 50p increase is actually for, probably a way to cover general administrative cost increases and yes, a bit more margin too. Which raises the question why people who don't live locally and/or need to have tickets posted have to disproportionately subsidise City's entire ticketing administration. The same could have been achieved by leaving postage at £1 (more than the cost of postage) and introducing a 50p collection fee (less than salary costs of collections).

Only three games in and there is a clear and repeated formula for City's stuttering start to the new Championship season. Come out convincingly, get in behind the opposition on both flanks with quick combinations, race in front and look comfortable and in control for a period, then by half time lose composure, sink deeper, surrender midfield and end up clinging on desperately for even a point. At promoted Wigan's DW stadium it was the same story and against limited opposition - in fact despite a dominant opening led by summer signing Mark Sykes and capitalised by Andi Weimann's fourth goal from Tommy Conway's centre, in the end this looked like two teams that will struggle as this level as City clung on grimly both up to Will Keane's equaliser and the hosts one sided finish. It was Nigel Pearson's men that looked by far the better from the outset and in the first minute Jay DaSilva was sent away in acres of space on the left, seemingly tripped in the box but managing to stay upright only to put the ball out for a goal kick. It was typical of counter attacking visitors that had come out of the blocks flying and were linking up well out of midfield to pin back their hosts. Just past five minutes City roared in front. Sykes stole the ball off his opponent on the right and after a quick exchange released Conway clear down the right who strode in on goal before squaring intelligently to meet Weimann's late run, the irrepressible striker smashing past the keeper and into the top corner from close range. 4 games 4 goals - last seasons' heroics now far from a one off. After 12 minutes another transition as City stole the ball back off a throw in on the right and Conway again danced into the box only for a defender to lean in and send him to the ground, no penalty given. Five minutes later an even greater controversy as Joe Bennett aimed a kick at Joe Williams while prone on the ground, sending the midfielder flying - a clear and seemingly inevitable red card. Yet the referee looked uncertain, then took an age to wave away players and consult his linesman before producing only a yellow card - a remarkable conclusion from match officials operating in the 6th biggest league in the world and yet somehow concluding of the incident not that they *hadn't* seen the offence, but that they had and decided off the ball violent conduct isn't a sending off. Buoyed by their lucky break Wigan started to threaten with balls into the channels over Rob Atkinson on the left of City's back three. Inside half an hour Zak Vyner slipped as last man tracking Magennis run but was able to recover and get the ball clear. Minutes later Bennett got inside Williams on Wigan's left to sweep the ball across the box for Callum Lang to steer past Bentley but also the far post. City could have been further in front before half time with another rapid transition - as a stunning curling deep ball lifted down the right wing put that man Sykes clear and his early centre was collected brilliantly in stride by Conway who drew the keeper and poked the ball inside but off the near post. In injury time Magennis slipped clear on goal for the first time but stabbed his shot wide of goal. As with City's other Championship games this season, the second 45 minutes was a completely different contest, Pearson's side second best, on the back foot and unable to unlock the same combinations that served them well early on. On 55 a deep right wing free kick after a trip on Conway was skewed into the air by Atkinson and Alex Scott was at his combative best to prevent the break. After the hour Weimann wriggled away on the left to the byline to lift a dangerous ball across the six yard box which was cleared and spun to DaSilva on the edge of the box but the wingback was caught in possession. At the other end Magennis spun clear on the halfway line forcing defender Atkinson into a tactical challenge, the centre back booked, sustaining a knock and replaced by Klose. Wigan were growing in confidence and after 66 minutes raced into space down the left, City's star man Sykes matching the runner and forcing the ball out of play for a corner. But from the set piece pinball in the visitors box, the away side unable to clear their lines and the inevitable equaliser arrived as Will Keane eventually converted low into the far corner to seal a period of home pressure. Against the run of play and City should have gone back in front immediately. Scott turned his counterparts in midfield and spread wide to that man Sykes running free on the right and with his first touch he looped an early cross into the box which Conway stole in at the near post to head home easily, only to agonnisingly nod down and the wrong side of the post from l yards out, a painful miss. City, for whom coach Jason Euell appeared more and more agitated on the touchline as the game appeared to be going away from his side, replaced the striker and Scott for Nahki Wells and Andy King. With just over 15 minutes left Klose hauled down Lang and from Power's free kick into the box Keane steered well over the bar from close range although the flag was up for offside. It was now a grim finale, all Wigan and King amongst the worst culprits for giving the ball away over and over with aimless punts to no particular person upfield. By now City faced all out assault and with ten left Bentley had to beat a Lang shot away at his left post as the Latics forward turned in the box. There was no outlet as Pearson's men struggled to build any attack and defended desperately. Despite this City actually contrived chances either side of the 90th minute - first a break from a long ball to their frontmen, Weimann linking up with Wells who turned a defender and saw his shot blocked behind. Then top scorer Weimann brought a high ball down and released DaSilva who got to the edge of the box only to play a tame ball across the D that was easily cut out as City pushed up. Before the end of 7 minutes injury time the careless wing back seemed to rob the ball off his opponent deep in his own half only to give it away immediately, Wigan into the box to force Bentley to half push away the first attempt, James McClean steering his follow up shot over from the right. This was now a case of City clinging on desperately for their first point against a side that will struggle. That does not bode at all well, and just like last season, despite having no problem with scoring goals, their propensity to surrender an advantage and apparently lose ability to compete in the second half, and up against three of the less fancied sides in the league, suggests a much harder campaign than the pre season mood suggested. Mark Sykes at least is the bright spark - a total revalation. Bentley 6 some good saves some awful distribution Atkinson 6 they found it easy to draw him and knock balls over the top Naismith 6 miscued passes out from back Vyner 6 made mistakes but recovered from them, probably pick of back three DaSilva 5 every game this season he wastes opportunities going forward Sykes 8 by far out best player with and without the ball Williams 6 started well faded badly Scott 5 almost completely bypassed Weimann 7 led the press caused problems and kept going until the end Conway 7 did not look out of place and carried a real threat Martin 5 didn't hold the ball up or offer any threat Klose 6 Wells 6 King 4

