Back to Work Tomorow - The Excitement Builds

[Port Said Red]

All back to the HPC tomorrow, we will start to see social media content of the first few days training and discussions will start about who's there and who isn't. It just feels like the new season starts from now. It will be good to see if Benarous, Kalas and King are involved, how Dickie and McCrorie and Roberts look to be settling in and who might be pushing for a place from the U21's. 

I always enjoy the people studying pictures and videos looking for unfamiliar faces hoping to have uncovered a secret triallist or two. 

Here we go....

Edited June 25, 2023 by Port Said Red

[petehinton]

Very much so. Always feels like a drag for the new season, but then also feels like a week from the season ending to the players returning for pre season. 
 

Whenever watching the videos of the players turning up from their short drives from Portishead/Long Ashton/nice flat in the centre to be paid to play footy with your mates in 25 degree heat I think….god you must feel good. 

[Silvio Dante]

11 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

All back to the HPC tomorrow, we will start to see social media content of the first few days training and discussions will start about who's there and who isn't. It just feels like the new season starts from now. It will be good to see if Benarous, Kalas and King are involved, how Dickie and McCrorie and Roberts look to be settling in and who might be pushing for a place from the U21's. 

I always enjoy the people studying pictures and videos looking for unfamiliar faces hoping to have uncovered a secret triallist or two. 

Here we go....

Point of order: McCrorie won’t be there as was with Scotland this week. Think also absent (to avoid anyone going full tinfoil hat if they’re not seen on the photos) due to international reasons will be Conway, Scott, Mehmeti, Bajic, Sykes

Kalas is the interesting one for me. I don’t see him not being there if that’s the case as confirmation he’s off, but it’d certainly be a sign of intent if he did attend.

[GrahamC]

20 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

Point of order: McCrorie won’t be there as was with Scotland this week. Think also absent (to avoid anyone going full tinfoil hat if they’re not seen on the photos) due to international reasons will be Conway, Scott, Mehmeti, Bajic, Sykes

Kalas is the interesting one for me. I don’t see him not being there if that’s the case as confirmation he’s off, but it’d certainly be a sign of intent if he did attend.

Thought a few (Bajic is another) will be off because they are either at or have played in, internationals recently.

King is certain to be there, he signed his contract extension last year on June 30th & I expect him to follow suit this year.

Hopefully Benarous is fit enough now to be fully involved.

Can’t see any point in Kalas being there if he’s signing for someone else this week, so agree, if he’s there then he’ll be sticking around.

Edited June 25, 2023 by GrahamC

[Rocky]

If Kalas is now out of contract, there would be no reason for him to be there. He’s no longer an employee! 

[REDOXO]

2 minutes ago, Rocky said:

If Kalas is now out of contract, there would be no reason for him to be there. He’s no longer an employee! 

I thought contracts ran to the end of June? But not really sure. 

[tin]

9 minutes ago, REDOXO said:

I thought contracts ran to the end of June? But not really sure. 

They do. They expire on 30 June, so this Friday. 

Edited June 25, 2023 by tin

[REDOXO]

Just now, tin said:

They do. They expire on 30 June, so this Friday. 

So I guess Kalas could well be at training regardless of his intentions. 

[22A]

22 minutes ago, REDOXO said:

So I guess Kalas could well be at training regardless of his intentions. 

He'll also want to stay fit to attract potential new employers.

[Dolman_Stand]

1 hour ago, REDOXO said:

So I guess Kalas could well be at training regardless of his intentions. 

The club may even allow his to use the facilities after this Friday even if he hasn't signed

[Ziderarmy]

Same with Massengo? 

[W-S-M Seagull]

2 hours ago, Dolman_Stand said:

The club may even allow his to use the facilities after this Friday even if he hasn't signed

I think in this case where they may well allow him to train until Friday, they won't allow him to train beyond that if he isn't going to sign. 

Whilst it's not uncommon for clubs to allow well liked players to train with them, in this instance if he were to sign for another club then he would be rejecting us in the process so I just can't see us getting a player fit for another club.

[The Humble Realist]

Are we expecting Benarous to be available for the first game or do we think any involvement will just be part of his rehab with a later return date?

I think maybe Atkinson wont be back til oct/november too?

Edited June 26, 2023 by The Humble Realist

[Silvio Dante]

Players: Can’t wait to be back

Rennie: MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

[Major Isewater]

7 hours ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

I think in this case where they may well allow him to train until Friday, they won't allow him to train beyond that if he isn't going to sign. 

Whilst it's not uncommon for clubs to allow well liked players to train with them, in this instance if he were to sign for another club then he would be rejecting us in the process so I just can't see us getting a player fit for another club.

Not to mention getting inside information which could be used against us at his new club. Splitter ! 

