CITY 1 - 0 Brentford

[greenun]

East End Phil Din City Win With Magic Pen

CITY 1 - 0 Brentford

By Bristol Boy

With the East End acting as a catalyst for increased singing in the rest of the stadium, Gary Johnson got his wish as City fans applauded the efforts of a team that worked hard for three points that they fully deserved.

Full report...

[Guest john smith]

East End Phil Din City Win With Magic Pen

CITY 1 - 0 Brentford

By Bristol Boy

With the East End acting as a catalyst for increased singing in the rest of the stadium, Gary Johnson got his wish as City fans applauded the efforts of a team that worked hard for three points that they fully deserved.

Full report...

Harsh on skuse i thought he had a good game. If not injured he would of got man of the match. Did you go to the game because skuse was every where and won all his tackles!

[Guest Red Head]

Harsh on skuse i thought he had a good game. If not injured he would of got man of the match. Did you go to the game because skuse was every where and won all his tackles!

Agree with that. Also would rate Johnson and Noble with a minimum 6.

Betsy 4, I don't think ya did go to the game, Betsy work the line???? First half he was content to mark the opposing midfielder, never sought to exploit the space in front of him. Second half he tucked in the middle, getting in the way, I would say he never once got behind the opposition.

[Bristol Boy]

Harsh on skuse i thought he had a good game.

I didn't in comparsion to his performance at Chesterfield and the game he had at Oldham set a high benchmark in terms of showing what CS is capable of.

If not injured he would of got man of the match.

Really? So you thought that up to the point he was substituted that he was better than McCombe & Fontaine, for example?

Did you go to the game

Yes I did and that's a banal & infantile comment.I've no problem with your disagreement, just leave out the daft remarks

because skuse was every where and won all his tackles!

I don't think he was and he, in common with out other midfielders, was second to the ball on a number of occassions in the firts half.That's probably because he was playing with a calf injury and, if so, why not start Russell?

Agree with that. Also would rate Johnson and Noble with a minimum 6.

Why? Can you confirm what they did to be rated higher?

Betsy 4, I don't think ya did go to the game,

ooh, ah did go, did ya?

I'd be amazed if you'd beeen to more this season.....or any season come to that, so let's not go there.

Betsy work the line????

Yes

First half he was content to mark the opposing midfielder, never sought to exploit the space in front of him.

So when that midfielder/wing back came forward, KB tracked back and vica versa-hence, worked the line.KB was probably following instructions

Second half he tucked in the middle,

On instructions so that move lies at the manager's door.Wasn't it Betsy, in that position, who played in Jevons for a shot that went narrowly wide?

getting in the way, I would say he never once got behind the opposition.

Actually he did once or twice, but was ineffective, as I said in marking him as a 5

[RedTop]

East End Phil Din City Win With Magic Pen

CITY 1 - 0 Brentford

By Bristol Boy

With the East End acting as a catalyst for increased singing in the rest of the stadium, Gary Johnson got his wish as City fans applauded the efforts of a team that worked hard for three points that they fully deserved.

Full report...

I agree with the others about Skuse. I was also wondering if you'd had a crappy day or woke up on the wrong side of the bed on Saturday, BB, as I thought your general marking was a tad harsh all round, perticularly with Skuse and Betsy.

Nice report as usual, though.

[Bristol Boy]

I agree with the others about Skuse. I was also wondering if you'd had a crappy day or woke up on the wrong side of the bed on Saturday, BB, as I thought your general marking was a tad harsh all round, perticularly with Skuse and Betsy.

Nice report as usual, though.

I wrote the report last night at about 7.30/8pm and I've had a lovely day thanks

On reflection, I thought they all worked hard but were all generally lacklustre incomparison to recent performances.Weds night, Skuse was even making some forward bursts and he was three times as effective at Oldham even in a two man midfield with LJ.

I actually believe that some of City's better performances have been away from home this season and having seen players at the top of their game, I can't see how our midfield were anywhere near today, despite winning and deserving to.

Part of rating any player must take into account the level that they CAN attain.

[KaspaBCFC]

Always enjoy reading your reports BB but thought you were a bit harsh on Wilson. Agreed that most of the midfield had a very average game but we thought that Wilson had a better game than most, frequently appeared in both penalty areas and took some good corners.

