Jerseybean

First half thoughts. Far and away the best 45 minutes we have played this season. We have controlled the ball well, looked composed, been on the front foot, created good space and chances. However, we haven’t scored. WBA’s main threat has been the ball over the top and given Asante’s pace we need to be careful we don’t get caught. More of the same in the second half would be great, as the game opens up there will be chances at both ends of the pitch. As usual, the first goal is going to be crucial and on the balance of play, we deserve it, however, as we all know, football doesn’t behave like that!

His notes: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/city-men-news/niges-notes-west-bromwich-albion-h/

They were at home to Huddersfield Town in their last game and lost 2-1 following a 96th minute winner: https://www.wba.co.uk/news/match-highlights-albion-v-huddersfield-town-0 Sickness kept Semi Ajayi out of the defeat to Huddersfield before the international break, having come through an ankle issue the week before to feature against Middlesbrough. The Nigerian has, though, represented his country during this break, so should be in contention for this game. They have three confirmed absentees, Adam Reach, Daryl Dike, and Martin Kelly. But attacker Grady Diangana could potentially be in for his first start of the season having made his return from injury in the final minutes of the game v Huddersfield. They currently occupy 11th place with seven points, having won two, lost two and drawn one. Last time out in the league at Ashton Gate they won 2-0, https://youtu.be/L81_WTneDBc We knocked them out of the FA Cup last season with two goals from Bell and one from Scott: https://youtu.be/ls0wwwmTlrc?si=emVdFqLdn03s_s7O NP was their Assistant Manager from November 2004 – September 2006 and Caretaker Manager September 2006 – October 2006 Albion’s first match against us was in February 1902 it took place at the Robins’ St John’s Lane ground. Goals from Tommy Worton and Chippy Simmonds earned Albion a 2-1 victory that day, and it would be another quarter of a century before they recorded their first win at Ashton Gate, Tommy Glidden scoring the only goal in a Division Two fixture in October 1927. That was only the Baggies fourth trip to Ashton Gate, however, with the sides spending most of the time in separate divisions and, other than a couple of FA Cup ties, the clubs only met when Albion dropped out of the top flight, although for five seasons before World War I, it was City in the top flight and Albion in Division Two. It would not be until Boxing Day 1976 that the two sides would meet for the first time in the top flight with both sides having won promotion together the previous summer. That first Division One meeting was at the Hawthorns with goals from David Cross for the hosts and Tom Ritchie for the City making the final score 1-1, while at Ashton Gate the following April, Albion won 2-1 with Cross again on the scoresheet with what turned out to be the winner after an own goal from former Leeds’ legend Norman Hunter had given Albion an early lead – a penalty for the hosts scored by Keith Fear made the final score 2-1. The last top flight meeting was only thee years later, a 0-0 draw at Ashton Gate, as City were relegated. Albion have enjoyed the better of the meetings for most of the 21st century but suffered two defeats last season, a rare 2-0 home defeat in the final days of Steve Bruce’s tenure and a surprise 3-0 loss in the FA Cup. In between, the Baggies won 2-0 at Ashton Gate on Boxing Day on what was a comfortable afternoon remembered for Brandon Thomas-Asante’s sumptuous finish from 40 yards. Over the years we have Won: 17 Lost: 24 Drawn:16 Officials Referee: Anthony Backhouse Assistants: Shaun Hudson and Blake Antrobus Fourth Official : Paul Howard Spaniard Carlos Corberán became their manager last October. Previously he was the head coach of Doxa and Ermis in the Cypriot First Division, Corberán was first team assistant coach and manager of Leeds United under 23’s. He then managed in his own right at Huddersfield Town and Olympiacos. At the end of May they confirmed that Chief Executive Officer Ron Gourlay would depart his role at The Hawthorns this summer. Gourlay remained in post until June 14, 2023, at which time he went on gardening leave, having already served part of his notice period. His resignation, which was submitted in March 2023, had remained confidential until then in the best interests of the football club, providing stability as Albion navigated the end of the Sky Bet Championship season. Curtis Fleming presser: https://youtu.be/hMkyFkRpInE?si=mxEBT8oP_1FOsoY0 We signed TGH from them on 22 August here’s his first interview: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/taylor-gardner-hickman-is-ready-to-put-everything-behind-citys-ambition-to-be-promoted-to-the-premier-league/ and the rationale for his release: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/taylor-gardner-hickman-left-west-27596424?fbclid=IwAR24OMakmEH3K9u1ftRgU27Bj8C21eHcLBGHUnBQBnesNMfkD6xQpX3QNbc_aem_AcP-Bj1mnEG5Jw9YRB_iwje-ac9YMKRLONgG-22k-WjDkttEFGx8wa4-GiwNsIFDKdE Taylor Gardner-Hickman will be unable to play against his parent club and club captain Andi Weimann won’t be ready to make his return. On deadline day they added their fourth signing of the summer transfer window as they brought in Spanish full-back Pipa on a season's loan. Our home form remains an issue. We have secured one point at home, seven on the road; one goal in BS3, four elsewhere; we average 7.0 shots when playing in front of our own fans, 24th in the Championship, and 16.3 in other grounds, second only to Southampton. It’s little surprise, therefore, that our expected goals per game is 0.85 at Ashton Gate and 2.23 anywhere else. Defensively, a similar picture is cast: three conceded at home, two on our travels; 13.5 shots allowed compared to 11.7; the only real quirk is the 2.6 expected goals against in Bristol, against the 3.4 anywhere else. But, by a considerable number of metrics, far deeper than the rudimentary ones presented above, City can be classified as below average, verging on bad on home soil and very good approaching great, when playing away.

