1960maaan

Really pleased for the lad, so important to get that first goal and have some positive influence on a game. Over the years we've had a few with massive promise that have stalled after a few games, and I had started to worry about Bell. Because we weren't in a position just to give him starts, it was really difficult to make an impact. Obviously that is mainly for us, the support as Nige would see him every day, but he could easily disappear. Of course , as his old man knows the score, that could help. I've seen a bit of him for the U23s, he definitely has an eye for goal, but has had little opportunity to show it so far in the first team. Getting games is important, but many of the minutes he has had would have been out of his natural position. There would have been question marks over his strength and pace stepping up to first team striker, and that's why I loved the goal last night. Watched it a few times and his movement to step across the CB not only showed pace, but awareness to take the CB out of the equation , then a decent finish. But it's not only that, he managed an assist for Sykes with a nicely weighted pass . Maybe not the most difficult pass, but easy to overhit in the moment. Add he nearly got on the end of Semenyo's cross shot and , from the Radio, sounded like he was involved in a few decent moments I hope he can kick on the way that Conway has. Conway really stood out for me in the U23s, he lead the line with great movement, touch/technique and calm finishes. Bell is very different , a lot more of his game goes unnoticed, but he gets in good positions and scores. I hope he really shines , he seems to fit the style of forward we play with now. Pace, movement and hard work. Keep on keeping on Sam

having to "watch" on the Radio is crap. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_bristol

I guess it comes down to how strict they are and what they are strict about. Stoppages in play , throw ins or like Goalkicks ,where the keeper wanders from side to side, decide he doesn't want to go short and waves the defenders away and bang a minute or two have gone. Injuries are supposed to be stopped for anyway aren't they, though Refs seem very free and easy with the time keeping. They have to do something.

As I said, in my lifetime. Looking at the years you mention, they did have higher gates 58, 57, 55, 54, 53, 49 , so much closer. Here you go.... https://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/englandcontent.htm

If they stop the clock properly, they surely have to go down the 60 minutes ball in play route . That would equate to slightly more football actually played, without the game leaking into Sunday Mornings.

I would have left to catch the night Bus home by then

Not even enough to buy himself a new watch ? Great effort TBF.

This is from a website I know nothing about, but covers all teams and has no bias, no reason not to believe their figures. Though why last year isn't included I don't know. I've taken a random-ish start point . So in my lifetime, they have averaged higher attendances than us 5 times ... 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965 and 1983 For context 1960 we were relegated and '61 they were in a higher division. 62 they were relegated. In 1983 we were division4. They finished 7th & 5th the 2 years we spent in the basement (it may not be their basement as they call the National League League 5 now they've been there) but only bettered our Average one of those years by under 1,500. As an aside in my 62 years I think they have been in a higher division than us in 4 years. I hope this helps Ashton Hero

Exactly

This is the best way to sum it up IMO. This guy has edited Rashford out of the Pic, now you can see that he has to be interfering with play. Offside is a joke now.

Both decent shouts IMO.

Perhaps he was one of those streakers we used to get occasionally ?

Thank you very much ? - The Scaffold

I thought yesterday he was steady, fairly solid and did a job. I thought he became more effective later (even without the goals). He was very good the first few games, from memory his delivery was excellent. His performances had dropped off and he only got back in through necessity . If we had options he would have had more time to settle into the step up. I need to see a couple more games with him in that more forward role, but I'm happy to give him time on the early season showing.

Ageism ? Reported

Naismith takes a touch and is robbed by the guy chasing back. 2:05 in

Like these ?

Stuck in The Middle With You - Stealers Wheel

Another story of VAR + Prem football = dubious Pens and Non Pens. This week on a continuing theme ..... 1) Brentford and Ivan Toney mugging off the Ref with the aid of VAR. Toney cleverly (?) grips the CBs arm under his and falls down. I don't blame the Ref, but VAR have time and a clear view and still give the Pen. The snap shows the start of the incident, you could argue that the last contact has the CBs arm around Toney, but first grab/pull is clear, and ignored. 2) Leeds at Villa, Rodrigo has a chance saved but as he bursts through defender has both hands on him. The thing for me is after, defender looks worried , but again VAR prove pointless . I do wonder if we were in the Prem whether we would actually get more Penalty's, or more angry that we don't get more Penalty's. Anyway City won , so Happy Sunday People .

I think it's a massive bonus having Naismith and so the option of quickly changing between a back 3 or 4, without changing personnel . I was surprised he did it from the off today , bold move. Paid off. I wasn't sure we would get the WB/FBs involved enough, but Sykes helped out well and the movement of all the front players helped .

Did he hang around long enough to do one ? Looks like he off to the coach trying to beat the traffic .

Just needs to add goals to be the perfect WB. Strong, pacey , can tackle and has added assists . Just needs those Joe Bryan shots to step to the next level.

I was amazed it wasn't given as a FK, we haven't got that sort of "rub of the green" for an age. I didn't even celebrate to start as I was that sure it was going to be brought back. I thought the Ref was ok for most of the game then went back to factory setting for the last 15 mins. I would have been gutted if they'd scored that and the Ref hadn't cancelled it.

We have to make sure we stay up, then I will look forward to that trip. I have a few Everton mates and I want to get up there before they move anyway. TBF some context . They have spent more than almost anyone in the Prem bar the top 3/4 over 10 years. They have nothing to show for it and their rivals have started to look like contenders. Imagine our fanbase in that position, we would be every bit as toxic.