Allow me to hold my hands up

[petehinton]

When Derby appointed Gary Rowett I was furious as it meant he wasn't coming to us whilst we were in free fall with Lee Johnson. 

May I be the first one to hold my hands up and say thank **** this was the case. 

That was probably the most complete Bristol City performance I've seen since the Palace away Play off leg in 2008. Man to man we were absolutely superb and looked incredibly organised too. 

If a ball went in the air, Flint or Baker won it. If they played it  down the line, our wingers/full backs were quicker and stronger than them. Reid was again superb. Leko was absolutely different class.  I genuinely could've sat there and watched us play all night. 

This is against a Derby side with arguably the best squad in the league along with Middlesbrough, who's average wage per player is probably the same (or higher) than our highest. 

Not to get carried away too soon, but if the last week or two is anything to go by, we could really surprise some people this season. 

Never been so pleased to be so wrong in my life. 

[Bristol Rob]

 

 

[Fordy62]

Only got to watch the first half as I had to interview someone, however that was very good. 

Heres to more consistency. Very well done to the players. And well done to LJ and the coaching team. 

[cullomptonred]

Have to agree with you, early days yet but after being one of the LJ detractors last season it's looking likely that I will happily have to eat copious amounts of 'humble pie' this season. Long may it continue!

[joe jordans teeth]

Even I'm turning,not just today but the unity the players showed in the away games when we were up against it let's be honest. We started well last season nicking games by the odd goal while playing awful but it does look like a top 10 finish is a prospect this season  and that's a massive improvement,hats off to lee and the players 

[petehinton]

5 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said:

 

 

Christ how much digging did you do for that?? Couldn't have digged enough - go a tiny bit further and you'll see me say he did **** all first 20 and was different class second 25 

[Red Army 75]

Football is all about opinions. No need to apologise. It's what makes it the best game in the world 

[Fordy62]

3 minutes ago, Red Army 75 said:

Football is all about opinions. No need to apologise. It's what makes it the best game in the world 

Uh no. I think you'll find that's Golden Axe. 

[Bristol Rob]

5 minutes ago, petehinton said:

Christ how much digging did you do for that?? Couldn't have digged enough - go a tiny bit further and you'll see me say he did **** all first 20 and was different class second 25 

Haha.

Purely by chance that your message in the match day thread was the last place I'd read it before looking at the forum in a new tab!

[petehinton]

4 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said:

Haha.

Purely by chance that your message in the match day thread was the last place I'd read it before looking at the forum in a new tab!

Haha I will let you off mate 

[Red Army 75]

5 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

Uh no. I think you'll find that's Golden Axe. 

Good game. But double dragon was better 

[EmersonsRed]

32 minutes ago, petehinton said:

When Derby appointed Gary Rowett I was furious as it meant he wasn't coming to us whilst we were in free fall with Lee Johnson. 

May I be the first one to hold my hands up and say thank **** this was the case. 

That was probably the most complete Bristol City performance I've seen since the Palace away Play off leg in 2008. Man to man we were absolutely superb and looked incredibly organised too. 

If a ball went in the air, Flint or Baker won it. If they played it  down the line, our wingers/full backs were quicker and stronger than them. Reid was again superb. Leko was absolutely different class.  I genuinely could've sat there and watched us play all night. 

This is against a Derby side with arguably the best squad in the league along with Middlesbrough, who's average wage per player is probably the same (or higher) than our highest. 

Not to get carried away too soon, but if the last week or two is anything to go by, we could really surprise some people this season. 

Never been so pleased to be so wrong in my life. 

Glad to hear it. I hope many others follow suit. As I have continuously said, we are in good hands and have a bright young coach at the helm.

 

Coyr.

[BCFC Rich]

38 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said:

 

 

 

Idiot. Here is someone holding their hands up to a mistake (something he also did to that comment you've dug around to find) and you try and come up with a cheap shot. Its easy to have a go it takes a bigger man to admit a mistake. 

