Jerseybean

Six of the best apparently, https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/six-bristol-restaurants-named-best-9113217?utm_source=bristol_live_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bee6b2ffb5_newsletter&utm_content=&utm_term=&ruid=eda3a0ce-34ec-4a85-96cd-ae68727a6b80

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68337554

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68341484

As per the title found this an interesting article: https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/bristol-citys-best-managers-in-order-of-games-won-ranked/#fred-ford

Player ratings reveal what a poor team performance it was: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-player-ratings-qpr-9107236?utm_source=bristol_live_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=_newsletter&utm_content=&utm_term=&ruid=eda3a0ce-34ec-4a85-96cd-ae68727a6b80

OS: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/hugely-disappointing-manning/

First of all what follows is mainly a selfish attempt to help me manage my emotions after watching that game. I had to go for a walk with the dogs so I could begin to process what I saw before putting this post together. Even by our historic and somewhat legendary standards, the contrast in that performance to those recently is unfathomable. Quite honestly, we looked like a totally different team bereft of any creativity/ideas, unable to string a couple of passes together, allowing QPR to dance through us almost at will etc. etc. If any City player came out with any credit, it would be Max, who, in my opinion, managed to keep it at one, if we’d lost by three or four, we couldn’t have complained. This against a struggling team. We were lacklustre and poor for 90 minutes, never really looking like scoring. I haven’t read this thread post-match and I haven’t got a clue how we can perform so woefully when compared with recent performances. Consistency is one of the keys to success, which sadly means, unless LM can find a way of creating a far more consistent team, we are destined to experience more frustrating City performances. Hopefully this will help me get some of my reactions off my chest.

Might be.

Up against Rob Dickie’s ex-employer, what a great season he’s having btw. LMs presser: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/liam-mannings-qpr-press-conference-february-2024/ Back in November we drew 0-0 at their place in a poor game and the first of LMs tenure, this is what he said after the game: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/manning-excited-by-city-potential/ highlights: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/highlights/extended-highlights-qpr-0-0-bristol-city/ Last season they beat us 2-1 at Ashton Gate, https://youtu.be/EW8C0zzCubM Scott Twine should be available, Cam Pring won’t feature, while there’s a chance Kal Naismith could be involved. Their MDT: https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/forum/306416/robin-reliant--del-boy-batman-or-dickie--the-bristol-vs-qpr-match-thread/#6 On Wednesday they faced Stoke, in something of a relegation scrap, it finished 1-0 to Stoke with QPR mustering just one shot on target meaning they currently occupy 22nd place on 29 points. In mid-June former England striker Les Ferdinand stepped down as Queens Park Rangers' director of football. They re-signed forward Paul Smyth after the Northern Ireland international turned down a new deal at League One club Leyton Orient. The 25-year-old scored 10 goals in 42 appearances last season as the O's won the League Two title. Smyth, who was previously on the books at Loftus Road between 2017 and 2021 agreed a three-year contract. At the end of June they signed defender Ziyad Larkeche after he was released by Fulham. The 20-year-old France Under-20 left-back spent last season on loan with League One club Barnsley, scoring one goal in 23 appearances. Also signed goalkeeper Asmir Begovic following his release by Everton. The 36-year-old, who made 10 appearances over the course of a two-year spell with the Toffees, agreed a one-year contract with the R's. Begovic has won 63 caps for Bosnia-Herzegovina and has previously played for Stoke, Chelsea and Bournemouth. In late July they signed defender Morgan Fox on a two-year deal following his departure from Stoke City. At the start of August they signed former Nottingham Forest midfielder Jack Colback on a two-year deal. The 33-year-old was a free agent having left the City Ground in the summer and has an option for a third year at QPR. In late September they signed United States international Reggie Cannon on a four-year deal. In January they added Michael Frey on a permanent transfer from Belgian side Royal Antwerp. Also signed midfielder Isaac Hayden on loan from Newcastle for the remainder of the season. In February they signed Danish midfielder Lucas Andersen on a free transfer. In July their co-owner Tony Fernandes left them after 12 years' involvement. Fernandes bought the west London club in 2011 alongside Ruben Gnanalingam and Kamarudin Meranun, and stepped down as co-chairman in 2018. The Malaysian businessman, who founded airline AirAsia, no longer holds any shares in QPR Holdings Limited. "This decision to step away is made with a heavy heart," Fernandes said. Head-to-head record Won: 35 Lost: 37 Drawn: 26 Anyone remember the POP thread from 2003/04 involving us, Plymouth and QPR? There fans have mentioned it with fond memories! Things came to a head in 2003/04 as three into two automatic promotion spots would not go, and at one point we had won 11 games in a row. Captain Brain Tinnion gave a public interview saying both QPR and Plymouth were “running scared” and that it could “all be over bar the shouting” come Easter when the three teams were all due to meet each other in consecutive games. QPR lost both at Bristol and at Plymouth on the day they sealed the title. In the end we finished third that season (in league two) with Plymouth top and QPR second. We lost to Brighton in the play offs: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/3750777.stm The photo is of BT reflecting on his hideously premature comments! Officials Referee: Sam Barrott Assistants:Mark Stevens and Blake Antrobus Fourth official: Gary Parsons To celebrate the 50th anniversary of City’s famous FA Cup win over Leeds United in 1974, members of Alan Dicks’ side will be celebrated before kick-off. In 1974, Don Revie’s Leeds United team were considered amongst the best in the world and current European Cup Winners Cup Holders. Unbeaten in 29 games in the First Division, Leeds visited Ashton Gate in the first tie and a goal from Keith Fear earned City a replay at Elland Road after Billy Bremner had opened the scoring. The Robins would head to Elland Road and in front of more than 47,000 supporters battle hard to hold off a strong Leeds side, and in the 73rd minute, Donnie Gillies slotted past David Harvey in the Leeds net and City would hold on for a famous victory. The club and Former Players’ Association will welcome the following pitch-side ahead of kick-off : Ray Cashley Gary Collier Brian Drysdale Donnie Gillies Chris Gow representing Gerry Gow Geoff Merrick Tom Ritchie David Rodgers Alan Sillett representing John Sillett Gerry Sweeney Trevor Tainton They will also be joined by legendary manager Alan Dicks and we encourage supporters to get to their seats early to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a special Bristol City win. There is also a commemorative brochure, https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/commemorative-brochure-available-this-weekend/ The Club are offering a limited edition heritage kit: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/limited-edition-1974-heritage-kit-launched/

