Erithacus

Really good performance yesterday in front of an unaccustomed big crowd, and at the Gate too. The girls should be justly proud of the shift they put in. They gave Blackburn plenty to deal with and were comfortably in charge for much of the game. Agree with the others about the stirling work by Kuyken, who firmly took the central role after skipper Aimee Palmer was ruled out by injury and ran the middle of the park. Also missing was Layzell at the back and I thought Brooke Aspin played beyond her age, helped by the commanding Murray. A solid looking centreback partnership in the making. Up front Harrison was holding up and spinning in behind well, as usual. Beever-Jones also sparkled on both flanks; her low shot was only parried for Harrison but took her goal well when it came her way. All in all, a great day for the club. I just hope that the team is able to keep building like this and perhaps a shot at promotion is not so far off. However, if Harrison and Murray maintain their impressive displays I wonder if the big teams will come sniffing. On to Wednesday!

Thought the team played really well today. There is a growing sense of togetherness that will count for much this season - and something that such a young team will benefit from later. Despite the early concession, the girls took a firm grip on the game over the ninety minutes and the visitors were slowly smothered into defeat. By the end there was only one team in it. Many players stood out today and I found it difficult to single one out. From front to back there were good, solid performances - and perhaps a little good fortune at times. Hopefully this form will hold when they play Blackburn at the Gate later.

First time up the new gaffe. The HPC is a good place for the girls now, great surface - better than Twerton in many respects. However, one thing that strikes me is that the stand faces south - hence everyone there was doing the 'Dolman Salute'. Come winter the sun will be right in the line of sight. Small things, I know. The game was not too bad considering that City are largely a completely new squad. Only a handful of players stayed on after relegation. We also have a new coaching set-up, as well as changes in the boardroom. Hence, it will be wrong to criticise heavilly a club that is essentially starting afresh. There were a number of good point s that will be the foundation of the season. The formation and roles seem fair, the fitness showed at the end noticeably and there was plenty of desire. Coming back from a goal down wasn't a gimme against Lewes. Inevitably there were several mis-cues and a few players drifted out for a while. But overall it was a performance that was rewarded with the win (and who doesn't like a big W?). I was happy with Murray at centre-half: she shut down a lot of probing attacks. Abi Harrison was a real handful up front and caused the Lewes defence problems all game, and she'll be City's spearhead this season. Overall impressions: a decent outfit - not a cert for promotion, but no fear of relelgation either this time round. Unexpectedly large crowd of 500 odd - considering it was a new stadium and some won't feel inclined, and the England game was on. Hopefully it will be a happy home for the future.

As us old 'uns used to say, Itchy Chin, Itchy Chin...

Free? That's one way to bring the crowds back. I wonder if the idea will catch on.

Official site says 'Interim' coach and implies for the new season. No mention of Oxtoby. Hmmm. Lauren was a backroom staff member for a good few years and knows the club, but has not been here for the last four. I hope this is a good call by those who make the decisions and that it will be a foundation for a drive to return to the WSL. We'll wait for news about the playing squad and if that makes a difference.

Comes as no surprise to us. Just goes to show what a little bit of support can do. If only there was more last season.

That's another lynchpin. I worry who else is thinking the same.

On a related topic, yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the London Monarchs' World Bowl win at Wembley. Is is really thirty years ago? Wow...

Beginning to get the impression that a lot of changes are still to happen after a relegation season. Could this indicate the club is at some sort of crossroads? Who is still in charge and what is the plan for the forthcoming times?

One of the few originals of the early years, Loren was a stalwart for the team both on and off the pitch. It's no surprise that her talents are recognised and she has moved up to international level; I'm sure Wales will be the better for her presence. She first played under Gary Green's tenure (gosh, that seems so long ago now!) in a side that often struggled but were slowly improving over time. Always struck me as a really intelligent and communicative person. Coaching is surely going to be where she will make a bigger mark.

You're not thinking of Dino Zamparelli by any chance?

