SouthS22

That was depressing. Two away games this week, performances chalk and cheese. Only consistency was the support. Packed away end for both games, but really nothing to cheer about today. Could see their goal coming a mile off after that really poor start to the second half. Series of corners and it was inevitable that we were going to concede, and of course we did. Best way to describe that performance was limp. Players just didn’t seem up for it. The 3 in midfield worked hard, so too did Wells and in parts also Semenyo. Scott probably our best player again. Zak and Jay on the other hand both had a really poor game, Jay the worst on the pitch, just nowhere near the pace and didn’t seem to have the energy or the desire to get up to it. Pearson had to try something to change it up second half but why on earth did he take both Semenyo and Wells off? They were the only ones who remotely looked like they were going to make anything happen. Weimann and Conway both ineffective, and though Martin got a few good touches in to link play he just looked unmotivated. Teams seemed close in terms of quality overall, but where the margins are fine we lose because we still can’t defend set pieces. Such a big weakness in this league.

He and Vyner have formed a decent partnership on the right, I’m guessing that’s who you mean. The fact that we haven’t conceded from open play for a while suggests that our defence is doing a good job from that perspective across the back 5. Hopefully Tuesday marked a turning point in terms of set pieces also. it’s the other end where we could really benefit from a greater contribution from both flanks, Mark and Jay. If Sykes can get his crossing boots on, and maybe chip in with the occasional goal too, that will create more uncertainty for defenders and give us more attacking options.

Great win and great support last night. Bit hoarse today though. As others have said, I thought that was a great goal from Semenyo last night, but even though it wasn’t his and Nakhi put it in, from where I was standing, he pretty much made that happen. Picked up the ball, went past or around 3 players, and smashed in an excellent shot that turned out to be a cross. Seeing it on replay, Nakhi did get a critical touch, great goal. Agree about the defence, all played brilliantly. Not sure about Vyner as MOM however, although he was very good, even won his fair share of headers which has been a weakness in his game. Klose for me is the key to the way that defence plays, his organisation is pretty critical along with his reading of the game and general calmness and authority. Atkinson also made some vital interceptions, though I did think the ref did well.not to give a penalty against him for handball. Bit harsh on JD I think. He’s come in for quite a ,or of stick recently but I think he’s important to the way we play, and he does make things happen, getting us out of tight spots, making space and releasing other players as he did last night.. Involved in both of the goals, and generally played really well, bar the odd bit of miscontrol. Also defended solidly, and his last ditch tackle was important in preventing a goal. Sykes had a good game too, but that end product is still too rare. Midfield played much better than I have seen for a while. Good to see Matty James back, but the most important difference in there looked to be Scott who played that 10 role intelligently and gave us more control, especially first half. Brilliant to see Joe get his goal, just kept going and going which is some progress as has his third game In quick succession . MoM for me, Semenyo. He was a menace until he went off second half, causing them all sorts of problems.

It seems to me that Semenyo’s game is better matched with Martin’s, while Tommy and Nakhi play much better together as a pair. Both pairs look to be better suited to different opponents. Tommy and Nakhi seem to play better against good footballing sides who like to play out from the back, but they can get bullied by physical sides. Martin and Semenyo are better against more physical sides who like to play longer. Semenyo links well with Martin as a decent target man who links the play, especially with the threat of Weimann running in behind which creates space for him. I’d use them like that, with Semenyo available also to come in later in games against better ball playing sides to cause problems for tiring defenders. That way he plays every game pretty much and we maximise his strengths.

Concerned for sure. On many different levels. Not least that I’ll have to sit through many more terrible games like that. A number of pints were required to get over that one. I don’t think there was a single player to come out of that with any credit, and it wasn’t just the players who need to look at their performances. Started off pretty well trying to impose our game on them, but it all went horribly wrong from about minute 10 onwards. We allowed ourselves to get bullied everywhere on the pitch and off it. Management team done over by Rowett yet again. Concerned that we are still regularly conceding from set pieces, that our strikers have stopped scoring, that that our wing backs are not creating chances, that there’s no plan beyond rinse and repeat from the last game, that our squad is so thin, that Pearson has to go nuclear to get any sort of fight out of the team, etc, etc. If the answer is that we’re in for a relegation fight, we’re not asking the right question.

