headhunter

Here's a link to the recording of our live broadcast: https://foreverbristolcity.podbean.com/e/easy-to-blame-stroud-on-that-pen-but-that-covers-up-the-defensive-frailties-that-define-us/ Another Groundhog Day debate featuring Neil Sutton, Mark Tovey and Ian Gay with Dave Pottier in the chair. Once again we have a more moderate Ian whose pick for the 11 to face a rampant Boro side next weekend gets the nod from the rest of the panel. Must admit the highlight each episode for me is becoming the selection of the intro music - anyone care to name this week's choice?

We're recording at 5.00 PM. This is the link to listen live : https://www.podbean.com/lsw/voj3TKjf6G?lsid=rmgwbfvRuqN [recording available from 7.00 PM - LINK LATER IN THIS THREAD] Ian, Mark & DaveP will discuss how good we were in the opening 45 minutes and then what happened next!! Can take SMS messages if you listen on Podbean and dial in and speak if you wish - critics who think Ian is a *ell-end can tell him so to his ears!!! FWIW, for my part today was just another one of those days - I'm becoming punch drunk with the monotony of how crap we are defensively.

I try my best!!

Thanks for the positive comment. You are right about numbers but doing it on Zoom rather than live on the Podbean platform meant we could see each other. I'm guessing the sound quality was better too?

https://foreverbristolcity.podbean.com/e/reading-h-reviewed/ [also on Spotify, Apple & Google] After the furore of Ian's "Pearson must go" rant on Saturday he's back alongside the more measured thoughts and opinions of DaveFevs, Neil Sutton & Mark Tovey with DaveP [Headhunter] in the chair. Best quote: DaveFevs, "at the start of the season where did you expect us to finish Ian?" Ian, "about 16th" !!!! Nothing like moaning for the sake of it!!

Please tell me what he has done in any game this season, in fact over the past 5.5 years to justify inclusion in your suggested team. Unbelievable that in the current squad he has amassed more appearances than any other member, FFS!!!

No, Laura Tobin - you can't forecast anything!!!

That's VERY funny!!!!

I know Kasey is pretty much in the land of the banished but I just read this in Gregor's Bristol World column this morning: https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-city/bristol-citys-midfield-hit-by-fresh-injury-as-door-opens-for-joe-williams-and-others-3557547 FFS what the hell are they doing to them at the HPC!!! Might lead to an opportunity for Gary Owers son?

Might as well mention Baker too then!!! Only mentioned Atkinson as he is the only one of the crocks close [?] to a comeback so the more logical choice ahead of Cundy.

The logic is that centre might appear to be his best position HERE but in 2 successful promotion sides it seems he played at RB. If part of our problem is preventing crosses coming in then let's try and stem them from that side at least. You are 100% right about Cundy's credentials but were Atkinson fit he's be in there so it would read KALAS, KLOSE, ATKINSON, PRING; lots of height. Just watched the goals again from Saturday and it has convinced me that JD has no future as a defender right side or left but as an offensive player he offers far, far more than COD who surely now has to be heading for the departure lounge!!

Accepted. DM me if you'd like to come on as a guest on the Pod sometime.

We didn't know Pring was until we tried him out and Vyner despite a couple off 100 appearances at Championship level still isn't up to it is he? Yes, that is an assumption of mine re. a flat back 4. But the flat 4 is being mooted as Pearson's preferred option is it not so why not give it a try in a line up that I proposed which gives us more in midfield without losing any of the power up front. There is certainly height in what I have suggested. Btw, as an aside, your comment, "....Is that going to be another opportunity to say Pearson isn't up to it" - you're picking up the content of the thread on the FBC Podcast on the Blackpool game and Ian's rant about NP. He's expressing his view which is not entirely mine so the sly dig is not appreciated!

Kalas enjoyed two promotions to the Prem with Boro and Fulham where for both clubs he played mainly as right back rather than as a central defender. I seem to recall comments at the time he signed permanent for us that it was conditional on him being played in his "preferred position"! Undoubtedly one of our best players this season, although some might question is he really all that when we have the 2nd worst defence in the division, is it time for Nigel to ask him to help us out in our problem position and allow us to line up like this against Reading Bentley / Kalas, Cundy, Klose, Pring / Williams, HNM, Scott / Weimann / Semenyo, Martin [4-3-1-2] You have two very experienced defenders, former internationals no less, helping out two relative rookie defenders, a more robust midfield and maintain the W-S-M combo up front. If it were down to me I would rest Martin and play Semenyo and Weimann up top with Benarous or JD in instead to provide some width. Thoughts?

