Jerseybean

Lots of good comments in this thread and although there are some polarised observations I tend to agree with most of what’s being said. Historically we have struggled to breakdown teams who set up to defend (which Brum certainly did) noteworthy that we failed to manage a shot on target. If we’d beaten Brum 4-1 and drew 0-0 with Watford think everyone would have been chuffed. The challenge is to find a way of penetrating teams that set up to defend and hit us on the break, it’s more typically something we face at home and Millwall will likely employ this approach. Reinforces the need for more creativity in midfield and a different kind of striker for me. Also highlights the realities of BCFC and the Championship - superb team performance v Watford with all player ratings higher than average reflecting this and at best an average team performance last night (ratings around 6/7 for most) against an inferior team who are struggling.

Player ratings…https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-city/bristol-city-birmingham-efl-championship-4461401?page=3

Beeb stats say we didn’t have a shot on target

A poor game, nevertheless, a hard earned point away from home. In truth, neither team deserved to win that. It was sloppy, scrappy and stuttering throughout. Just one moment of quality football was all it would’ve taken, but alas, neither side could manage that. I don’t think there was a single offside in the game, which is quite unusual. On the positive side, we extend our unbeaten run and take a point away at a ground that historically we struggle at. City fans were magnificent.

First half reflections. 45 minutes of poor quality football, which was sloppy, stuttering, and frustrating. Their press has made us look uncomfortable at the back on numerous occasions, And so far key players in the attacking third have been uninspiring, AM should of at least hit the target with his header on the edge of the 6 yard box. Knight, Memheti and Sykes, the players who often spark a bit of creativity, have been found wanting so far. Feels to me like we need to get the ball out wide quicker and more often so that Memheti and Sykes can really attack down the wings. Plenty for LM to focus on in his halftime talk, we can play much much better than this as we showed last time out.

https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2023/12/bristol-city-rely-on-benefactor-owner.html

Bristol Rovers are set to bring in Jamie McAllister as a coach.

Interesting piece on us from Birmingham City https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/the-robins-records

Thanks Italian Dave knew there would be more

Rob Dickie ahead of the game….https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/rob-dickie-birmingham-press-conference/

LM presser ‘Naismith has had a set back’ https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/manning-previews-blues-away/

