Olé

Mine too @AppyDAZE. Been to a couple of their games, started trying to get to one a season when City aren’t playing, saw them home to Airdrie in 2019 and home to Alloa a few months ago. Amazing story their rise from endless failure and the team under Stewart Petrie actually play some decent stuff. Am a nominal shareholder via their 500 draw too. Montrose is also just a stunning place, in a stunning location, it feels like an island backing onto the lake and trains arrive over water. There is also a pub with Gold on tap! Maybe I’ve lived in cities too much but the scenery is just off the charts. Pretty exhilarating going for a wander around the docks and beach to the ground. Here’s my NTTDS impression:

I admire the Sky commentators dedication to hyperbole but “OHH THERE’S SOME ATMOSPHERE IN THIS PLACE NOW” as Bournemouth, 1-0 up and 7 minutes from the Premier League are all sat down and clapping politely.

Finally got booked in the 87th minute after around 6 or 7 different offences vs Scott getting immediately booked first half the first time he even needed to attempt a tackle tracking back. It tells you everything you need to know about how abysmal refereeing has been at AG that basic inconsistency like this still qualifies (and it does) as much better than we've had all season.

I've got no problem with kids running on the pitch, but as others mentioned the first to do it were all middle aged blokes. Embarrassing doesn't begin to describe it. I don't go in for the OTIB S82 bashing who create most of the atmosphere in AG - but it was a lot who attach themselves to that corner who again made it all about them. Wait for the players to acknowledge them (always very important) then pile on and end it as a spectacle for everyone else - **** City fans elsewhere in the ground. Inevitably players packed the whole thing in well before most of the Dolman - and a lot of proper, season-long fans, especially those with kids, saw absolutely nothing. Myself I don't need to watch our players walk round the pitch but I was invited to show appreciation and stayed to do so, as City have transformed in recent weeks. If I'd known I was going to wait 10 minutes for them to get halfway round and our own fans turn it into a tinpot shambles, I'd have gladly had 15 minutes more in the boozer.

It must be transformational to play alongside Weimann - he sets such a huge example on effort and application. Semenyo had a tendency to drift out of games or be less sure of his role, but he's relentless now and Weimann must help set that standard. Towards the end yesterday Idehen skewed a ball down the right channel and even Chris Martin gave chase somewhat optimistically! Martin has been about our most consistent player in the second half of the season where I thought he looked wasteful earlier in the campaign - again I've no doubt that Weimann's efforts make it much easier for Martin to thrive. I know this is a thread on Antoine, but when you look at how all these other pieces are enhanced and improve, Weimann will probably be the most outstanding and deserving POTS in my lifetime. There was some stuff like that before but all the well followed people who I assume are media commentators talk him up. I thought I saw a reference (via translate) in one tweet today to Germany as the farmers league but I might be mistaken. They talk about him more so than our mate Nketiah despite his form at Arsenal (though obviously he is not yet declared, and knowing him will change his mind just before the World Cup!)

I hate to say this in respect of Bell, but there is no comparison. Benarous (like Scott) has a different level of composure and technical ability and therefore can look comfortable wherever he is played, even out of preferred position. Bell strikes me as someone like Wes Burns before him, who simply has a standout natural attribute (pace) but confidence will quickly get eroded in the wrong position. Doesn't mean he can't have a good career, borne out of hard work. @RedMis spot on. I want all our young players to thrive but I'm a nervous wreck watching him play now, he's always got a mistake in him, opponents pick on him, and I was also relieved when he went off. Could have been 2-2 before long.

He'll be gone this summer I'm afraid. You'd have to be pretty optimistic to think he will still be with us next season given that he is likely to be playing for a reasonably major team at the World Cup Finals. He may even see a move as integral to his national team standing. You only have to look on Twitter at Ghanaian media and fans who rave about him each week and see him as the future of their side. I've also noticed recently Fenerbache fans are all on about signing him and this stuff normally gathers pace.

