Clutton Caveman

On 23/06/2023 at 17:48, Elruliri said:

Wrong club at the wrong time for me. We're in the middle of a rebuild and he doesn't fit the structure in which We're heading. There's a player there but someone else will see the benefit of him. Unfortunately not us.

Would be good back in France where you get hours on the ball and tackling is banned

On 30/06/2023 at 19:54, chinapig said:

If he had second thoughts and decided not to sign then logically his first thought would have been to sign. Otherwise his first thought would have been the same as his second thought so he wouldn't have needed to have second thoughts.

Those are my first thoughts but I may yet have second thoughts.

Never go back, how often has a returning player after long absence worked out.

Good luck Joe and thanks for the memories

On 23/06/2023 at 11:32, OneTeamInBristol said:

I think it's going to be a bigger number than some think. 

Personally I don't need an alternative but I will be requesting a physical season ticket because I want one.

Queues will be longer as people rarely get the app properly open before they reach the turnstyle. Same as people using boarding passes on their phone

For me James and Naismith in the same teams leaves us short on energy and legs in the middle.

On 08/06/2023 at 12:24, Mr Popodopolous said:

In a true central 3 I could see him fitting better than prior when NP wasn't confident in the 4-3-3, or when Holden and Johnson didn't 

However the ship has sailed unfortunately. No goals granted but his game wasn't really about that, assists yeah perhaps should have had more od these but to play in a 2 or a 3 with an unnatural 3rd player ie Palmer or whoever, can leave the 2nd true CM exposed and or unbalance the team a bit given the energy of Massengo. Way it is evolving now would have suited a number of the 2019 intake IMO. 

Problem is too many of the assists were for the opposition when he lost the ball in our half.

1 hour ago, Jerseybean said:

Championship odds 2023/24

Outright winner

• Leicester City - 5/1
• Leeds United - 11/2
• Middlesbrough - 10/1
• Southampton - 10/1
• Ipswich Town - 14/1
• Norwich City - 14/1
• Watford - 14/1
• West Brom - 14/1
• Stoke City - 20/1
• Sunderland - 20/1
• Blackburn Rovers - 25/1
• Coventry City - 25/1
• Millwall - 25/1
• Sheffield Wednesday - 25/1
• Swansea City - 25/1
• Hull City - 28/1
• Birmingham City - 33/1
• Cardiff City - 33/1
• Bristol City - 40/1
• Plymouth Argyle - 40/1
• Preston North End - 40/1
• QPR - 40/1
• Huddersfield Town - 50/1
• Rotherham United - 80/1

Cardiff a better bet than us?

20 minutes ago, GlastonburyRed said:

I think it's the acts of those on the pitch, rather than the invasion itself per se that is the harm. If people continue acting like morons, when entering the FoP, then expect the authorities to come down harder on everyone. Some personal responsiblity needs to be taken, and therefore don't be surprised that a few numbnuts make it worse for the majority if officials/players etc continue to be attacked in their workplace.

The fact that some so say supporters cannot seem to watch a game without either being p***sed out of their head with a nose full of powder makes sensible and predictable behaviour just about impossible.

3 hours ago, 1960maaan said:

Just reading the piece by Bristol Live , very interesting. I like that Nige stands up and talks about the standard of Refs, not worrying about fines. Amazing that the Powers that be send 2 notes that don't even agree with each other. The whole thing is a shambles and I can't see it improving for a while. But not even being able to send an explanation letter ? That is pathetic. The whole system needs a massive shake up.
Also, how do you get booked without a reason for it. Surely there would be a report and they couldn't just make up a reason after.

I like the idea of being Mic'd up, though how a Ref would explain guessing a decision as he missed it would be interesting.

Bristol City manager tired of being patronised as he slams inconsistent messages from PGMOL

Nigel Pearson believes the PGMOL and standard of officiating in England remains in turmoil after suggesting Bristol City are being patronised by the regular inconsistencies and mixed messages when explaining in-game decisions.

The officiating was again called into question in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Rotherham United after the visitors were awarded a highly contentious penalty in the second half when Jordan Hugill went down under the soft challenge of Zak Vyner.

It led to Nigel Pearson receiving a yellow card on the touchline for his reaction that had been brewing following decisions which had gone against his side in the first half. City were also denied two spot-kicks from referee Josh Smith when both Sam Bell and Tommy Conway had strong appeals turned down.

"Could’ve, should’ve had a penalty, maybe but again, I get tired of talking about it in all honesty with the inconsistencies," Pearson would say after the game. "We get a penalty turned down and they get one that looks as though the player falls down in installments and he gives it."