[Guest ashtonyate]

Always enjoy reading your reports BB but thought you were a bit harsh on Wilson. Agreed that most of the midfield had a very average game but we thought that Wilson had a better game than most, frequently appeared in both penalty areas and took some good corners.

Midfield are on a loser because the forwards give away the ball so much then they have to get back to defend we never put pressure on the opposition defence because we have no one holding the ball up that's why the midfield look so tired.They are up and down the pitch like a Weston donkey

[Nibor]

One of those times when we were apparently watching different games. Although it wasn't a great performance there were enough chances there to bury Brentford and they never once bothered us.

I though Skuse and Noble were very good in the middle of the park. Skuse won plenty of balls on the ground and in the air(!) not losing out often at all and covering lots of ground. Noble was as usual clever on the ball, retaining it and using it well though perhaps not as influential. Wilson breaking forward was at the heart of many of our forward moves. I think a 5 was very harsh for all three.

I was disappointed with Showunmi, he didn't pick the right option much and a couple of times had the beating of his man and then just lost confidence and held the ball up. Jevons wasn't great and should have scored at least one more than the pen.

Agree that the defence were all very good and I was pleased to see Bradley Orr do so well in a relatively unfamiliar position.

[Guest ashtonyate]

One of those times when we were apparently watching different games. Although it wasn't a great performance there were enough chances there to bury Brentford and they never once bothered us.

I though Skuse and Noble were very good in the middle of the park. Skuse won plenty of balls on the ground and in the air(!) not losing out often at all and covering lots of ground. Noble was as usual clever on the ball, retaining it and using it well though perhaps not as influential. Wilson breaking forward was at the heart of many of our forward moves. I think a 5 was very harsh for all three.

I was disappointed with Showunmi, he didn't pick the right option much and a couple of times had the beating of his man and then just lost confidence and held the ball up. Jevons wasn't great and should have scored at least one more than the pen.

Agree that the defence were all very good and I was pleased to see Bradley Orr do so well in a relatively unfamiliar position.

You are right we do watch different games you did not see the great save that basso made then

[Nibor]

You are right we do watch different games you did not see the great save that basso made then

Over the course of the game he had very little to do and on the rare occasion where he was called on did it just fine. I don't think he made any great saves because he didn't have to but I might well have missed/forgotten one. Frankly Brentford were shocking and they're certs for relegation - Shipperley was laughable.

[Bristol Boy]

Always enjoy reading your reports BB but thought you were a bit harsh on Wilson. Agreed that most of the midfield had a very average game but we thought that Wilson had a better game than most, frequently appeared in both penalty areas and took some good corners.

In fairness, they all worked hard and we deserved to win-I know they can all play so much better-and they have have as recently as last Weds.

Midfield are on a loser because the forwards give away the ball so much then they have to get back to defend we never put pressure on the opposition defence because we have no one holding the ball up that's why the midfield look so tired.They are up and down the pitch like a Weston donkey.

That's a very good point and for a bloke of his size Showunmi disappoints me in that area of his game.At over 14st and standing at 6' 5" he should be much better at that and I hope that is one area, along with his movemnt and heading that the coaches are working on.

In terms of our midfield, in comparison to some of their better peformances, I think our passing lacked cohesion and certainly penetration over the piece.

Jevons abilities don't include holding the ball up and that's why Brooker is third on our assists list behind the set piece exponents.[/b]

[Bristol Boy]

Over the course of the game he had very little to do and on the rare occasion where he was called on did it just fine. I don't think he made any great saves because he didn't have to but I might well have missed/forgotten one. Frankly Brentford were shocking and they're certs for relegation - Shipperley was laughable.

Bassos was a tip over the bar in the first half.

I can't remember many clear cut chances either way and Abbey didn't make many top drawer saves, if any.

[Bristol Boy]

One of those times when we were apparently watching different games. Although it wasn't a great performance there were enough chances there to bury Brentford and they never once bothered us.

I though Skuse and Noble were very good in the middle of the park. Skuse won plenty of balls on the ground and in the air(!) not losing out often at all and covering lots of ground. Noble was as usual clever on the ball, retaining it and using it well though perhaps not as influential. Wilson breaking forward was at the heart of many of our forward moves. I think a 5 was very harsh for all three.

Having watched the highlights, I'll agree that Wilson should go up to a six. As you say, he was involved in most of the "highlights".