Bye then, sorry to have lost you.

Sorry to have lost you. If you enjoyed Honor, Owers & Latham over Christmas give this week's special with Rob Newman a listen of you enjoy a spot of nostalgia: https://foreverbristolcity.podbean.com/e/in-conversation-with-rob-newman/ I said myself yesterday that the pod content is becoming predictable akin to NP's predictable post match comments of we are where we are in the aftermath of another defeat

Why don't they? Lack of respect for the show, presenters? Have you ever been on? Why not come on as a guest on our pod next Sunday after the Swansea game - Neil Sutton has shown how easy it is to integrate and even perfected the NP style of a mocking chuckle he displays to reflect disdain to some of Ian's comments!!!

Yes, I did say that but that is different to saying "I agree with you 100%". Ian is bombastic and opinionated but if he was so really full of shit why does Geoff 20man give him airtime after every game? I'd like to know please

Thank you for your support!! I take it you didn't listen to the very informative 1-2-1 I did with Rob Newman this week ? Why is it the worst of the many [realistically its just us, OSIB & 3 Peaps] ? Is it mainly because of Ian and his opinions or do you think we are all shit? Happy to have new contributors just DM me if you want to come on, indeed, you can call Ian to account - could be fun!!

You are referring to the comments of Ian in isolation so please DO NOT cover the rest of us with that blanket of criticism. Ian is just being Ian and whilst his voice on this subject sees him, for now, in a minority he is like anyone entitled to an opinion no matter how extreme. Perhaps if you listened you would hear the more balanced view of Nick Sutton in particular.

I checked in with Rob and he didn't play in goal for us but did once for Norwich at Sheffield Utd. after Bryn Gunn had been sent off. I won a small wager with Rob when he said he thought the choice of venue for that deciding play-off game against Walsall in 88 was decided on the toss of a coin. I was right in saying it was a penalty shoot out which we lost 2-4; he couldn't remember if he took one - anyone know who did and scored / missed that day?

0898 12 11 76 - I used to do score updates, match reports and interviews for a number of years until Jed Pitman [before his HTV days] was appointed as a full time Regional Editor covering City, Rovers, Torquay, Exeter & Plymouth

In this special edition episode of the FBC Podcast I had the pleasure of interviewing City Legend Rob Newman who pulled on the shirt in almost 500 games over the period 1982-1991. https://foreverbristolcity.podbean.com/e/in-conversation-with-rob-newman/ [also on Apple & Google Podcasts plus Spotify] 40 years ago this week the departure of the Ashton Gate 8 meant 18 year old Rob was handed his league debut against Fulham as the dawning of a new era began for the club. This chat with Rob is interesting and informative beginning that eventful week in February 1982. Rob then talks of how John Atyeo influenced him as a schoolboy and then he takes us through the 80s where he achieved two promotions [84 & 90] alongside many other memorable occasions. Rob talks about how he never really wanted to leave City in summer 91 but in the years that followed at Norwich he was an integral part of a side that finished 3rd in the inaugural 92/93 Premier League season and then played in famous victory for the Canaries against Bayern Munich at the Olympic Stadium the following year. Rob talks about his move into player recruitment with Man City in 2008, naming his best find as David Silva and how in October last year he reunited with former City team-mate David Moyes at West Ham to lead player recruitment there. This is a truly fascinating listen for any City fan over the age of 45 who'll remember much of what Rob has to say and if you are younger it is good to hear how City came back from the basement of football in troubled yet often fun times, such was the team spirit back then.

To the tune of the Wham hit Wake me up before you go-go: "Wake me up before you go go we've got Scott and we've got Massengo" I won't claim that as wholly original thought as I heard on Talk Sport that Villa had this with the following: Wake me up before you go-go who needs Grealish when we've got Coutinho

... that it wasn't was due to the sacrifice made by the AG8 less than a week later If you're driving to Preston today imagine how you would feel if there was a possibility that due to impending financial ruin this had the potential to be City's last ever game. I and a few hundred others had less time to think about it on a relatively short trip across the Severn Bridge but it was a frightening and saddening prospect. Stood on the gravel [no terracing] behind that goal it was pretty grim and felt worse when City fell behind early on but hope came with a Mick Harford equaliser within a couple of minutes and that was it a 1-1 draw. We drove back across the bridge fearing the worst - the joy of promotion to the top flight barely 6 years previously seemed a distant memory and there was every chance there were no more to be had. Still have the programme. Jan Moller saves from a Newport player as Sweeney watches on in the home fixture from September which City won 2-1, a brace from Jimmy Mann.