Thanks for this thread, needed a good laugh after a difficult day. Frankie Fielding, loved the bloke, but dear or dear. The one thing I do miss is the way he booted the ball straight out from a goal kick. My memory might have inflated the number, but it seemed like at least 5 times a game. He was still doing at Millwall, and still getting cheered by the City fans when we went to the cup game there a few years back.

Great to get a hard fought win tonight. Players were up for the battle and although we conceded from yet another set piece, we deserved the win overall as the better team. Klose made a big difference in the centre, mistake to give way that free kick apart. Semenyo and Scott the two best players on the pitch for me. Williams, Conway and Weimann all put a big shift in. Max was a surprise pick but got to give NP credit for that because his distribution made a difference, he looked pretty assured and he pulled off a couple of great saves. Atkinson proving himself to be a menace in the opposition box from corners, two quality headers to win us the game. Not sure why there were no other championship games tonight, but hopefully that won’t be too much of a disadvantage against Millwall at the weekend. Hope there’s a better crowd in for that, the extra noise could be important to maintain the energy levels.

I was actually thinking he’s not doing too bad tonight during the first half, then he reverted to type in the second and started making random decisions. He wasn’t helped by the linesman on the Lansdown side who took seemed to forget how to raise his flag, not that it’s any excuse. There was a collective groan from the fans around me when Stroud’s name was announced and by the end he had lived down to expectations.

From where I was sitting they looked bigger, stronger, better in the air, much better organised AND more committed. They had a clear plan to stop us from playing, while playing to their own strengths. They bullied us in the key areas of the pitch and exploited our weaknesses. We were pretty comprehensively beaten, again, same as last year, by a pretty average side. I get what you are saying about playing our own game, and I do see positives in what he is trying to do in that regard. He’s set us up to play an attractive attacking style of football. While it would be great to be able to dictate our style of play on other teams, however, unfortunately we’re not good enough to do that. I think we have to go with variations of the way we want to play (plan b, c, d etc), accounting for the opposition. I know it’s easy to say in hindsight after a game what should have been done, but my criticism is that he just sticks with his plan A, and as some other teams have now worked us out, that’s not going to be enough.

How is that a wierd interpretation? Though he says he is taking responsiblity, in the next breath he's very clearly blaming the attitude of the players. The fact that he says hes going to be having some pretty straight conversations is good to an extent, but I don't agree that attitude was the main factor. The bigger issue for me was how he set the team up, which he is either not recognising or not taking responsibillity for. To improve that, he needs to 'have a word with himself' (which is saying btw, not to be taken literally). Brum did us in pretty much the same way last year, and that was comprehensive too, so it should have been fairly clear that we needed physical presence in the team and players who can compete in the air so that we weren't so vulnerable from set pieces. Instead, he went again with his plan A, which is to see who played well from the last game, rinse and repeat (hint; also a saying, not to be taken literally). That has its merits, but I think its a bit limited and I think that we'd really benefit from a greater amount of tactical and strategic nous from him and his coaching team- a plan b, c and d in team selection, set up and tactics. What does plan B look like given our limited resources? For me, it means at least selecting the right players, in their natural positions as far as possible, who can stand up to the challenge presented by the opposition, and who are in the matchday squad because they also have the abillity to play a version of how he wants the team to play (which I like by the way). We needed for example King in midfield rather than Massengo; Klose, Pring and perhaps Tanner at the back or maybe all 3, Martin to add physical presence both up front and at set pieces, combined with Semenyo to unsettle their defenders. Unfortunately, he only recognised that at half time when we were 2-0 down - to goals from set pieces! I know that we are short of resources and that the squad is thin, but I don't think its fantasy foottball to expect a team to be coached and set up to defend well, especially set pieces. You and I will probbably disagree here, and you may (perhaps fairly) level the fantasy football charge at me for this reason, but I think we have an opportunity right now this season to build some momentum and do something decent while we still have some of the talent we do on our books. I am hopeful that we still can, but for that to happen I think we need to be able to both play the possession based attacking football that has been so good to watch at times this season AND the physical atttritiional battling football at which we always seem to get beat, and some differnt variations in between - the a, b, c, d, etc.