Derby is a fantastic place to watch football and will be sorely missed (vs the Reading's and Watford's of this world). Disappointed you didn't get any photos of the walk to the ground alongside the river John - quite sunning scenery. Then peeling off the river path on the way back, coming up these stairs to some of the best away pubs in the land.

One team already relegated, another with nothing to play for - of course this was the recipe for City's best performance of the season as Nigel Pearson's demand for the visitors to finish the season brightly found very little resistance from a much changed Derby side and Antoine Semenyo had his way with the strugglers in a one sided win. (Un)Remarkably this was the first time this season City won by more than one goal and it was fully deserved after a one sided first half as Weimann & Semenyo got in behind the defence repeatedly - to score twice in front of 1000 travelling fans. In the second, Derby picked on Sam Bell, got a goal, but Tim Klose's header made it more realistic. City were on top from the word go. After just 3 minutes Klose volleyed over from James' right wing free kick. Before 10 Weimann was sent away by Martin in the left channel and faced up the keeper before slamming home for his 20th of what must be one of the most brilliant individual seasons of any player. In front of away fans the visitors celebrated. Minutes later Weimann again got behind the disorganised hosts and got to the byline to force a corner. On 17 Chris Martin volleyed wildly over as City yet again broke, and the away side once more went at their hosts as make shift wing back Benarous toyed with defenders, shimmied to cross far post where Alex Scott went down holding his face. The teenager went off with a broken nose to be replaced by striker Sam Bell reprising his wing back role. Derby's best chance came midway through the half as they got behind from the right and slipped to the edge of the box to where Ravel Morrison sent a perfect curling shot goalwards only for teammate Cybulski to stick out a foot to divert well over. On 26 City, comfortable at the back, robbed the home side and Weimann strode away to feed Semenyo down the left who got right to the byline to cut back for Joe Williams who reprised his Blackburn goal winning miscue and sent a wayward volley out to the right - which was returned into the box to where Semenyo could not control under pressure. After a half hour Joe Williams powered over tackles and through midfield before setting Bell clear down the right and in on goal - yet his square ball was quickly cut out before Semenyo could finish. Minutes later the all action striker cut in from the right, teased defenders before slamming a low shot in on goal that deflected wildly away for a corner. Semenyo was the dangeman and within five minutes he had City's second. Robbing full back Nathan Byrne and racing clear again in the left channel, looking up for the square pass then choosing to rocket it into the far corner and wheel away toward the adjacent away fans. Two goals. One sided first half. In front of away fans. This was a rare treat. It might have been three as Semenyo flicked on and Martin sent Benarous down the left channel from where yet again his dangerous cross to the far post was headed behind for a corner. Before halftime Bentley needed to make a rare but stunning save from range from Morrison - while Semenyo in injury time stung keeper Allsop's hands from 25 yards. With City 2-0 ahead the second half was an altogether tamer experience although early on star man Semenyo tested the keeper yet again from range. But Derby were starting to combine well and City relied on in form Atkinson making crucial interceptions at the back - time and again inch perfect tackling to stop Derby advances before they started. Before the hour Benarous got down the left and fed Semenyo who screwed back to the edge of the box for Weimann to volley well wide. City could have been out of sight but stood off the next (first) well worked Derby attack down the right, offering no challenge as Ebiowei swung a cross over to the far post where Forsyth headed in unchallenged. On the hour there was an almost immediate answer, Weimann strode into space through the middle and put Semenyo clear on goal in the box but his shot facing down the keeper at the right post was deflected back for Bell to drill in on goal again, Weimann at the far post almost diverting the well angled shot in on goal with a speculative last gasp backheel. In a game City dominated by now it was all Derby and on the midway point of the half Ebiowei skipped past midfielders from our right and drove a decisive shot goalwards through a crowd but just past the post. And sub Bell was giving the ball away in terrible positions to compound a feeling a collapse was incoming despite City's dominance. Duncan Idehen came on for his City debut for Benarous with 20 left and again it was the visitors that went close - a nuisance all day Semenyo roared down the left channel and laid the ball off for Weimann to get to the byline and square the ball back where Semenyo fired past the post. No surprise also as Han Noah Massengo replaced Bell. Suddenly City had 3 - Massengo clattered on his first forray down the left and Matty James deep free kick swung into the box to where Tim Klose steered a decisive header into the far corner. In a minute the defender nearly teed up City's fourth - playing Martin down the left channel to funnel Massengo in and cut back for James to screw it wide. In the final ten minutes of exchanges a long ball saw Martin turn inside his marker and feed Semenyo who had just keeper to beat but fired straight at him. Before the end Joe Williams was replaced by Andy King and in what was Derby's last serious threat, debut man Idehen executed a perfect goal saving tackle in the box to deny a right wing incursion. So entertaining fare at Pride Park where City bossed most of the fixture against relegated opponents - highlighting an attacking threat led by Semenyo but also a comfortable last gasp defence evidenced by in form man of the match Atkinson who again looked head and shoulders above all around him. Three games to go, and our best of the season. Bentley 7 Klose 7 Atkinson 8 Cundy 7 Scott 6 Benarous 7 Williams 7 James 7 Weimann 7 Martin 7 Semenyo 8 Bell 4 Idehen 7 Massengo 6

