Olé

I think one of the players he is referring to is O'Dowda who yet again contributed absolutely nothing.

It's frustrating but it's simply because we keep losing close games from winning positions, it magnifies the impact which decisions would have had. I expect every club has a list of ones that got away, but no one remembers them all because several would be in fixtures where the result was not affected. We on the other hand are left needing them all back. I mean refereeing in most of the fixtures mentioned has been woeful (QPR game most aggregiously) but there is nothing more sinister than that, as per @ExiledAjaxcoin toss analogy, you can't make a trend out of unrelated events. And the old story of our players not managing the ref doesn't apply either, Weimann and Martin are in their ear the whole time. Also I don't read anything into the stat about least in Europe, someone has to be last, it is an irrelevance without knowing number of claims, and until the past six weeks we all know how depressing an attacking side we became over the past couple of years, don't forget last season we were zero threat and broke Championship records for fewest shots on target. Tl;Dr - refereeing is frustrating, spineless, inconsistent, but it only sticks out more because we can't hold onto a result.

City's season has become so formulaic the only mystery is whether we will be beaten by a complete inability to stop conceding goals from crosses or due to whistle happy match officials who suddenly go silent at the exact moment required to screw us. In biblical rain at Swansea we had both these familiar foes. Weimann capped an end to end first half by lasering into the top corner after good work by the unplayable Semenyo, but a continued failure by O'Leary to attack crosses coupled with Vyner losing his man got Swansea level and despite City's high press causing chaos - it was Swansea who stole into a lead. All eyes on match officials including ref and part-time pantomime villain Keith Stroud - a go ahead goal that looked clearly offside, a mistake that was compounded when before the end Semenyo was clipped in the box for no penalty, the sort of brief contact that he had been whistling outside the box all day. With a capacity away following that left City fans standing in aisles in growing drizzle, it was the away side who shaded an open first half. At the midway point Klose turned wide from Scott's corner and then Obafemi twice saw shots around the area blocked though O'Leary flapped badly at a right wing corner. On the half hour it was all City - as Semenyo deep ball was recycled before DaSilva laid it off to Vyner whose cross was half cleared to where Massengo robbed an opponent to tee up Scott - whose wickedly curling shot from the edge of the box spun just inches wide of the left post. City clearly growing in threat. Minutes later Weimann found space running the channel to send a fierce rising volley just past the right post. Semenyo went on a run again, skipping past players at the edge of the box before testing Fisher low to his left. Before the break City robbed their hosts for Semenyo to setup Weimann's explosive opener. After the break Swansea's passing football started to probe yet despite a series of good blocks and clearances, inside ten minutes it was level as Christie drove a simple cross in front of a still frozen to his line O'Leary and Vyner allowed Obafemi to drift off at the far post to tap in. A goal we regularly concede. With Williams on for Massengo City actually looked more likely to get the second. Before the hour Pring spun a marker, then Weimann got Semenyo in behind the last man on the left but his drilled cross was between his team mates. A stray boot left in by Obafemi then forced O'Leary off for Bentley in goal. More City at the midway point as a cavalier move on the right saw Martin skipping in off a DaSilva through ball and tricking his way past a defender only to see a shot blocked. The visitors high press was causing keeper Fisher nightmares and Weimann robbed one of his bad touches to win a chaotic corner. DaSilva hacked down Wolf on the left byline and from Downes free kick to beyond the far post Wolf almost swept home. Another steal by Semenyo put Weimann clear on the left to cut inside and see his shot deflected over. Scott's corner appeared underhit but Martin met it near post to backheel over the far post. With quarter of an hour left an intricate City passing combination from out on the right wing saw Weimann slip a marker and feed Semenyo inside the box - who despite close attention from his opposite number stayed on his feet and managed a low shot on the turn that was pushed away just wide of goal. Then controversy as Swansea went in front - against the run of play. Calamity from yet another deep cross this time from Piroe on the left - with Christie and Nitcham stealing ahead of Pring to turn home, though it was the former of them who seemed to be well offside when converting a second attempt. Before 90 the irrepressible Semenyo looked to be caught on his ankle inside the box but nothing was given - despite ref Stroud being rapid to stop play for small similar contacts outside the box. Then in injury time as City pushed up with Wells, space opened up for Piroe to go clear and drive home decisively. A two goal margin flattered a beatable and largely fortuitous, patient Swans side, but it was City, seeking a sixth win from their last seven trips across to Wales (the only defeat without fans) - that today instead despite a lively opening, surrendered in the heavy rain to deep crosses and shallow officiating. O'Leary 5 Vyner 4 Klose 7 Kalas 6 Massengo 6 Scott 7 Pring 5 DaSilva 6 Weimann 7 Semenyo 8 Martin 7 Williams 6 Bentley 6 Wells 5

