Charlie BCFC

Well I certainly hope the OP got the attention he ordered

6 hours ago, JoeAman08 said:

Is there logic in that? He had last 15 or so of last season. Made his decisions and had 10 players walk and brought back 3. Then signed another 4(5 with Klose) and we are finishing the season much like we finished last season. If we sell players and let NP buy I believe it is going to set us back further. 

Finished the season like we did last? We ended the season poorly, relying on youngsters and our last win of the season was on match day 36, and we only got 3 more points in the final 10 games which were all draws. The Blackburn game this season was on Matchday 37 and the performance v West Brom is better than any of the performances we put in the final 10 games of last season. I’d definitely say already we’ve finished the season better than last

Didn’t think he was at his best but also probably not his fault with the amount of options he had in the first half. Early signs are very good from him…

11 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

That's fair and tbh I'd love to keep all 3 and build. Perhaps I'm overly pessimistic in my forecasts, perhaps one or more of Webster and Kelly move for big fees, big sell on for us- breathing space!

I certainly think that between 2007/08 and now we have either failed or wasted opportunities 3-4 times. We spend a good slug in Jan 2008,  perhaps we go up or win playoffs!

Start wise 2017/18 and the positive momentum from the Cup run, missing the playoffs was a big disappointment.

2018/19, we flogged Pack and Brownhill to death, plus some misfortune with injuries in CM. Could another CM and striker in January 2019 have pushed us over the line into the top 6? Maybe!

Plus recent Cup experience of a lot of the players in both 2017/18, 2018/19 would have stood us in good stead for the playoffs.

2019/20, the football was worst of the 4 in the list. Otoh LJ got a lot of leeway in the market, should have made more of it I think. Losing in the first 6 weeks, Kalas, Dasilva, Nagy and Afobe to medium-long term injuries was unfortunate too, just as the new setup was clicking.

No doubt opportunities have been wasted, can't disagree with that at all.

If push comes to shove though, financially I believe we only need to sell one of the 3 this summer. Hopefully zero but at most one.

This is probably unpopular but 18/19 was the best team we had. Quite simply the teams above us were incredibly strong, much stronger than the top of the division this year. Personally think the only two teams that are definitely stronger than the 18/19 side are Fulham and Bournemouth 

I think the difference between Gould and Ashton, is that Ashton would look to sell at the first opportunity and Gould has said he’d rather take a points deduction than to sell our prized assets

Scott is 18 and this is his first full season in the league, tied him down the summer so I’m confident he’ll be here come the end of the season.

Semenyo we have no reason to sell, and looks like the club want to keep him.

Massengo is the one I’m worried about, looks like he enjoys it here but not long left on his deal and would want to play at the top level again

Paul Clement joining as assistant, poor manager but obviously a well regarded coach. Think it could be an interesting one

2 hours ago, Better Red said:

Thought he had a great game today. Played well and looked like a championship player.

Good in a back three. Good on the ball.

Comfortable on the ball and has pace.

Great temperament and looks a good lad.

Well done Cam Pring

Agree, would be unfair not to give Weimann man of the match but he’s a close second. Dasilva is a very good left back but Pring has done ever so well to claim his spot

22 hours ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

Just realised he has switched allegiance from England to Sierra Leone and he is in their squad for the Africa Cup of Nations - I thought he was a very classy player with a huge future when we had him on loan - his well documented battle with alcohol, gambling and depression obviously had a significant impact on his progress. It’s good to see he has got back to playing football at a good level - I wish him well and lots of luck ...

Wasn’t aware of this, knew his career fell off but thought it was more down to injuries. Either way good for him hope he has a good tournament 

On 01/01/2022 at 06:47, Never to the dark side said:

Matt Smith and Benik afobe

I enjoyed their time at Ashton Gate,so please no booing

I wouldn’t boo unless it’s to put him off or something. Shame about Afobes injury as he’d have been excellent if we could keep him fit for the season

On 01/01/2022 at 09:50, East Londoner said:

George Saville too 

Boo the **** out of him please

They’re awful those commentators 

1 hour ago, Better Red said:

How many games and how many goals ?

He definitely ain’t no Striker…..

 

By your logic then Weimann is a striker because he’s one of the top scorers in the division?