We will have the backing of a sold out away end. The full allocation of 2,000 tickets for the fixture have been snapped up with Blues confirming there will be no additional allocation and no pay on the day for away supporters. Kick off is 745 pm. In October they parted company with head coach John Eustace after 15 months in charge. At the time they were sixth in the table. Today they are 19th on 27 points. Wayne Rooney took over and had this to say: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67090933 American-owned Blues had been linked with Rooney, who had just left his role as coach of Major League Soccer side DC United. Known as the city of a thousand trades, Birmingham in the West Midlands was once a manufacturing powerhouse. With the jewellery and gun quarters, and the extensive canals built for goods transport, the city proudly displays the results of its amazing growth during the Industrial Revolution. Birmingham is the second largest city in the United Kingdom in regards to population and one of the most densely populated places in the country outside of London. One of the most interesting facts about Birmingham is that the population is on average younger than the country as a whole. The average age in the UK is 40.3 years, where as Birmingham is just 32.6. This is partially due to the large student population. They finished in 17th place last season (on 53 points) their highest league position in seven years. In the corresponding game last season they inflicted our heaviest defeat of the campaign, https://youtu.be/sk-gr8pC4fo Brum are 22 in the form league with one win, two draws and three defeats in their last six games. On Boxing Day they lost at home to Stoke and were booed off at half time. Rooney said, "Ideally, you wish you could have 11 subs - as I could have changed all 11 players at half-time." And “Apart from Romelle I’m not happy with one player. Every player’s position is up for grabs because that is nowhere near good enough.In the dressing room I used young Romelle as an example, a young 17 year old kid who comes onto the pitch, wants the ball, plays with character and aggression. When I'm using a kid as an example to some senior players in there, if I'm a senior player that's a concern. They should be setting the example for Romelle, not the other way around." They have a long injured list https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-injury-marc-roberts-27366424 and Krystian Bielik is suspended. There are sure to be more but the only player I can think of who played for both clubs is David Cotterill. Famous fans include: Jasper Carrot - Comedian. Colin Buchanan - Dalziel and Pascoe star. Roy Wood - Xmas-loving frontman of Wizzard. David Harewood - Actor (Homeland). Mike Skinner - Singer from The Streets. Robert McCracken - Former boxer, turned trainer. Simon Fowler - Singer (Ocean Colour Scene). Jeff Lynne - ELO legend. Guide to the ground: https://footballgroundguide.com/leagues/england/championship/st-andrews-birmingham-city.html Towards the end of August they made their ninth summer transfer window signing by bringing in striker Jay Stansfield on loan from Premier League side Fulham. Blues said they had beaten off "more than a dozen" clubs to persuade 20-year-old Devon-born Stansfield to move to St Andrew's for a season-long stay. On deadline day they took their total of summer signings to 13 by adding the loan signings of Leeds United's Cody Drameh and Scotland international Oliver Burke. Our head-to-head record isn’t very good Won: 19 Lost: 38 Drawn: 17 We have won our last three games and in the last two games scored seven with seven different scorers! The last time we won four consecutive games was September 2018. They were comfortable winners at our place in August my immediate thoughts posted on here were that it was ‘a very underwhelming, poor and frustrating Bristol City performance, both collectively and individually, we were second-best throughout the entire game. Our opponents are an ordinary championship team, but they were running the game and in control, not due so much to their own endeavours but largely thanks to our wholly inept performance. We consistently failed to look after the ball, our passing and distribution was embarrassing (our pass completion data will be telling) and our intensity, press, energy and drive practically nonexistent! There were two recurring themes when we had the ball. Firstly, we either passed it square or backwards in our own half or around the half way line in a very pedestrian manner which meant creating absolutely nothing and secondly, we resorted to launching a very hopeful, long ball forward, which in the majority of cases was either inaccurate or quickly and easily snuffed out by Birmingham. In fact their second goal resulted from exactly that scenario, I think it was Naismith trying to play a long ball forward which was easily intercepted and resulted in Brum breaking and adding a second goal. It was actually painful to watch at times and I am very disappointed by that performance. I don’t mind the City losing, but I do mind when we lose without performing. We didn’t have a single attempt on goal, nor did we ever look particularly dangerous, creative or in the ascendency. Without wishing to be dramatic it was one of the poorest performances I can recall under Pearson’s stewardship.’ Highlights: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/extended-highlights-bristol-city-0-2-birmingham-city/ Officials Referee: Geoff Eltringham Assistants: Shaun Hudson and James Wilson Fourth official: Thomas Kirk Pubs About a 15 minute drive from the ground is the excellent Old Joint Stock https://www.oldjointstock.co.uk, 4 Temple Row West, Birmingham, B2 5NY (0121) 200 1892 Opening hours Weekdays: 11-11 Saturday: 11-11 Sunday: 12-6 This is an impressively flamboyant setting for a pint and a pie a Grade II listed building opposite Birmingham Cathedral, with chandeliers hanging from the soaring pink and gilt ceiling, gently illuminated busts lining the top of the ornately plastered walls and a splendid cupola above the centre of the room. Photographs of its historic past as a library and the Birmingham Joint Stock Bank line the walls; there's also a big dining balcony reached up a grand sweeping staircase. It's notably well run: staff remain efficient and friendly, even when it's busy. You'll find Fullers London Pride, Olivers Island, HSB, Seafarers and a guest or two on handpump, Cornish Orchards Gold cider, 17 wines by the glass and 36 gins; background music. The small and colourful back terrace has nicely quirky seats, tables and heaters. There's a purpose-built, first-floor theatre and you can book a two-course pre-theatre meal in advance. The popular food (special diets catered for) includes breakfasts plus sandwiches, small or sharing plates, crispy squid with coriander and chilli jam, dirty halloumi fries, Vietnamese spicy chicken wings, black pudding scotch egg, Fullers Frontier-battered haddock goujons, chicken madras, speciality home-baked pies, and puddings such as chocolate brownie sundae with buffalo milk ice-cream and caramelised apple pie with vanilla custard. The Cricketers, Little Green Lane, Birmingham, B9 5AX The Anchor Digbeth, 308 Bradford Street, Birmingham, B5 6ET, https://www.theanchordigbeth.com Real ale buffs flock to this red-brick street-corner boozer for its ever-changing beer menu. The Square Peg, 115 Corporation Street, Birmingham, B4 6PH, https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/west-midlands/the-square-peg-birmingham Spoons. The Shakespeare, Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, B2 4JD, https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/eastandwestmidlands/theshakespearelowertemplestreetbirmingham#/ The Sun On The Hill, 23 Bennett\'s Hill, Birmingham, B2 5QP, http://thesunonthehill.co.uk The Wellington, 37 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5SN, https://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk Hand-pulled real ales and ciders draw in aficionados to this cream-fronted pub with outside decking.

