RedRock

Confident of victory here. Under the previous recent regimes this ground was always a ‘pick me up’. Comfortable 4-0.

Personally, think the suggestion of a central 3 with Pring and Dasilva as wingbacks is perfectly logical and can’t understand why we don’t do it. Not as if we have riches of match-winning/turning wingers we need to accommodate - the likes of CoD have never been, or ever will be, one of those. We know also that Moore plays better in a 3 than a 2 - all be it as a reserve.Vyner, probably likewise. What seems a bit unnecessary from Gregor is the ‘head in the sand’ reference. In my mind though, he’s decided he ain’t going to get anything out of Nige or the Club, so might as well say what he thinks with no filters. Particularly so, as Nige has proven to be a difficult manager to colleagues in Gregor’s profession and Nige has been brutally direct with Gregor. Personally, haven’t got a problem with the tense relationship providing both parties are willing to ‘play the game’ and it doesn’t end up with a ban for Gregor.

But we switched off against Blackpool and the squad would/should have been bolloxed for that …. to do it again three days later is just totally unprofessional be that players, coaches, manager. It’s the repeat switching off that is inexcusable.

I get the first bit about creating chances, but losing focus at the end of a match? We were playing FGR not PSG. That injury time goal was absolute total shambles from our perspective. I wouldn’t expect a bunch of 11 year olds to allow opponents the space in the centre of the penalty box that several FGR players had. It was pathetic. No excuses, just simply pathetic for any professional footballers, let alone Championship players, to allow that.

We knew we had a squad of mentally and physically weak players but, it’s basics, drilling (even our limited) players to seeing games out in injury time shouldn’t be a massive ask. Jesz.

I think he needs a manager that understands his strengths and weaknesses, sets him a role and sticks with it. By his own admission he tends to be a bit of a headless chicken. He needs to be shackled into a specific role, then he will excel - as shown in the Euro’s. We couldn’t have done worse really with a player of his nature, asking him to perform different roles, within constantly changing systems and with a revolving door of players. My only doubts with him is whether he’s suited to the physicality and speed of Championship football. Always criticised the ‘mini-me’ philosophy/strategy of LJ…. so, I’ll trust Big Nige’s call on this one. All the best Nagy and at least I won’t now have to listen to 50 different pronunciations of his name on commentaries.

Blackpool’s pre-season was impacted by Covid and they’ve loads of injuries. On the other hand we’ve had, according to our manager, a very good pre-season and near fully fit squad. An interesting start … when we, yet again, concede in injury time.

A comfortable 4-1 victory for me here in Monsoonal Devon. CoD to score and start repaying successive Manager’s faith in him. Wells with a couple and Bakinson in injury time. Unleash the beast!

Quality player in his time and much under-rated. One of the few really instinctive, natural goal scorers we’ve had in modern times. Maybe not the greatest athlete but had the knack of being in the right place and that calmness in front of goal that you can’t teach. Hopefully, now well past it and now can replace Mark Little in the role of dragging them backwards to the National League. You know your mission Brett. Good luck son.

This saga is Ragbag Rovers all over. Wael rightly tried to address the storm the initial statement created. The initial statement was either, at best, just clumsy - which is horrendous given the serious nature of the accusation - or, at worst, an attempt to muddy the waters for the benefit of Barton. So a simple statement required, withdrawing the initial statement, saying no further comment until case is heard. But no, Rovers just go on and dig another hole for themselves. The issue becomes contradiction between intent and actions. Barton has already been convicted of violence in separate cases. How does Wael justify his appointment of Barton if he now considers a conviction for violence results in instant dismissal?

Seriously, life wouldn’t be the same without them entertaining us ?. They try so hard to be professional and to make a presence in the city …. but are off-the-scale, hilariously, tinpot. Assume the subliminal message for using our Bridge as a backdrop for their ‘models’ is that they will be ‘forever in our shadow’. Pity that there are so few iconic landmarks in their quarter of town now they’ve demolished the Gasworks. Maybe they could use IKEA for next year’s photo shoot. Shocking shirt btw.

Lummydaze, it’s taken them decades to try and resolve use of the LA Park and Ride Car Park. We’re still waiting on that! The whole point of the mayoral scheme was to resolve such issues. Only in Bristol and North Somerset does such a goddam simple solution to a problem become an impossible fix. Trains will be obsolete by the time your Mayor(s) get around to thinking about a station at Ashton Gate. Just celebrate your £multi-million 300 metres of ‘guided bus service’ on that bridge across The Cut. What’s that all about? Utterly bizarre.

Well, now set up nicely for Torquay losing the play-off final and that will complete a hat trick of dismal performances/results. Blame me, it’s tradition. Whenever I bought a City shirt/scarf/hat before a match to demonstrate my enthusiasm and pride in the Club we always then produced the most inept of performances and invariably lost. I bought a big screen TV on Friday to watch the sport. Everyone’s a loser! ps rugby gets most things right (as opposed to football), but they need to re-think the league winners issue. Either the winner gets a league trophy and then onto the four-team championship trophy, or they go straight into the final with four other teams battling it out for the other final place.

Thought South Stand was closed, which seemed odd admittedly.

My other observation, apart from the Andy Uren one, the organisation of social distancing between members of the crowd was excellent. Best I’ve seen to date. Three stands open which allowed room to space out and breathe. Well done Bristol Sport.

Good stuff. Sharpen the handling and a great chance of lifting the trophy. Big question for me is whether Andy Uren is Marcus Stewart’s love child.

Yes. Agree. Another major factor for me, was the strength in the tackle, physical stature and general athleticism of the Barcelona players that was on another level and then some. A criticism of my very own Bristol City mens team I’ve made over many years and, very belatedly, now - hopefully - being addressed by Nige.

We’ve got to rebuild. A major rebuild. Otherwise, the future looks bleak. We need to act quick, weld a team together in a couple of months. Four or five positions need strengthening with incomers that can perform consistently at Championship level. A £4 million offer early in the window would be just fine. Personally, I’d take the £3 million. .

You know when you wake up and your brain scans the memory for things to start the day off - good or bad? Today started a good day.

Frankly, I’ve asked the same of 8th/7th of our squad all season......

Chuckle................snooooort. If Carling made relegation nights....

Shockingly good. Almost unnoticed, laid their season’s foundations on a bed of sand to near guarantee failure. Tremendous effort.

Decent half that, enjoyed it. Massive contrast from earlier in the season. We have a shape, decent control, sharp passing, strong in the tackle and belief. What a transformation! Need three points here desperately. Critical 45 minutes.

Doubt whether those from North Bristol of the 70’s are greatly different, in that probably have more Bristol Gassy friends than City. Indeed, I was best man to a Gashead and vice versa, and he remains one of my best friends to this day. While most of them were ‘standard’ fans, knew some of their absolute nutters well too. Given that, it was a bit alarming when I was persuaded to ball boy at Eastvile (once) with a couple of the normal Gassys, after playing a football match with them nearby (on the basis I would have to walk 8 miles home rather than get a lift). I’ve felt unclean ever since btw. I’d be absolutely delighted if they crashed out of the League, but would prefer them in the National League South than out of existence. Hang on. No. Having re-read that, I’d love it for them to be out of existence. Don’t think those who didn’t experience the 70’s rivalries can understand the ‘relationship’ those of my generation have with the Sags.

‘Ere. We don’t want them. Send them to Siberia.