Pearson then went into a lengthy tirade regarding the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) and MOAS (Match Official Administration System) having received two different explanations in the wake of a decision in the 1-0 defeat against Sheffield United.

It occurred in the first half at Bramall Lane when Bell was pulled back marginally outside the area when played through on goal, but referee Geoff Eltringham waved play to continue. Pearson added: "Having said that we received two emails yesterday (Friday) from MOAS which I think are rather embarrassing for them.

"We got one at 14:12 that said that the foul on Sam Bell against Sheffield United there’s a really good case for it being a free-kick and a red card and then half an hour later, we had another one that they’d taken out two paragraphs and put that it was a free-kick and a yellow card.

"They clearly are in turmoil, not only are the officials unclear as to how to officiate games but then the process of how they go through decisions that have either been complained about or people who understand football, like managers and coaches, look at it and I’m not sure they know what they’re doing, to be honest with you.

"The leadership within their group is... wow. Everybody thought Howard Webb would come in and have a positive impact but even in the Premier League, it’s getting things wrong even with VAR.

"The game is in a situation where there needs to be a bit more clarity until the leadership of officiating is improved and we get a consistency of officiating or we’re as coaches or the players are going to end up moaning all the time because it just happens week after week and I’ve said it many times, we’re sick to the back teeth of having these reports come back that just patronise us.

"I got booked and I don’t know what I even got booked for apart from the fourth official basically imploded because he couldn’t deal with anything, and the referee basically came over and gave me a yellow card and didn’t even tell me what it was for so I’m not sure they understand what’s happening in that regard either.

"I just find it laughable in all honesty. They’re irritating, very, very irritating, inconsistent, not good enough and it’s ruining the game.”

Last week, French official Benoit Millot was mic'd up during a top flight game between Lyon and Nantes which received wide praise for the clarity behind the decisions while providing an interesting insight into how officials interact with players.

The decision from the French Football Federation was to "continue to push for the modernisation of the country’s refereeing system". When asked whether the English game would benefit from the introduction of mic'd up refs, Pearson responded: "My answer to the question simply would be yes, I think it would be good for the game.

2 points, how did Hugill get a yellow for the elbow on Vyner. If the ref saw it, it's a red, if he did not he should not have given a yellow. If he was not sure he should have consulted the linesman. This occurred directly in front of us. It was not accidental, Hugill took a look to see Vyner was coming.

2nd point. I think we are trying to dehumanise referees by making them clones. In the past you knew that each ref was a bit different. By and large they made decisions as they saw it under their interpretation. You won some you lost some and just like players you accepted that refs made mistakes. Now we are trying to create a robot ref that has to follow constantly changing and more complex rules (for instance when does the linesman put his flag up). I think the following actions are needed

Get rid of 4th official, we don't have enough refs as it is

Simplify the rules such as handball, grappling at corners and handball.

Allow only the captain to speak to the ref

Strengthen the decent rule

Tell refs to thoroughly learn the rules and apply them to the best of their judgement (accepting they will get some wrong)

Use the linesman more when he has a better view that you.

On 22/04/2023 at 12:28, spudski said:

Personally I think the whole asylum process needs to change throughout the world. 

The amount of people being displaced every year is rising and predicted to do so. 

South Americans were some of the highest amount of applications to Europe in the last few months. 

It's simply unsustainable long term, to have so many heading to Europe, especially when there are other countries doing very little to take people in. 

I look at Sweden, which has taken the most people...and the negative affect its had on the country in a very short time. 

The number of people in Sweden born abroad has doubled in the last two decades to 2 million, or a fifth of the population.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedish-pm-says-integration-immigrants-has-failed-fueled-gang-crime-2022-04-28/

We are purely looking short term. We should be looking long term. 

Some really good info on here. 

https://www.nrc.no/shorthand/fr/a-few-countries-take-responsibility-for-most-of-the-worlds-refugees/index.html

For me any person who passes through several European countries to get to UK whilst paying thousands to traffickers are not refugees.

3 hours ago, italian dave said:

Indeed. And, just to spread the net of controversy even further, and closer to home, the UK government is about to remove legal protection from modern slavery for people trafficked to the UK. 

People who have paid thousands of pounds to the traffickers and then announce themselves as refugees. Again we live in a democracy and IMO the majority do not want their hard earned tax used to put these people in 4 star hotels. Perhaps we should have an opt in system. If you want to house these people in luxury, give them access to the NHS, provide translators at every government department, pay benefits and then repeat when their families join them, opt in, double your tax (if you pay any)  and pay for it.