[SecretSam]

14 hours ago, Silvio Dante said:

Kalas is the interesting one for me. I don’t see him not being there if that’s the case as confirmation he’s off, but it’d certainly be a sign of intent if he did attend.

Surely, as a current employee, he still has to turn up for work?

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, Silvio Dante said:

Players: Can’t wait to be back

Rennie: MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

I love Rennie’s slightly sinister take on pre-season!

2 hours ago, The Humble Realist said:

Are we expecting Benarous to be available for the first game or do we think any involvement will just be part of his rehab with a later return date?

I think maybe Atkinson wont be back til oct/november too?

There was a little rumour that he was doing a mini pre-season to be ready for pre-season, so fingers crossed.

[CTIDhc]

Whatever you do do not look at the new training kit in the Twitter video just released ... 

[And Its Smith]

[Negan]

There's still so long before football starts though... christ I miss it. Summer without international football sucks ass, been spoilt the last 2 years 

Edited June 26, 2023 by Negan

[Bristol Rob]

1 minute ago, Negan said:

There's still so long before football starts though... christ I miss it. Summer without international football sucks ass, been spoilt the last 2 years 

U21s

[Sir Geoff]

56 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Wells to Man City. That one went under the radar.

[cityal]

3 hours ago, SecretSam said:

Surely, as a current employee, he still has to turn up for work?

If he is staying, or there is a good chance he will stay, then yes, I'd expect he will be there with the rest of the squad.

I'd assume however, if he is leaving, and has already communicated that to Pearson and the coaching team, then he may have been told "you do not need to come in". Maybe even he has been told "please do not come in". Possibly with a time given to come and say goodbyes to colleagues.

While I think he is probably an excellent professional, and I'd highly doubt he'd be disruptive. There would not seem like a lot of point of having him around in pre-season to measure fitness just until his contract expires on Friday - It is hardly like the club are going to get their "money's worth" by keeping him there just for this week. 

[Open End Numb Legs]

There might be some really boring stuff to do on leaving that might require a visit, maybe a tablet or laptop to hand in, access pass etc. Just like normal jobs?

[ExiledAjax]

The sky blue is unsettling. A bit of trim is fair enough, but it does feel odd to see players in an all blue shirt, and that's nothing to do with Gas or anything...it's just I'm so used to red, white, purple or black.

I don't like the CITY either.

It's a shame, in recent seasons I've been buying a training shirt for the gym as it's been a nice way to get a shirt without a sponsor on it, but I won't be getting this one.

[Northern Red]

Knowing our media team, if Kalas is there they'll consciously avoid putting out anything with him in it, increase the speculation and all that.

[Negan]

2 hours ago, Bristol Rob said:

U21s

Doesn’t hit the same. Have as much interest in that as I do soccer aid. Only really has my interest if we’ve got one of our own in there. 

[petehinton]

15 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

Knowing our media team, if Kalas is there they'll consciously avoid putting out anything with him in it, increase the speculation and all that.

I’d say it’d be extremely difficult not to, especially the running stuff they’ll do at the Bears. 
 

Wouldn’t be surprised if the club have asked him not to report until next week as a hard deadline, where it’ll be announced he’s staying/going either way

[NcnsBcfc]

3 hours ago, And Its Smith said:

A brand new logo for the fever pitch team, just like the Robin one?.

Ah, no. I remember this one from our programmes back in the 70/80s

Top left there. Another rehash...

[Betty Swallocks]

Interesting to see Raphael Araoye is training with the first team.

Actually, scrap that, mistaken identity.

Edited June 26, 2023 by Betty Swallocks

[Bris Red]

3 hours ago, And Its Smith said:

That training kit is so bad it’s almost funny 

O’neills, the worst kit manufacturers since TFG without a doubt!

[Lew-T]

3 hours ago, And Its Smith said:

It is smart, but it’s not us is it?

[Unan]

Been done to death and I’m just repeating now but… ‘City’, in Sky Blue, it shows the absolute lack of any wider football knowledge by the entire design team for that to have been given the green light.

[Street red]

3 hours ago, And Its Smith said:

What the chuff is that

[Merrick's Marvels]

No sign of Kalas on the Twitter videos. Otherwise, all present and correct bar the who've been involved in internationals and are still on their hols. 

[bcfc01]

9 minutes ago, Street red said:

What the chuff is that

Its a training kit.

Does it matter ?

[Tony Tootle]

35 minutes ago, Betty Swallocks said:

Interesting to see Raphael Araoye is training with the first team.

Actually, scrap that, mistaken identity.

I'm pretty sure he's there.

[Street red]

1 minute ago, bcfc01 said:

Its a training kit.

Does it matter ?

Yes just a training kit and yes it does it's that horrible colour that is blue!