On the midfielders, I think one look at the stats tells you a great deal about the game and moreover the effectiveness of our midfield.We had only 50% of possesion against a relegation team and forced only four corners all day.Abbey is seen making one decent save.

I was disappointed with Showunmi, he didn't pick the right option much and a couple of times had the beating of his man and then just lost confidence and held the ball up. Jevons wasn't great and should have scored at least one more than the pen.

Agreed

Agree that the defence were all very good and I was pleased to see Bradley Orr do so well in a relatively unfamiliar position.

As I said in the review, if we get promotion it'll be mainly because of our defence

[Guest Eddie]

Johnson was my man of the match, Had a very busy performance and his workrate was the reason why Brentford didnt have a shot!

Also Basso amost gifted them a goal so he only gets a 5.

[GeoTheCiderHead]

Johnson was my man of the match, Had a very busy performance and his workrate was the reason why Brentford didnt have a shot!

Also Basso amost gifted them a goal so he only gets a 5.

Bradley Orr was my man of the match - a brilliant defensive performance and he also got forward on numeorus occassions. Lee Johnsons workrate wasnt matched by his ability to pick out the simple pass - he still gives the ball away far too easily and frequently.

[Guest Eddie]

Bradley Orr was my man of the match - a brilliant defensive performance and he also got forward on numeorus occassions. Lee Johnsons workrate wasnt matched by his ability to pick out the simple pass - he still gives the ball away far too easily and frequently.

Good shour about Orr, he seems to have matured well this season.

I disagree, I think Johnson is someone who can play a killer pass or shot. You don't go up automatically by playing sideways passes. I am not a fan of these crab like players....(Joe Burnell,Michael Carrick etc)

[GeoTheCiderHead]

Good shour about Orr, he seems to have matured well this season.

I disagree, I think Johnson is someone who can play a killer pass or shot. You don't go up automatically by playing sideways passes. I am not a fan of these crab like players....(Joe Burnell,Michael Carrick etc)

I'm not disputing he can play a killer pass - not at all . But on numeorus occasions when all he has to do is pass it a few feet he gives it away. Cut that out of his game and he will be an even better midfielder.

[Bristol Boy]

Johnson was my man of the match, Had a very busy performance and his workrate was the reason why Brentford didnt have a shot!

If you watch the highlights you'll see Basso tip one over the bar in the first half and field a deflected shot in the second as well as dealing with a dangerous cross with a slightly poor punch that resulted in a shot wide.The fact that Brentford "didn't have a shot" (your view, not mine) was due to our defence in the main and, as I said, the players worked hard.

Bradley Orr was my man of the match - a brilliant defensive performance and he also got forward on numeorus occassions. Lee Johnsons workrate wasnt matched by his ability to pick out the simple pass - he still gives the ball away far too easily and frequently.

Correct

I disagree, I think Johnson is someone who can play a killer pass or shot.

He can, however he didn't on Saturday.Don't confuse ability with delivery or input with output/end product

You don't go up automatically by playing sideways passes. I am not a fan of these crab like players....(Joe Burnell,Michael Carrick etc)

Burnell & Carrick? Congratulations for getting them in the same sentence.Burnell couldn't pass at all, never mind sideways.Carricks a quality passer who plays the holding role and for £18m, you get a player that can shoot and pass over distance.His holding allows players like Scholes and Ronaldo to bomb on while he locks the gate behind them.You need a combination of players-how many killer passes and goals does Makele make? Chelsea paid £15m for him!

The fact that we haven't beaten anyone by more than three nil or scored more than three goals in a League game, probably indicates that we aren't the most creative team and we need our midfielders and wide players to create far more than they did Saturday-Hopefully starting tomorrow.Losing our best strike partnership for three quarters of the season hasn't helped either

[deadratinmycider]

I have to agree with all the comments about Skuse, i'm not a huge fan of

his but I thought he was everywhere Saturday up until he was substituted.

It depends what you expect from him I suppose. For me he offers next to

nothing going forward but in the formation we were playing his job was to sit a bit deeper and win some tackles. He bust his gut to win the ball back for us,

did his job excellently and even got forward a couple of times.

[Guest robinmad]

Harsh on skuse i thought he had a good game. If not injured he would of got man of the match. Did you go to the game because skuse was every where and won all his tackles!