Their forum….https://wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/watford-fc-1-4-bristol-city-26-12-2023-ko-15-00.60688/page-3#post-3299684

My ‘man of the match’ is the BCFC squad today - everyone had a very solid game and played well.

First half reflections Not wishing to speak too soon, but that first half was one of the most complete City performances I’ve seen this season, in fact, for a long time. If we had shown a little more composure in and around their penalty area, we could’ve been ahead by more. As per my opening words, let’s hope we can keep this going and continue to take the game to them. I would hate for us to sit back and defend a two-nil lead. So far we have made them look very ordinary. Let’s carry on doing that for the remainder of this game. The City fans have been a great credit and really seem to be enjoying themselves.

https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/features/bristols-oldest-fancy-dress-shop-is-moving/

Remember it well proper old school shop.

TY I wondered if it might be but couldn’t see anything to confirm it had closed

Season’s greetings City oz. Hope you are well, I look forward to mentioning lots of new pubs! Mate of mate of mine from here in Jersey has done a house swop with my mate in Perth for Christmas, seemingly they are both having a great time

Thank you Red from afar, hope you too had a great day.

Happy Christmas City fans wherever you are. https://youtu.be/1yetCBdy4sE Let’s have your favourite Christmas cracker joke, to get things going…. What’s the difference between a goldfish and a goat? A goldfish mucks about in fountains … What do you know about Christmas steps? 15 facts can be found here: https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/features/15-things-you-didnt-know-about-christmas-ste/ Which band played Christmas Steps? Answer at the end. Pay on the day will be available for the game. Tickets can be purchased from the Away Ticket Office located next to the Away Turnstiles and will be sold for cash only. Collections and duplicate requests will also be available to collect from here. We lost 2-0 at Vicarage Road last season in a game which Ole summarized neatly ‘City completely controlled the Hornets. Nigel Pearson's men will play a lot worse and win and Watford surely will play better than they did today in a game they won despite City dominating in all phases.’ Highlights: https://youtu.be/OOHoToXbzAU They are fourth in the form table with 13 points from four wins, a draw and a defeat in their last six games. We are 15th with three defeats, two wins and a draw (7 points from last six games.) At the end of last season they announced the transfer of João Pedro to Brighton and Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee, https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65502319 They finished last season in 11th place on 63 points. In May they appointed former Barnsley and West Brom boss Valerien Ismael as their new head coach. The 47-year-old replaced Chris Wilder, who was appointed in March on a short-term deal through to the end of the season. Vicarage Road guide: https://footballgroundguide.com/leagues/england/championship/vicarage-road-watford.html and supporters guide: https://www.watfordfc.com/news/supporter-information-watford-v-bristol-city-1 They scored in the 83rd and 87th minute on Saturday to win away at Blackburn and are currently 7th on 34 points (two more than us.) Head-to-head record Won: 37 Lost: 31 Drawn: 31 Officials Referee: John Busby Assistants: Richard Wild and Andrew Dallison Fourth official: Matthew Donohue Pubs The Oddfellows, 14 Fearnley Street, Watford, WD18 0RD, https://www.facebook.com/OddfellowsWatford Unsurprisingly, the closest pub to Vicarage Road is the most popular on match days; 'Oddfellows' on Fearnley Street can get very busy as it offers decent priced drinks, a beer garden. The pubs on the High Street lack the atmosphere of other Watford fan pubs but are well worth checking out. The Moon Under Water, 44 High Street, Watford, WD17 