Erithacus

Heard he got roughed up a bit and went to the pub for some peace and quiet.

Back from Wembley and watched a decent game. Broncos v Jags isn't the big clash it might have been, but not a blowout in the end. Some really off-colour plays and players to begin with, but the game started to tighten up in the second half when Russell Wilson had the time to pick receivers in the mid-range. In the end it fell to Trevor Lawrence to make the right plays at the right time - and sadly threw a pick with the last drive to go. He's young and learning the hard way, and not helped by the receiving corps. It's been a while since I've been there and the place seems a little strange now all the tower blocks have encircled the stadium and the Olympic Way ramp is no more. Curiously, they announced the biggest crowd ever at a Wembley NFL game at over 86,000. Judging by the number of empty seats at kick-off, I can only assume there were loads waiting at the beer queue. Perhaps and more significantly, I did notice there were no touts lining the steps at the tube station. Coincidence?

Echo those thoughts, RR, It is fair to say that the scars of war were still very much part of the fabric, both physical and social, even into the 1980s. Thanks for that link TomF - some really great photos in that album. It's difficult to realise just how much the place has altered. The pace of change is getting faster with every passing year and it is chastening to look at those images. I also like how many are just 'ordinary' streets, not just the big cityscapes or the typical historic stuff. The street where we live is just as fascinating to look back at.

Whilst Brunel's handiwork is still very much in evidence in Bristol, it's not unfair to say that the city was a mere terminal for the big plan - namely a way of conveying (rich) people from central London, on his train to Bristol and thence on his ship to New York. We were really an overnight stop. Yes, there are many good things here and we don't have the controversy of his Atmospheric Railway system or the fatalities of some of the tunnels he dug. It's also worth noting that the Suspension Bridge was his design but he died before it was completed. Following another funding crisis, the bridge was redesigned to a budget by Hawkshaw and Barlow. We do have an older bridge that is entirely IKB's own work - a rather more important one from a historical and engineering standpoint. It was actually still in use until the Cumberland Basin was built in the 60s - and it is still there! It is colloquially known as Bob - Brunel's Other Bridge. Granted it is parked up and slowly rotting away but it was the world's first use of sheet steel rolled into a tubes - a common design these days. We also have the Brunel museum next to the Great Britain and is a shrine to the great man. Brunel was an Anglo-French engineer, born in Portsmouth and who spent most of his time working in London. He had a mixed reputation as both a brilliant engineer but also a maverick when it came to investors' money. A workaholic, he would create world-leading feats of wonder but also lost money on other projects that other people could not embrace as he did. Perhaps that will have clouded the judgement over his status? But I agree, maybe we should be more appreciative and demonstative.

Yes, Palms is an all-action sort of player. After that nasty injury it would be understandable if she was a little reticent in making any solid contact, but she loves a cruncher! Clearly no flashbacks or fear about injuries at all. No sign of the drum though!

The Stool Scale is actually based on an old football reporter's system. Yesterday's game might be difficult to pick up off the floor.

Never mind the chicken, what the beers? Can't see how many cans are included. And yes, I can just about see a pooch. Say, am I having what you're having? At least it isn't an image of a religous oik.

Another quality performance by the girls! Really impressed with the dynamic way the team transitions from defence to attack. At the heart of that is Aimee Palmer, who was instrumental in most of City's work today. When the opposition run out of ideas, she will be closest to the back line and demanding the ball off them. Once in possession it's either laid off quickly of she will use the space to push up the field. The front players know that and are looking for a killer ball. Those front players have all the talent, pace and hunger to get a shot away most of the time. Emma Symes was a key midfielder tidying up loose passes and springing forward - and hit another sweet strike from the edge of the box low into the corner. It was a constant theme today that Palace were unable to make much progress and City were going forward in waves. Hayles is beginning to shine, holding up the ball or bursting into the box, causing headaches for the defenders. Harrison is clearly a level above and can operate in several roles. Out wide, Morgan's pace worries everyone and that helps to stretch the back line across the pitch. These players are difficult to deal with, and opponents have to be worried. Defensively, City were not really pressured much, as we had a big advantage with possession. However, when needs arose Naomi Layzell was superb in cutting out movements and making some crunching tackles. I am beginning to liken her to Leah Williamson in that she has a calmness about her, going about her job smoothly. Quite a talent at only 18 years old. The score does not really do justice to the domination. I lost count of the number of times we had a clear shot and invariably hit Palace keeper Kitching squarely. Had she not had a charmer of a game the score might well have hit double figures. Palmer also smacked the bar with a free-kick from outside the box. All in all, another very impressive display by a side that has all the ingredients and is sitting on top of the league thus far. Good to see over 600 at the HPC despite the wet weather too!

Sounds good, providing a few injured stars of the Euros are able to regain their form. Weigman seems happy and is looking forward to the group stages. It appears that the draw has also ensured that England won't meet USA until the final!

Season cards are normally checked visually at the HPC by a steward at the entrance. Games at AG will require the owner to obtain a ticket (at no extra cost for League/Conti group games) beforehand. Card holders will naturally have the pick of the best Lansdown seats - ones with padding!

The same Grosvenor Hotel that was burned to a cinder earlier this week? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-63310801

A plaque about football's history! And why not? I know there is the museum up north, but how many other plaques ought there be nationally? Or even in Bristol?

