Bristol City Women

[shahanshahan]

Marc Skinner didn't do Man Utd's press conference today. Various reporters have confirmed that he & his partner are expecting the birth of their next child, and so could miss the game on Sunday.

Also, City have confirmed the team will be in the yellow kit on Sunday...

 

[phantom]

Talking of kits amusing to see the big London derby this evening at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Arsenal has been delayed by 30 min due to a clash of kits 

[RedLionLad]

59 minutes ago, phantom said:

Talking of kits amusing to see the big London derby this evening at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Arsenal has been delayed by 30 min due to a clash of kits 

Arsenal had to buy blue socks from the Chelsea shop and cover up the Chelsea name with blue tape

[Shelton’s Love Gravy]

18 hours ago, phantom said:

Talking of kits amusing to see the big London derby this evening at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Arsenal has been delayed by 30 min due to a clash of kits 

Does one not wear blue and the other red??

[View from the Dolman]

7 minutes ago, Shelton’s Love Gravy said:

Does one not wear blue and the other red??

It was a problem with both teams having white socks. 

[Shelton’s Love Gravy]

2 hours ago, View from the Dolman said:

It was a problem with both teams having white socks. 

Ah, I see.

That seems a bit silly.

[Barrs Court Red]

Anyone have an idea when they usually announce if the P&R is running for matches? 

[shahanshahan]

5 hours ago, Barrs Court Red said:

Anyone have an idea when they usually announce if the P&R is running for matches? 

About a few days before matchday on their website - the article would usually begin with "Travel Information.."
This was the one that was done three days before the West Ham game in January
https://www.bcfc.co.uk/city-women-news/travel-information-bristol-city-women-vs-west-ham-united-women/

Matchday bus services are usually run if the club can justify them & if there is a high attendance to do so.

There were no matchday bus services for the Brighton game, and that had an attendance of 3468 (lowest for a City Women home league game at Ashton Gate this season).
Looking at the Bristol Sport ticketing website, block S18 is open for the next home game with Spurs (and that block usually isn't).

Overall, keep an eye out on the BCFC website (and social media) for updates

[Barrs Court Red]

Just now, shahanshahan said:

About a few days before matchday on their website - the article would usually begin with "Travel Information.."
This was the one that was done three days before the West Ham game in January
https://www.bcfc.co.uk/city-women-news/travel-information-bristol-city-women-vs-west-ham-united-women/

Matchday bus services are usually run if the club can justify them & if there is a high attendance to do so.

There were no matchday bus services for the Brighton game, and that had an attendance of 3468 (lowest for a City Women home league game at Ashton Gate this season).
Looking at the Bristol Sport ticketing website, block S18 is open for the next home game with Spurs (and that block usually isn't).

Overall, keep an eye out on the BCFC website (and social media) for updates

Cheers mate, appreciate it 

[shahanshahan]

Gotta set my alarm early to get the coach leaving Ashton Gate at 6.30am.
Not sure if the supporters' journey up north will as entertaining as the team's was today (according to Ffion Morgan)
 

 

[shahanshahan]

As there is unreserved seating at LSV, City supporters who are going to the game should sit in block A.

If you get there late, you should spot me/us!

 

[phantom]

36 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

As there is unreserved seating at LSV, City supporters who are going to the game should sit in block A.

If you get there late, you should spot me/us!

 

You should sit smack bang in the middle of the mancs just to stir them up

[shahanshahan]

1 minute ago, phantom said:

You should sit smack bang in the middle of the mancs just to stir them up

There'll probably be home fans around us anyway. Will be interesting to see what their turnout will be as the men are playing at Old Trafford later today...

[phantom]

2 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

There'll probably be home fans around us anyway. Will be interesting to see what their turnout will be as the men are playing at Old Trafford later today...

Is it possible to get to both games? 

[shahanshahan]

1 hour ago, phantom said:

Is it possible to get to both games? 

