The Official Bristol City v Derby County Match Day Thread

[havanatopia]

Good day everyone.

On the evening of April 20th, 2016 City lost this very same fixture 2-3 having gone one ahead through a certain Jonathan Kodjia. Of all the teams City have ever played in the 'Championship' (as opposed to Division 2) there is only one team who have beaten City more than Derby. That red blue team across the River Severn have scraped or cheated (!) their way past City no less than 8 times from 14 matches. Derby, with only a marginally worse record, have won 7, drawn 2 and lost 3. Considering our record against then Championship Leicester is won 4, drawn 2, lost 4 might we hope for an upturn in fortunes against another Pearson side? Undoubtedly my analogy is clutching at straws even if the signals are not pleasant; we have not beaten Derby since 2011 and have achieved only one measly draw in the last 5 league encounters; 4 defeats in a row folks.

For those wishing to review the thread back in April:-

Derby come to City today on the edge of the drop zone and the project Nigel Pearson took on has undoubtedly gone backwards in his quest to re-shape the team in his way. The proverbial 2 steps back 1 forward at the moment then. I cannot recall what type of game Pearson plays but a rather famous predessor of his said this; "If God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he'd have put grass up there."   On the importance of passing to feet. One Brian Clough of course.

Either way City have to deal with the disappointment of Tuesday night. How many times have City, and many others clubs for that matter, not closed out a two nothing cushion? The way it happened was not only disappointing but a little worrying. We saw mistakes against Rotherham, albeit in reverse order of goals, and we saw them again on Tuesday. Is that just a coincidence or bad luck or something more worrying? Fortunately we have a very good goalkeeper now fit to play again and more competition for our first team defenders. Make no mistake though, O'Donnell is also a good goalkeeper. There is a fair dose of excitement swirling around Ashton Gate since the season kicked off and that match on Tuesday, even if was of such a fine margin, has tilted us into a slightly nervous and precarious spot that the table ably illustrates; drop points today and we will probably slide a little further, win and the positive talk will continue. A game of extremely fine margins.

On the other foot Derby will likely fall into the bottom three with a loss or even a draw and even though the days are early there will be nervousness aplenty in the East Midlands. A knife edge game then. 

Brian Clough said that he knew Rome was not built in a day because he was not on that particular job; Nobody has had a better record at Derby since Clough left the Baseball Ground in 1973. Dave MacKay did win a second league title for Derby in 74/5 but one could argue it was with the nucleus of the team Clough and Taylor built. And OK McLaren had a higher win percentage but it was 95 matches to Clough's 321 and of course he won nothing. Derby are on manager number 27 since Clough departed. Interestingly Lee Johnson is manager number 26 since Alan Dicks left in 1980. 

Since the heady days of a League title and a European Cup semi final Derby have largely flattered to deceive. They could, had the circumstances been right, gone on to do exactly what Clough did at Forest but a falling out with Derby Chairman Sam Longson put paid to that. And I have no doubt Derby could have gone to be a major force in English football, more than Forest, and the fans must look back on that episode as the watershed moment. Time will tell if Pearson can elevate them back to the top flight; endears himself to both the owners and the fans and, wins more trophies. Or, perhaps, the club will be looking for manager 28 before Christmas.

If ever there was a proverbial yardstick of how far we have come and, equally, how well we bounce back from adversity, this is that match.

21,750 in a safety certificate reduced capacity of 22,500 ? And btw when will that capacity receive the full 27k go ahead?

Enjoy the match folks. Lets get back to winning ways and play our classy football at the same time. Frankly, I think we fans deserve it.

2-0

That man up front and that big bloke at the back.  UTC.

 

 

 

[GreedyHarry]

Yay its football day. Missus dropped at work, time for breakfast, then pick her up later and walk down to the gate. 2-0 today hopefully. A clean sheet, and a result to steady the ship after the disappointment of Tuesday.

[downendcity]

Derby has scored only one all season so knowing City's ability to help clubs get back on track  it will be 0-3.

After the last 2 games we need a result. Also need to cut out stupid mistakes and if we do then should win 2-1.

[Garland-sweden]

What an interesting game today. How will we react since tuesday, Starting eleven. Derby? Fingers crossed and 2-0. Always Believe, COYR!!!