I promise you no one on here cares at this moment of time

20 hours ago, 1960maaan said:

Thanks, just read it. Even with the game being Sunday, I doubt Williams will start, bench at best I'd think. 

I hope the rest were just impact injuries and not too bad, worst case could mean a lot of changes Sunday.

I think Williams was a precaution. Bakers probably looked the worst out of the lot, if he’s out then I guess Atkinson can come in and that shouldn’t be an issue

I remember when we had Blackburn at home last season. Despite winning 1-0, commentators were going on like we would be happy with a point at home against a team below us at the time. Said Blackburn were all over us despite the only chances they had were shots straight at Bentley and gave Harvey Elliott man of the match because he was a Liverpool player.

42 minutes ago, Super said:

I didn't have any problem with it some are very sensitive on here but one thing i will say was the questions put to NP after the game were beyond stupid! 

What questions were asked out of curiosity?

11 minutes ago, 42nite said:

 

Can't be sure, but didn't he get the flick on for the goal?

I thought he had a good game last night, poor bloke must be knackered.

 

He did apologies, agree thought his pressing was very good at times aswell

5 minutes ago, redsince1994 said:

Got the assist for Bakinson

You know what I completely forgot that he did! Even more reason to say he had a great game!

7 hours ago, wendyredredrobin said:

COD, Benarous and Scott earned a start.  Chris Martin might as well go back to Coldplay as he is past it - I would stick Semenyo in there, personally, who would give us more pace, strength and effort up top even though his goal scoring record isn't so great.

If Baker is fit, it would be a toss up between him and Atkinson.

A big shout out to Andi Weimann, who again gave 100%.  A bit of an unsung hero, in my view.  Nobody else seems to give us that week in and week out. 

Even though he scored tonight, I'm still not sure that Bakinson is giving 100%, but HNM certainly seems to.

Harsh comment, yeah he didn’t score or assist but he ran his socks off and held the ball up very well. 

Benarous is a right little s*** isn’t he, but I for one am all for it

Thought we were very unlucky on Saturday to not get the three points. Stoke probably had the better chances but we were better than them in both boxes and overall we wanted it more which is great to see. 

Speedy recovery Nige

3 minutes ago, Super said:

I must add how did Creswell get away with that challenge on Henderson? Red all day long. 

Originally thought it wasn’t a red, but seeing a similar challenge in the Everton game was a red card. Then by that logic he had to go

11 hours ago, spudski said:

Just interested compared to myself so no malice.

I guess I'm an average supporter. Played football, and lived  for football all through my formative years and into 20's. Found girls, beer and marriage.

Watched and played...found other interests etc.

Continued watching city when life circumstances allowed. On and off season ticket holder.

In later years when watching rather than playing became the norm, meeting with pals, having some banter and a few beers and watching City took over for fun...that was what we did.

After so many years of following...owners, managers, players, excuses...at what point did it become a chore, rather than something that was enjoyable, where you worked all week and went back to work on Monday feeling good about life?

I read this forum and speak to mates and there is an underlying theme. It's ingrained...from youth, from family...years of following, often through habit. Stuck in a rut, nothing better to do, anything to get away from the missus. Escapism...thinking of the good ol' days. Let's face it...so much is compared to the past when circumstances at the time were fun.

And we constantly compare to the past.

Now...being middle aged. I ask myself...why am I so interested?

Watching and supporting a team I have no control over.

The deeper you get involved, the more it affects your mood. You watch, listen, read other people's thoughts. Some are so into it... literally sharing every thought and passion on a forum to randoms!!! I guess that comes from life circumstances. Some feel the need and release...others don't.

After many years...I've stopped going. Cancelled my season ticket and now go to watch semi professional football. I love it...breath of fresh air.

City is massively ingrained in my soul. Grandfather, father and me. Everyday i think about the connection and good times. I watch from afar now, occasional game, read this every day. So it means something. I question myself. Why do I care,why do I bother, why do I put myself through the emotions every weekend that affect my mood?

Gone from really into it, to absolute couldn't care less tbh.

Regardless of results, it's been shit for many seasons. 

So without sounding like a complete knob...why do you care? How does following City make a difference in your life. Have you ever thought why am I following this shit and allowing it to affect my life so much?

You get one life...the owner and players enjoy everything away from football to the enth degree.