Dave I listen to FBC all the time and really enjoy it including Ian's views. But Radio Bristol is not a barometer of opinion and the fact Ian is on every week regardless of whether he has been to a game I don't think should be a positive qualification. I have a simple view that none of us have the first clue about football if we did we'd be working in the game. So we don't need to take ourselves so seriously and asking for resignations after an improving side is totally off it at Blackpool is too simplistic. I did used to ring Geoff after away games when I was a teenager but a mate let off a fire extinguisher in my face when I was on air somewhere outside Cambridge ground and never done it since. It sounds like they are happy ringing Madeira for hot takes.

Because no one else calls in?

Thanks I was writing match reports from away games when Callum O'Dowda was three. Not sure how criticism can qualify as personal or not but quick reminder that he has played more City games than anyone else at the club or on the pitch yesterday - Kalas the next is about 25 games behind him - and yet I know absolutely no one who can tell me anything meaningful he has done in all this time representing us. Oh, and the manager yesterday saw fit to take him off after just 45 yesterday so I guess that must be personal too.

Highlighting their ridiculous inconsistency, City returned to Lancashire just a week after their slick passing and control dominated a 2-2 draw at Preston - and instead fell apart in the cold and rain at Blackpool, their early purpose surrendered to their usual inability to defend crosses, woeful from two in short succession and ultimately well beaten. Two goals in two minutes largely against the run of play - the latest double salvo keeper O'Leary has stayed rooted to his line for - continued City's woeful record of defending this season, and in poor conditions gave the few away players who looked like they didn't fancy it a chance to surrender, an easy third after the break making the result academic. It was not without tireless work from in form Massengo and some classy touches out of midfield from Scott, but besides Semenyo, City's forwards were anonymous and never got the ball under control while at the other end Pearson's back line was far too slow to deal with Blackpool movement especially on the break - and from crosses got destroyed. A meltdown wasn't on the cards when inside two minutes Massengo robbed an opponent and fed Semenyo, but the striker dwelled on the ball and was robbed, Hamilton breaking down the left to square for Bowler to force a save from O'Leary. On 12 Scott recovered a 50/50 in his half and one touch off DaSilva sent Semenyo clear to force a diving save. At the midway point of the half O'Leary had to tip over as Gabriel fired in from the right flank - and then Semenyo controlled the ball in midfield and sent O'Dowda away off the shoulder of the last man only for the winger to crumple feebly and needlessly to the floor under the slightest pressure. It was all City by now but without finding the killer pass. On 33 all action Massengo again robbed an opponent and in one touch fed Weimann but the City captain gave it away cheaply to cue another rapid left wing break for Blackpool that was swept into the far post with no one on hand to finish. Massengo was still trying to effect a one man rebellion and stole into the box and was cut down but no penalty. Then the sucker punch - new boy Klose over elaborated and then underhit a clearance and O'Dowda offered nothing as Blackpool recovered possession and took advantage of disorganisation to lift the ball to the back post where Yates headed down into space for Hamilton to turn in easily. A terrible goal to concede that summed up City's mistakes. Within seconds it was two, DaSilva got in a tangle clearing routinely against the striker from a deep right wing cross and from the corner Madine bundled in. The most naive of 2-0 defecits after a bright start - typical of City's self destruct. O'Dowda ran inside the full back before the break and crossed onto the bar - before rightly