With that being said having had limited time last night to get to the rearranged Burton game I've started to use this: https://www.recenttraintimes.co.uk Great way to check average arrival time and reliability of services in recent weeks so you can factor in actual timings.

You could walk from Marylebone to Paddington three times over in 47 minutes.

You could also fly via Luton Airport

City’s long and distinguished record of getting knocked out in the first round of the League Cup met its match at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium as Championship rivals Coventry City, who had previously insisted on us meeting them there tonight, decided not to bother turning up until we had the match more or less won. Match Reports from away games are always an acquired taste but it’s literally impossible to put into words any sort of detailed match report when it looked like a training exercise at 30 degrees with the sun blinding me, and with only a brief spell of opposition at the end of the first half and about 20 minutes second half. After weeks of ROBINS UNCUT we finally got the prototype for a match that plays out the same way as those pillow soft, edited City videos - hosts Coventry literally putting the cones out and insisting that they would never stray out of their own half until Pearson’s dominant visitors were 3 (BRACKETS THREE) in front. The opener came from a left wing City corner taken while bathed in the stunning sunset, at the second attempt Kai Naismith nodding down and into the bottom right corner. The visitors were camped in their nomadic hosts half and yet regularly miscuing the final ball down either flank with a chance to break more often. Despite this the confused hosts rarely breached the improbable and imaginary forcefield that separated the Coventry half from the Bristol City half and the away side continued to dominate - in fact the disorganisation of stewards outside the last minute ground was more than matched by the team occupying the ground. In less than 10 minutes it was two - Han-Noah Massengo, who became one of City’s star players and desperately needed a performance, threaded an inch perfect pass through Coventry’s casual defence, for which young striker Tommy Conway nicked in to skip past the last defender and apply the finish in the box. At 2-0 up and with former teammate Kasey Palmer struggling to link up with his side and - in the 28th minute - literally being robbed of the ball on halfway by the dominant visitors, it was creeping towards a one sided scoreline as the football remained in the Sky Blues half, and within minutes an amazing third arrived. On the half hour Nakhi Wells did well to prod the ball away from a developing Coventry passing move in their own half, and youngster Conway, buoyed by his goal, simply ran at defenders, jinking into space and then into the box, before drilling another low shot that rolled for an age inside the keeper, into the bottom corner. Before the half the supposed hosts started to find a pattern of play to advance but too often it relied on former City midfielder Palmer to pull the strings when in fact his teammates seemed to lack the enthusiasm or foresight to threaten their visitors. Twice before the break his through balls were met by no one in particular. The second half was a more balanced affair with Coventry probing the City box and yet inside the half hour it was Kane Wilson, on his full debut for City who centred a left wing corner that was flicked back beyond the near post and Wells cute back heel skewed just inside the upright. A threat, largely against the run of play. Coventry pulled a goal back after the one time a ball was played into the box with room to finish, but on the midway point of the half City proved they were still the more dangerous as top scorer Weimann exchanged passes with Wells, raced inside his marker from the right channel, and steered just past the left post. With Tanner on for Wilson, just before the final switches (Scott for King and Sykes for Conway) the away team flashed an opportunity in front of goal as Conway took on the left back, Wells recovered the loose ball and saw his first cross shot blocked but at the second attempt all action midfielder Massengo nearly headed in. By the end it was finally all the hosts, followed by more than 2000 visitors to this temporary Burton home, and apparently largely silent as they probed for a desperate second to put the match in doubt. The entry of Alex Scott and Mark Sykes probably did for them, restoring City’s advantage and conviction attacking on the break. Against the run of play with minutes before full time and in front of the noisy 300 City fans Sykes won a free kick on the right wing and then in injury time a ball over the top into the same space on the right was controlled by Weimann who drove inside his marker, into the box and prodded a shot through the keeper for a fourth. At the wrong ground and in unseasonably un-British weather this was like a summer football tournament style upset amid humid and blazing sunlight, and yet in truth despite the disorganisation at their temporary ground, “hosts” Coventry provided Bristol City with by far their easiest (and for now only) win of the season so far. Bentley 6 Vyner 6 Naismith 7 Atkinson 6 Massengo 8 King 6 Wilson 6 Pring 7 Weimann 7 Wells 6 Conway 7 Tanner 6 Scott 6 Sykes 6 Bell 6