Excellent photo journalism. I have a photo of you outside the station but it was without your permission so I won't allow OTIB to see the legend in action. In the meantime. 1. All good things - must come to an end when this lot turn up at the away pub and throw their weight around. (The WPC was very cheerful though). 2. Did you know Stoke has Britain's only tyre manufacturer-based driving restriction. Cars with Continental or Goodyear wheels have to go left here. 3. Just after the limbs. Notice how Joe Williams is insisting on telling his teammates all about the fish he once caught while on holiday in Morecambe.

How about Stoke crucified by DaSilva cross?

You're overestimating the level of forward planning that goes into this Fordy.

City won their fourth straight game away at Stoke - dominating and using the ball more effectively in a low quality tussle between 2 of the Championship's poorer teams. After a similar win on the road up at Blackburn this may be Nigel Pearson's prototype, compact organised, more ambitious with the ball and ultimately deserving Jay DaSilva's winner. It wasn't much advertisement for football in the Championship - a match short on clear chances, full of unforced errors where both sides gave the ball away, and a forgettable 90 minutes despite the unusually warm feel of summer. City were the more purposeful against an awful Stoke side - and DaSilva's late cross-shot sailed into the top corner. It was the visitors wing back who looked the best outlet in the early exchanges as City probed down the left, but after 12 a smart touch by Martin sent Semenyo away in the right channel, racing clear with just keeper to beat, only to hammer wildly over and into the stand. It was a wasted opportunity in a match desperately short of goal chances. Unadventrous Stoke were non existent and easily managed by City's back line so it was not until half an hour that they threatened - Williams beaten by Baker and Allen crossing into the middle where Brown forced Bentley into a diving save. At the other end Williams lobbed a free kick into the box that Martin squared and almost forced an own goal. On 36 Scott stole the ball to tee up a break, Semenyo slipping clear of a midfielder and releasing Martin down the left channel who forced a reflex save at the near post with Stoke bundling away as Semenyo followed in. On 40 Weimann was flagged offside as he went clear through from halfway as City stole possession and Semenyo threaded in. On halftime the mercurial Semenyo ghosted away from 2 defenders on the right before racing clear into the box only to cut the ball back behind teammates and only into the path of grateful defenders. Before the break Jacob Brown and keeper Bentley got into a protracted scuffle, tumbling over advertising hoardings as they wrestled with each other. After the break the fixture became an even more awful and forgettable example of the Championship - bereft of creativity or clear chances until before the hour mark Martin brought down a direct ball and steered it on into the path of Weimann to break the lines and pass to Semenyo to hold up and lay off for DaSilva in space to cross over everyone. Stoke introduced two subs and immediately got one of them - Maja - clear into the right channel to run free and square it into where Baker missed a sitter at the far post. By now the ref was keeping a match already short on action very quiet by blowing up for every minor contact, even halting play when the home side were about to race clear on goal. On 68 Cundy headed over from close range after James recycled a clearance from his own free kick and got clear to the byline to cross from the right - with Stoke defenders stretched. At the other end sub midfielder Sawyers saw a drilled long range shot laser toward the bottom corner after a deflection but Bentley got down well to save and hold. Despite making no subs City continued to be the more purposeful and on 78 DaSilva teed up Weimann as the visitors broke but the top scorer gave the ball away and with Cundy racing up to halfway out of position Stoke sprung behind the defence down the left channel to cross and force Klose to turn behind - the hosts suddenly looked a threat. From the resulting corner Baker edge of the box skipped past Martin's outstretched foot but saw a chance to win a free kick 18 yards out. The whole ground fell silent and Brown fired onto the bar. At the other end Weimann flicked a goalkick perfectly over the last man and then collected on the run to force a brilliant save with the chance of the match. City had edged a game short on chances - and within a minute they would steal into a late lead. Semenyo fed DaSilva on the left in a seemingly innocuous position but a curled cross sailed over everyone and keeper into the top corner. Amazingly this was right in front of the visitors noisy following who were bathed in sunshine and now celebrating. Pearson's side have a history this season of throwing away leads but in truth City were comfortable until the end, though sub Nahki Wells gave the ball away cheaply on several opportunities to run down the clock. Before the end a free kick spun to Atkinson, whose left wing cross forced keeper Bonham to claw off the line, Martin's header back cleared. A poor game of Championship football and Stoke offered arguably the least threat that City have faced all season, but the visitors were the better team and it was no surprise as home fans poured out and a boisterous 700+ travelling fans lauded a surprise win that ended with boss Pearson encouraging DaSilva to soak up the crowds' adulation. Bentley 7 Klose 7 Atkinson 7 Cundy 7 DaSilva 7 Scott 7 Williams 6 James 6 Weimann 7 Semenyo 6 Martin 7 Wells 4 Massengo 6