being taken off. Any hopes of a second half revival to warm the frozen and damp 1000+ City fans ended rapidly as Weimann and Semenyo tried to combine and lost out to allow yet another Blackpool break that put Bowler into space down the right, the winger casually striding forward, cutting inside past Pring to make room to drill low into the bottom corner. Some City fans would have left at this point to find a nearby drinking establishment and the usual luminous lights, wipe clean seats and day-glo shot glasses. But not me, I stay to the end just so I can freeze my nuts off to say I remembered every aspect of our fifth month without an away win. It may also be because I don't like plastic Blackpool pubs. On 52 good work by DaSilva put Scott into space in the box off a defender but the star youngster scuffed his tame shot straight at the keeper. The game became scrappy as City clung on grimly to avoid a fourth and midway through the second period our rare break found Martin in the right channel who fed Semenyo in the box, firing side netting. On 71 we finally worked players into the box and Pring ran inside defenders and laid it off left for Semenyo who dropped a shoulder to slip inside the edge of the box and curl just over the bar. Next Scott spun his marker in the channel and was hacked down, from the free kick Williams curling it top corner - but claimed easily by underworked Grimshaw. On 76 a short corner saw Scott lay back to Williams to fire badly low and wide - the sub then becoming embroiled in a head to head with Madine who sent him to the floor as the game boiled over. On 83 Semenyo was sent clear down the left and spreaded it easily to Williams in the box but the eager midfielder underhit his tame lob straight to the keeper. A consolidation was inevitable and with five left a Pring run in the left channel gave City time and space to exchange with Semenyo - who again laid off for Williams whose cross into the box sailed over everyone but found DaSilva racing in beyond the last man, and squaring for substitute Wells to tap in. It was a moment of fun for the freezing away fans. City couldn't string together their passing of a week earlier so there was little danger of a comeback as the match fizzled out with the hosts as likely to grab a fourth. Pearson has said he wants a side that grinds out results but this is anything but - besides two young midfielders today we had plenty who didn't fancy the cold and rain and surrendered. O'Leary 4 The blueprint is clear now he doesn't help his centre backs at crosses - never comes and concedes regularly Kalas 6 Tireless and let down by those around him Klose 5 Still good passing and interesting seeing him ripping into teammates after mistakes - but his clearance among them Pring 4 Worst game in a City shirt from one of our best players this season - poor with the ball, badly positioned without it Scott 7 Classy touches and head up despite lack of quality in front of him Massengo 7 Bang on form tearing around to win the ball and cue up teammates - too good for us O'Dowda 4 Pathetic tumble given chance to run clear sums him up - and awful for first DaSilva 6 Actually provides a great pivot for us playing Semenyo into the channel when we play out, good assist and easily one of our better players Weimann 4 Never in the game today - don't think he ever had the ball under control Martin 4 Ditto - awful touches on the ball and contributed absolutely nothing Semenyo 6 Some really Prem worthy touches but on his own for most of it Williams 6 All action and hard working - definitely dictates play when he's in midfield Wells 5 Nice tap in

So weird that they setup their own little message board where a couple of them discussed where I lived, my movements and said that me and other City fans would probably smash up their premises (still happily trading on North Street having survived us nasty football supporters). Also had print outs of OTIB postings pushed through my door by the same lot with anonymous messages too. @TomF was not alone! It's been quite a journey posting on OTIB let alone running it.