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/limited-edition-1974-heritage-kit-launched/

Some odd player ratings here…https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-player-ratings-southampton-9098251

From their forum….As poor as we were, I think we have to concede that Bristol City played very well. Full of energy from start to finish, and were very quick on the break. True, we made it easy for them by giving the ball away too often, but credit where it is due.

Without wishing to over react that was one of the most complete team performances from us in a league game (against a very good opponent) in a very long time. Well done all the players and the staff.

My first half thoughts included this: Thought we played with composure, intensity, professionalism, and desire. throughout that 45 minutes. The frustrating ‘nearly’ bit is when we get around or into their box it’s nearly, nearly, nearly, every time as the final ball has been lame either to a defender or their keeper, that is the huge area for improvement. Memheti, Bell, Roberts, have all been guilty of delivering a very weak final ball, following very enterprising and I catching approach play. The top teams have that ruthless, clinical edge in the final third that we are blatantly lacking at the moment. Second half we played just as well, however, we very much did deliver quality balls in the final third (even if the first goal came from a pass from an off side position.) Without wishing to over react that was one of the most complete team performances from us in a league game (against a very good opponent) in a very long time. Well done all the players and the staff. We even scored following a throw in, when did that last happen!? Only disappoint was not keeping a clean sheet. So, we have shown in recent weeks what a solid / capable team we can be against two premier league teams and certainly did so again tonight against a team high on confidence and likely to be in the promotion hunt at the end of the season. A very good performance and a well deserved three points. Well played you Reds!

First half thoughts. Thought we played with composure, intensity, professionalism, and desire. throughout that 45 minutes. Certainly look like a confident team knowing what they are trying to do. The frustrating ‘nearly’ bit is when we get around or into their box it’s nearly, nearly, nearly, every time as the final ball has been lame either to a defender or their keeper, that is the huge area for improvement. Memheti, Bell, Roberts, have all been guilty of delivering a very weak final ball, following very enterprising and I catching approach play. As noted above the stats illustrate this. The top teams have that ruthless, clinical edge in the final third that we are blatantly lacking at the moment. Need to be mindful that Tanner has been beaten a couple of times too easily, that has looked their main threat. Anybody got a decent stream please mine cuts out every three minutes.

Do you have a live picture or just a static one?

How did I forget Ken, remember watching him back in the day…https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/ken-wimshurst-1938-2017/

Paul Tisdale

Another who played for them and us is Richard Dryden.

