Forever Bristol City Podcast

HUDDERSFIELD [A] the verdict .... a match we should have won?

Ian & Dave P discuss a game in which had City's players made better decisions in the final third of the pitch they would surely have come home with all three points.

There is a change in how we play as once again on possession City were on c60% and although the home keeper had little to do there were 14 shots on target!

The goal conceded was again due to careless play on the ball but it will be a boost for his ebbing confidence that Conway got on the scoresheet with a smart finish.

5 points from his first 5 games means Manning's critics can say he's no better than Nige and it will be interesting to see if the "maxed out" playing budget will allow for new additions to the squad when the transfer window opens in 3 weeks time.

Btw, the opening music is Sidesaddle by Russ Conway - a Bristol lad, no relation  to Tommy! You have to be over 60 to remember when he was a chart topper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORWICH [H] the verdict .... let’s just accept we are a work in progress

DaveP is joined by Ian, Mark & Neil in reviewing Sunday's lunchtime fixture which ended in defeat despite going in at half-time 1-0 up.

The 2nd half was poor with two sloppy goals conceded in a generally poor and disjointed showing.

 

SOUTHAMPTON [H] the verdict .... City pay the price for 1st half missed chances

Dave P, Ian, & DaveFevs discuss the match action which saw a fine first half display go unrewarded as City fell to their first defeat under Liam Manning.

Conway had a header that he couldn't direct effectively and then for the second time in 5 days failed in a one-on-one against a keeper with Southampton's Bazunu also producing a smart save to keep out a Sykes header.

City were poor in the 2nd half and now have to face 5 matches in 19 days starting with Norwich at Ashton Gate on Sunday lunchtime.

BORO [H] the verdict ..... goal of the season & maybe just a hint of the shape of things to come?

Ian, Neil & DaveP discuss an eventful game at Ashton Gate against Michael Carrick’s in form Boro

 

After a slow start City went in at half time 2-0 ahead thanks to an absolute stunner from TGH and a coolly slotted home penalty by Tommy Conway who had fluffed a one-on-one opportunity only minutes before.

 

But with barely 10 minutes gone in the 2^nd half that lead had been surrendered and another Stoke City throwaway appeared a distinct possibility but no, City came storming back with Mark Sykes crashing in a volley from Dickie’s header across goal.

 

Ther big question – did we notice any change in the playing style after 10 days of coaching from new boss Liam Manning. For me it was a yes and that from an occasional observer of City who joined me for the game and commented on the high press on more than once as City had all ten outfield players in the opposition half. That same observer also remarked on how City seemed to lose out on most of the 50-50 challenges with frustrating regularity.

 

City will face an even tougher test at Southampton on Wednesday and if they come through that unscathed then that play-off challenge looks more than a pipedream.

QPR [A] the verdict... let’s not overreact after just one game

Liam Manning's first game in charge saw a point gained in West London but it was a dire affair.

Ian, Mark and DaveP discuss the match action and more.

Manning is our man ... dawn of a new era

DaveP is joined by Chris Honor, Mark, Neil & Ian as they discuss all matters surrounding the appointment of new Head Coach, Liam Manning

SHEFF WED [H] the verdict ..... time to move on

DaveP is joined by Ian, Mark & Lez in a review of Saturday's win over lowly Wednesday as well as speculating on who's next for the Ashton Gate managerial, or should we say Head Coach, hot seat

Pearson gone - I can’t recall the fanbase being so united in anger about anything like this before

Ian & DaveP with contributions from Neil Sutton & Chris Honor discuss the surprise sacking of Nigel Pearson on Sunday lunchtime.

Why now and who next are amongst the topics discussed

CARDIFF [A] the verdict ..... injury ravaged side loses in close fought game

This result made it five defeats in the last 7 games and whilst that is not a good statistic, when you look at the extent of the injury crisis many feared it could have been a lot worse.

Ian, Mark & DaveP analyse the match action and take some positives but it is very difficult and to be quite honest we feel a real sense of disillusionment about how things are on & off the field.

The HPC must be more like a "Casualty" ward at the moment!

IPSWICH [H] the verdict.... another game of fine margins

A spirited performance but defeat against a newly promoted Ipswich who, on current form, look like they’ll sail past City into the promised land!

Max O’Leary appears to be the villain of the piece for failing to deal with Broadhead’s well struck shot that was the difference between the sides. Fans should cut him some slack in my opinion with his acrobatic save just before the goal and another one-handed stop from Davis at the start of the second half which kept City in the game.

Cornick was unluck to see his late effort strike the post, goalkeeper’s bank than spin along the line in similar fashion to that effort from Alan Walsh in 1989 League Cup semi before being cleared.

DaveFevs joined Ian Mark and DaveP in discussing the match action and thoughts on off the pitch matters. Fevs very much the stat man points out that City’s Xg  was marginally better than Ipswich whilst Ian quotes from Wyscout that we played more forward passes and had more crosses than the visitors but fewer touches in the box - what do we make of that?