Hamdon Mart

I think you're right, you know. Had to give them the benefit of the doubt before these last two games but they've come out with nothing. Can't speak for last weekend v Brighton as I didn't see the game but today, the girls seemed very leggy at times. Puzzling because West Ham played midweek in the League Cup at Birmingham while City had a free week. Morgan's introduction was as spectacular as it was welcome, assisting inside two minutes, she is a class act. One thing I noticed today more than I have prweviously was that the passing at times was really poor. And the crossing from the byline was the same, twice shanked into the stand when a decent delivery would have asked questions of the Hammers backline. Find it sad watching Abi Harrison at the moment as she doesn't look fit at all and left the scene early in the game again today. We've missed Rachel Furniss though IMO, when is she back? All in all, a gloomy day but the fat lady hasn't started singing yet.

The one criticism I'd have of him is that he waited too long to card Ryan Yates. The Forest midfielder was booked for his fourth foul but he was constantly mouthing off at the ref inbetween times too and maybe a yellow earlier might have made a difference. As it was, Nuno shipped him out at half time to save his side going down to ten.

I wonder if the idea is to push Ffion Morgan further forward into attack so that Lisa Evans slots in to right midfield.

I see where you are coming from but i'll remain optimistic for the time being. I do agree that City need to bring quality in and soon. A win next week against the Hammers would be a massive help of course, let's see where we are a week from now.

They are level on points with the team immediately above them and three points behind the team next up again. There are 12 games left still. Don't agree that they are in danger of getting left behind at the bottom. They play Brighton tomorrow and the Hammers next weekend, pick up points from those games and the table looks healthier.

The subsitution of Abi Harrison was almost certainly down to injury; as she walked towards the tunnel at half time, she was holding the back of her left leg. Could have been a hamstring pull and taken off as a precaution? As regards the crowd, it was more or less what I thought it would be. The men's and women's team probably have quite a few crossover fans & the men play twice this week; it's the first game after Christmas & before pay day; the weather was nice (albeit a tad cool) today after about 25 years of dark, gloomy weather so maybe the walk-up numbers were down. Any number of reasons why it was down but that said, this game would have been 600-700 at the RHPC last year, it's four times that at Ashton Gate this year. That's rapid progress.

You'd get a similar amount for the Spurs game as West Ham today as the capacities are quite similar (Spurs a little less). Think Villa is around 42k so just around 6k for that ground.

It clearly can! I'm twice the size I was before Christmas! ETA - seems a couple of others had the same issue.

I'm in Oldland Common. As for the dancing, appreciate the suggestion but it really isn't for me. I know that walking will work for me and my self-esteem has taken a big hit in the past few years so I don't entirely feel comfortable anyway; add that to the fact I dance like I've stood on a plug & I know I won't be dancing. Really appreciate the thought though.

Another one here for whom exercise in the past has been massive. I'm morbidly obese (don't look it but am) and in July 2019, I embarked on a mission to lose weight. Am mid-50's; single with children (two at home) and two away + grandchildren. Decided that I would quite like to be around to see them all grow up into fine young Yeovil Town fans (don't judge me ). Anyhow, set my mind on walking 5,000 steps a day. Not just my steps I do at work but a clear 5,000 steps in one walk or maybe two. Started in the July and by March, I had lost five stone and felt hugely better. I'd managed to do my 5,000 steps every day bar one when I forgot ( ) and some days, way more. Think with my normal steps, I averaged around 8,000 a day. Cutting a long story short, COVID came in the March. I foolishly obeyed the one hour a day exercise rule which restricted the amount of walking I did. In addition, I took a job on at Sainsbury's as an online picker meaning I did around 8,000 steps each day by 8am, but they were short, shuffly steps rather than out-in-the-fresh-air strides so didn't really get much benefit really. Always tired so didd't exercise and within 18 months had put the whole five stone back on. I'm now at my heaviest and am trying to sort my life out to a point where I can get walking again. Hopefully, no pandemic will come along anf derail me this time as I need to stick to it. My profile pic here is an image of what I looked like at my proper fighting weight of around 15 stone, I'm now nearly eight stone heavier than that. I'd be happy losing six stone this year and it is achievable, it's only just over 1.5 lbs a week. However if you REALLY want to feel better upstairs, I believe you should combine it with a few other things like decluttering your house, taking up a new hobby or reorganising your finances. The whole thing WILL help you to feel better. Although I'm of a green persuasion, my part time work enables me to get to 90% of City's home games and I love the matchday experience. Have probably met many of you from here IRL - to close, wishing everyone on here a Merry Christmas and a genuinely Happy New Year.