[RedRaw]

13 minutes ago, Street red said:

Yes just a training kit and yes it does it's that horrible colour that is blue!

Don’t tell me, you are one of those people that won’t wear any item of clothing that is blue…..because it’s blue! 
 

Red socks with matching undercrackers?

[Street red]

20 minutes ago, RedRaw said:

Don’t tell me, you are one of those people that won’t wear any item of clothing that is blue…..because it’s blue! 
 

Red socks with matching undercrackers?

I've plenty of blue tops  but city tops in blue it definitely doesn't look right even if it's training wear. I've also got blue undercrackers but not on a matchday

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, Percy Pig said:

See on Insta that Owura Edwards is back, was it ever announced that his contract had been extended/triggered? I have him down as a 2023 expiry? 

I'd love him to get a chance as an impact player from the bench, there's something about him that gives me Goodridge vibes (and no, it's not his appearance) 

Option exercised in January- but never announced!

[Midred]

22 hours ago, Port Said Red said:

All back to the HPC tomorrow, we will start to see social media content of the first few days training and discussions will start about who's there and who isn't. It just feels like the new season starts from now. It will be good to see if Benarous, Kalas and King are involved, how Dickie and McCrorie and Roberts look to be settling in and who might be pushing for a place from the U21's. 

I always enjoy the people studying pictures and videos looking for unfamiliar faces hoping to have uncovered a secret triallist or two. 

Here we go....

Passed your medical and beep tests?

[Merrick's Marvels]

53 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Option exercised in January- but never announced!

He fits the formation we finished last season with. Got good energy, decent technique. Brings a slightly different skill set to the others who've played wide Left or Right up top. Probably a better option than the young forwards we've got coming through the U21s - who aren't ready yet. 

So kind of makes sense apart from one thing - is he any good!?! Personally not sure the Championship is his level but would be delighted to be wrong. Maybe he'll be a late developer. 

Edited June 26, 2023 by Merrick's Marvels

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

4 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

He fits the formation we finished last season with. Got good energy, decent technique. Brings a slightly different skill set to the others who've played wide Left or Right up top. Probably a better option than the young forwards we've got coming through the U21s - who aren't ready yet. 

So kind of makes sense apart from one thing - is he any good!?!

To have any chance at City he'll need to curb his recklessness. 3 red cards in as many weeks in Scotland wasn't it. 

[Davefevs]

8 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

He fits the formation we finished last season with. Got good energy, decent technique. Brings a slightly different skill set to the others who've played wide Left or Right up top. Probably a better option than the young forwards we've got coming through the U21s - who aren't ready yet. 

So kind of makes sense apart from one thing - is he any good!?! Personally not sure the Championship is his level but would be delighted to be wrong. Maybe he'll be a late developer. 

It’s his in-game maturity that needs developing.

From a squad perspective, he’s battling with Sykes, Cornick and Pearson, possibly Weimann too!

Orange signify “fringe”….anyone come up with a better term?

[Merrick's Marvels]

8 minutes ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said:

To have any chance at City he'll need to curb his recklessness. 3 red cards in as many weeks in Scotland wasn't it. 

1 straight red. 1 yellow x 2.

I'm more concerned about his behaviour behind the wheel tbh. Tammy-esque! 

[Merrick's Marvels]

11 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

It’s his in-game maturity that needs developing.

From a squad perspective, he’s battling with Sykes, Cornick and Pearson, possibly Weimann too!

Orange signify “fringe”….anyone come up with a better term?

Yes, definitely fringe. Miles ahead of Pearson I'd have thought, though - is he really still here??

Edwards just brings a point of difference if we're not signing any new forwards this summer - more of a "tricky winger" type compared to Bell, Sykes, Cornick, Mehmeti. 

Personally think he's not good enough but what do I know. In Nige we trust. 

Edited June 26, 2023 by Merrick's Marvels

[Northern Red]

I thought Sam Pearson had left?

[Davefevs]

8 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

I thought Sam Pearson had left?

Nope, still under contract.

[GrahamC]

1 hour ago, Northern Red said:

I thought Sam Pearson had left?

Linked with Notts County at the start of the summer, be very surprised if he’s still with us by the time the season starts.

[archie andrews]

4 hours ago, bcfc01 said:

Its a training kit.

Does it matter ?

yes....its ******* blue......

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, Percy Pig said:

I think it's this bit that would make me keep him around the first team squad this season. His pace, direct dribbling and trickery could be a useful point of difference from the bench. 

It's clearly make or break. Is he still young enough to not require registration in our 25 man squad? 

I'm probably still clinging to the clips from his time at Grimsby... 

 

 

Owura 22, so nope.

[cotswoldred2]

5 hours ago, Bris Red said:

That training kit is so bad it’s almost funny 

O’neills, the worst kit manufacturers since TFG without a doubt!