We're three weeks short of Nigel Pearson's one year anniversary and City, growing both in confidence and swagger in recent weeks, produced easily not only the best display of his challenging reign, but one of the best at this level since promotion in 2015 - being in complete control for long periods, opening up Preston with slick passing combinations throughout while being strong and tigerish without the ball. Close to a complete game. All the more remarkable therefore that City's familiar achilles heel reared it's ugly head in - even by Pearson's last minute record - the most preposterous of manner, the dominant away side surrendering a first away victory since September with literally the last kick of the game, and in a match where if anything it was them that should have gone further in front, dominating even in the final moments before the most ridiculous of sucker punch. With Tim Klose making his debut in central defence it took a while for the game to open up - when it did, it was all City. On 10 from a Scott free kick the visitors won a corner and DaSilva's left wing set piece prompted head tennis with O'Dowda eventually glancing on to Klose himself whose header was claimed by keeper Iverson just under his crossbar. It was one of the first contributions from what was a classy arrival for the Swiss defender. Minutes later all action Scott charged down a midfield opponent in Preston's half, stole the ball and slipped it inside to start a slick move from which Weimann on the run fed it through the lines and into the box for Martin to stride in and on the turn fire back across the keeper and low into the far corner. This was City at their convincing best, pressing the opposition high up, stealing possession and carving through with slick interplay. Before 20 minutes a DaSilva and Semenyo combination on the right touchline teased a way through Preston again, Scott turning inside and giving DaSilva room to cross and though it was half cleared by now Semenyo was central and ready to laser a volley just over the bar. Next an outrageous one two on the same side saw Kalas of all people take a return from DaSilva flush to the touchline to go clear, his wicked cross turned behind. This was a City display travelling fans had not seen for years, all over their hosts, slick combinations and overlaps while giving the home side nothing, Archer's run through the left channel after half an hour into the box but easily muscled out by Kalas. He and the new man Klose were both winning headers and too strong for Preston, while confidently passing out from the back, the debutant in particular with l a range of accurate passes. But City did not capitalise on two stunning moves. On 35 Kalas won the ball in midfield and Scott stylishly fed Martin whose deep ball found O'Dowda in space left of the box only to fire over. Then a deep Scott free kick after the marauding Massengo was hacked down was half cleared but the rebound fell to the combative Semenyo left of the box, he squared dangerously across the area to Weimann who fired wide of an open goal. It was only from the restart that Preston got any momentum, Archer curling over at the edge of the box. But minutes later an inch perfect sliderule pass from Klose dissected opponents and found Semenyo on the left flank - whose quick instincts put O'Dowda immediately clear on goal. The winger was in acres of space and had time to square to Martin for an easy tap in, only to be whistled back, adjudging him to have slipped offside. Then a cruel twist, Preston with barely any threat, saw a low drive by Archer from the edge of the box tipped wide by O'Leary but into the path of Riis Jakobsen who was able to fire home. At the other end despite Klose down on halfway with an injury, Massengo chased back a home break to intercept on the edge of the box, DaSilva then breaking himself and putting Semenyo clear through, seemingly tackled in the box but no penalty. Williams joined for O'Dowda, sadly our least effective player, with the game becoming an increasingly scrappy affair as home players threw themselves to ground on any contact hoping to break up City's relentless rhythm to get a foothold. Most notably with quarter of an hour left Weimann put the irrepressible Semenyo clear but on turning into the box in front of a defender he tumbled in the area - only for the ref to give the foul against him. With Williams now controlling midfield City were dominating as much as the first half. A Martin break down the right channel cut the ball back for Pring to eventually run on and win a corner. When the corner was recycled Massengo dropped a shoulder and slipped a ball into the box for Semenyo at the near post who slammed it unerringly through the keeper into roof of the net - in front of away fans, euphoria at a deserved, overdue lead. City finished the match absolutely dominant with Williams now pulling the strings - going on an endless run through Preston players, finding quick footed Massengo skipping into the box, and from the half clearance Martin curled just over the top corner. The visitors were now breaking at will as Preston pushed up, Semenyo, Weimann and even Martin all running clear into the channels but not once turning for the corner to run the clock down. Amazingly City would pay - from their most wasteful break or the lot. Pring went off on a barnstorming run with literally seconds left, he kept on running, got to the box but there was no pass and no shot, and when he was robbed edge of the box Preston broke down their right, swung in a cross and Jakobsen peeled off Vyner and volleyed into the top corner for his second, and a little deserved equaliser from the last kick of the game. City have made a bad habit this season of throwing away leads, but for those massed up in the steep away stand at Deepdale this was among the most painful and ridiculous. Perhaps the best that City has played since promotion, with Scott and Massengo head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch with energy, closing, quick thinking touches and combinations. A stand out performance for them and for manager Nigel Pearson. O'Leary 6 Good distribution and a few good parries but worrying now how little he claims crosses Kalas 8 Comfortable with and without the ball and was everywhere Klose 8 Always organizing and speaking, won his headers and passing Pring 7 Solid as always but should have been smarter in the 95th minute Massengo 9 Unplayable, incredible engine chased everything broke up play and some great touches Scott 9 Ran out of a bit of steam but prior to that as complete a midfield performance as I've seen from a City player, for a slight 18 year old he was breaking up play, getting stuck in, producing top class touches to get away from them and setting up attacks DaSilva 7 Combined well with teammates and notable that most of our threat came down the right his side rather than via the orthodox winger the other side O'Dowda 5 I don't have an agenda he just doesn't do the things Scott, Massengo, and many others do. Very little to speak about and a terrible finish. Weimann 6 Horrible miss but bags of energy and often just making a run was key to creating the space others thrived on Martin 7 He's a different player to the one at the end of last year, seems to have a new gear and linking up well throughout Semenyo 8 Constant threat, like Scott the touches on the ball are a class above this level, gets it away from opponents so effortlessly and got in behind them at will Williams 7 Cundy 5 Vyner 5