[Bristol Rob]

3 minutes ago, RichardEdd said:

Idiot. Here is someone holding their hands up to a mistake (something he also did to that comment you've dug around to find) and you try and come up with a cheap shot. Its easy to have a go it takes a bigger man to admit a mistake. 

You'll forgive me if I decide to ignore the views of someone who has the online handle DickEdd.

As you can indeed see, subsequent exchanges with Mr Hinton explains the coincidence, with both a laughter and a like.

[RedLionLad]

5 minutes ago, RichardEdd said:

Idiot. Here is someone holding their hands up to a mistake (something he also did to that comment you've dug around to find) and you try and come up with a cheap shot. Its easy to have a go it takes a bigger man to admit a mistake. 

Whoosh !

[Fordy62]

Look, it's important to note that this is typical OTIB. 

A win (a really good one at that) and suddenly we're all rejoicing at Johnson's feet. 

All I ever wanted was consistency. We played alright at Reading, we played slightly Better than that at Wolves and now we've convincingly thumped Derby with what was - from what I saw - the sort of football that people had been talking about in the first 45 against Barnsley and Birmingham.

Is LJ suddenly Jesus? No. Should he have been sacked last season? Yes. Am I now a massive LJ fan? No. 

Am I starting to lose the hatred that I had? Probably.

Seriously though, that was a performance that doesn't fail to make you sit up and take notice. Well done LJ & crew long may it continue.  

 

[Big Red Rich]

4 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

Look, it's important to note that this is typical OTIB. 

A win (a really good one at that) and suddenly we're all rejoicing at Johnson's feet. 

All I ever wanted was consistency. We played alright at Reading, we played slightly Better than that at Wolves and now we've convincingly thumped Derby with what was - from what I saw - the sort of football that people had been talking about in the first 45 against Barnsley and Birmingham.

Is LJ suddenly Jesus? No. Should he have been sacked last season? Yes. Am I now a massive LJ fan? No. 

Am I starting to lose the hatred that I had? Probably.

Seriously though, that was a performance that doesn't fail to make you sit up and take notice. Well done LJ & crew long may it continue.  

 

Pretty much summed my thoughts up there. Long may these performances continue....

[Flagon]

I think we would need a bigger stadium if the Johnson out fans returned, :laugh:. 

No in all seriousness it's a really good solid start to the season I feel. Last season we started well but I don't think we were playing as well as we are now. It then quickly fell apart for a spell. We managed to turn it round with some decent performances and so so happy we've continued that and have undoubtedly strengthened the team in areas where it allows key players to run themselves into the ground for the cause with decent fresh legs to replace them when needed.

[Engvall's Splinter]

8 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

Look, it's important to note that this is typical OTIB. 

A win (a really good one at that) and suddenly we're all rejoicing at Johnson's feet. 

All I ever wanted was consistency. We played alright at Reading, we played slightly Better than that at Wolves and now we've convincingly thumped Derby with what was - from what I saw - the sort of football that people had been talking about in the first 45 against Barnsley and Birmingham.

Is LJ suddenly Jesus? No. Should he have been sacked last season? Yes. Am I now a massive LJ fan? No. 

Am I starting to lose the hatred that I had? Probably.

Seriously though, that was a performance that doesn't fail to make you sit up and take notice. Well done LJ & crew long may it continue.  

 

Love your posts. Marry me. 

 

A season of this and I'm in the Johnson camp. Roll on May when I bow down to those who new the light was coming. 

[BCFC Rich]

19 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said:

You'll forgive me if I decide to ignore the views of someone who has the online handle DickEdd.

As you can indeed see, subsequent exchanges with Mr Hinton explains the coincidence, with both a laughter and a like.

It appears I need to hold my hands up! Sorry Rob. I clearly didn't take it as it was intended Whoosh indeed.

[Alessandro]

Yes typical OTIB, like a new striker written off by some as useless, can't kick a ball, can't head a ball, cant hold up a ball, can't bully defenders blah blah, and today after a goal and doing alot of those things we have back pedalling.....