Where did you see this @East Londoner . I don't fancy waiting for the 3.57am from Derby into St. Pancras at 6am ?

Good spot - my rule of thumb is that Burton is Derby and I can never get back from Derby midweek.

I had a limited window around work to make it to Coventry and back in the same night. A move to Birmingham would have been okay. Burton is more or less out of the question now. I realise they are unconnected but it must be a first that a club's fans has significant complications to their travel on not 1, not 2 but 3 consecutive away fixtures to start the season. Given Rotherham (the Ricoh's other victims) was just postponed, and they were at home last week and next, we can lay claim to being the most inconvenienced fans in the country.

Robins Uncut 2 Robins Cut 14

City started the 22/23 season with stability and continuity - a largely familiar team and developing identity - and yet fell victims to the complete opposite extreme of ridiculous and unpredictable freakery as a clearly new and hastily assembled Hull side claimed an improbable comeback win through a bizarre penalty and then wild late deflected winner. The new look hosts lacked fluidity and were every inch the thrown together strangers the transfer window suggested - City in control and comfortable heading into half time with a 1-0 lead following a one sided half - but in a ridiculous final 20 Teteh blagged a bizarre penalty after doing a forward roll in the box, then Seri spooned in an injury time decider. Nigel Pearson's side settled instantly and so took control of the game from the start. In 4 minutes debutant Mark Sykes bamboozled his marker and got clear on the right wing to cross for Matty James to nod down beyond keeper Ingram who managed to desperately push the header away beyond the far post as a bumper crowd enjoyed a lively opening. A minute later and another Sykes right wing cross following good work by Weimann and Williams found Martin arriving far post only to flash his header just over the top corner. It wasn't until well past the quarter hour that Hull found any momentum - and two shouts for a penalty, the second seemingly clear as Zak Vyner pushed over his man in the box. Hull enjoyed a series of right wing corners at the midway point in the half but City stayed well organised and before half hour went in front from a spell of possession on the left. Alex Scott was fouled just and debutant Kal Naismith floated a deep ball beyond the far post which Vyner stretched to steer across goal, Andi Weimann roaring in to stab home. Hull's best chance came 10 before half time as a quick reverse by Seri weaved the ball through defenders to put Estupinan clear but Dan Bentley raced out to smother the close range shot. In injury time Weimann raced back to rob a man in space, Naismith turned over a dangerous header across goal, and City repelled pinball in the box from a final corner. In truth the hosts were more effective after the break but they really couldn’t have been much worse. After a wayward Sykes long range effort and a brief fast paced crossfield City break wasted by Williams, Hull grew in confidence as Jones was put away in behind DaSilva and cut inside to lay it back for Tufan to smash onto the near post at the edge of the box. By now Hull were finding space behind both of City’s wing backs but wasting good opportunities by lifting balls into the home crowd. The visitors looked for a reboot as Kane Wilson and Tommy Conway entered to replace Sykes and Scott - and won back possession high up, Conway getting to the byline to feed across goal where Ingram stopped Martin turning in. Both subs looked assured right away and at the three-quarter mark Wilson’s throw in saw an exchange which Conway raced away with, striding into the box to lash inches over as the away end held its breath. So a sucker punch at the other end as a break down the right found Teteh in the middle who under little pressure tumbled comically and yet won a penalty. Tufan stepped up and sent Bentley the right way - to the stoppers’ right - but finished unerringly into