I didn’t think so, not really no. He said He would take responsibility but then proceeded to blame it all on the players by saying he was going to have very strong words to say to them. We need more from him than that. Culture change on its own is not enough. It needs to be backed with sound strategy and tactics and while he seems to seem to have a decent plan A, plans b, c and d all need a lot more work.

We were bloody awful but Pearson has to take some of the blame for that. He’s the one who’s selection had ‘going to get beaten by set pieces’ written all over it. And guess what, because we had no one apart from Atkinson, who can win defensive headers in that starting line up,we got beat by set plays. That first goal after 5 mins set the tone for the game and yes there were some seriously underperforming players out there, but the manger has got to to stick his own hand up here and say ‘I wasn’t good enough today’, and I ‘have to set the team up . better to play the opposition we are facing’, especially against such an obviously physical side like Brum. He also needs to recognise that much more work is needed on the training ground on defending set play routines because we continue to ship goals through them. Yes, great, NP gets plaudits for telling it like it is, but I’m not sure that’s the whole picture he’s relating there. I seriously hope he realises that he also messed up yesterday big time. Rather than just blaming the players, have a good look at yourself too Mt Pearson, and what you can do better.

That was really depressing. Relegation form without question. Birmingham practically had their slippers on and the cigars out. So easy. I think Pearson has done some good things, but the defensive issues are a massive problem that he just seems capable of addressing. Kalas may make a difference but anyone who thinks playing King at centre back alongside Vyner against a physical side like Brum needs to have a word with themselves. That team selection had beaten by goals from set pieces written all over it. Hopefully we can bounce back mid week, we are now in desperate need of a performance to build on.

FFS what an absolutely ridiculous decision. Wouldn't a show or respect before games all over the country, been a far better way or marking her life this weekend? Personally, I'm sorry to hear that anyone has died, but she's had a pretty good life, lived a long time, done some decent stuff, fair play to her, but all this nonsense is madness. People die every day who have done amazing things in their lives and made huge contributions to society, including at a young age who could have done so much more. This is like some throwback to the 1800s. We all have to doff our caps, do what we're told, kneel before out betters, and enter a period of forced mourning. If people want to weep and wail about it, ir enough, knock yourselves out. Likewise if you want to have a period of quiet contemplation, that's up to you. Me, I want to watch and play football this weekend and I see absolutely no reason why that should all be cancelled.

We’ve been missing a Webster like defender since he went to the Prem. He makes more mistakes, but Naismith is that kind of player that makes such a massive difference to the team. He gives us that foundation to play more of a possession based game and his leadership from the back makes everyone around him better, not just his partners at CB, but those in front of him too. He even gives Bents enough confidence to play the ball out. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we’ve had a lot more of the ball since he’s been in, and he is making a big contribution to us playing better football overall. I’m hoping he can cut out more errors as he gets more familiar with his teammates and starts develop good CB partnerships with Atkinson and Vyner, and Kalas when he gets back.

What a performance tonight. That’s the Bristol City we can be. Massengo, Scott, Sykes And Dasilva dictating play through the midfield, forward line with pace, mobility, movement and great combinations, and solid at the back led by an outstanding Naismith and ably supported by Atkinson and Vyner who were both excellent. Shame about the sending off which looked a bit harsh to me, but stayed solid after that which was nearly as pleasing as our dominance in the first half. Don’t want to get too excited, but hopefully that can spur us on for another performance at the weekend and beyond.