[Fordy62]

Take great solace and comfort in this...

Whoever we've played, the opposition fans have been completely full of praise of the way we're playing. We must be doing something right. 

Derby are nowhere near as poor as their league position suggests. Let's hope that the choose to switch on after today. 

I think it'll be a draw. Which wouldn't be so bad. 1-1. 

[Robbie_Turner]

Good read Havana, nice one mate 

[Br1stolCityBoy]

By the time I land at Heathrow from Dubai the game would have kicked off. Good luck today boys. I want to say 2 nil City. But we're bound to concede 1. COYRs 

[shelts]

City being City I go for an away win to kick start the Rams season.  Would love us to win obviously but footballs an odd game . Fingers and toes crossed we win. 

COYR

[reddogkev]

I just pray that Tom Ince doesn't wake up this morning with a hankering for some Bristol meat.

Without checking back through their last few match reports, is he in their team at the moment?

Now we are back on home soil, and returned from our Yorkshire goal-fests, I can see us repeating the magic of the Villa game, minus 1 goal.

City to win 2-1.

Future England king Tammy to score again, and Reid to notch the other.

COME ON YOU REDSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

[old_eastender]

After the collapse against Sheff.Wed, I fear the worst today, 1-3 to Derby.

[GrahamC]

Their best defender (Shackell) is out, so Alex Pearce who was on loan to us last season plays, but so is our best midfielder...

As the OP says we have a very poor record against them, whilst their form so far has been simply awful.

Despite the BBC website's negative spin on our current form, "1 win in 5 league games", why stop there? (3 wins in 7 is equally valid), on paper we should win, though I can't believe that Derby are going to struggle this badly for much longer.

Team selection will be very interesting, I can't ever remember a time when we signed 4 new players and by a couple of games later not one of them had started a single game for us..

Wouldn't be too shocked by a 1-1 draw.

[pongo88]

The Derby horse race was first run in 1780 and was going to be named after either the Earl of Derby or Charles Bunbury. Legend has it that it was decided by a toss of a coin. If the coin had fallen differently, The Derby would be The Bunbury. What has this to do with today's match?

Nothing. 

[cidered abroad]

The pessimist in me says that Derby are very mean in defence and cannot continue not scoring so 0-4 to them.

Please let me be totally wrong.

[Bar BS3]

Everyone knows that it's a case of "when" NOT "if" Derby start banging in goals. Please just let them have one more off day first..!

A front 2 of Vydra & Wilson is superb at this level, added to Ince, Russell & others, they have real talent. Easily capable of dishing out a hammering. 

I fear the worst today, so I'd be ok with a draw on that basis. 

Can we strike back like a proverbial wounded animal and hand out a ruthless, polished, clinical drubbing of our own..? Now wouldn't that be nice..?! 

COYR! 

[robin_unreliant]

I'm worried about our defence. Only Blackburn and Forest have, like us, failed to keep a clean sheet in the league. We seem to be going in the wrong direction in that we were only conceding once in early games.

Hopefully Derby won't click today and we can actually play for 90 mins rather than the usual one good/one bad half.

I fear the collapse at Sheff may leave us with a confidence problem. If we get ahead that will help. Fearing the worst today but hope to be proved wrong.

[Major Isewater]

55 minutes ago, pongo88 said:

The Derby horse race was first run in 1780 and was going to be named after either the Earl of Derby or Charles Bunbury. Legend has it that it was decided by a toss of a coin. If the coin had fallen differently, The Derby would be The Bunbury. What has this to do with today's match?

Nothing. 

Which makes your post totally relevant to OTIB.

 

[Ivorguy]

Interesting that for many on Otib the bubble of unbounded optimism has burst.

Reality has dawned.  We are a mid table side.  We shall have to fight for every point, even at home and even against clubs at the bottom of the table

Will we win, lose or draw today?  We could do any of those things.  

 

[Palmers Green Red]

2-1 to City ... no reason other than gut feel!!!!

COYR

[Major Isewater]

7 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

Interesting that for many on Otib the bubble of unbounded optimism has burst.

