Loosey Boy

Bournemouth press reporting that they will sign some new players this week - sense this could be the week where AS future is known - let’s hope he’s in our midfield at Millwall on Saturday

Let’s be honest, it was never likely to be a thrills and spills type of game - Preston at home never is……..PNE are always a well drilled, workmanlike team who look to frustrate their opponents….

Having said that, we didn’t play well, looked a tad disjointed - there’s always the danger that this happens on match day one.

As many others have said, midfield was where we struggled the most - we definitely lacked Scott’s creativity - if he does go, I’d hope that we replace him (I’m sure we will). Let’s hope that next Sat, our MF is James, Knight and Scott

Lets also remember that whilst it was the same for both teams, the conditions were hardly conducive to a decent game of football (as referenced by Bell in his post-match interview)

On to next Sat against another seasoned, well drilled team at The Den

COYRs

Have we been given more tickets?

Late last week, there were less than 20 left and then yesterday, there was over 100 available.

7 hours ago, Rocking Red Cyril said:

Sorry meant expectation of when he will be fit 

Think he will play against Oxford on Weds as he’s training again

This time last season after one game (make that two), we had nil points! At least this season, we are off and running after our first game

Not great today but….in years gone by, we lose that game…..

9 minutes ago, View from the Dolman said:

I must have entered at around the time of your post. Zero queues, zero issues personally. 

Agreed - no issues - Digital ST worked as hoped/planned

47 minutes ago, TV Tom said:

It's saying sold out including hospitality, would be worth putting a few hundred in the corner of Atyeo nearest the Dolman

Surprised City haven’t maximised this opportunity to be honest - could have sold another 1,500 homes tickets

What an absolutely brilliant read and insight…….so want him to succeed with us….we are very lucky to have him.

Come on City, let’s “crack the code” this season 

Love the Barnsley fans view that they should look to play the game at Ashton Gate - as if that would ever happen

7 minutes ago, BCFCGav said:

Big season for Nige’s tenure as our manager. I’ve got a feeling he’s gonna smash it.

I hope he does…..we certainly go into this season with a much better, balanced squad.

COYRs

Working again now - looks like less than 500 tickets left for City

Per tonight’s Sound of the City, Nige’s view is that based on how good Scott has been in pre-season is that he’s now worth £30m

5 hours ago, Redrascal2 said:

Today's BBC Gossip column says that Wolves are going to make a third and final offer. Sorry if this has been mentioned already 

Given where this rumour comes from (Givemesport), feels like a re-hash of previous rumours over the past few weeks, since their 2nd bid was rejected.

Ever since then, all the other rumours suggest that Wolves have FFP concerns still and so can’t afford Alex.

As things stand, can’t see him going there….

4 minutes ago, Taunton_BCFC said:

I have one more code if anyone in need?

It’s £15 to members too this game 

Looks like it will be pretty good turnout in the City stands but PNE look like bringing less than 1k - expect a crowd of between 21k and 22k

7 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

The thing with today, arguably unlike other friendlies, is it was a real test. Going into a sides home patch who are one of the favourites to go up, and by their fans consensus, played the side that was likely to be their first choice.

And if you assume 7 of the first half side are likely/guaranteed to be our first choice (King the midfield exception and the front three god knows), then what you’d have to say is that it was totally passed. It was 0-0 at half time but we were so much in control of the game it was ridiculous - Max had no shots to save and we looked incisive, and played with pace. Second half was a bit more disjointed but again, thought we shaded it. Few more specific (player) thoughts:

- Conway. By god he’s bulked up, and without losing pace. He’s an absolute unit now, and is my first choice up top

- Cornick. The work rate here is immense and there was a fantastic piece with a flick and long range shot that deserved a goal. You can see exactly why he was signed - type of player who his teammates appreciate more than the fans do

- Roberts. Hugely feisty and competitive, more often than not coming away with the ball. Looks a player and Cam under more pressure than I’d have thought

- Wells - pick of the front three first half for me. Work rate again huge and won so much ball back. I think he’s competing against Conway so will start sub but he has a great case to be in the team

- Vyner - small negative here. Think he was hesitant and got bullied a bit by their front man. Not a horrible performance but not at his best by any means

- Mehmeti - I’ve been critical of end product but he was far more of a team player today. There was one incident where he feigned to cross right footed and did it left that was fantastic. The six months look to have aided integration hugely

- Bell - probably weakest of the front three first half. Again, not terrible but a notch below Cornick and Wells

- Knight - great work rate and good ball usage. Must be a nightmare to play against

- Regan Poole - Pompeys MOM and rightly so. Looked a cut above the rest of their team.

Overall we looked a team who would be a mare to play against - always on players, with pace, great in transition. This wasn’t a mug team and we dominated before the subs. A very good day at the office.

As for next week, my gut feel is it’s O’Leary, Tanner, Vyner, Dickie, Pring, James, Scott, Knight, Cornick, Sykes, Mehmeti - but I’d not be shocked to see Cornick in either.

 

 

 

 

Do you mean you’d play Conway up front, rather than Cornick?

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Cornick’s bit of physicality earns him the gig in my eyes.  He was pretty good today too.

But would I be surprised if Sykes started?  Nope.

Wells and Conway have both been excellent, harsh on whoever misses out.

Against a ‘nasty’ PNE, I’d go with the experience of Wells over TC

Bring TC on to cause havoc with his pace in 2nd half…..

1 minute ago, bcfc01 said:

Stockport 2-0 PNE

Looks like PNE played a strong team too

21 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

Personal opinion, not from any source. If we don't get an attractive offer by the end of the window, he will get a good pay rise as a thank you for "not being a dick about it all" but the contract length will not change greatly and there will be a buyout clause of approximately 20% below our current asking price. 

I know some are saying that if we are doing well in January he might want to stay more, but the truth is that even with promotion, we are unlikely to start paying £40k/50k+ to players and that's the starting point for players of his calibre at that level.

I would hope that any revised contract would lead to an extended term, even if only for 12 months. There’s got to be a benefit to City with this too.

I would also hope that any buy out clause would be at the current £25m level…..

Having said all this, still expect him to have left by 1st September…..

Just checked and you can still book trains between London Bridge and S Bermondsey before and after the game - there’s no indication of industrial action

8 hours ago, HIGHRIDGE BCFC said:

Bad news chaps. No trains between London Bridge and South Bermondsey for 2 hours either side of the game to due strike action!

This has got to be a joke - 2 hours before and 2 hours after the game…..how convenient! 
 

Just over two weeks before the game too when pretty much everyone will have booked their trains! Me included

Be interesting to see the Mets plans for this in the lead up to the game……hopefully, be some further comms on the coming days……

I’ve got a code - gladly provide and so please DM me

Be good to know why McCrorie wasn’t involved in either game today

3 minutes ago, Midred said:

It's on YouTube. 

How good was that run to win the pen!

His first touch and finish for his 2nd goal was outstanding too…..

I think if he’s still here on 1st September, we may see him sign a new deal with us with a release clause included

Alex seems to be really level headed and so an opportunity for him to earn more money whilst with us and at the same time, a continued agreement that we won’t stand in his way, subject to £25m offer

51 minutes ago, Taunton_BCFC said:

We will not get anymore 

Whenever I’ve been to Millwall, we’ve only ever had the top tier. Wonder why they’ve allocated our tickets this way this time around?

When I saw it, thiught it would mean that it was our initial allocation?

Still…:looks like 1,100 sold already which is good going to ST holders on day one

Looking forward to it already