Love watching Josh Brownhill play, he just never stops.

Here's the data, it was prior to yesterday's games. Always happy to help an elite broadcasting team provide insight to an unusually high number of Bristolian proxy IP addresses international audience. As @ExiledAjaxsays this does have a minimum qualification, in this case being that players had to be in the top 10 scorers in their respective divisions because I had to manually link shots back to lists of top scorers and I'm lazy.

Well exactly. It wasn't missed as he acknowledged the incident as you say by running over but made no decision at all. I'd have more sympathy for refs if they communicated their thinking, if he thinks it's a dive he should have the bottle to say so. And if our manager believes it is significant to the game as his summary indicates he evidently did I'd like to hear about it before Dave Barton steers him back onto the usual meaningless formulaic platitudes that pass for official "reaction".

Without prompting Pearson highlights the usual farce of City being forbidden clear penalties so what does our Head of Communications do but steer the conversation swiftly away onto something altogether more mundane. Why is the club obsessed with treating us to this sanitised sycophantic waffle like we're not allowed to hear controversy and everything needs a Bristol Sport airbrushing. I'd like to know what NP thinks about refereeing please.

Pokesdown station. Last train home.

You're 100% right with your description and defence of the stewards - I've been all over the country and they were the nicest and most sensible I've ever dealt with.

