RoystonFoote'snephew

The women's game is rightly becoming increasingly popular with City having a good season and breaking the championship attendance record. But the popularity in England still has some way to go to match popularity on the continent, especially Spain. Barcelona women had an attendance of 91,648 for their Champions League semi against Wolfsburg, over 90% capacity of the Nou Camp. I look forward to the continued rise of the women's game and the day when City women play in front of more than 23,000 at the Gate. 

The idea that the Baseball Ground was a dump was probably enhanced because the area around it was so run down. I recall we parked our car and walked down Columbo Street which gave a good impression of downtown Beirut. Compared to some of its surroundings I didn't think the ground, was that bad. 

Personally I think we may lose one but no more and if they are advised well they'll stay. Of the 3 I only see Semenyo possibly getting real game time elsewhere because he brings that extra something with his pace and power. Clubs in the top half of the Premier league have their own young midfielders not to have to take Scott or Massengo, although it's possible HNM could move back to France. 

3 hours ago, Peter O Hanraha-hanrahan said:

Having not paid much attention to L1 I was shocked a couple of weeks ago to look at the table for who we may be playing next year to see Wigan, Rotherham, MK Dons, Wycombe and Plymouth all in the top 7 with other clubs like Ipswich, Charlton, Portsmouth and Sunderland lagging behind (and Wednesday but that’s obviously changed now).

Tough division.

 

Shocked about Wigan and Rotherham! They are to L1 and Championship as Norwich and Fulham are to Championship and Premier League. 

Used to be billed from Paulton. Remember watching him play Richie Gardiner in the final of a BDO tournament I took part in near Blankenberg, Belgium. 

My comment from the 1st half stands, somebody pass it to Weimann in space. 

Bentley is clearly getting prepared for his walkabout holiday this summer. I wish the other City players could see the spaces Weimann gets into and pick him out. 

I will renew (haven't yet) but if I don't see improvement this coming season it could well be my last. After more than 60 years of watching City I no longer get the buzz of the matchday experience and when we are playing so poorly night games have become a chore rather than a desired pilgrimage. 

Just don't get why pundits see Stokes as the obvious choice. Leaving aside injury concerns England's record of promoting their 'superstars' to captain has not met much favour in recent times, Botham, Pietersen, Flintoff immediately spring to mind. If Morgan isn't playing red ball cricket then personally I'd look at Bairstow, another gritty yorkshireman. 

7 hours ago, HappyClapper said:

I appreciate he had injuries during his time with us but I’m struggling to think of too many who were worse. Any thoughts?

Julian Watts alongside him was worse. They both played in a season though when we missed Tommy D protecting in front of them. Gus 'Chicken' Caesar Salad was awful. Tasteless with no bite. 

33 minutes ago, tin said:

And if we hadn’t conceded so many goals in stoppage time, we’d be in the play-offs. Talking about ifs and buts is pointless IMO. We are where we are. 

As the saying goes if ifs and ands were pots and pans there'd be no need for tinkers. 

Don't give a stuff about how close it would still be without Derby/Reading points deductions. They cheated, got found out and paid the penalty so no sympathy here. 

2 hours ago, Peter O Hanraha-hanrahan said:

Think pretty much everyone agreed at the start of the season that survival in the Championship was the aim. Not been pretty at times but achieved.

Which ways the beach? 

 

Just follow Kasey, he's been there all season. 

5 minutes ago, cityexile said:

Stats show Stoke had more efforts, but other than one really good save from Bentley, actually thought we were in the main pretty comfortable. Main frustration was our poor decisions in some great positions, so delighted to see that one go in. Love me a 1-0 away win.

Stats say they had more shots 12 but only 3 (a paltry 25%) were on target. We had only 6 shots but 4 (67%) were on target. That's a more effective effort. 

Well before my time but must have had what it takes for Arsenal to sign him. Sad that he was robbed of a more glittering career through injury. RIP Con. 

1 hour ago, Kid in the Riot said:

Just the 30k Frankfurt fans there, taking over Camp Nou.

Frankfurt v West Ham would be a spicy semi-final, to say the least. 