It doesn't work like that anymore I don't think unless @bcfc01has got very lucky. Instead of paying it all at end of the year they make you pay two sums 'on account' at the start of the year and in the middle of the year to cover the tax due at the end of the year, and because the number likely isn't known, they ask for what they guess it will be which unless you're on a proper fiddle is far far more painful than simply having the predictability of PAYE. It's like saying give me some money now until you can work out later what you owe. I do accept the fairness of it (why should some people get cash tax free for a year) but pay now calculate later feels a bit like a mugging. As this is all a bit non-football we should never have sold Eliasson and if we had been able to pair him with Djuric we'd be in the Champions League by now.

Apparently I've been harsh on O'Dowda and have an agenda. If being sick of his act is having an agenda then I'll wear that, I'm sick of watching the bloke. The fact he was supposedly no worse or no better than others around him yesterday (I don't agree, but let's go along with it) should be a damning indictment for a player who has been with us for over 5 years and is the senior, experienced pro alongside Scott, Massengo, Pring, DaSilva, Semenyo, yet consistently doesn't know what to do, plays with half as much drive, and produces little end product. His only attribute is athleticism, running around screening his opponent and occasionally getting on the ball to run head down. But (and this is why I don't accept he is "no worse" than anyone else) he doesn't really take on his man and he doesn't break the lines with any conviction (see: Pring, twice, even 95th minute) and his crosses are aimless (relative to DaSilva curled back post, twice, Pring too). Perhaps others can be more level headed watching on Robins TV but travelling around watching him consistently add so little and make mistakes (surrender when fed on our first break after Luton's second - sizing up a pass or run with no player within six yards of him, only to underhit it straight to them) is exhausting. And judging by his walk past our end it's more tiring watching him than being him.