I agree i thought Skuse was excellent can not believe he was given a 5 and Orr an 8 i thought Orr,s attitude let him down again why dose he have to rant at his team mates in a overly thugish way it dose not help and it makes him look stupid

[Bristol Boy]

I agree i thought Skuse was excellent can not believe he was given a 5 and Orr an 8 i thought Orr,s attitude let him down again why dose he have to rant at his team mates in a overly thugish way it dose not help and it makes him look stupid

I noticed that as well and you would have thought that the episode at Northampton plus a prison sentence would have calmed him down a touch-cue loads of people mistakenly talking about passion

[Guest Eddie]

I noticed that as well and you would have thought that the episode at Northampton plus a prison sentence would have calmed him down a touch-cue loads of people mistakenly talking about passion

So you would prefer if the players don't care if they lose. give me 11 Roy Keanes any day!

[Bristol Boy]

So you would prefer if the players don't care if they lose.

That's a completley daft interpretation

No.However I would prefer it if they showed passion in the appropriate manner ala Cole Skuse who has neither been booked, suspended or sent off this season.Are you suggesting he doesn't care if we lose?

give me 11 Roy Keanes any day!

I'd settle for one in our team

[Guest Eddie]

Incorrect-My point is that every team needs leaders and winners. The fact that Orr is feisty and isnt afraid to moan/speak out should be embraced.

I get the impression that you would be happier if we had 11 Matt Hewletts on the field...

[Guest Red Head]

Bristol boy.

We have to differ on working the line, 1st half I think KB only defended the line and not attacked the line. That is what I would call working the line. On two occasions the ball was on but he was not in a good position, GJ's orders maybe, afterall it was the Mighty Brentford.

And you were almost right, 2nd visit this year to go with my 3 last year. But we wont go there.

[Nibor]

Incorrect-My point is that every team needs leaders and winners. The fact that Orr is feisty and isnt afraid to moan/speak out should be embraced.

I get the impression that you would be happier if we had 11 Matt Hewletts on the field...

Every team doesn't need needless bookings and sendings off though.

The line between passion and idiocy is fine and Bradley has to learn not to step over it.

It was good to see him not reacting to provocation when that muppet took a swing at him a few games back but he has to build on that.

[Bristol Boy]

Incorrect-My point is that every team needs leaders and winners.

Agreed, however they don't need people sent off and booked.

The fact that Orr is feisty and isnt afraid to moan/speak out should be embraced.

On that basis that it's controlled and channelled in the correct manner

I get the impression that you would be happier if we had 11 Matt Hewletts on the field...

One was far to many

Bristol boy.

We have to differ on working the line, 1st half I think KB only defended the line and not attacked the line. That is what I would call working the line. On two occasions the ball was on but he was not in a good position, GJ's orders maybe, afterall it was the Mighty Brentford.

On a few occassions he was on and didn't get it-I remember one particular occassions when LJ delayed the pass to long.

And you were almost right, 2nd visit this year to go with my 3 last year. But we wont go there.

Over 40+ games believe me they have all played far, far better.

Every team doesn't need needless bookings and sendings off though.

The line between passion and idiocy is fine and Bradley has to learn not to step over it.

It was good to see him not reacting to provocation when that muppet took a swing at him a few games back but he has to build on that.

Quite right and if he looks a few miles up the road to Wycombe he'll see another example of a very talented youg man that blew it.

[Guest Red Head]

Quite right and if he looks a few miles up the road to Wycombe he'll see another example of a very talented youg man that blew it.

Tugging yer chain a little there, been down all season and a few away games. What pi**es me off is that we are better when we play with two wide players, have done all year. We have the ability but at home something is just not there. We have not recreated some of the football we played earlier in the year, notably against Chesterfield, and how many times have we just hung in there. S'ppose from that it's gotta be our year?!

[Bristol Boy]

Tugging yer chain a little there, been down all season and a few away games. What pi**es me off is that we are better when we play with two wide players, have done all year. We have the ability but at home something is just not there. We have not recreated some of the football we played earlier in the year, notably against Chesterfield, and how many times have we just hung in there. S'ppose from that it's gotta be our year?!

The performances have been disapointing on occassions, although the results at home have been anything but.Just recently, the away performances have been far better as we've done well in either a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 formation.

Lets hope it's our year.