2BS (Spoons) is extremely popular so be sure to get there early otherwise you may have to wait a while to get served. The Moon Under Water welcomes well behaved home and away fans. Watford’s exclusive away fans pub is Macs Bar, around a five minute walk to the stadium, 14 Fearnley St, Watford, WD18 0RD. Slug and Lettuce, 66-68 The Parade, Watford, WD17 1AH offers a decent bottomless brunch. Watford warblings England manager Gareth Southgate was born in Watford. Jimmy Perry teamed up with BBC comedy producer David Croft to write a sitcom about his experiences in the Watford Home Guard during World War II. The programme? Dad's Army. The chestnut staircase, which once belonged to the now-demolished Cassiobury House, is on display in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Simon Le Bon, lead singer of Duran Duran, was born in Watford. Watford FC played in blue and white until 1959 when it then changed to gold/yellow shirts and black shorts. Watford Rovers, as they were originally known, were founded way back in 1881 and their first competitive match came in the 1886 FA Cup against Swindon Town (Watford Rovers lost 1-0). The club then merged with Watford St Mary’s (who were attracting booming crowds of up to 500 supporters!) and they became officially known as Watford Football Club in 1898, as it has remained so to this day. But, what about their nickname? In their early years, Watford weren’t known as the Hornets. Instead, they were referred to as the Brewers, in honour of local brewery, Benskin’s, who became a club benefactor after the First World War. Apparently, some fans weren’t happy with being associated with a brewer and so when the club introduced a new kit with blue shirts and white shorts in 1927, they became known by that rather unimaginative of nicknames: the Blues. It was all-change on the kit front in 1959, however, when the club unveiled a new gold and black kit, which made their nickname somewhat illogical. Despite delving into various archives, can’t find evidence of who came up with the idea of changing the nickname to the Hornets, but it was clearly based on the resemblance of the new kit to the largest eusocial wasps. Note that as well as being referred to as the Hornets, Watford are also sometimes known as the Golden Boys, Yellow Army or the ‘Orns. In recent years, however, these monikers have been used less frequently, with most knowing the club as the Hornets. Elton John's ownership of Watford Football Club (he was born nearby in Pinner) was a transformative and influential period in the club's history. His tenure as chairman, which began in 1976 and continued until the early 1990s, saw significant changes and successes for the team. Gary Lineker in conversation with Sir Elton: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0gvpqzy Wishing all the traveling fans a great day, be loud and proud, as you, hopefully, cheer us on to three points. The answer, Mogwai and here it is: https://youtu.be/i1HZm5KhuGk here’s the backstory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Steps_(composition)

Vaguely related as a kid (many, many years ago) I reckoned that if I ran all the way from the Rec where we played football up the hill to my house the City would win their next game. Certainly ensured I ran all the way, even if it didn’t always result in a win!

Player ratings https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-city/bristol-city-hull-city-efl-championship-4456918?page=3

A good win. Happy Christmas fellow-Reds!

Moved this on behalf of the poster to help increase awareness…. Hi all I am hoping anyone attending tonights match can help us.. Myself and a good mate both lost our fathers earlier this week. Both men were massive City fans, and introduced us to our beloved club. I would really appreciate it if you could join in with a minutes applause in the 80th minute for them both please.. In memory of Cedric Bruford, from Williton, and Arthur Hopegood, from Bristol Thanks all ps - I’ll be the emotional wreck in S25, Row 13.. #CTID