A recent upturn in the quality of City football has threatened a breakout performance full of possession, interplay and endeavour. Yet when it finally arrived tonight in a one sided display, dominated by City at Luton Town's Kenilworth Road, the noisy away fans had to watch in disbelief as we managed to lose a game that more than ever we had control of. Nigel Pearson's men had dominated for long spells and in Massengo, Scott, Weimann and man of the match Pring had willing workers who controlled play time and again - but the best two crosses of the match were Luton's, whipped in high and deep to meet Hatters' players queueing up to attack it far post and nod in. Direct, effective - smash and grab. City were comfortably on top from the start yet without creating a single chance, a first quarter of the game where they would win a succession of corners through quick breaks, Weimann twice spinning clear from the left onto through balls, while DaSilva and Scott combined intricately on the right to work chances, yet never setting up a shot in goal. On 27 O'Dowda, otherwise anonymous and a long way short of the drive and effort of his teammates, was fed clear down the left, cut back and lobbed an aimless ball into the box that was half cleared to where DaSilva stole into the box looking for an angle, from the clearance for a throw in City's cross was half cleared and Massengo volleyed over. Luton had been non existent all first half but after 37 Vyner initially did well to shepherd Muskwe wide from a rare high ball forward, only to lose out on the touchline, the striker going clear into the box from the byline and driving a low cross in on goal that Kalas had to come flying across diving low to cut out for the hosts first corner - a first rare threat. Perhaps it was a warning as minutes later Vyner stepped away from an attacker and ran on in midfield only to be injured and lose out on City's forray down the right, a Luton break seeing DaSilva turn away for a corner and after treatment for Vyner, the recycled set piece was whipped in by Bree to the far post where Lockyer led a queue to head in. It was jarring how a high rapid cross had led to such a pin point threat where City instead had routinely failed to threaten out wide for all their purpose and interplay. A first lesson in crossing, and an unexpected lead at half time - into the second period another cagey start for both teams as the visitors took the game to Luton again without end product. On 54 it was the irrepressible Pring who ran through defenders from a throw in, powering to the byline before backheeling to O'Dowda whose deep cross was met poorly by Martin heading down into the ground. Minutes later Semenyo turned his man to play Weimann in through the middle, the top scorer racing in to steer a low shot into the bottom corner. City by now had to make their superiority count and on the hour Massengo's fizzing shot was deflected over and from DaSilva's rasping right wing corner, Martin headed back from the far post and Pring volleyed perfectly at the top corner, Shea somehow tipping over desperately - albeit the referee somehow whistled to flag O'Dowda offside. On the midway point of the second half yet another City attack broke down on the left, Luton skipping away from hesitant O'Dowda and leaving Pring to chop down Adebayo in his own half. From the free kick Bree swung in another deep cross and far post Lockyer again headed goalwards with men queueing up, this time Adebayo bundling in the rebound. In response a move out to O'Dowda on the left touchline saw the physically capable but consistently uncertain winger with time and space to size up opponents, only to freeze, think, then underhit a short pass straight to them. A damning indictment for a cautious, careless player whose lack of drive is put to shame by youngsters Pring, Scott and Massengo. He and Semenyo (booked) were hauled off for Wells and the returning Joe Williams for the final 15, the former looking well off the pace, the latter a welcome addition. On 84 the move of the match, Scott from deep via Williams in midfield and out to DaSilva left whose deep cross headed down by Martin, for Weimann to swivel and curl just over. It was again one way traffic in injury time as Williams return ball back over to City's left wing, saw Weimann steer his header across the face of goal where Wells hit side netting. Then Pring, further showing up O'Dowda's contribution, went on a lung bursting run through the lines and still produced a cross that Conway nor Williams could convert. Somehow City had contrived to lose a sixth away game in seven winless attempts and more remarkably in yet another improved performance where they dominated out of midfield and produced arguably their most convincing football with the ball this season - only to be beaten by a familiar inability to defend from deep crosses into the far post. O'Leary 5 Question whether could have claimed for either goal Pring 8 Great on the ball, never stopped running at either end, frankly puts O'Dowda to shame Kalas 7 Cleared up for others a few times but will be unhappy with the goals Vyner 6 Usual hit and miss, elegant turn one minute out muscled the next Massengo 7 Never stopped fighting for the ball, two shots heading goalwards Scott 7 Ran midfield for long periods, a very mature performance O'Dowda 4 Uses none of his attributes and offers nothing when will this end DaSilva 6 His crosses and ball retention were markedly better than O'Dawdle Weimann 7 The only player consistently pressing Martin 7 Multiple headers down to setup chances Semenyo 6 Well dealt with, rarely able to run at goal Wells 4 Didn't look at all sharp or ready to play Williams 6 Helped link up play from side to side and looked keen Conway 5 Didn't have right studs, slipped when given chance

They smashed it up BEFORE the game?? I assumed it was a petulant reaction afterwards. What kind of idiots wreck their own toilet facilities prior to 90 minutes of a football match. I must admit when "3-1 on your big day out" was being sung I looked across at some of their faces and think "3-1 on your care workers day off" would have been more appropriate.

I helps when we win but I really enjoyed that @headhunter. Not sure who Neil is but very sensible and interesting thoughts on Bakinson, league position and FFP.

Luton is a major hub for Easyjet John, I think you're missing a trick here

They don’t need YouTube clicks to be antagonistic. I never knew playing Frogger 30 years ago would be so important but I have to dodge Turquoise Deliveroo and Orange Just Eat cyclists heading right at me on the payment and that’s the easiest bit - if I step into the road even when I can cross Lycra clad nonces swing at me while flying through red lights. Have had more punches thrown at me by cyclists than all away matches in my life put together.