Some great games again! I can't remember so many finishing inside a one-score outcome. Also can't recall the teams being so evenly matched - only one unbeaten thus far and several divisions looking wide open. The NFL is delivering.

Yes, quite a common ocurrence in this neck of the woods even before old Poo Tin got stuck in. Their unique sound is easily recognised and I call them the Harley-Davidsons of the air - Sky Hogs!

Heartbreak all round with the exeption of Chloe Mustaki: Wales and Scotland lose. No World Cup for them. I supose we won't have to miss most of our international stars now.

#SpottheVixen #SpottheRobin Nearly a full side there.

I would have responded but I feel the same as Red Skin - the questions are either aimed at a particular section of the fanbase or are too generalised and contain contradictory answers. This from a regular fan at the HPC. COYR!

Selling out is one thing, actual attendance is another. The recent North London derby (Arsenal-Spurs at the Emirates) was reported as 53,000 tickets sold but the announcement of the gate was only 47,000. A large slice of the potential went missing. Incidentally, I don't know of any other game where this has been publicly announced, men or women. Another thought that crossed my mind was the number of tickets that will have found their way into touts' hands. I have been to Wembley many times, usually for the NFL games, and coming out of the tube station are a picket line of touts all yelling and waving tickets for sale. The police are powerless to stop them. I wonder if that was the case for a women's football friendly? Another case of progress? The Wiegman Way. It has been proven to work. More to come I feel.

As a by-the-by, Aaron Rodgers was at Wembley tonight to watch the England v USA friendly. Must be happy with the week's practice.

No surprise that the women's side is not making a real profit, although it is arguable that some costs are carried across both set-ups - like the training ground and staff, who can operate with either. One thing that crosses my mind is that, with the women's side well 'in debt', might that help balance the rest of the holdings in some way?

And more likely to get the crowd going too. Despite the VAR breaks, this is a good performance from a starting XI missing some talent. It's good that the bench has lots of quality as well. OK, it's a friendly but worth the efforts put in and the USA are still the benchmark to measure the team against. Announced nearly 77,000 on hand - I bet the FA are rubbing their hands at that.

I was effectively in the Downs League in my fourties - now I'm 60 what is there left? I'll be the groundsman before I know it.

Nailsea and Twickenham? Got it right the second time but I hope they use the right sort of ball.

Great result today after a much improved performance. Right from the start the players were at a higher level than the last couple of games. Speed, precision and positivity were all better. I can accept that teams regard the Conti Cup in a slightly different light and named less-typical starting XIs, but there were many who were under scrutiny. Even so, I thought City have a solid core and the 'fringe' players are more than capable. Good to see that Lauren Smith might have a happy headache for the next game. Once City got into their stride, Palace were simply overwhelmed by neat passing and sweeping runs all over the park. Palmer was, once again, at the heart of things. She has a good engine and is a genuine box-to-box midfielder, breaking up plays and taking the initiative forwards. Shania Hayles was a real threat on either flank with hold-up play and quick bursts. Ffion Morgan was equally dangerous with her speed down the flanks; Harrison managed to get her tally up and running for the season with two well-taken strikes following good moves. I suspect she was disappointed to not complete the hat-trick with a couple of decent chances later on. Palace's keeper made a couple of good stops and the woodwork was kind to the visitors. At the back, Liv Clark proved a competent keeper and hardly put a foot wrong, whilst the back line were always there whenever Palace got the ball into the box. Many times a striker was closed down by several red shirts, putting blocks in and denying the opportunity. Naomi Layzell was imperious at the centre of the line and always in control - a contender for PotM. The subs came on and kept the pressure on a side I think will prove to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season - and made a statement for the league game against the same opponents in a few weeks. All in all it was a top class performance (if only we could have shown that against the Saints) and worth the trip to the HPC. Pity it was a modest turnout today as the missing fans will have missed a good one. Shucks... you're the more authoritive between us HM

Thought the result was not unfair in the end. City had by far the better of the first half and might look back at a couple of missed chances that would have made it a different game. However, give the Saints credit: they were business-like and had a solid, disciplined gameplan that finally paid off. In particular, Katie Wilkinson (20) caught the eye with a classy performance, barely putting a foot wrong all afternoon. I liked Palmer and Syme starting to link up in the midfield, making a lot of the play going forward. Defensively we were sound and gave Southampton few real opportunities. But once again it looked a little more strained at the top end of the field. I know Abi Harrison is going to attract a lot of the opponents' attention, and she swapped places with Hayles and Morgan for a while, but it was a somewhat frustrating day for her. It often looked like she was alone up front and was expecting a teammate in close for the flicks. Defensively we have some good talents who are forming a useful understanding. The one move that did us was a sweeping run up the flank, a first time low cross and a forward running in at just the right spot to score. It was a great goal, to be fair. With the equaliser just after the restart, it seeemed to knock the girls out of their stride a touch. The Saints slowly strangled the moves from midfield and it became increasingly difficult to get going. As with a recent game, we seemed to run out of steam and ideas as the second half went on. Good to see a large crowd over getting on for 4,000 at the Gate. I reckon Saints must have brought a coach or two, so perhaps 3k home support. Better than the 500ish at the HPC. Might this make a few in the boardroom open up a conversation? So the perfect record and the clean sheet is gone but City still top the Women's Championship by a point. What is a concern (as mentioned before) is that we have yet to play the teams now in the top half of that table. October is set with league clashes against Palace, Sheffield Utd and Charlton!