Jimbo76

We have a mid table squad. Why does everyone keep thinking we're likely to get top 6? We have an industrious set of players (with the odd exception). We lack top 6 quality. Max probably not good enough. Tanner, good defender but SO negative. Mehmeti, league one show pony. James and Wells probably showing their age. Bell, lightweight. Cornick, squad player. But I'm not moaning cos I know that is our squad and so mid table is about right. To do a Brentford or Luton needs all the planets to align. Other than that, Steve would need to spend money and we all know that won't happen. So I'm keeping realistic expectations for the average squad we have. But some entertainment wouldn't go a miss. Struggling to recall two worse back to back games than that. Shame, cos I'd like to see what Manning could do if backed with some cash.

Ordered home kit and a bobble hat for my lad for Xmas. To be his main present. Order never got delivered. Chased it numerous times over phone and email. No response. Eventually got a response today saying they hope to get it out in time and there's no more hats. Is Tins in charge of the shop as well?!

Really? I was trying to be open minded and then I saw that strange promo video he did and it just smacks of LJ bullsh*t....which we know Lansdown laps up. The pre and post match interviews are gonna be night and day compared to Nige.

The bursting of that optimism bubble never gets any easier. That aside, have I misunderstood the narrative about pre season and a big part of our team ethos? I was under the impression that we were going to be all about stamina and fitness in order to be employ a high press / high energy style. I saw no press today. Very lethargic in and out of possession, unlike PNE, who hassled us throughout. Even with my realistic head on, I was very disappointed today. No press, lost out on most second balls, no dynamism with the ball. I think energy is a huge part of what was missing today. Just can't work out why.

Thanks. I'll send you a DM.

Sorry for the slightly selfish post - this seemed about the best place to put it. I'm trying to drag my 8 year old son away from the glamour and excitement of following Man City, like everyone else in the playground, to a more humble, predictable and tormenting sort of fandom, the sort that I have endured for decades. On that note, does anyone have, or know of anyone that has a suitable kit that they would be willing to sell. Ideally, fairly recent and in good condition. He's 8 but only little, so aged 7 years would be ideal. I can't shell out for a whole new kit, especially if he reverts to worshipping Haaland on Monday. We're coming up from Devon for the Preston game, so I'm hoping for 6-0 to give him the bug! Direct message if any positive responses. Thanks

In his words, really unhappy with the 'young players' not putting the effort in ("I don't care who they are") Pleased with the keeper and back four and the more senior members of the team. and Mehmeti didn't have enough time to have an impact (in his words) Looking at the line up, that leaves Bell, Conway and Scott. I'm guessing he's not having a go at Bell, who despite crossing like he had lead in his boots, put the effort in, so Conway and Scott I presume? Wonder if all the speculation around Scott is starting to tell?

I really want him to be good enough but I just don't see it. I know he's young but I'm yet to be convinced.

I was in the Family Stand with my 7 year old for his first trip to AG for the Reading game and one of his (many) questions to me that day was 'What's a whore?'. Don't get me wrong, he'd already been told that he would hear lots of bad language, even in the Family Stand (and even then, the level and nature of that in the family stand surprised me), but it did seem a shame to me that he had to ask that question. It will change as society does, i.e. slowly.

Thanks. If nothing else (for the birthday boy) I've got a feeling there'll be goals in it tomorrow.

Slightly selfish post.......attending tomorrow with my lad for his first trip from Devon up to AG (8th birthday present......poor boy). Unfortunately, I've had a foot op recently and can't walk much. Is there a reliable bus service from Temple Meads or am I looking at a Taxi? ...... and he really wanted to see Alex Scott ? Thanks

Tiny, hostile ground. Very physical Luton team who got away with a lot. Their press in the first half completely knackered us. Stupid defensive play led to their goal. Second half we got a bit more physical and employed a much higher press on them. Aside from the Luton game, are we physical enough generally? I like aspects of their various games, but do we think the likes of Bell, Mehmeti, Cornick and Wells are up for a scrap? Compared to that Luton side, not a fair fight.

Huddersfield game all over again. Build up is good but final ball/finishing we really do struggle. Good but frustrating watch so far.

How does Vyner go from outstanding to total liability so often?

They're awful. Not interested in playing. Even wasting time in the first half. And we should easily be two up. This has got 1-0 to Colin written all over it.

Inevitable after Tuesday. Annoying as I think Cardiff look poor. That second was terrible defending. He was just allowed to run but Max should never be beaten. At least we can stop dreaming of play offs now.

Echo that. Why do people have to post about the premier League on a BCFC match day thread? Annoying.

Tough watch! Nobody in defence or midfield had any ideas who should be marking who. Hence Boro can attack down the wings with incredible ease. Think this will end 2-0 to us or 4-1 to them!

Something really wrong today. Players you expect to chase things, e.g. massengo and weiman, are just jogging around. No fight, no winning second balls. Almost like none of them give a sh*t.

So far, one of the worst city performances I can remember. Lethargic, second to everything, lacking movement or ideas. Something has to change at half time.

What we need is an attacking full back who got loads of assists last year and was named league player of the season. ?

I can take him to see City at Ashton Gate and sit in the Lansdown Stand and have a great day - and that's what we will do. Away games with a little one probably not a good idea. But seeing as I live in Devon, it seemed a good idea.

I'll pass on the parenting tips, but thanks.

I'd venture it has annoyed you slightly?

Ok, so this post is going to annoy some. First off, I'm not naive about the behaviour of football fans. Before moving away from Bristol, throughout the 90s, I had a season ticket in the upper part of Dolman block C so was fairly close to the 'excitable' fans and have heard, joined in with and laughed frequently at the songs and general banter that is standard across football. But yesterday was, for me, a different experience. Now my views will be affected by the fact that I was taking my 7 year old to his first ever football match and I wanted it to be a success. It wasn't (ok the football didn't help but that's not the issue). I had already warned him that he would hear lots of swearing and I expected to hear all forms and lots of it. Again, not the issue. For me, the issue is the anger and vitriol that accompanied it and the apparent obsession with paedophillia. This was a pre season friendly in sunny weather at another West country club. Perfect opportunity for singing, banter and classic terrace humour. Why then did I ( and more importantly my 7 year old) have to listen to at least 25 minutes of foul abuse, singling out a Plymouth fan as a ****ing n*nce, a ****ing p*edo and various other forms of the same abuse. All delivered, as I say, with what seemed like genuine anger. Why? Even when the target had to relocate because of the abuse and there was a kid left there, apparently crying (according to the bloke next to me), it prompted songs of 'where's your daddy gone?', 'we want our paedo back' etc... My lad didn't know where to look and when I asked if he was alright he said he was a bit scared. I asked why and he said because of 'all the angry men'. When did paedophillia become funny? He heard the terms so many times yesterday that all he wanted to know afterwards was what a 'paedo' and a 'n*nce' were. I dread to think what he'll be saying in the playground tomorrow. Why can you go to the cricket or the rugby and still have great crowd interaction without all the extreme abuse. I know some will read this and think I'm being over sensitive, and there may be some truth in that, because I was so keen for my lad to enjoy the day (and he didn't) but I really think there is a question of appropriate behaviour to be asked.