Reality has dawned.  We are a mid table side.  We shall have to fight for every point, even at home and even against clubs at the bottom of the table

Will we win, lose or draw today?  We could do any of those things.  

 

I would say ' yes ' to your question .

[Tinmans Love Child]

My brother in law and nephew are coming today and they have never seen us win at home so hoping they see their first win, if we lose they won't be invited again

[I Am A Cider Drinker]

On one hand you could say that Derby are due a goal, on the other, you could say we are due out first clean sheet in the league.

I'm opting for the latter, 1 0 city, with us having another 20+ shots, Joey Bryan the scorer just after half time.

COYR

[BarmyArmy]

ROD

Little Flint Mags Bryan

Smith Pack

Paterson Reid O'Dowda

Tammy

Drop Tomlin and GON obviously suspended. Give Reid an opportunity to stake a claim further forward and another chance for ROD to redeem himself.

[BigTone]

4 hours ago, havanatopia said:

Good day everyone.

On the evening of April 20th, 2016 City lost this very same fixture 2-3 having gone one ahead through a certain Jonathan Kodjia. Of all the teams City have ever played in the 'Championship' (as opposed to Division 2) there is only one team who have beaten City more than Derby. That red blue team across the River Severn have scraped or cheated (!) their way past City no less than 8 times from 14 matches. Derby, with only a marginally worse record, have won 7, drawn 2 and lost 3. Considering our record against then Championship Leicester is won 4, drawn 2, lost 4 might we hope for an upturn in fortunes against another Pearson side? Undoubtedly my analogy is clutching at straws even if the signals are not pleasant; we have not beaten Derby since 2011 and have achieved only one measly draw in the last 5 league encounters; 4 defeats in a row folks.

For those wishing to review the thread back in April:-

Derby come to City today on the edge of the drop zone and the project Nigel Pearson took on has undoubtedly gone backwards in his quest to re-shape the team in his way. The proverbial 2 steps back 1 forward at the moment then. I cannot recall what type of game Pearson plays but a rather famous predessor of his said this; "If God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he'd have put grass up there."   On the importance of passing to feet. One Brian Clough of course.

Either way City have to deal with the disappointment of Tuesday night. How many times have City, and many others clubs for that matter, not closed out a two nothing cushion? The way it happened was not only disappointing but a little worrying. We saw mistakes against Rotherham, albeit in reverse order of goals, and we saw them again on Tuesday. Is that just a coincidence or bad luck or something more worrying? Fortunately we have a very good goalkeeper now fit to play again and more competition for our first team defenders. Make no mistake though, O'Donnell is also a good goalkeeper. There is a fair dose of excitement swirling around Ashton Gate since the season kicked off and that match on Tuesday, even if was of such a fine margin, has tilted us into a slightly nervous and precarious spot that the table ably illustrates; drop points today and we will probably slide a little further, win and the positive talk will continue. A game of extremely fine margins.

On the other foot Derby will likely fall into the bottom three with a loss or even a draw and even though the days are early there will be nervousness aplenty in the East Midlands. A knife edge game then. 

Brian Clough said that he knew Rome was not built in a day because he was not on that particular job; Nobody has had a better record at Derby since Clough left the Baseball Ground in 1973. Dave MacKay did win a second league title for Derby in 74/5 but one could argue it was with the nucleus of the team Clough and Taylor built. And OK McLaren had a higher win percentage but it was 95 matches to Clough's 321 and of course he won nothing. Derby are on manager number 27 since Clough departed. Interestingly Lee Johnson is manager number 26 since Alan Dicks left in 1980. 

Since the heady days of a League title and a European Cup semi final Derby have largely flattered to deceive. They could, had the circumstances been right, gone on to do exactly what Clough did at Forest but a falling out with Derby Chairman Sam Longson put paid to that. And I have no doubt Derby could have gone to be a major force in English football, more than Forest, and the fans must look back on that episode as the watershed moment. Time will tell if Pearson can elevate them back to the top flight; endears himself to both the owners and the fans and, wins more trophies. Or, perhaps, the club will be looking for manager 28 before Christmas.

If ever there was a proverbial yardstick of how far we have come and, equally, how well we bounce back from adversity, this is that match.