I have friends who are cyclists but trust me on this - cyclists are the biggest mob in London. Don’t worry about Chelsea or Millwall, the single biggest London firm is cyclists - on pavements, cycle highways, roads, wherever they want and they love aggro. Offering out the rest of us. Hardly a day goes by without that nonsense. Sitts has called it for years.

"And if you come back at me, we’ll have a right sort out in here. And you can pair up if you like… and you can bring your ******* dinner coz by the time I’m finished with you, you’ll ******* need it" - agree, probably the original football documentary. Sitts is now a cabbie in London as well as very opinionated both on Twitter and on various football podcasts - I've been following him for years, partly because he also lashes out (rightly) on the chaos of Uber in London. His self published autobiography is interesting, he goes into more detail on the football side, he does have a huge grudge as the documentary got him blackballed from professional football, when in fact he was quite a promising youth coach originally. There's a good article here: https://theblizzard.co.uk/bring-your-dinner-ewan-flynn/writing/

Absolutely this - winning the individual battles, not just down to strength but intelligence too, Kebano drifted so easily into space in attacking positions which made it easy for him to get the run on his opposite number. As you say the only player of ours who won physical battles was Semenyo and I hope it's an end to the myth we need to play Martin up top and punt balls at him to hold up, ball to feet to Semenyo is far more effective.

I was going to mention it until someone showed me a video of the incident on their phone in the pub afterwards - sadly absolutely no way it was a penalty, much as in the heat of the moment on the rebound from Weimann's shot it felt like it should be. Referee had a good view and got the decision spot on, no contact and already stumbling over.

I gained additional time by managing to get on a train going in the wrong direction for over half an hour. ?

He really does. He has the physical attributes but he doesn't seem to have any footballing instinct or intelligence, never plays with his head up, and after five years is still playing like a scared 18 year old. He's been here long enough to be one of our experienced players and yet he looks like even Scott or Benarous could put an arm round him and explain to him what he should be doing with or without the ball. Yesterday was his usual script of being utterly lightweight, contributing nothing - running head down into trouble, never getting a proper cross in with the ball, and without the ball being too easily brushed off. For their second he fell over far too easily to give them a clear run in the channel. For their third he had time and space to break, never looked up, never crossed, mishit a backheel to King so they broke to score. He continued in that vain with his usual act of avoiding every single 50/50, standing off players, or with the ball charging headlelessly into trouble. I think in 90 minutes he won 1 corner and completed 0 crosses. I have some sympathy for Vyner lined up against Mitrovic - yes a bad performance but unsurprising. O'Dowda's display was far more unforgivable - 150 odd games now in the Championship and still no clue.