We had few reasons to expect much from promotion chasing Bournemouth yet despite three Cherries goals in a row, City nudged in front in the first minute & nudged back into contention in the last minute, and despite a one sided game can lay claim to an unlikely robbery given that referee Steve Martin - he of the Alex Scott stonewall home to Forest - also ignored a blatant Chris Martin penalty. Rob Atkinson headed in a first minute corner but the hosts probed continually, Cundy the stand out defender - the weight of chances ultimately too much as the Cherries pulled one back before half time and pulled away in the second half. Yet City held on and with sub Massengo started to counter - star man Martin denied a clear penalty but eventually Weimann scoring a last minute consolation. It took time to pass security and fill up City's sold out away end which meant fans were all still pouring into the stand as a corner in the first minute found Rob Atkinson bundling it over the line - exactly the pandemonium needed to unsettle a plastic sat down home side - and yet Bournemouth stayed focused on their strengths and delivered crosses into the box that Cundy attacked to head away. On the half hour Zemura found space down the left and swept the ball into the middle - but Billing steered his shot well wide of the far post. On 38 Cundy executed a brilliant last gasp tackle after Scott over elaborated and allowed Bournemouth to break yet in a minute they were level Zemura again getting into space, crossing to where top scorer Solanke got ahead of a marker to stab home. After the break the hosts returned looking to secure all 3 points and within minutes they nearly went in front as Solanke met an early second half corner and nearly turned in at the far post, Atkinson clearing off the line. Next Lerma met an Anthony long ball from the left to volley top corner forcing Bentley to parry over - but from the corner a ball to the edge of the box saw Cook fire into the lead. Bournemouth looked well set to go further in front and Smith got down the right to cross low into the box but City somehow hooked the ball clear from the six yard box despite attempts from Billing and Zemura to finish. Massengo entered for Pring and the largely anonymous visitors started to find time on the break. This culminated with Chris Martin being shoved over in the box yet no decision. Referee Steve Moron had already ignored a blatant penalty shout for Alex Scott at home to Nottingham Forest earlier in the season - and now he had his second. In minutes Andi Weimann did get clear on the right and tried to feed Wells & Massengo, who couldn't get a shot away and Martin recycled the ball to DaSilva whose desperate shot was blocked. After just 72 City were starting to find their response and DaSilva got space on the left to excute a perfect low drilled cross which Martin turned goalwards and home keeper Travers somehow kept off the line down at the near post, the ball spinning clear where Martin prone on the floor couldn't convert and Travers had just enough time to claim at the second attempt in front of away fans. City somehow in a game they were second best in - yet inside the last ten they rightly went further behind as Dembele weaved a way through defenders from the left before applying a finish. It could have been 4 after Wells got to the byline and cut back to the edge of the box where Weimann could not control and Bournemouth broke - Solanke setting up Christie to drive wide of goal. In injury time City aimed long and Conway - on for star defender Cundy - got time to slip down the right and drill a low cross into the six yard box which top scorer Weimann saw and lasered in on to slam home. For several minutes the away side were thinking a late equaliser but by now Bournemouth's silent home fans were tucked into their seats and quietly waving clappers waiting for the win. Bentley 7 Cundy 8 Atkinson 7 Klose 7 DaSilva 6 Pring 5 James 5 Scott 5 Weimann 6 Wells 5 Martin 7 Massengo 7 Conway 6

Why is League One finishing a week earlier than League Two and the Championship? Do they have somewhere they need to be?

Wait until you discover Ryanair.

"one or two tickets" = 1 adult or 2 children or pensioners! Job done. In other news Lisa Knights explanation on Twitter is way off the mark.

The Yespay platform is a disaster @Davefevs and good luck to City in getting an answer from Worldpay about it, I've told them multiple times for years, even had acknowledgement (no fixes). As you say this issue is new but if people are desperate to go to Stoke just buy one or two tickets at a time - assuming you're not done too many "low value" purchases since your last authentication, they will all go through without need to authenticate.

I am not Pearson out, I desperately want him to be a success - he describes the games the way I see them and brings a level of experience and toughness that we haven't had. With all that said, I have had enough of believing he is not part of the problem - there is no way any manager on earth gets away with pretending that what is now a) the most chaotically inconsistent side I can remember and b) the weakest and most poorly drilled defensively side at this level since we were last relegated, is not in some way down to the manager, his coaches and what they do in training. They have a pedigree to be better both defensively and mentally. I have a horrible feeling that he has failed to take control or inspire confidence in this squad and will be clinging on until he is sacked when it becomes obvious or we simply collapse. That's not to say the side is good enough but if improvement is not consistent and entrenched over time there's no point in being here. And Nige doesn't seem to be able to carry his improvements from one game to the next. That's the worst of it.