DT The Optimist

Well…I for one am really looking forward to his return, and while a ‘mistake’ is always in his game  what he brings to the side more than makes up for this and my take is we have really missed his play…including wicked dead ball deliveries…

However, his injury on around 6/10 was a calf injury and told by NP at the time likely out up to 10 days… Now we are around 35 days and little news..will the World Cup break give him time to be back firing all cylinders again ? Come on back Kai…we miss you 

5 hours ago, daored said:

Did anyone see kalas there? I couldn’t but thought he might have been part of it considering the number of games they played together 

Yes…he was out on pitch in guard honour.

Also the manager might have selection issues for Rotherham…Naismith must be on the radar for that game, along with Kalas.. I am sure I heard NP mention on radio Bristol a friendly will be arranged in the break as well..

1 hour ago, Clutton Caveman said:

For me Antoine typifies us at the moment. In the rare game he is unplayable other than that he can't shoot on target, cannot retain the ball with his back to goal and gives away a free kick just about each time he tries to close down. I think at this stage of his career he desperately needs a mentor to bring out his best and we don't have one. At todays prices if we got an offer of £3 million I would accept immediately

Sadly on recent performances, any premier side  looking at him now would not not be paying a big wedge, I just hope after the World Cup we get back the Sem that  we know  he can be.  
would not be surprised if he is on bench Saturday 

4 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

We obviously don’t get to see him in training but Pearson has often not even put him on the bench which is odd when you see him today 

At least NP gave him some praise in is pre match comments.  I think it is clear that NP prefers JD over CP but after that showing today it will give food for thought. I would pick Cam Pring over Jay.. when we have a full back line to select from 

9 minutes ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

 

I’ve seen Sam Bell on many occasions now and sadly I still can’t see a league player there.  Happy to be proved wrong, but he showed nothing today.

I said the same about Zak and seems like slowly, but surely,  I am being proved wrong, and I presently have same opinion as you on Sam Bell as he seems 'light weight'. Point is he has the chance to improve and may yet come good, but he currently seems miles away from a championship player but..

It’s the championship. Any side can beat any side. West Brom beat Reading….we beat West Brom and so on.  You got to be on it 100% or you get beat…The frustrating thing is NP was a tough hard uncompromising defender…yet our defence does not mirror that man… Gary Owers on radio today struck a valid point…Reading were horrible defending there box..pushing holding  and in your face…yet our zonal marking in similar was soft. Hence more ‘soft’ goals…

I am a great supporter of NP and he and the ‘staff’ must see this.

2 hours ago, The Humble Realist said:

Probably his last season here unfortunately. 

Not sure on that…he is  settled in the area, enjoys it here…why would he not commit here again to see the job out..if a deal was right for club and player. Reduced terms but longer contract..not so much money about these days. 

Great report and read.

I had to enjoy it on radio Brizzle and no doubt we deserved the win. It’s perhaps worthy of its own thread but I note you gave Zak a 9.  He appears to be growing in stature, improving and starting to nail down his spot in the side.  From a player who at start of season appeared to be on his way has confounded many of us, me included. Great team effort and well done Zak.. 

Gary Owers, who knows what he is talking about. says how good Williams, James & Scott were in the middle of the park...what happens then when Naismith is fit then with our solid Tim Klose  who was so solid and assured...

3 minutes ago, NcnsBcfc said:

It's a bit if a mystery to me why he's not the captain out there. With the greatest respect, he's got to be a best choice than Weimann last night.

As for Naisimith coming back now. I would consider putting him CM alongside Scott (who was also excellent last night). He's too left footed to cover Vyner (who was good as well), that'll have to wait for Kalas i think.

Yes, he was class act last season, and surprised not had more minutes this season.  There have been  posts on OTIB suggesting with personnel issues and new  family arrival matters that he might not be here long.  I hope that’s way off the mark.

Heading to the game 7pm knew it was quieter than normal.  
My ST is in the Dolman but guy I sit with and his lad had covid, and another guy on holiday, so  I thought I would try out a different view for a change. 
First half found seat with ease and  sat behind dug out really enjoyed it, but realised how sparsely populated the Dolman was, and for that matter the South stand as well. 
second half watched game from Upper Lansdown, really enjoyed that as well. So many seats everywhere.
Who knows how many actually passed through turnstiles, but I wold guess around 12K. The red button on sky and European football night bound to have impacted.   