21,750 in a safety certificate reduced capacity of 22,500 ? And btw when will that capacity receive the full 27k go ahead?

Enjoy the match folks. Lets get back to winning ways and play our classy football at the same time. Frankly, I think we fans deserve it.

2-0

That man up front and that big bloke at the back.  UTC.

 

 

 

Condensed Version

Derby:

Derby & Cardiff are all bastards. Havana likes to stick straws in his anal region (too much info old chap).

City 2-0 (Tammy brace)

 

[Ivorguy]

Tomlin is very unlikely to be dropped, especially with O'Neill out.

Flint much more likely to be dropped

Brownhill like.y to be picked

Wouldn't be surprised to see Wibs play

[West Hill Red]

1 hour ago, cidered abroad said:

The pessimist in me says that Derby are very mean in defence and cannot continue not scoring so 0-4 to them.

Please let me be totally wrong.

 

You really must stop taking those happy pills..:laugh:.......only joking!

[deadredfred]

This time last season I'd have snapped your hand off for a point. They're a very good side when they get going.

Things have changed with us, but I'm still conscious that come the end of the season Derby really ought to be ahead of us. 

Their goal drought won't last forever but I'm going for a 1-0 win with the clean sheet being far more important to us moving forward than the possible 3 points.

Their defensive record is impressive, and we really need to be more clinical than we have been and take our chances. However, their defence hasn't played a Tammy before...

 

 

[Chivs]

2 hours ago, cidered abroad said:

The pessimist in me says that Derby are very mean in defence and cannot continue not scoring so 0-4 to them.

Please let me be totally wrong.

These are eactly my thoughts.  If Derby score first they will win 0 - 4

[cityexile]

The Ipswich manager owned up to mugging Derby mid week, where the balance of the match made ours against Rotherham looked balanced. Much better side than their early season form suggests.

Having said that still fancy us to nick if 2-1. More than anything, if we drop points, would like to think they it will be too decent goals, rather than shockers. More than anything, it has been the way we have conceeded goals in the last two games that has hurt, even more than the results. More clangers at the back and we will be in oh so familiar waters.

Edited September 17, 2016 by cityexile

[Peter O Hanraha-hanrahan]

Apparently if Derby fail to score today they'll be the first club since 1882 to score only once in the opening 8 league fixtures of the season.

What's the bets they'll be at least one up in the opening 10 minutes?

[Jerseybean]

Wouldn't it be great if we could reproduce the equivalent of the first half v Wednesday and the second half v Villa today?!

LJ's team selection is going to be fascinating.

The three games we've lost have all been by a single goal, so not sure where the heavy defeat predictions come from.

I think today we will win 2-1 with our winner coming from a PENALTY!

[samo II]

Hope we aim for an early goal to try and force Derby to confront their lack of goals.

Fancy they'll not be much in it; either us or Derby to win by a goal - hoping for City 2-1.

COYR

[pongo88]

1 hour ago, BarmyArmy said:

ROD

Little Flint Mags Bryan

Smith Pack

Paterson Reid O'Dowda

Tammy

Drop Tomlin and GON obviously suspended. Give Reid an opportunity to stake a claim further forward and another chance for ROD to redeem himself.

I like the look of that team with two attacking wide players to support Abraham. If we put Derby under pressure, what confidence they have after a poor start might disappear. However, I doubt that Smith is match fit after his injury, so start with Brownhill and bring him on as sub if necessary. I'd also prefer Tomlin to Reid. I also  think Little is a weak link, but not sure there a fit right back to replace him. 

[pongo88]

5 minutes ago, JamesBCFC said:

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spieler/vertragslosespieler/statistik/1/plus//galerie/0?ausrichtung=Abwehr&spielerposition_id=5&land_id=alle&wettbewerb_id=alle&seit=alle&yt0=Show

Here's a list of free agent right backs. 

Its unlikely we would sign any, particularly as they'd likely need time to get up to speed and LJ rates Matthews as one of the best in this league when he is fit.

I meant fit players actually at the club. As you say, unlikely to sign anyone new as Mathews will be back soon 

[Ska Junkie]

3-1 City through nothing other than rose tinted blind faith.