I'm not going to attempt

[shahanshahan]

Yanez returns to goal. Harrison back from injury but makes the bench. Napier back from suspension 

Clark & Evans drop to the bench. Jones not in the squad

KO 12pm, live on FA Player

Former City players Mary Earps & Millie Turner start for United. Gemma Evans ,& Hayley Ladd on the bench

Edited March 17 by shahanshahan

[Eco]

7 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

Yanez returns to goal. Harrison back from injury but makes the bench. Napier back from suspension 

Clark & Evans drop to the bench. Jones not in the squad

KO 12pm, live on FA Player

Former City players Mary Earps & Millie Turner start for United. Gemma Evans ,& Hayley Ladd on the bench

Hayles' first start this season I think? Glad Napier's back. 

[phantom]

1-0 down after 9 minutes 

Apart from a hopeful long ball, we hadn't been out of our half up to that point 

[Pippintogg]

32 minutes ago, phantom said:

1-0 down after 9 minutes 

Apart from a hopeful long ball, we hadn't been out of our half up to that point 

It's going to be a long afternoon.  Like a training game for MU. We drop so deep when they are in possession, their players can play walking football. 

[Pippintogg]

Feel sorry for Thestrup. She's trying to press a back 3 on her own with no support .  The formation is more about damage limitation than positive intent.

[Eco]

5 minutes ago, Pippintogg said:

It's going to be a long afternoon.  Like a training game for MU. We drop so deep when they are in possession, their players can play walking football. 

Not too bad after the goal, defensively anyway. Some hefty challenges from Rodgers, Hayles & Napier.  

[Eco]

Hayles hits the post

[Eco]

Started this half really well, can hear the away fans.

[Eco]

0-2 final, game over once Napier was sent off. Glimpses of quality, battled their hearts out as usual but Utd strolled it really.

[Pippintogg]

23 minutes ago, Eco said:

0-2 final, game over once Napier was sent off. Glimpses of quality, battled their hearts out as usual but Utd strolled it really.

Totally agree. The gulf in quality is massive. Thestrup isolated constantly trying to press 3 central defenders. They could just stroll around and find a pass. Setup was about damage limitation, which worked due to poor MU finishing. Still a huge problem holding onto the ball. It's laudable trying to play out from the back, but the players aren't good enough. To many misplaced passes, particularly in midfield. I've said before that there is too much space in the formation of the team. It's too easy for teams to fill these gaps with a press, and force turnovers. Hopefully the players have learnt a lot, not sure about the coaching.  They could struggle in the Championship next season. 

[phantom]

43 minutes ago, Pippintogg said:

Totally agree. The gulf in quality is massive. Thestrup isolated constantly trying to press 3 central defenders. They could just stroll around and find a pass. Setup was about damage limitation, which worked due to poor MU finishing. Still a huge problem holding onto the ball. It's laudable trying to play out from the back, but the players aren't good enough. To many misplaced passes, particularly in midfield. I've said before that there is too much space in the formation of the team. It's too easy for teams to fill these gaps with a press, and force turnovers. Hopefully the players have learnt a lot, not sure about the coaching.  They could struggle in the Championship next season. 

I actually believe that the side has regressed this past year and are a long way off where we were a year ago 

Lauren is as uninspiring as Liam on the touchline and her interviews are just as bad 

Lots of effort but a long way short of being good enough 

[Pippintogg]

7 minutes ago, phantom said:

I actually believe that the side has regressed this past year and are a long way off where we were a year ago 

Lauren is as uninspiring as Liam on the touchline and her interviews are just as bad 

Lots of effort but a long way short of being good enough 

I would agree Phantom. Little flair or personality. 

[Eco]

7 hours ago, Pippintogg said:

Totally agree. The gulf in quality is massive. Thestrup isolated constantly trying to press 3 central defenders. They could just stroll around and find a pass. Setup was about damage limitation, which worked due to poor MU finishing. Still a huge problem holding onto the ball. It's laudable trying to play out from the back, but the players aren't good enough. To many misplaced passes, particularly in midfield. I've said before that there is too much space in the formation of the team. It's too easy for teams to fill these gaps with a press, and force turnovers. Hopefully the players have learnt a lot, not sure about the coaching.  They could struggle in the Championship next season. 

