Forever Bristol City Podcast

Unwanted home record extended but we ARE getting better

13 games now without a home win but the general consensus from yesterday's 0-0 draw against Preston was that we played OK in a match that last season we probably would have lost.

For a game without goals it had its fair share of goalmouth action and a share of the points was probably a fair outcome if you were a neutral observer.

We debate whether Nigel made the right call in starting with the side that won at Cardiff and Ian in particular challenged DaveP's view that playing Baker at left back is NOT too defensive.

We pick HNM as the best of the midfield trio in which both James & King were not at their best and we question the long throw routine which has become an unwanted part of our game. Why Kalas every time when Vyner can do similar, then again why at all when no clear cut chances have come from this tactic.

With Luton next up at Ashton Gate we speculate what changes Nigel might make to the starting line up to improve the goal threat. DaveP echoed the view of some of the live listener text messages that COD is NOT the answer but in form Janneh might be. We agree Scott should be recalled, probably at the expense of King and surely Louis Britton is worth a place on the bench if only to east the strain on Chris Martin.

 

 

 

 

Early term report ..... in conversation with Dave Fevs

DaveFevs is widely regarded as being amongst the more erudite contributors to the various social media platforms analysis & opinion on how City are doing on and off the field.

In this 1-2-1 chat with FBC PODCAST host DaveP they review the opening 5 games, how the squad looks now that the transfer window has closed, what can we expect going forward and that begins with a batch of 6 games before the next international break.

By then 1/4 of the season will have passed and we predict a points haul which would suggest we are not in for the relegation battle which many had predicted

The Shape of things to come?

DaveP, Mark, Ian & Lezz wax lyrical about City's performance at the CCS as the second win of the season was secured with a 2-1 success.

Nigel opted for height with Baker in as a straight swap for JDS as a left back rather than in a 3. Baker alongside the increasingly impressive Pring gave City a particularly strong left flank.

Two superb strikes by Weimann would have most saying he was MOM but we thought Massengo ran him close with an energetic display and a sublime back heel which allowed Semenyo to cross for goal No. 2.

This was arguably City's best showing since Pearson took over and a few more performances like this will see his "era" getting up to speed after a stuttering start.

We also chewed over the likelihood or not, the latter being more likely, of significant transfer activity before the window shuts as it seems Pearson is true to his word of not buying for the sake of it.

Pring /O'Dowda left side combo? This and more in Swansea [H] review

12 home league games without a win - a new & unwanted club record following the 0-1 reverse against Swansea on Friday night.

We discuss the match action which offered some hope for the future. The issue is our goal threat - a distinct lack of! Is JDS now the weakest link? There is agreement amongst the panel that a left side combo of Pring & O'Dowda is the best option.

Cardiff up next and the aerial threat posed by this very physical side for whom Aden Flint has scored a brace in each of his last two games. How will we cope, might we switch to a different formation is another topic discussed along with speculation as transfer deadline day approaches.

Nigel can dance now! City win for the first time since March

A first win in 13 league games was secured at Reading in a performance that showed both how good City can be and at the same time the weaknesses that have been prevalent for too long.

Two classy goals gave City a 2-0 advantage inside a quarter of an hour before sloppy defending gave Reading hope before the break. Alex Scott's first assist set up Weimann to complete his brace but then former loanee, Liam Moore, scored late on after being allowed to run 60 yards unchallenged which meant backs to the wall defending in the closing minutes.

Kalas came in for Baker and showed he's mastered a long throw of the type we've not seen since Magnusson. Cam Pring was given his debut and it was a tactical masterstroke playing him wide left to support Dasilva with pace and physicality.

The win was deserved and 2k travelling fans went home happy.

Ian, Mark and DaveP were joined by former player Chris Honor in this positive and intelligent discussion on the match action

 

 

Message to Nigel: Play Kalas at right back if you won't change the formation

NP was right in saying carelessness was the main factor in City's defeat at the Riverside but we say you must play your best players which in turn means Kalas must start.

Ian, Lezz, Mark & Headhunter discuss the match action and suggest Kalas should play at right back if NP won't switch to 3-5-2 to accommodate him. It's worth remembering that Kalas played at right back when on loan from Chelsea at both Boro & Fulham in teams that secured promotion to the Premier League.

We try not to join the anti-Pearson debate that is raging on OTIB although we aren't expecting much of a points return from the next two games

It felt like a defeat - Blackpool [H] reviewed

Almost 18k at Ashton Gate for a league game some 17 months after the last and a similar 1-1 scoreline against newly promoted Blackpool.

Ian, Mark & DaveP discuss the match action which at the final whistle felt like a defeat with the Seasiders equaliser coming with almost the last kick of the game.

The need for a striker was shown by the fact that City squandered enough chances in the first half to have given them more than Chris Martin's fine headed opener and put the game beyond Blackpool's reach.

Overall it was a solid display but many of last season's failings were still in evidence despite the new midfield access of King & James. Pearson watched the game from a high vantage point in the Lansdown Stand. His late substitutions added nothing, in fact they disrupted the shape and it wasn't a complete surprise when the visitors two subs combined to grab that equaliser.

No minutes for Kalas or Wells and after the game Nagy announced he wants to leave - is Pearson trying to freeze out the high wage earners? Somebody needs to buy them though and we await departures before the window shuts at the end of the month.

 

 

 

 

Season 21/22 Preview with Gregor MacGregor

Gregor took time out of a busy week to speak with us about how he sees City's prospects for the upcoming season.

We talk team selection and end up with something that might be considered a 4-2-2-2 and he's very bullish in his assessment of City gathering 10 points from the first 5 games. For me, anything above 6 would be a bonus!

He gets some stick on the forum but he's the best we've had for a while on what is an apology for a local newspaper. I'm in the camp that feels he should be given a little more respect by Nigel in the press conferences. If the relationship is tense now just imagine what it will be like if we're in the bottom 6 in mid-September?

 

Season 21/22 Preview & Memories of TC with Chris Honor

Former player Chris Honor talks fondly of Terry Cooper who gave him his League debut as a youngster in 1987.

Chris is often on Radio Bristol in the commentary box as a pundit and he offers a very candid assessment of how he sees the current squad and its prospects in the season ahead.

Chris says a win against Blackpool is essential as, on paper, the other fixtures before the international break look particularly tough.

Season 21/22 Preview and memories of TC with Phil Tottle

Phil's now retired and living in Clevedon but for over 30 years his was the voice of Radio Bristol's matchday coverage of Bristol City.

He, like myself and other reporters, used to travel with the team on matchdays in the 80s so we got to know the players and manager Terry Cooper who sadly passed away at the weekend.

In addition to reviewing City's prospects for this coming season Phil talks with fondness for TC and recalls his selfless act in letting Clive Middlemass and long serving scout Jock Rae lead the team out on to the Wembley pitch on that memorable day in 1986