A great win and a great performance today, but too early to get carried away.

3 more points to mid-table obscurity....

[joe jordans teeth]

52 minutes ago, EmersonsRed said:

Glad to hear it. I hope many others follow suit. As I have continuously said, we are in good hands and have a bright young coach at the helm.

 

Coyr.

Blooody know it alls do my head in. 

[Son of Fred]

37 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said:

You'll forgive me if I decide to ignore the views of someone who has the online handle DickEdd.

As you can indeed see, subsequent exchanges with Mr Hinton explains the coincidence, with both a laughter and a like.

Dick Edd..??.. wasn't he landlord of 'The Dog & Handgun'..??

[joe jordans teeth]

12 minutes ago, Alessandro said:

Yes typical OTIB, like a new striker written off by some as useless, can't kick a ball, can't head a ball, cant hold up a ball, can't bully defenders blah blah, and today after a goal and doing alot of those things we have back pedalling.....

A great win and a great performance today, but too early to get carried away.

3 more points to mid-table obscurity....

His first touch of the ball was a bad one and it was jumped over on the match day thread 

[Sir Colby-Tit]

1 hour ago, Fordy62 said:

Only got to watch the first half as I had to interview someone

 

Was it the bloke that ran on the pitch when we 2-1 up, that it took four stewards to stop him bouncing?

[Alessandro]

3 minutes ago, joe jordans teeth said:

His first touch of the ball was a bad one and it was jumped over on the match day thread 

Yeah I remember and then the dodgy cross field pass....

After he was much better though, perhaps he was able in the time he had to make a more energetic and physical impact on a more tired defence. 

[054123]

1 hour ago, petehinton said:

When Derby appointed Gary Rowett I was furious as it meant he wasn't coming to us whilst we were in free fall with Lee Johnson. 

May I be the first one to hold my hands up and say thank **** this was the case. 

That was probably the most complete Bristol City performance I've seen since the Palace away Play off leg in 2008. Man to man we were absolutely superb and looked incredibly organised too. 

If a ball went in the air, Flint or Baker won it. If they played it  down the line, our wingers/full backs were quicker and stronger than them. Reid was again superb. Leko was absolutely different class.  I genuinely could've sat there and watched us play all night. 

This is against a Derby side with arguably the best squad in the league along with Middlesbrough, who's average wage per player is probably the same (or higher) than our highest. 

Not to get carried away too soon, but if the last week or two is anything to go by, we could really surprise some people this season. 

Never been so pleased to be so wrong in my life. 

Dont feel to bad. 

Its not like city played like this since JOhnson's arrival, 'but you just couldn't see it coming right'.

Weve utter horseshit at times over the last 2 years, he cling why we were embroiled in 2 relegation battles. If would have been far from crazy if Johnson had been sacked.

Lets see if can replicate this kind of performance and start to take it on the road.

A wonderful day today, hopefully the first steps to a better future.

[EmersonsRed]

19 minutes ago, joe jordans teeth said:

Blooody know it alls do my head in. 

I said Tammy Abraham was a waste of time as a signing!!

[cidered abroad]

Superb display and as a match it was the best I've seen since promotion. It would be easy to be totally carried away or to be over various but if we can perform for the rest of the season like this, I believe that we'll be comfortably above mid table.

The work ethic from everyone was good to see with everyone helping each other. I wouldn't even be able to pick a MOM as everyone contributed.

As for LJ, DH, JMcA, I'm settling down now with nice bottle of Portuguese red and the usual Saturday evening Bolognese bu tonight it's renamed as Humble Pie.

Thank you City for a happy weekend

 

[Slack Bladder]

Why do people feel they have to apologise.

Last season we were sh1te, formation, tactics and subs were all over the place. Johnson was lucky to hold on to his job.

Any concerns we had about his management were totally justified.