I don’t think it is all about one game, but it does feel like an important match. That’s 3 pretty poor league performances and we really need to get our season going. The more games that pass with no improvement, the more difficult the season gets and the more likely we will find ourselves in a relegation fight. Amongst some of the more reasonable City fans I talk to, there are some real concerns about where we are heading. Despite some decent recruitment, we are still showing many of the same defensive frailties that made last season so difficult . We had a really positive period towards the end of last season that looked like it could be the start of something better, and it seemed important for the collective confidence of the team that we started the new season in that kind of form. We haven’t as yet, which means that the next 4-5 games could be pivotal to the way the season shapes up. A clean sheet against Luton would be a great boost, and a win could kickstart a better run of form and confidence.

There were some great passing moves, including the one for the first goal, in the first 20-30 mins, and in the last 10., which was good to see. it was all the bits in between that were the problem. I said at the start of the second half to the person sitting next to me, we’ll have a great view of all the action second half because it will all be up our end. Got the goal, and then didn’t see the ball again until the last 10. From where I was sitting, Sunderland bossed the majority of the game. They were better organised, they were tactically superior, and they spotted our weaknesses and exploited them, particularly Vyner and Sykes on the right. Even though I think we have the better team in terms of players, for sure defensively where they look suspect, they outfought, outthought, and outplayed us. And yet we still created enough chances to get something from the game. I know it’s not fair to single out any one player, and I won’t do that, but just to say that 2 yards out ,right in front of goal is not a chance that we can afford to miss. .

Bristol City F.C. 1) What will be City's final league position? 14th 2) How many points will City get this season? 62 3) Will City score 60 (or more) League goals this season? Yes 4) Will City concede 60 (or more) League goals this season? No 5) Who will finish as City's top scorer? Andreas Weimann 6) How many League goals will City's top scorer (whether the player named in Q5 or ano.) get? 17 7) Who will finish as City's 2nd top scorer? Semenyo How many League goals will City's 2nd top scorer (whether the player named in Q7 or ano.) get? 16 9.) How many academy graduates will make their City debuts this season in League or Cup competitions? 5 10) Will Duncan Idehen make 15 (or more) League appearances for City this season? No 11) Will Joe Williams make 25 (or more) League appearances for City this season? Yes 12) Will Stefan Bajic make 10 (or more) League appearances for City this season? No 13) Will Antoine Semenyo still be a City player on the last day of the season? Yes 14 Will Han Noah Massengo still be a City player on the last day of the season? No 15) Will Tomas Kalas still be a City player on the last day of the season? Yes 16) Will Nahki Wells still be a City player on the last day of the season? Yes 17) Which month will Antoine Semenyo make his first on-field appearance for City this season? October 18) Which month will Ayman Benarous make his first on-field appearance for City this season? March 19) Will City sign a striker either before the end of this window, or in the January window? No 20) Who will be City's player of the season? Joe Williams 21) What will the Official attendance be for the first home game against Sunderland to the nearest thousand? 22k 22) What will City's Official average League attendance be this season to the nearest thousand? 20k 23) In which round will City be knocked out of the F.A. Cup? 3rd 24) In which round will City be knocked out of the Carabou Cup? 1st 25) How many City players will be sent off in all competitions this season? 4 26) Who will be the first City player to be sent off this season? Andy King 27) How many penalties, in all competitions, will City be awarded this season? 7 28) How many penalties will City score? 6 29) Will any City player score a first team hat trick this season? Yes 30) Will Nigel Pearson still be City's manager on the last day of the season? Yes Young City players: Bell, Conway, Towler, Kadji, Owers, Palmer-Holden, 1) Which of these 6 will make the most appearances for City, in all competitions, this season? Conway 2) Which of these 6 will score the most goals for City in all competitions? Conway Gas: 1) Final League position? 12th 2) Average League attendance, to the nearest thousand? 9k 3) Will Matty Taylor score against Rovers this season? No 4) Will Marlon Pack score against Rovers this season? No 5) Will Tyreeq Bakinson score against Rovers this season? No 6) Will Joey Barton still be Rovers' manager on the last day of the season? No Welsh Rivals, Cardiff & Swansea 1) Will O'Dowda score for Cardiff against City? No 2) Who will finish higher, Cardiff or City? City 3) How many points will City get against Cardiff 0,1,2,3,4 or 6 ? 6 4) Who will finish higher, Swansea or City? Swansea 5) How many points will City get against Swansea, 0,1,2,3,4 or 6? 1 Lee Johnson's Hibs 1) What position will Hibernian finish in the SPL this season? 8th 2) Will Lee Johnson still be Hibernian manager on the last day of the season? Yes Ashton's Ipswich 1) Will Ipswich be promoted this season either automatically or through the play offs? No 2) Will Mark Ashton still be there at the end of the season. Yes Steve Cotterill 1) Will Cotts lead Shrewsbury to promotion? No 2) How many points will Cotts' Shrewsbury take off Rovers 0,1,2,3,4,or 6? 2 3) Which club will finish higher, Shrewsbury or Rovers? Rovers Old Boys 1) Will Bobby Reid score 7 (or more) PL goals for Fulham? No 2) Will Josh Brownhill score for Burnley against City this season? No 3) Will Aden Flint score for Stoke against City this season? No 4) Will Kasey Palmer score for Coventry against City this season? No Championship 1) Which club will finish top of the Championship? Watford 2) Which club will finish bottom of the Championship? Hull