40 minutes ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

Whilst listening to Rosenior talking about this on Talksport yesterday, it got me thinking that we have a club just up the road from us who's branding is directly connected to the slave trade...

OMG, how can we take events in history and judge them by todays standards. At that time half of the Royal Navy crews woke on on board with the kings shilling in their hand having been knocked over the head and brought on board after a heavy night out. In Africa, Egypt and ancient Greece slavery was rife, way before what we see as the slave trade. The past is the past, we cannot change it and we don't have to be ashamed for what our ancestors did. We sent kids up chimneys but are we now saying that Chimney sweep companies should be punished.

17 minutes ago, italian dave said:

Before piling in with the usual cries of outrage, it’s actually worth reading what I think is an interesting article. 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/19/abandon-ship-does-this-symbol-of-slavery-shame-manchester-and-its-football-clubs
(and, @AshtonGreat, it’s also reported in the Mail - although promoting that outrage is more their thing I’d imagine!)

It’s not a “campaign”: it’s a question. Note the ? At the end of the article’s title.

It’s very explicit that this is not about ships generally - and it explicitly mentions other club badges in that regard.

And it’s about a question as to whether the ships on the club badges - and probably more significantly on the City’s coat of arms - is a specific type of ship that was associated with the trade on which Manchester was built. A trade which relied on slavery. And a trade which the Guardian itself acknowledges helped to make the wealth of its own founder.

Worth a read I’d suggest. 

Is anything in the Guardian worth a read?

45 minutes ago, spudski said:

....anyone else seen this story created by the Guardian? 

Calling for Man City and Man Utd to remove the ship on their badges, as in someone's opinion, it has links to the Slave trade.

Obviously like the Bristol coat of arms, it's a link to the past of the City's industrial past. 

It won't be long before someone starts asking Bristol Council to remove the ship on the coat of arms, as someone will say it's a link to the slave trade.

Who are these people starting these stories?  Who is financing it? Is the agenda purely to cause conflict amongst people to detract from major problems in the world? 

Guess it's a good thing City have a new badge...otherwise some **** would find a problem. 

 

 

I was listening to Talksport when Leroy Rosenier was on discussing this. Simon Jordon  initially explained the history saying that the ship was first integrated into the crest of Manchester to represent their international trading status due to the industrial revolution way after slavery was abolished and was then adopted to the badges of Utd and City later again. It was clear that Leroy had not done his homework and was a bit taken aback by these facts but still pushed on saying that this should be looked at. Jordon asked Leroy what his idea for a good outcome was here and could not get an answer. It was great to hear yet another woke agent trying to make changes that the vast majority don't want, challenged and taken apart. Well done Simon Jordon for standing up for the silent minority and common sense.

On 09/04/2023 at 08:05, View from the Dolman said:

From the Post... (and I don't think this has been previously confirmed) 

Vyner also touched upon his immediate future with discussions ongoing over extending his contract. His current deal was expiring at the end of his campaign, but he confirmed a one-year option has been triggered, declaring the academy product will stay in BS3 for another year.

He added: "My option has been triggered so I will be here next year. I'm excited about that so we'll see what happens."

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-defender-consistency-contracts-8335208

Whilst I accept that Scott will go I think the fans will not be so understanding if players like Vyner, Conway and Bell and also sold.

On 11/01/2023 at 08:34, ExiledAjax said:

Plus, I know it isn't the most popular spot for ST holders, but there will be a few in there. Anyone asked them if they're ok with this? Given they may have specifically bought their ST there on the basis that it isn't near the corner.

Having said that, I would generally be in favour of moving the vocal home fans nearer the away fans. It just might be something that needs to be done 'properly' - although if the catalyst for a 'proper' move is an organic ad hoc move - then so be it.

Why not just move back to the centre of the South Stand and get the people on each side involved. East End used to be load and aggressive

15 hours ago, Jefferz said:

Is my memory playing tricks? I was a kid at the U23 England v GDR match at AG in 1972. My question is: was Chris Garland on the bench? My memory is that Chris was an unused sub, much to our disappointment at the time. Can anyone confirm? 

I think you are correct

15 hours ago, Robbored said:

Absolutely  - that would almost certainly have a calming effect on the way the players interact with the ref if they know that they’re being heard via the refs microphone…………….

I reckon most fans would see it as a good move. It would definitely allow the crowd witness the shit aimed at the ref from the players.

I wonder what reasons FIFA or the PGMOL would give for not allowing it to happen? 

 

Fifi have stated before that dark arts and cheating are a part of the theatre. Personally if I want theatre I head to the Old Vic. What could possibly be wrong with following Rugby allowing only the captain to speak with the ref and taking time keeping out of the refs hands?

