samo II

#BristolCity v Brentford: Hamer, Ayling, Flint, Williams, Fredericks, Smith, Pack, Freeman, Bryan, Wilbraham, Kodjia. #BristolCity subs: O'Leary, El-Abd, Little, Wagstaff, Robinson, Burns, Agard. Great to see Bryan back in the side.

Cheers, Havana; nice write up - Cannot wait for kick off!

I'd agree; as I've said before, I think Pack is being asked to play a role that needs someone alongside him who's singular focus is to break up opposition play, freeing him up to link with Freeman, and yesterday I felt Smith went past him and didn't stick to this task enough. Across the first ten games or so we'll get a better idea of how and who in the team will make the grade; one game is of course too few.

Was about to post similar; the collection of comments did support the suggestion he's perhaps being somewhat singled out. Doesn't mean I didn't think he played a role in what was a poor showing, particularly from our engine room in midfield yesterday, but I certainly not write off his season on that from this game alone. Like with others in the side, think they'll grow into the season.

No idea how people can be critical of our front pair today; zero service, and us starting to go long to them as soon as Sheffield closed is down. At least both Wilbs (who looked lethargic, but still fought for every ball) and Kodjia each did something when they did get the ball. Thought Robinson added a threat too, drawing their wide men back and spreading their defence, and perhaps the idea of a front three SC mention on his signing is viable, as Robinson certainly has the ability to play in that gap between the full back and centre back, of more ably supported from midfield.

I respect your posts on here tremendously, Harry, but poor form to just write off everyone who is critical of Pack as "boo boys"; several have articulated why they felt his contribution was part of a poor performance, so it strikes me as narrow minded to write this off so flippantly. I'm by no means calling for his head, but felt his insistence on taking time on the ball when he had none and bad decisions outweighed his other contributions, such as his long passes. That isn't to say others didn't perform well too, and Smith didn't cover himself with glory as you say, but deriding the observations of others as the words of "boo boys" is an unfortunate position to take.

This. Not writing him off at all, but seemed too casual when he should have been cautious at times today, and as mentioned; hit some stunning balls, but also attempted these at other times when easier ones were available. Think he might be the victim of not quite fitting the role he is asked to played sometimes i.e. turning over play to the likes of Freeman and the wing backs, rather than looking for the pass to the forwards. That said; was puzzled why neither of Jo or Wilbs dropped deeper in order to shake their markers or mix it up there, but sure their understanding will build. Wasn't woeful, but wasn't assured at all; kinks will get worked on, I'm sure.

Smith did well, and Pack hit some good balls (though went 'Hollywood' too much for me), but Wednesday effectively isolated and held Freeman at arm's length for much of the game. Needed someone who would retrieve possession from the back line AND step out with it; not much connective tissue there just now, and made us go long too many times. Won't happen and not suggesting the exact player, but a 'Barton-type', who'd dig us out from our own half wouldn't have gone amiss there.

Poor. A lot to think about, though what happened to our midfield? Number of times we had possession in defence but had no options. Credit to Burns; best player for us today, in my opinion. Worried that Wilbraham suddenly looks his age too; slow moving, and his touch was poor.

Hilarious. What have I said that I should "watch", pray tell? Relegation fight or not, we're in the Championship, while your ridiculous team got utterly embarrassed in the play off final, and then anyone with any talent from your squad left - those are facts, right there. As for strengthening; we've still got the core of the team that blew you away at Ashton Gate and went on to win the title, AND have added a striker who won Ligue II's player of the season last term - you've flogged anyone of any real value, and added someone who played four games for Notts County on their way to relegation, and some lad who failed on loan to Doncaster when they dropped out of the Championship like a stone, so forgive me if I'm hardly jealous of your squad. You punched above your weight last year, but I highly doubt you'll do that again. Now, I suggest you get a summer job till you head back to school in September; Mr Power will probably need all the pennies you morons can throw his way next season in order to keep you afloat while you struggle against the drop.

You'll see, we won't; we'll be concentrating on Championship football - you know; the thing you bunch of dirty, shameful cheats spectacularly failed to win with a bunch of loan players last season? Enjoy your summer; pretty sure your season will be hell. BYE

Wait; you're not a City fan?! Amazing deception at work there, pal; hope MI6 are aware of your talents. Now jog on back to league one, and enjoy a season fighting relegation. Byeeeeeeeeee.

So am I getting this right in thinking that their legal team (who I presume will be paid; win or lose) said "you should go for this" and they agreed? And if I was the person asking "isn't this just throwing good money after bad?" I'd no be very satisfied that they aren't. Genuinely more shocked than even amused at the limp answers there; anyone else think the appeal is the current regime spoiling for time in the hope they find a buyer? Because it sounds that way to me.

"Can someone please tell me if I'm reading this contract correctly? It seemed to imply there should be a stadium around here..."

Me too. Grim day for Rovers, but get the feeling that the grimmest is yet to come. Broke as **** already, and now liable for court costs, as well as no new ground; don't see them doing this "overtaking" of us their fans s frequently crow about any time soon. Need to be getting rid of that board, and sharpish, if they want to avoid disaster.

So, apologies for asking something that is likely covered somewhere in this thread, but if this whole thing goes against the blue few on Monday; what is the likely impact on them as a club? I figured it might be good to get some kind of approximated summary here now that everything is reaching a head. Guessing it's probably not a apocalyptic as suggested (and perhaps hoped) by some, but equally I'm aware that they seem to have placed a significant number of their eggs into this basket, so am interested in how that plays once the judgement is handed down. Sorry if it has been covered; just a lot of (very interesting, don't get me wrong) legal information here, so wondered about the impact beyond that.

Here's to never having to score that goal, or at least for a very long time.

Cannot see them going up now; how many play offs have they been in? Unbelievable.

Sorry - ignore my last post; SIXTEEN goals in four games. THAT'S WHY WE'RE CHAMPIONS.

Brilliant stuff - 15 goals in the last four games with only two conceded. This is why we're champions. And as it stands; do NOT fancy Preston for the playoffs...

What's JET's final tally for the season then? Great to see him & Agard knocking in few as a partnership in the last couple of games. That said; Flint - what a season for that lad!

We want more.