I quite like that assessment. I don't think its saying we're contenders, more that there is reason for positivity and optimism for the season. If things go exceptionally well, we could be somewhere within touching distance of 6th but of course the greater likelihood is that they won't and we won't be. The criticism I would make is of the statement that we are a few players short, which seems like a rose tinted view of our squad depth. Our first choice 11 now looks competitive as a consequence of the excellent signings made this summer, and we do have more options than last year, but there is still pretty limited scope to change games from the bench and we could be left threadbare by injuries. It will take time to build that depth due to our financial position and lack of options for offloading more players. so to be in the top 10 come March it seems likely that we'll need a record breaking season in terms of minmal injury numbers and of course for Semenyo to be back fully fit asap. More realistically, I hope that we can achieve comfortable mid table, but like NPs ambitions to be better and still within shouting distance of the playoffs by March.

Such a frustrating player. He looks like he has the skill to be an excellent championship defender and he has looked really assured in parts of games. Then he just makes a terrible mistake that either costs us a goal or nearly does and puts us on the back foot. Then his confidence goes and he keeps making more mistakes. Is it a concentration thing? Is it just lack of basic ability to read the game? I think if I was in his shoes, I’d be looking at playing a different position in central midfield where he did ok under Holden. Not a defender anyway for us, too much of an accident waiting to happen.

As was ringing round the ground, that was embarrassing. So, so poor. Worst team in the league? Yep, that was us. Outplayed by 10 men in a league one side

I don’t need to justify why I support City any more than you do. And just because I’m a City fan doesnt mean that I need to love everything about the club, or the way it’s managed. When you have more than a few brain cells to rub together you generally understand that there are many different perspectives and not everything is a binary choice.

Can’t wait for the season ticket renewal request to come through now that I’ve heard this news. So excited to see another year of that magical ball control, vision for a great pass, deadly eye for goal, and the flicks and tricks that never fail to find their target. And that’s not even mentioning that electric pace and those leadership qualities that have proved to be such an inspiration foe the younger players. What I really hope is that the tactical genius Pearson keeps playing him every week so that he bring his boundless energy to a formation that totally bamboozles opposing teams, especially at set pieces which are clearly working an absolute treat. Thanks City, and Mr Pearson, already looking forward to next season with eager anticipation.