the far corner without a glove on the shot. To compound the sense of frustration for the suddenly silenced travelling fans, in contrast to the ridiculous spot kick, at the other end Rob Atkinson was mauled down from a Naismith right wing corner with no award. In the final exchanges City looked good for a winner - Conway was found on the right and a half clearance saw Weimann feed DaSilva’s run, the wingback dropping a shoulder, slipping inside a defender and slamming a shot past the keeper but just past the post. Then Wilson strode out of midfield and laid off to Conway who rolled defenders but saw a shot blocked. Into injury time and the impressive Wilson got to the byline easily before cutting back and instead of crossing as he had done several times in the prior minutes, slipped a clever, disguised low ball into the path of Weimann sprinting in at the near post, who spun quickly and stung the keepers hands at close range. Somehow City would not get the win they deserved. But then the ultimate sucker punch - to compound the ridiculous equaliser, a comical winner deep in injury time for the disjointed hosts. A throw in deep on the left was hooked speculatively into the middle where Seri swung a pot shot from the edge of the box which collided with late sub Tim Klose’s diving block and spooned in an arc into Bentley’s opposite corner. A big home following buoyed by new owners roared their approval, but in truth this was a comical conclusion to City’s season opener. Pearson’s men showed everything even their most optimistic fans expected of them - a settled side with more identity, energy and control than their opponents - and yet fate contrived to instead reward the patched together hosts. Bentley 7 Did brilliantly to stop Estupinan first half, couldn't do much more on the goals Naismith 8 Looks classy at the back and playing it forward - a wand of a ball for the opener Vyner 7 Easy to expect the worst but competent throughout, free of mistakes, and an assist Atkinson 6 More adventurous down the left than he has been but caught in possession a few times Sykes 7 A revelation early on, gave us width and crossing, a vital outlet for us, then picked up a knock DaSilva 5 Our weak link, too easily exposed in behind at wing back, and sketchy crossing going forward Williams 7 Helped us play through Hull with ease first half, and threw himself at every Hull opportunity James 6 Tidy and effective but seemed to be increasingly bypassed during the second period Scott 7 Looked comfortable on the ball whenever he got it but faded second half before substitution Weimann 8 An inspiration - ghosted in at one end to score, at the other end to stop a goal. Everywhere. Martin 6 Led the line well and important role, but felt like the odd opportunity to flick on was wasted Wilson 7 Looked seriously classy after coming on, had the beating of his man at every single opportunity Conway 7 Did not look out of place getting the shout before Wells - went close and never stopped running Klose 5 Only on for a few minutes and the most unfortunate deflection from his full blooded block

Not on my app - says 0 precipitation this afternoon and 25 degrees! It's drizzling and miserable now however but I believe that's the standard start to a day in Hull.

Don't think anyone has mentioned it on this thread but in their season guide this week the Racing Post has City as two of its recommended Championship season bets:

Keep in mind the railway is closed around Sheffield and rail replacement buses are operating on Saturday so I wouldn't count on any connections that look feasible on the timetable. And now Wigan away is also screwed too.

Technically you're correct - IF you can get to London. For some reason (maybe the CEO is driving) Hull Trains is running one service to London and back on the strike day. It leaves Hull early in the morning and then returns just before midday, getting into Hull after 2.30pm. With a taxi you might just make kick off. The drawback is that is the last train to come or go from Hull, so you won't be able to leave after the match!