11 hours ago, pongo88 said:

Undoubtedly true, but is it true because a lot of players can’t cross the ball properly? It’s definitely the case with City as most crosses go low to an opposition player. 

I guess with our current lack of height and power in our forward line crosses have to be just about perfect. Would be nice to have a plan b using a big guy from time to time.

12 hours ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

That was frustrating. 6 points lost to them this season despite us being the better team in both games. 

We need a player or two that is able to create a bit of magic in games like tonight cos that's all that was missing. It's what won Sheffield Utd the game tonight. We need to be trying to get players like that on loan.

Wasn't Mehmeti supposed to be that guy?

11 hours ago, GrahamC said:

Exactly how I see it, Conway & Scott.

Scott has been incredible this season but as well as his rubbish free kick at the end, he certainly didn’t go into challenges the way he has & you do wonder if the speculation is getting to him.

Conway didn’t do much tonight & seems to have pissed Pearson off.

He said he thought the team that started the game did well overall so although Bell’s crossing was poor, it doesn’t appear he meant him.

Everybody's crossing was poor. We got into some great areas and the cross was either awful or all of our forwards were nowhere near the ball. It has been the same for some weeks now. Sam Bell looked a bit off. Had his touch been a bit better on the half turn on the edge of the box he would have been in 2 or 3 times. I think young players often struggle to maintain 100% performance when the first enter the first team. I think some work on the training ground on crosses and making space to receive the ball would work wonders. It would be a miracle if 19 year old Alex Scott was not somewhat distracted. I hope it doesn't rub off on his flat mate Conway.

On 14/04/2023 at 14:52, Lew-T said:

Ben Pearson more recently.

Vinnie Jones 

On 16/04/2023 at 07:48, Bas's perfect hattrick said:

Sad if he does go, but imo his injury record doesn't warrant a new contract even with the reduced salary. 

Unless he would accept a pay for play contract

2 hours ago, Robbored said:

Just saw an article on the BBC sports site highlighting the toughest player of the current PL clubs. Not surprisingly Ron ‘chopper’ Harris got the Chelsea vote and Duncan Ferguson got the vote and both Everton and Newcastle. Billy Bremner got the Leeds vote.

Obviously it’s generational but for me two players would get my City vote. The late Gerry Gow who was the toughest and hardest midfielder I ever saw in a City shirt and Shaun Taylor who although not the most gifted player he was as hard as nails. I remember him colliding at Hillsborough with an opponent at full speed and the sound of the clash could be heard all around the stadium. The opposition player was laid out flat but Taylor just leapt straight back up. I was amazed. He also played ( I use that term loosely) with 100% commitment and was fortunate not to sustain serious injury.

Clearly a huge gulf of footballing ability between Gow and Taylor but both hard bastards in their own right.

John Quigley and Bobby Kellard (who once punched a young Gerry Gow for being lippy)

15 hours ago, Robbored said:

Absolutely right. The lino was simply brushing Robertson away. He must have felt threatened. It was a defensive gesture.

I agree, if somebody grabs you its almost a reflex to brush them off. I hope some good comes out of this, protecting refs from verbal attack and sometimes intimidation. If you cannot behave like that to bar staff or ball boys why should the ref have to put up with it.

Refs make mistakes but probably far less than players. In my playing days I was once told by an old ref that he though that on the balance he was probably a better ref that I was a player. Both had a laugh and moved on. If refereeing numbers are to increase and they must to improve standards respect at all levels of football must be achieved. 

On 10/04/2023 at 22:17, pillred said:

Did you actually see the stats I'm sorry but they did look superior to us for long periods which annoyed the hell out of me, and why are they better placed financially?

I think we have to take a few steps back. NP arrived after the big push by SL to get promotion. Spent loads on the wrong players and trusted the wrong manager and CEO. We were facing penalties for FFP. We had too many players on high wages not only playing badly but also wrecking the dressing room.

Wind forward, just about all of the dead wood gone without having to pay out contracts, coaching team improved, style of play improved and hungry local lads entertaining us. Looks like we will lose the crown jewel of AS but that was always inevitable. Looks like we can improve our numbers, get in 3 or 4 good up and coming new players and challenge for play offs next year.

We are well and truly a work in progress but I would give NP and his team 9 out of 10 for steering us to this position. 

Boro have not needed this ground up surgery and so why are we surprised that they are ahead of us on their journey?

Take a look at Reading as an alternative. I am very happy to be where we are compared them them and many other Championship teams. The season ticket seller has already got my money.