14 minutes ago, shelts said:

Really good footballer . Positions himself so well. Organises us . Good to see him back we’ve missed him 

I agree totally, reads game so well. I would hope that after the bonkers World Cup in the desert we would have a back three of Kalas, Klose and Atkinson….with Naismith in front of them. He has a fantastic wand of a foot….his deliveries almost unplayable from set play.

On a side note good to see Kalas sat behind dug out. 

2 hours ago, downendcity said:

Most can see our defensive shortcomings so when Kalas returns (fingers crossed), he gives the manager another and different option. In particular it would enable Naismith to be moved from his current exposed position.

My thoughts as I mentioned another thread kN Was left of a three at a Luton…but that’s where Atkinson is doing rather well… so you move him into the midfield, .,.then who drops out. 
who wants to be a manager a !

Agree with many comments…but Naismith was player of the year at Luton on the LHS or a three?  We certainly need that dominant centre half, and perhaps move  KN in the midfield. I see Kalas replacing Zak and would like to see Klose in the middle.  
fixture scheduling unkind with Norwich and Burnley. Looking forward to two home games..

Well done for sharing that excellent You tube video re how Blackburn Rovers shocked the Premier league. It is a great watch. As Jersey Bean alluded it shows you what can be achieved with a benefactor.  And be careful what you wish for 

6 hours ago, BLRed said:

 

 

silence is deafening.

While I understand where your coming from the fact is that since Ashton left all business is conducted in a different manner, and certainly not in the public domain. Like Naismith  for example who appeared from no where to join us without any leaks or speculation.  NP tells us, via the media, he does not get involved in all that stuff re contracts and agents and the like….and he is cool with it and will not concern himself… However I am sure NP must have put his arm around HNM  for example and given him a bit of love and a cuddle…but I am sure what goes  and is said on is private.  Much as I would like to know the ins and outs like the rest of us, it’s not going to happen.

Bit mystery Klose missing…I never heard any reference on radio Brizzle re him missing from match day squad.
Few on here  guessing domestic issues with new family arrival,  surprised not picked up on  radio Bristol by the excellent sports team unless. I missed it.. 

Hopefully all will be explained. He was quality end last season and with no sign Kalas back imminently expect some free transfer moves or loan before window shuts?

Great report from ole as always. 
I note he gave Wilson 7 read elsewhere he was poor first half improved 2nd. 
perhaps worth a thread in its own right but like to know peoples take in respect of Kane Wilson , anyone who was there last night.  
He’s a player who once he gets going with us should be a very positive option

There is absolutely no reason why we could not mount or make top end of table challenge,  need luck & rub of the green with injuries, a fully fit squad would give most championship teams a test. 
when you consider we have Kalas. James, Sem to return…the emergence of Tommy…certainly not doom and gloom but optimism of a decent season… and of course the conclusion of transfer window. 

When the second went in today I looked at the bench from the Dolmon  which was opposite me as NP sat there , arms and legs crossed , no drama and total serenity. It really amused me while the stadium took off in jubilation. NP was unmoved. 
totally professional. Seemed one of those moments 
 

27 minutes ago, cidered abroad said:

I'm stuck in southern Spain due to lovely wife organising a house swap before fixtures available. So does Megabus call at Marbella? Otherwise it's BBC text to follow!

Try some bars. Bound to be sky sports on….  I often spend time Los Bolices Fuengirola and so many bars have sky sports on 

I would add I have no dislike for Cardiff, even a grudging admiration for them...lets be fair they signed  Tomlin off us, (that took some bottle) and it is a fact their history re performance is better than ours in reaching the premier league twice !

The two Cities are comparative similar in size...  however they sold their soul to that Malaysian guy (Tan) and I am unsure if the 'red' flag still flutters over the stadium.  I always recall a 'What the f*****g hell is that' from an away end when we visited, that drew applause from the Cardiff fans ! A classic moment .  

29 minutes ago, spudski said:

 

Just a hyped up game for the media because the Gas are so bad.

So true all Spuds  comments. Severnside derby my butt !! 

sooner Gas get near us the better to provide competition and push us on the better. Proper Derby not one created by media. 

I GUESS I am alone in that view but used to love the derbies with the gas. Good times and bad. Still think it will be a while before we are in the same league again. Perhaps not even in my life time.