Edit: 3 nil Bowen 

Not sure I'd want to hear a German oompah band playing I'm forever blowing bubbles. 

I see Aberdeen wish him well in his future career. You've got to admire their optimism. 

I don't care what standard of football you're playing at not to have conceded a single goal while scoring 68 is a phenomenal achievement. Last night Northern Ireland, a team that has qualified for the European Championships, had one shot on target and one corner. 

And the table won't look much different next season. If Everton were to get relegated their total will be in the 20s. 

Had it not have been for injuries that robbed us of his services I suspect that Billy Mercer might have proved our best. Of those that I saw that played a reasonable number of games I'd go for a top 6  in order of Moller, Gibson, Basso, Maanpaa, Cashley and Shaw. 

Gibbo was the 1st keeper I saw and rapport with the fans and his bravery at the feet of forwards was inspiring. The only mistake I can recall to memory was the Frank Worthington shot he let squirm under his body for a Huddersfield win en route to their promotion to the 1st Division. 

Basso was the keeper I thought improved most in his time with us, particularly his kicking, something which Frankie Fielding never managed. 

1 hour ago, Silvio Dante said:

I’d beg to differ.

He had Derby who we know at the time were chugging along looking to cheat FFP and had Mount, Tomori and Harry Wilson as loanees. It’s fair to say he had a very significant good hand squad wise and probably fell below what he should have with the resources at disposal.

He then had one of the biggest clubs in the country where minimum expectations are top four and took them to 10th. A higher win percentage than given would be expected.

This is the first job where he’s got an underperforming squad and no inbuilt advantage by way of income and squad quality from others. And he’s ballsing it up big style.

I posted a few days ago that Lampard was a very unintelligent player. He’s equally an unintelligent manager and isn’t really showing to be tactically astute. I expect this to be his last job in the game.

Isn't it amazing how many 'unintelligent' players had phenomenal careers, amassed fortunes and have a remarkable talent for self promotion. David Beckham, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney and, now according to you, Frank Lampard Junior. Given their records not just for their clubs but for England I'd be more worried about the intelligence of football managers who constantly selected them and club owners who paid them vast sums than the players themselves. They weren't so dumb as to not accept the accolades and wealth that came their way. 

1 hour ago, cidercity1987 said:

I've got nothing against Everton other than it'll be a great fixture for us like Newcastle/Villa/West Ham in the recent past.

Lampard has never been that likeable but I mainly want him to fail as I seriously think he is a very poor manager (especially tactically) getting jobs on his name.

Frank Lampard Jr has taken charge of 153 matches, winning 72, drawing 47 and losing 34 for a win percentage of 47 1%. They are not the statistics of a bad manager and he must have been tactically astute somewhere along the line. 

2 hours ago, Shuffle said:

It was Janneh.

Wood & Idenhen were very good and we need to get them tied up on contracts.  Morton was good and Janneh flatters to deceive as so quick and strong but over plays or over thinks it.  Tanner way off being first team ready based on that bu5 was a good game.  Surprised the likes of Owers ,Bell and Benarous not starting as surely it’s better to keep them match fit. 

I very much like Wood and Idehen too, very composed players. From the bits and pieces I've seen of Janneh I think there's a genuine goalscorer in him but he tries to do too much. As one of the senior players today perhaps he felt he had too. 

I like James Morton but I don't see a future for him at City and I expect him to move on. 

Fair result overall. Another game at the HPC affected very much by the wind as it was hard to get a goal kick over the half way line. 

16 minutes ago, Red Army 75 said:

Why the referee have to go and check. Never a penalty . VAR irritates me even when it’s right 

Wtf do the have VAR for friendlies! Us it purely to give some berk a job. 

32 minutes ago, TomF said:

That's how I felt it read - like they want to be rid of Downing LLP and using this to try find an exit. 

I read it similarly but STFC clearly believe Downing LLP to be complicit in the actions allegedly undertaken by the companies they invest in. I trust, for their sake, that the evidence they hold is incontrovertible or they're in serious danger of a counter action for defamation.