It’s on Sky, 8 pm kick off. Will be 23,000 + in attendance with 3,414 in the sold out Saints away end. At the end of November we lost 1-0 at their place, we were beaten by a spectacular strike, early in the second half, from Walker-Peters. It was their first clean sheet at home of the season. At that stage of the season they were 4th and we were 12th. Highlights: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/highlights/extended-highlights-southampton-1-0-bristol-city-2/ City fan Ted Hill enjoyed himself… https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12814183/Bristol-City-fan-TRICKS-Southampton-supporters-thinking-hes-one-players-takes-selfies-signs-shirt.html LM post match: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/liam-manning-reaction/ They were relegated last season after eleven seasons in the top flight finishing bottom with 25 points. Alex Scott, was at one time a member of the Southampton Academy, how they must be kicking themselves now. Well known fans include: Craig David - Singer. Chris Packham - Wildlife TV presenter. David Frost - Legendary TV host, journalist and writer. Rishi Sunak - Prime Minister. Russell Martin was appointed manager in June, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65980277 They went through three managers last season with Ralph Hasenhuttl's replacement Nathan Jones only lasting 95 days before he was sacked in February. Spaniard Selles came in later that month, but could not haul the Saints out of the drop zone. Martin bought in four of his staff from Swansea City, including Matt Gill as his assistant manager, who was in the same role at Swansea. Gill had a long playing career that spanned eight clubs and 353 League games plus another 104 in the National League before going into coaching in 2014 as assistant manager at Tranmere, followed by positions at Norwich, Ipswich and MK Dons where he linked up with Russell Martin again after both had been team mates at Norwich in 2009-11. They appointed Phil Parsons as their chief executive, following the departure of Martin Semmens after their relegation from the Premier League. Parsons joined the club from technology company Dyson, where he spent 15 years in a number of senior leadership roles. In July they signed Republic of Ireland left-back Ryan Manning after his exit from Swansea City. He was the Saints' first signing since their relegation from the Premier League and linked up again with boss Russell Martin, who was his manager at Swansea. The 27-year-old, who was out of contract at Swansea, signed a four-year deal at St Mary's. They signed Manchester City midfielder Shea Charles for an undisclosed fee. The 19-year-old, who has won eight caps for Northern Ireland, signed a four-year deal at St Mary's. Their Croatian defender Duje Caleta-Car joined French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais on loan and Newcastle signed right-back Tino Livramento in early August, in a deal worth up to £40m. The deal is worth an initial £32m and the 20-year-old Englishman signed a five-year contract. West Ham signed England international James Ward-Prowse from them in mid-August. The 28-year-old joined for an undisclosed fee (thought to be in the region of £30m) on a contract until June 2027. They sold midfielder Romeo Lavia to Chelsea for an initial £53m. They signed West Ham United midfielder Flynn Downes on loan until the end of the season. The 24-year-old has made 35 appearances for the Hammers since joining from Swansea City last summer. Downes also played under Saints boss Russell Martin during his year-long spell with the Swans, scoring one goal in 39 outings for the Welsh club. They secured the loan signing of Everton defender Mason Holgate. On deadline day they signed Ross Stewart on a three-year deal from Sunderland. The Scotland striker, 27, became Saints' eighth signing of the window and followed the earlier deadline day signing of England Under-21 centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis. He joined on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City. In January they signed AFC Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell on loan until the end of the season. The 29-year-old, who joined the Cherries from Blackburn Rovers in 2022, had played 11 times in the Premier League this season. They also signed winger David Brooks from Bournemouth on loan until the end of the season. Their MDT: https://www.saintsweb.co.uk/topic/60699-bristol-city-a-tuesday-8pm/ Russell Martin has declared that they will be without injured key midfielder Flynn Downes while Scotland international forward Che Adams is a doubt. LM presser: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/liam-mannings-southampton-press-conference/ and George Tanner’s thoughts: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/tanner-previews-saints-clash/ We have only played Southampton 10 times in the last 44 years. There haven't been too many players that have represented both sides, those who have include Joe Jordan, Russell Osman and Stern John. Even with the benefit of parachute payments lots of people, including Saints fans, thought they would struggle to turn a sinking ship around. Once they recovered from losing James Ward-Prowse, their loanees started to settle and everyone got to grips with Russell Martin's possession-based approach, they have not looked back. They have a lot of quality at this level and no shortage of flair in the final third. The additions of Brooks and the return of Sulemana have made them even stronger in that area. However, an injury on Saturday to the extremely important Flynn Downes could throw a spanner in the works. Seeing as we beat them twice during their last promotion season, the only side to do so, and we lost to a worldie at their place, we might just put an end to their 25 game unbeaten run. Head-to-head record Won: 16 Lost: 26 Drawn: 7 They have been in great recent form setting a new club record having managed a 25 game unbeaten run in all competitions, this Guardian piece relates: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/feb/09/southampton-record-unbeaten-run-russell-martin Currently they are second on 64 points. Officials Referee: Matthew Donohue Assistants: Paul Hodskinson and Matthew McGrath Fourth official: Geof Eltringham Robins Foundation is delighted to host Alright My Liver at Ashton Gate ahead of the game. ‘Alright My Liver’ is a community NHS screening service for people across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, led by Bristol and Severn Hepatitis C Operational Delivery Network in collaboration with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston (UHBW) and Southwest Cancer Alliance Group (SWAG). The main causes of liver disease are type 2 diabetes, obesity, viral hepatitis and alcohol excess. Liver disease increases the risk of various complications including liver cancer which can lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, which can often go undiagnosed for many years before symptoms develop. City supporters are being invited to visit the Foundation’s offices in the South Stand concourse (S25/S26), following a short questionnaire will receive a FibroScan – a quick, non-invasive scan which can rule out or indicate liver cirrhosis. Fans will be in and out of the room within 15 minutes.

LM post match: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/really-proud-of-the-lads-manning/

Player ratings….https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-city/bristol-city-v-middlesbrough-championship-matty-james-4513383?page=3

….for Derby today

MT on his goal celebration…..https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1756372936884187138/vid/avc1/320x400/sAtAMUPdEvRGGgBD.mp4?tag=16