Why does such a small thing matter?

[UpTheReds]

Benarous being in the preseason work today is good to see. Forgotten when we might be expecting him to be back, does anyone know if he's back to full fitness now? Or does he still have more time before he is back fully?

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, Percy Pig said:

Thanks for this, Dave- Any news on Dylan Kadji?

Cabt be certain, but think his contract announcement was one that started when his scholar deal ended, so actually expires next summer

[AJgEEZa]

Just catching up on the vids as I’ve been busy and Rob Dickie actually asked Sam Bell what year he was in. Wow, that’s going to be awkward when he realises. Seems a lovely bloke and Sam being Sam brushes it off.

[cidercity]

2 minutes ago, AJgEEZa said:

Just catching up on the vids as I’ve been busy and Rob Dickie actually asked Sam Bell what year he was in. Wow, that’s going to be awkward when he realises. Seems a lovely bloke and Sam being Sam brushes it off.

Just needs to say “I’m the one that scored against you in the last game of the season”

[SBB]

 

[Davefevs]

12 minutes ago, SBB said:

 

Piece of piss…watching on my iPad!

 

Jimbo - press were invited today, so expect more once that goes fully to print / online.  

[The Constant Rabbit]

Seeing Wells go straight to the canteen staff and give them a hug and handshake as soon as he walked in speaks volumes as to why he is so highly valued in the squad.

It's the smallest of gestures that separate those that care and those going through the motions.

Well done Nahki

[Leveller]

4 minutes ago, The Constant Rabbit said:

Seeing Wells go straight to the canteen staff and give them a hug and handshake as soon as he walked in speaks volumes as to why he is so highly valued in the squad.

It's the smallest of gestures that separate those that care and those going through the motions.

Well done Nahki

Exactly what I thought. Seems such a nice bloke.

[fgrsimon]

1 hour ago, Leveller said:

Exactly what I thought. Seems such a nice bloke.

The other thing about Nakhi is his injury record, can't actually remember him missing a game through injury! Even that Holden/Pearson season where the treatment room must have resembled the London Dungeon, I think he played or was on the bench in pretty much every game?

[Port Said Red]

5 hours ago, fgrsimon said:

The other thing about Nakhi is his injury record, can't actually remember him missing a game through injury! Even that Holden/Pearson season where the treatment room must have resembled the London Dungeon, I think he played or was on the bench in pretty much every game?

Oh don't say things like that. 

[spudski]

Comment by Williams...' fastest group I've seen...ever'. Bodes well. 

[bcfc01]

There's a bit of a dark side to Rennie 

Reminds me of a Sergeant Major, takes no shite, but gives it out if necessary and knows his role inside out !

Probably NPs best signing.

 

[Davefevs]

6 hours ago, fgrsimon said:

The other thing about Nakhi is his injury record, can't actually remember him missing a game through injury! Even that Holden/Pearson season where the treatment room must have resembled the London Dungeon, I think he played or was on the bench in pretty much every game?

He said in his mini interview he’s been doing his coaching badges over the summer…a sign of a player wanting to prolong a career in pro football.  I see that as a positive for him wanting longevity in his playing career.

27 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

There's a bit of a dark side to Rennie 

Reminds me of a Sergeant Major, takes no shite, but gives it out if necessary and knows his role inside out !

Probably NPs best signing.

 

Oh yes, that sinister little smile when he knows he’s about to put them through a bit of a hard session.

Agree, fantastic signing.

https://trainingground.guru/articles/rennie-returns-as-head-of-medical-at-bristol-city

[Jose]

Nahki Wells comes across as real good character to have around the place. Always smiling. Complete opposite to what he’s like on the pitch. 
 

Be interesting to see Ayman develops this season. 

 

[cidered abroad]

22 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

He said in his mini interview he’s been doing his coaching badges over the summer…a sign of a player wanting to prolong a career in pro football.  I see that as a positive for him wanting longevity in his playing career.

Oh yes, that sinister little smile when he knows he’s about to put them through a bit of a hard session.

Agree, fantastic signing.

https://trainingground.guru/articles/rennie-returns-as-head-of-medical-at-bristol-city

Rennie isn't doing his job if he doesn't ensure that the players are not instructed exactly what they are to do. He pushing them to their limits in order not because he is nasty but to help them perform to the best of their ability

The squad built by Pearson, Tinman and others is one that wants to be winners and all will work hard, and appreciate the help that our coaching squad are using.

I wish that we'd have had Rennie and his crew a few years back so that we could see the fiasco that would have been created by the Paterson's and Tomlin's in the squad.

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, cidered abroad said:

He pushing them to their limits in order not because he is nasty but to help them perform to the best of their ability

I know that!

[2015]

Why is our training gear Blue?