Post version: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/tomas-kalas-bristol-city-contract-8745417?fbclid=IwAR36d4JGReB_ouiv-QkI_aqxSanBSJrVp02QN9_NaBfDrM9IbluXnGIGr4E_aem_AbH1AgdTy3HyAf5x3ANzAqb_vExgOdC82Ea_38gZ56Yj-uRenmUryF8aN2h-0g6CrNc

BW account for what it’s worth: https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-city/tomas-kalas-bristol-city-fc-schalke-4289520

Liked this bit ‘To eliminate any kind of conjecture though, Bristol Live understands Pearson’s desire is very much to remain at the club and further build on what he’s been responsible for creating. Never mind the affection he has developed for the club, and the area.’

Uncertain ground https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/nigel-pearson-bristol-city-ground-8731551

Wondering how this fits in with SL seeking new investment? My hunch is approval significantly strengthens the overall package on offer.

Sporting Quarter approved : https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/ashton-gate-sporting-quarter-longmoor-8719721?utm_source=bristol_live_newsletter&utm_campaign=daily_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

Well deserved away win, even though we invited them onto us too much for my nerves for the final 30 minutes!

First half reflections The good We have created a handful of excellent scoring opportunities, and really should’ve converted at least one of them Knight and Wells in particular should’ve scored Bell and Sykes both look very threatening If it was a boxing match, we would be well ahead on points The bad Lapses in concentration, sloppy moments and indecision, particularly by Pring, Gardner-Hickman, and Naismith Their goal resulted from us, losing the ball in the middle of the pitch far too cheaply The ugly Naismith getting booked for dissent when only moments earlier, the ref booked a Swansea player for what was at least an orange card and possibly a red Having three goals disallowed. I particularly would like to see the effort from Bell again that looked marginal The hope We continue to play on the front foot, create chances and convert a number of them in this half without losing our heads Matty James’s fit enough to come out for the second half This game is there for us to win if we carry-on in a similar way take some chances and cut out the sloppy errors.

A bit of good news then: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-defender-signs-new-8722177

Programme: https://www.swanseacity.com/swansea-city-v-bristol-city-2023-24-programme

Thanks everybody for your comments, it seems reasonable to conclude that there’s a lot of conjecture and conspiracy involved at this moment in time. What we know as fans I think is that: SL is seeking new investment in the club/Bristol Sport BCFC have restructured the wage budget and this is currently at its ceiling Having edged back from FFP we are proceeding cautiously to avoid any reoccurrence of financial difficulties As our manager has said consistently, he will only add players if they strengthen the squad As it stands we have a very thin squad NP’s current contract expires at the end of the season NP remains the voice of Bristol City with other senior figures remaining silent What we perhaps can deduce from this is: We are likely to see some significant changes in the foreseeable future, either prompted by new investment or a decision, from one party or the other, regarding NP’s future It is clearly evident that we will need to survive, with the squad we have, at least until January. As far as I can tell that’s about where we are on deadline day.