COYR

[I Am A Cider Drinker]

2 hours ago, BarmyArmy said:

ROD

Little Flint Mags Bryan

Smith Pack

Paterson Reid O'Dowda

Tammy

Drop Tomlin and GON obviously suspended. Give Reid an opportunity to stake a claim further forward and another chance for ROD to redeem himself.

I would go with this except Golbourne in for Smith and Bryan in the midfield with Pack

[Offside]

For some reason I've got a bad feeling about the game today. Defensively we'll need to be switched on, especially if Ince is playing because he is one of those players who always seems to score against us. 

Hopefully my gut feeling is wrong and we'll get 3 points. COYR

[...]

I want to see a City side today playing with pride, commitment and guts - and for the fans.

We are at home, and we should give anyone one of the hardest games of the season.

If we can do this, we should get the three points.

"Come on me scrumpy-lovin' babbers"

 

Uncle TFR

[samo II]

7 minutes ago, JamesBCFC said:

Moore or Vyner would be options. Both prefer CB, I think though both have played RB before.

If it was Blackburn or Rotherham at home I wouldn't have an issue with them getting the nod, but for Derby probably best to stick with Little.

Isn't Vyner out on loan?

[Charlie BCFC]

6 minutes ago, samo II said:

Isn't Vyner out on loan?

Yeah but there maybe a recall clause in the contract

[Shelton’s Love Gravy]

The Teeeeeeem! The Teeeeeeem! I must know the Teeeeeeeeeeem!!!

[samo II]

26 minutes ago, Flint says No said:

Yeah but there maybe a recall clause in the contract

Sure, but think we're a long way from being so desperate for defenders we need to recall people.

Edited September 17, 2016 by samo II

[EstoniaTallinnRed]

Let's just say as others have,  that I think we will struggle without O'Neil.  I really hope that Derby have not got their shooting boots on today and we can scrape a win, but sadly I don't think so.  One crumb of comfort, last time I said exactly the same, we won. so COYRs!

[Garland-sweden]

Leeds one up.

[Esmond Million's Bung]

Fielding, Little, Flint, Magnusson, Ekstrand, Bryan, Pack, Reid, Tomlin, Paterson, Abraham

subs: O'Donnell, Golbourne, Moore, Brownhill, Freeman, Engvall, Wilbraham.

Edited September 17, 2016 by Esmond Million's Bung

[Garland-sweden]

Coyr

[stogursey red]

#BRCvDER: Fielding, Little, Flint, Magnusson, Ekstrand, Bryan, Pack, Reid, Tomlin, Paterson, Abraham. #BristolCity

[Shtanley]

The dreaded 352 returns. Tammy having someone near to him hopefully helps him even more. Nice to see Engvall in the squad hope he comes on too. 

[WRERE]

According to Twitter it's a 5-2-1-2 but I think Magnusson will go LB and it will be a 4231 / 4411 like we usually play

Edited September 17, 2016 by WRERE

[Fordy62]

I really like the look of that. 

[Nogbad the Bad]

Time to leg it down The Gate.

COME ON CITY, STUFF DERBY 

[stogursey red]

352 all out attack today then, if Darby have any pace upfront then we could be in big trouble but rally hope they are as shot to pieces as some say and we can run riot

[Robin 101]

3 minutes ago, WRERE said:

According to Twitter it's a 5-2-1-2 but I think Magnusson will go LB and it will be a 4231 / 4411 like we usually play

Cant see that surely its

Fielding
Ekstrand Flint Magnusson
Little Pack Reid Bryan
Tomlin
Paterson Abraham

 

Also interesting Smith doesnt make the bench. Assuming he did get a knock at the end of the sheff wed game

Edited September 17, 2016 by Robin 101

[Fordy62]

[CheddarReds]

Will be really interesting to see how we play today with the players we've got on the pitch. Hope Engvall gets on also. I wouldn't be surprised to hear tomlin and Paterson are drifting wide from central positions regularly almost like a 5-4-1 at times, but we will see! Unfortunately wont be there for a while so I'm relying on balanced, well constructed, non-biased match reports on OTIB!!

Edited September 17, 2016 by CheddarReds

[Garland-sweden]

Ok, Ekstrand and Engvall. Hope IT turns well. Come on Frankie!