On that subject: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57164928

Interesting. Perhaps there is some sort of plan in place. Could this possibly the work of Mr Ashton?

The next question now arising is how much does the club have to offer new contracts? I know the Women's side finances are a vastly different kettle of fish to the men's (and that thread is running briskly in the post-Covid era!) but will there be enough funding for new players? A tough and important off-season is already here for whoever is in charge.

Mastrantonio I can understand as she was an Aussie brought in under Oxtoby's tenure but doesn't seem to be keen on Championship level in a foreign country. She's a decent player and I can sympathise. Wilson is only 19 and has been at the club for two years but won't be getting another chance, sadly. The real question I want to ask is: who made these decisions?

The CL Final has shown a number of things. The standard of top European football has risen much higher than the WSL. Granted, Barcelona are not short of money or top class resources but the fact is that nearly all the players were Spanish, and most of them brought up through their academy. Compare that to Chelsea's imported talent. For all the talk of the WSL being a shining beacon it looks a little pale now. It seems that the NWSL of America still has a big draw (two City players are off this season). The real state of play is revealed. Chelsea are a good team, no doubt, but they were a yard slower, a touch poorer and tactically second best. Yes, they may not have had their best XI available but they were shredded down both wings and found the midfield almost impenetrable. I thought former Vixen Sophie Ingle was a lost soul for much of the game and the Kirby/Kerr partnership was unable to make any real impression. Giving a freak own goal away in the first minute and suffering a soft penalty shorly after made for a comfortable match for a side who were clearly well drilled and in a familiar pattern. Typically Spanish, and difficult to deal with when on top. One thing that crossed my mind is that City (as Academy) beat Barca at Ashton Gate seven years ago. Look how the two clubs have progressed.

Back to the scene of his major triumphs: 2012-15 under his management saw several league and cup wins (assuming Vicky Jepson is making way). The thought is that Liverpool were such serial winners then, but have now spent a couple of unremarkable seasons and ended up third in the second tier (behind Leicester City and Durham). It's not a place where a glittering history makes much impact. Tough times ahead, methinks.

Beard's departure was not unexpected as there were rumours of other irons in the fire. However, that clearly points to Oxtoby returning so it would appear the club has started to get things organised. The sooner the retained players are known the sooner the work can start. The Championship is going to be a tough place - much tougher than the last time the girls topped it.

The first of how many? Especially disappointing seeing as she has come through the Academy. Two prime names I fear will go are Ebony Salmon and Sophie Baggaley, both of whom contributed heavilly to the side's successes this season (what there were of them) and could be just the job for another WSL team. Has there been any indication from the club about who is going to be in charge from now? Getting the side organised will be most important and the sooner they start, the better.

A final game defeat then, no need to hope for other teams to help. A really big disappointment for so many on the team, on and off the pitch, but the table does not lie. We weren't up to the mark. It will be a difficult season in the Championship, especially if the better players move on. How will the club's leading lights prepare for it? The Covid season of 2020-21 in Bristol has been a crash. No-one saw it and perhaps that was a factor.

Birmingham go 1-0 down but that's not going to matter it seems.

A piece of judicious judgement passed down from the FA. I can see if they deducted ten points it would cause some upset, or did nothing there would be calls from different clubs. This has made the last game a nail-biter and muddied the picture. However, we still need a win; the only difference is that there are two other clubs that need a result. In theory we have a better chance - slightly. Maybe the bookies are enjoying it more now. COYR

Are there any relevant regulations or judicial decisions that we can reliable turn to? Has there been a previous case that might guide us? I can't think of one off hand in the Women's game, but the men's seem to vary according to the authorities.

So it's a 0-1 defeat. Not good news, but perhaps more important was the fact that Villa are now two points ahead. A draw versus the Gunners might see them safe regardless. Same applies to Birmingham and West Ham. Even if City win at Brighton, that might be out of our hands. Next week will be a shootout. Great for the neutrals but not for those involved.