Yet you work all week to watch and accept this shit accross the board, for years, thinking it's going to be enjoyable, entertaining...and just what we do. If you don't do it...you aren't a real supporter.

Well I think real supporting is now confused. It's moved on.

We are now £££££££s...nothing more.

Go back to 82...Cooper etc. Nothing compares...but we still compare that ethos, work ethic, support, family feeling.

Excuses after excuses after excuses...it's literally laughable.

Yet we all sit as supporters writing on here our feelings and research. Hours of our life...

Just a thought...

 

 

I think it’s the way football has changed, football is more business orientated now. No wonder off the pitch we have been excellent but on the pitch recently we have been woeful. I sometimes go to watch semi pro during the international breaks and days City are away and they are much more enjoyable at the moment, might be because I’m not overly bothered who wins but seems to be more about the fans

I’m not going to disagree with people for saying Pearson out, still Pearson in personally but these next few games are important for him. Lansdown out shouts are ******* ridiculous, be careful for what you wish for as the grass isn’t always greener. 

15 hours ago, GBF said:

This club is in dire need of some positive leadership

The fan base is very close to switching off and withdrawing  support.  It is not hard to understand the fans frustration

1. The board have failed to deliver on the expectations that they set themselves when sacking Lee Johnson

2The football served up at Ashton Gate in the last 2 years is some on the most unenjoyable/ unwatchable  I have seen in over 40 years of supporting the club

3 Everyone is disillusioned with the state of play and looking to blame someone for the mess we are in

4 The Board have failed to communicate clearly the financial impact of the COVID pandemic on our finances and combining this will financial fair play the constraints which have been placed on NP and his ability to reshape our playing squad

5 Our playing squad in inadequate for the stated objectives of the Club ( to get into the play offs) and in truth this squad would struggle to achieve that in League 1

I am of the opinion that the following things need to happen to get a positive vibe back into supporting our club

1. The Board  to put out a statement clarifying where we are financially and thereby justifying the lack of investment in the playing squad this season

2. The Board to apologise for the current lack of quality in the football being played and as gesture in acknowledging that it has fallen well below its intended standard to reduce all ticket prices to a flat fee of £10 per person irrespective of age for all remaining matches this season

3 To compensate season tickets that renew for next season before a specified date with a reduction in price of £100 per adult on the price they paid this season as a reward for sticking with the club during this period To review price on non adult season tickets that renew but rather than money off perhaps get a free First team Home shirt 

4 The supports trust/ Club to make a real effort to improve the non football bit of the match day experience to entice as many of us as possible attend matches, get behind the team, and maintain the fan base at a time when the football being played is hard to watch

Could we 

a) Immediately reduce purchase price of all drinks consumed at the ground on match days to being the lowest available locally eg Pint for £4 Soft drink £1  Let’s get people into our stadium spending money and creating an atmosphere 

b) Could we see if we could get well known local bands  or bands that play popular music well to play on the concourse to raise money for local charities  could we promote the bands that are playing in the pre match build up

c) Could the Sports Bar and allTVs in the ground have the sound on when playing the early kick off premiership game on a Saturday 

d) Would it be possible to organise a Q&A session inside the concourse of the stadium with a former club player or manager each week pre kick off in the way this is often done in corporate areas of the ground We could start off with anyone of the Ashton Gate Eight and again could collect for charity  If this was done at 12 30 on 3pm kick offs for 30/45 minutes you may get up to a 1000 people turning up earlier to hear them speak whilst sharing drinks with their friends

e) If we are not selling out offer 500/1000 tickets per match to a different local school to distribute each match

f)  Let’s get people into the grounds concourse for 12.30 on a Saturday where there are things to do , see and hear a former City player, listen to music, watch the live premier game and eat food and buy drinks served by the Club

In return us fans need to:

1) Get behind the team and the Club and recognise that sometimes your club/ team isn’t as good and you want it to be but it will only get better if we are all pulling together

2) Turn up as much as possible and ideally take friends to matches assuming the Club offer cheap tickets  

3) Loudly support the team and help make it a harder place for opposition teams to play

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve gone through a pandemic which not only means we’ve lost ticket sales from last season but also the training ground took up a lot of money. That’s the reason for the low spending