[Garland-sweden]

Leeds 2 up

[Guest]

10 minutes ago, Londoner said:

LJ not afraid to make changes....good to see ekstrand start, slightly harsh on ROD.

Indeed. Baby out of the bath water I'd say. I like Frankie, but he's just not got the stature to be consistent at this level imho. Not sure why ROD is the only one to feel the axe after many could've. And quite telling that LJ wants to shore up the back line with 3, even in there implying he's unhappy with the defence, but it's only the goalkeeper that gets dropped. 

Edited September 17, 2016 by Guest

[Shtanley]

Only just realised that ROD is dropped. Just presumed he was playing, don't rate Frankie but he's surely better than the ROD of the last few games. 

[samo II]

6 minutes ago, Shtanley said:

Only just realised that ROD is dropped. Just presumed he was playing, don't rate Frankie but he's surely better than the ROD of the last few games. 

I almost expected a change in keeper after the second goal on Tuesday night.

Good opportunity for Frankie.

[EstoniaTallinnRed]

Nicky Hunt and Liam Kelly playing for Orient against Yeovil this afternoon.

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, Shtanley said:

Only just realised that ROD is dropped. Just presumed he was playing, don't rate Frankie but he's surely better than the ROD of the last few games. 

Not sure. I still have far more confidence in ROD.

As I see it he (ROD) was clearly to blame for Sheff Wed's second and the third was a bit silly doing the - clearly instructed typically - ball to the wing. Rotherham he can have a share for the first, second is just a freak thing.

In hindsight I don't then think it's particularly catastrophic or a particular loss of form necessarily. A one off shot he ought to have saved, a bit of confusion and just a bit of silliness. Of the third at Weds we had the chance to regroup from the throw in so arguably a different phase and no worse than a MF giving away a silly freekick around the half way line. I think that's a massive overreaction to blame him l. He gave the ball away but there's a bloody lot in between the throw in and the goal  

Personally, I think it's a massive overreaction. 

Doesnt mean I don't hope FF is motm mind and I eat my words. But from here I'm rather disappointed in that decision.  

Edited September 17, 2016 by Guest

[EstoniaTallinnRed]

RB saying we are playing 3 - 5 - 2

[BRISTOL86]

Harsh on ROD but I guess that's the point of a competitive squad. Hope it doesn't backfire though, I feel Frankie has more of a mistake in his locker than ROD despite recent events!

My memories of Frankie are almost exclusively of me shitting a brick every time the ball goes back to him!

[stogursey red]

Think people have short memories of how poor Frankie was last year and how results picked up with ROD, he has made 1 mistake and gets dropped and yet some members of our defence are allowed to get away with making many each game,

[nebristolred]

7 minutes ago, EstoniaTallinnRed said:

Nicky Hunt and Liam Kelly playing for Orient against Yeovil this afternoon.

I think Liam Kelly is forever confined to the list of bad signings for City, but from what I remember he was actually a really decent midfielder. Just unlucky with his injury.

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, nebristolred said:

I think Liam Kelly is forever confined to the list of bad signings for City, but from what I remember he was actually a really decent midfielder. Just unlucky with his injury.

Agree. I rated him quite a lot and was surprised we swapped him for Korey at the time, admittedly then not knowing Korey from Adam and now appreciating that was a good bit of business. But at the time..

[Curr Avon]

9 minutes ago, EstoniaTallinnRed said:

RB saying we are playing 3 - 5 - 2

It's 3-4-1-2 if Tomlin plays in the hole.

[Ivorguy]

Lee has just said on Twitter that the side chosen are flexible when it comes to formation

I think Lee isn't that bothered with a formation for the game, merely a formation with which to start, and then prepared to change as and when

 From what he said Engvall will come on for last 20 mins

 

 

Edited September 17, 2016 by Ivorguy
Typo

[WayOutWest]

A clean sheet today will be key. Any thing else will be a bonus. 

New formation today and hopefully the boys have worked hard on it since Sheff Wed. 

But as we know LJ likes to change things up mid game. So I think fluidity could be a key factor in stifling a good Derby team. 

I think there will be goals in this one. 

2-2

[City_USA]

Mornin' all.  COYR!