I may have to eat my words but I think City will stay up this season. Saw enough in today's game to know that if they can play to that level against teams that are not called Arsenal, Man U, Man City or Chelsea, they have a real shout. Some of the stuff they played going forward today was very impressive, it's just the decision making that needed to be a step up. For example, Abi Harrison should have squared it early on when she chose to shot, would have almost certainly been 1-0 City. Harrison is still recovering from months out with injury and looked a wee bit rusty at times but (a) her best position is up front leading the charge and (b) no one else at the club is suitable for that role IMO. Chelsea are quality, make no mistake though. James is a different class to pretty much everyone I've ever seen in a women's football match; she glides past people like they're not there, has great vision and can hit a ball with precision. And for those that have written the team off? If it wasn't for a 98th minute West Ham equaliser today, City wouldn't even be bottom at Christmas, let alone going down with nil points as someone predicted back on the thread. Hope the team have a wonderful Christmas, strengthen in January, and come back refreshed.

Agree 100%. The value of a CDM like Palmer is that you don't need to play five at the back & this would release Morgan further forward for her pace and energy. Think we are also missing a LB somewhere (or at least a capable one) as Napier is really a LM, Layzell is a LCB and Mustaki can play both roles but excels at neither.

Would have thought it was inevitable that City would start with the 5-4-1 as I'm sure it is how they set up for the last three games, a win over West Ham and two narrow defeats against Arsenal in League and Cup. The plan may have been to stay in the game for as long as possible, don't concede silly goals at bad time and try to catch Villa on the break. However "the breaks" didn't come often enough and aside from Furniss's volley, there wasn't much else tbh. Add in two bad breaks in Marckese's injury and a deflected first goal and it wasn't to be their day. Others have said this too so not controversial but there's very little pace going forward aside from Ffion Morgan. I like seeing her play more as a winger but that means shuffling the defence again which isn't ideal. She brings a freshness and energy when she attacks and she's a very good player but we don't get to see that in a 5-4-1 unless she is the wide right player of the 4, and not the 5. Given that City are one point off ninth place with a goal difference that is reasonably within those above and with only a quarter of the season gone, all is far from lost. Only one team go down, it doesn't have to be City. Final thought, I'd have loved to have seen Aimee Palmer in this team.

Agree with pretty much of all this, E. Rachel Furniss was outstanding for me and showed a bit of class in among the hubbub of midfield. She was an astute signing by Lauren having played at the highest level and hopefully she will influence others around her to lift their game too.

Thought the last ten minutes on Saturday, it was like the crowd sensed that Coventry might get something from the game and everyone seemed to raise the volume significantly to lift the team. Was very noticeable to me and maybe it helped the team get over the line.

Strange how they ended up drawing the second half today against Manchester City (this after winning the second half against Tottenham the other day). Guess maybe some of it is down to the opposition taking their foot off the gas a little or is it the City girls fighting to avoid a humiliating defeat? To be fair, City will thump a few teams by five + goals this season IMO.

Didn't know her through City but through her son Jack who played for Hengrove when I joined them back in the day. She, her husband Rich and daughter Paige would come along and watch and she'd brighten up the darkest, coldest days with a smile and a laugh. Jack eventually left and played for Shepton Mallet and Cribbs so the family didn't pop in as often but she was always brilliant company and would lighten any room she walked into. Rest in peace, Lisa and thoughts are with Rich, Jack and Paige.

Cracking game at the RHPC tonight despite some unfavourable conditions to play in. City looked doomed at 0-2 though it was still quite early on. Roared back to lead 3-2, conceded again and then pinched it in 90=5 with a good finish from Duncan Idehen. Good little side that City have there for sure.

If it's the one I am thinking of (son of a friend of mine), his name is Mikey and he was released by City's academy recently after eight years there.

Great night last night at Taunton. Years from now when people look through the record books, Gregory's innings won't stand out but it was perfectly timed and beautifully executed. He's such an under rated cricketer. Green was an excellent foil and just the ticket after the top four (arguably the best top four in the competition) were out for 50-odd. Two brilliant catches in the field (Henry and Overton) and some decent bowling (Henry and Overton again!) sealed the win - I'd agree with the poster that said this is Somerset's best ever T20 squad. Don't always get it right but when TB, WS, TKC and TA "failed" last night, the other lads stood up and brought us through. Let's go and win the thing now.

I agree, but it would be nice to see.

Manics on Sunday, please!

They played both of them at Bath, have to say LBN (with the Anchoress doing the Traci Lords bit) was as good as I've ever heard it. You have great taste in Manics songs IMO as I love those two + Enola/Alone too.

Absolutely outstanding set. Saw them for the 10th time last week at Bath Forum and they smashed it, just like they did tonight. Still relevant, still nailing it and hopefully Emily Eavis will do the right thing and book them as headliners next year. Brilliant live.

Yes, now you mention it, he would have been playing two years up. Went to Chelsea quite young IIRC, maybe 14/15 years old. He still does a bit for Chelsea now, was on the pitch for the tribute to Gianluca Vialli this season having played with, and for, Vialli. Lovely guy, very quick banter, and great company. Don't know the Paynes, Neil or Dave. Was Dave the ex-Bath City player that died quite young?