This season, so far, it has been an improvement and we've had some great results

Doesn't mean I was wrong about how I felt last season, no apologies here.

[Olé]

Great post @petehinton.

I've done it on Twitter already but let me invite the humble pie. Last season was poor and the reaction was justified but hand on heart I didn't think Lee Johnson would come back from it.

Today was not only the best performance of his tenure but one of the best I can ever remember. We went in 1-0 down but everyone was happy because we were playing so bloody well.

Derby are a good team and we made them look incredibly average. It was easily the most well coached performance I've seen from a City side for years. I say coached deliberately, I always think back to huge swashbuckling City performances like when we rolled Milwall over 4-1 on Boxing Day but this today was so much more than that, it was the work of a coach, the one touch passing the self belief the instinct. Sensational. Best thing is I don't actually think we hit top gear and we clearly have options now and competition.

Bobby Reid is a HUGE part of it, I'm already close to calling the 17 series Reid the best player I've ever seen play in a City shirt (if I were Arsenal I'd sell Sanchez and buy Reid) and his contribution is out of this world, but today was about a team and one that was fitter and more organised than I can remember in living memory.

Lee Johnson. I am prepared to be a believer again.

[Phileas Fogg]

Nice post @Olé. I'm reassured to read that from you because you clearly know the game. Your post about Burton last season sticks out in my memory and you were ultimately proven correct. Hope this is correct too.

[cidered abroad]

One swallow a summer doth not make Olé but I'm also beginning to believe after the last week against three of the Championships more highly thought of clubs. The best home performance since promotion not because of the score but because of the way it was achieved.

[cityloyal473]

I had stopped going after Burton at home last season.  I was totally disillusioned with Johnson, didn't think he was the man.  Dragged myself to Reading last week and went today.  Very, very impressive in both games.  We have learnt how to manage a game at long last.  Players are street smart at long last.  Being cynical when needed, standing over the ball so quick free kicks cannot be taken.  And to top it all, playing some fantastic football (admittedly I've only seen two games).  Perhaps I was wrong about LJ - time will tell.  But, I must admit, there are serious signs of improvement and for that he must get the credit. 

[Bar BS3]

6 minutes ago, cityloyal473 said:

I had stopped going after Burton at home last season.  I was totally disillusioned with Johnson, didn't think he was the man.  Dragged myself to Reading last week and went today.  Very, very impressive in both games.  We have learnt how to manage a game at long last.  Players are street smart at long last.  Being cynical when needed, standing over the ball so quick free kicks cannot be taken.  And to top it all, playing some fantastic football (admittedly I've only seen two games).  Perhaps I was wrong about LJ - time will tell.  But, I must admit, there are serious signs of improvement and for that he must get the credit. 

Ironic user name then. 

[cityloyal473]

5 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

Ironic user name then. 

Ho ho ho

[Davefevs]

I think the big problem on here is that people are too quick to form their opinions, and when they do they feel they can't change. First opinions / gut feelings are fine, but it's also fine to review these too  

Even in my spell of becoming more and more dubious of LJ I always stood by the fact that if he learned from his mistakes (with the odd admission of his mistakes too) then I'd be pleased, because ultimately it would mean we were progressing. 

Im much happier at the mo', he does seem to have learned, even if I do cringe at his over-coached comment, he's not really criticising himself is he!!

looks like I missed a cracking performance yesterday. Looking forward to knocking Stoke out on Tuesday. 

[downendcity]

15 hours ago, cityloyal473 said:

Ho ho ho

66 days too early CL!

[Red-Robbo]

We can't get TOO carried away as let's not forget we started well last season as well.

BUT, we are a young team: some of the players who gave the Derby star names a footballing lesson yesterday are still probably 5 years or more from the peak of their careers - and improving all the time.

Like them, Johnson's learning as he goes along: a comparatively young manager learning the ropes.  One thing he's always had going for him is his brain. He makes mistakes, but he can learn from them. Yesterday, he got pretty much every call right.