A power cut at Craven Cottage threatened to derail City's ominous trip to a high flying, goalscoring Fulham side. But with the game on, Nigel Pearson's side stormed to not one but two leads thanks to a real power surge from all action Antoine Semenyo, but at the other end they could not compete in the air and collapsed to an eventual 6-2 reverse. The seven goal first half was breathless and featured Semenyo twice abusing defenders on the run to lash home, yet a failure to win a single header against Mitrovic nor to get close to man of the match Kebano saw City well beaten by a succession of easy finishes into one or other of Max O'Leary's top bins, evidence if needed of a defence overrun. City's bright start was in evidence after just 2 minutes as Semenyo dropped a shoulder slipped inside a defender to sting the keepers hands. In just 5 minutes it was 1-0, a quick throw out from O'Leary and Scott roamed out of midfield, set Semenyo clear from the left, the young forward skipping easily past a defender before lashing the roof of the net. After 12 Mitrovic headed wide at very close range from a corner and soon after Kebano ran at goal but smashed the ball well wide. It was a warning and on 20 Wilson on the right slipped the ball inside for Kebano who had time in the box to lift it back across goal for Mitrovic, who pushed off from Vyner two handed and headed into the bottom corner. Kebano was drifting into space repeatedly - on 25 he collected on the edge of the box to curl goalwards. A minute later he had space on the left to cross and from a header back Mitrovic close range header was tipped over by O'Leary. Yet one quick ball upfield and Semenyo outmuscled a defender on halfway ran on goal and slammed in off the post. A second limbs moment in the noisy away end should setup an amazing afternoon for the boisterous away following and yet in just seconds the game was level as O'Dowda slipped under pressure and Fulham raced in on the right, O'Leary didn't hold the cross as Mitrovic headed in and the ball spun free for Kebano to stab home the easiest of goals. Within just 5 minutes Fulham took their first lead, the powderpuff O'Dowda on the break underhittting a backheel to King which was a complete swing of possession allowing Carvalho to run at goal with defenders to a man back tracking before he curled into the far top corner. Before 40 a slip got DaSilva in behind and Weimann's shot was blocked. With just 5 minutes left in the half Mitrovic headed in easily steering the ball onwards to the same corner of the net. By now City's defenders had offered little in the way of defence and were well on course for a huge defeat. A quick Massengo exchange on half time gave the ball away, a break via the right channel seeing Mitrovic curl into top corner. Being 5-2 down at half time is more or less uncharted territory and within a few minutes of the second half Rob Atkinson came on for Massengo and Chris Martin for DaSilva. On 55 O'Dowda was fouled by the corner flag and when the free kick into the box was half cleared King sent a rasping half volley just wide of the near post with players stranded. But before the hour Fulham got a sixth, yet again a move from the right, a free kick from the channel and once more a header down beyond the far post, Kebano on hand to turn in. Scott would test Fulham's keeper after Pring was cut down, Atkinson heading onto the roof of the net, and Weimann in attack would next also shoot straight at the keeper Yet from a fixture that started with a power cut and where Semenyo twice destroyed the Fulham defence, it was City that flatlined - a 1-0 and 2-1 lead quickly collapsing to what became a one sided result for Fulham and its' fans - static, occasionally waving bits of paper, but ultimately able to enjoy ending a 5 game winning run in emphatic fashion. O'Leary 5 DaSilva 5 Pring 6 Vyner 3 Kalas 4 King 5 Massengo 6 Scott 5 O'Dowda 2 Weimann 6 Semenyo 8 Martin 5 Atkinson 5 Bakinson 5

Everyone talking about dodgy streams and proxies - the game is being streamed free on most of the big betting sites or apps. When you hear moved for international TV these days in the FA Cup it just means the betting industry hoovered up all the remaining games so long as by law they don't kick off at 3pm. As an example livevideo.betfair.com I do not encourage gambling (everyone else in football already has that covered) but personally if I do use any of these sites I use the Betfair exchange so that I know I'm at least up against other people. If you use any of these sites today bear in mind they may require a small deposit I.e. £5 to watch the stream but you can bet that on a stone cold certainty for example Joey Barton completing the double. City game moved to 1230 so international fans gamblers can watch. This is modern football for you. P.S. if this has been any help for you consider using this link to signup to Betfair and whatever blood money they give me for referring you I will collect and donate to Help Bristol's Homeless: https://promos.betfair.com/choose-your-refer-and-earn-offer?referrerCode=UJNTQNKQM

I don't disagree with the spirit of your post, and I hope you're right - I expected us to struggle and like @Alessandro I will be happy to survive, but I'm probably a bit closer to @JoeAman08on this, I am not even starting to get carried away yet - in being resigned to a struggle, I just wanted to see a positive impact on performances and that really hasn't happened at all until the two over New Year. Maybe it's schlepping across the country for this stuff, but I don't accept "bar Sheff Utd away" as a way of measuring improvement - which is one of the most feeble & disorganised City performances I've witnessed in my lifetime, and we turned up for the next away fixture (Hull) against a poor side and were just as bad for at least 45, which makes me more sceptical about "recent improvements". I also thought Huddersfield outplayed us too in the following game, as a performance the scoreline in that fixture flattered us. Yes the QPR and Millwall games have showed a LOT more organisation and I'm excited about that - as others have said, a fully fit Semenyo really helps - but it's literally two games in a week where I've seen anything resembling green shoots, we've been here before under NP.