After the Canaries we face the Swans. It’s a 1230 kick off. Guide to the Liberty Stadium: https://footballgroundguide.com/leagues/england/championship/liberty-stadium-swansea-city.html Last season we dumped them out of the FA Cup thanks to a stunner from Sam Bell, https://youtu.be/hK60NG0b2aE In the league we lost away and drew at home: https://youtu.be/l7Rd6r3Zv-U https://youtu.be/de1bFLjA0cI They finished in 10th spot last season on 66 points. On Tuesday they faced Bournemouth, at home, in the Carabao Cup, it finished 2-3 Grimes put them in front from a penalty and Jamie Paterson, who came on as a sub, scored but the Cherries got a 91st minute winner. They have drawn two and lost two of their opening four encounters in the league, scoring five and conceding seven times. Swansea stuff In 1823 the first ever human fossil was discovered near Swansea in the Gower Peninsula. The Red Lady of Paviland (who is actually a man) dates back over 33,000 years and was dyed by the red ochre in the surrounding rocks. The phrase ‘Swansea Jack’ comes from a dog called Jack who saved 27 people from drowning the River Tawe during the 7 years of his life (1930-1937). Famous people from the city include poet Dylan Thomas, entertainer Sir Harry Secombe, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, politician Michael Heseltine, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, footballers John Charles, Ivor Allchurch and John Hartson, actress Joanna Page, 18th-century dandy Beau Nash, broadcaster Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, artist Vernon Watkins, writers Russell T Davies and Iris Gower, and rock musician Spencer Davis. Head-to-head record Won: 30 Lost: 24 Drawn: 23 NP presser: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/pearson-previews-swansea-away/ Oliver Langford is the referee. Having been refereeing since 1995, Langford was promoted to the List of Referees in 2008. When Select Group 2 was introduced by PGMOL ahead of the 2016-17 season, he was one of 18 referees added to that list. He will be assisted by Hristo Karaivanov and George Byrne, while Stephen Parkinson is the fourth official. Pubs The Harvester at Morfa Parc, Morfa Shopping Park, Brunel Way, Bon-y-maen, Swansea SA1 7BP, https://www.harvester.co.uk/restaurants/wales/themorfaparcswansea#/ The Pumphouse, Pump House Quay, Maritime Quarter, Swansea, SA1 1TT, https://www.pumphousepubswansea.co.uk No Sign Bar, 56 Wind Street, Swansea, SA1 1EG, https://nosignwinebar.com The Bank Statement, 57-58 Wind Street, Swansea, SA1 1EP (Spoons) https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/wales/swansea/the-bank-statement-swansea?utm_source=google&utm_medium=maps&utm_campaign=gmb Brunswick 3 Duke Street, Swansea, SA1 4HS, www.brunswickswansea.com About a ten minute drive from the ground. Large rambling local with traditional pubby furnishings, lots of knick-knacks and local artwork, good value popular food (served daily weekdays, just lunchtimes at weekends), half a dozen well kept ales tapped from cask, friendly helpful service, regular live music; no dogs, open all day. International break comes up after this one.

His tone is calm and measured, his language sensible and rationale. He says the most telling thing at the end with ‘I can’t answer that.’ As it’s him picking the squad he will, I have no doubt, be professional, even though he has a very small squad to select from (which he prefers) We deserve to hear from others as to the rhetorical question at the end of the interview. Under the current circumstances I hope he feels that he is able to manage with the players at his disposal. When/if further injuries, suspensions, poor form impact it will likely get increasingly challenging for him and his staff. I really, really hope he remains in post as I have total faith in him and would see a change of manager as a significant backward step and failure. Whatever the back story maybe this is a concerning time for my Club. By way of comparison we currently have a squad of 20 fit players according to this article and even then there are caveats https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-city/bristol-city-injury-update-ross-mccrorie-tommy-conway-andi-weimann-ayman-benarous-rob-atkinson-4275808 while Stoke have added 15 players in this window!

Update on the injured five: https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-city/bristol-city-injury-update-ross-mccrorie-tommy-conway-andi-weimann-ayman-benarous-rob-atkinson-4275808

I’m seeking some genuine clarification via this post please. As it happens yesterday the forum was unavailable then today it’s full of rumours and conspiracies about the demise of Nigel Pearson. These are the two primary questions I have, what has happened and why has it happened now? I’m aware that some people have linked the failure to secure Adam Murphy and the fact that LJ is now unemployed to the rumors that NP is to be shown in the door, but I really don’t get it and would appreciate anybody helping me to do so. In a nutshell when IMO he has done such a solid job in creating a sustainable and professional culture, cut the wage bill, recruited wisely and on a limited budget, developed young players, and so on, would we ever want to replace him with somebody else? The only explanation I have to why this would happen would be if he didn’t want to continue when his current contract expires. Perhaps I am missing the point big time but I would really appreciate any insights into why these rumors are so rife at this particular time. Thank you in anticipation.

https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2023/han-noah-massengo-nearing-burnley-move/

Rumour that they are interested in KP https://forum.pinkun.com/index.php?/topic/153493-kasey-palmer/