A quality midfielder, or two, is what we've missed all season, Emily Syme is probably the only one who looks comfortable on the ball but her lack of pace is an issue at this level unfortunately. IMO anyway. Not sure we'd struggle next season, depends how many of this season's squad we'd keep I suppose, also there may be talent in the Academy we're not aware of. Signing Thestrup was a stroke of genius but no doubt she'll be off if, or rather when, we go down. 

[phantom]

Possibly too late for most, but a decent discount none the less being advertised by "Her Game Too" 

Hopefully will get wider publicity from the women's social media accounts 

 

[Eco]

15 hours ago, phantom said:

Possibly too late for most, but a decent discount none the less being advertised by "Her Game Too" 

Hopefully will get wider publicity from the women's social media accounts 

 

You'd hope so. Hopefully a decent crowd will turn up, maybe 6-7K for this one.

[shahanshahan]

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/city-women-news/new-date-for-arsenal-trip/

Arsenal away now rescheduled for Sunday April 14th (Women's FA Cup semi-finals weekend), with a KO of 6.45pm as it's still going to be televised.
Supporter coach details to be fully confirmed soon.
Anyone that booked a coach ticket but can no longer make the rescheduled game should contact Supporter Services for a refund.
Arsenal Fan Services have emailed everyone that has bought match tickets (as they were selling tickets directly), and in that link is an email for anyone to claim a refund if they can no longer make the rescheduled fixture.

[Bobby girl]

On 17/03/2024 at 15:36, Pippintogg said:

I would agree Phantom. Little flair or personality. 

perhaps she is missing NP and his encouragement, just like us fans.

[shahanshahan]

Naomi Layzell is up for Young Football Player of the Year in the Women's Football Awards. The only Bristol City-related nomination I can see

https://womensfootballawards.com/voting/

 

[shahanshahan]

Belated upload from Sunday. My first time to Leigh Sports Village. Initially built (and still used) for rugby league, so there's a lot of references at the ground. Decent enough crowd of 4,254, considering it was United's first game at home in over a month. Probably could have been more if United men weren't at Old Trafford later that day.

Still a great performance compared to previous ones. Shame there were no City goals...
 

[Eco]

11 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

Belated upload from Sunday. My first time to Leigh Sports Village. Initially built (and still used) for rugby league, so there's a lot of references at the ground. Decent enough crowd of 4,254, considering it was United's first game at home in over a month. Probably could have been more if United men weren't at Old Trafford later that day.

Still a great performance compared to previous ones. Shame there were no City goals...
 

Great stuff. If only Shania's shot had gone in or we'd made more use of the corners. Ah well.

[shahanshahan]

Press conference from today.

Some key points:

Smith pleased with Man Utd performance, acknowledges the away support but still wants that home win. Has praise for former City loanee Grace Clinton & Spurs manager Robert Vilahamn.

Jamie-Lee Napier suspended again after being sent off (one match ban I assume as she had two bookings), Carrie Jones has damaged ligaments in her ankle & won't be available for Sunday or probably for Wales in next international break.

Kudos to the journalist who asked about the fans forum that was postponed for no reason that was made public, and Smith replied that it's likely to be held before end of season

 

[phantom]

29 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

Press conference from today.

Some key points:

Smith pleased with Man Utd performance, acknowledges the away support but still wants that home win. Has praise for former City loanee Grace Clinton & Spurs manager Robert Vilahamn.

Jamie-Lee Napier suspended again after being sent off (one match ban I assume as she had two bookings), Carrie Jones has damaged ligaments in her ankle & won't be available for Sunday or probably for Wales in next international break.

Kudos to the journalist who asked about the fans forum that was postponed for no reason that was made public, and Smith replied that it's likely to be held before end of season

 

Was there ever an official reason given for the Q&A being postponed? 

I'd have thought a longer ban as it was the second red card of the season 

[Eco]

1 hour ago, shahanshahan said:

Press conference from today.

Some key points:

Smith pleased with Man Utd performance, acknowledges the away support but still wants that home win. Has praise for former City loanee Grace Clinton & Spurs manager Robert Vilahamn.

Jamie-Lee Napier suspended again after being sent off (one match ban I assume as she had two bookings), Carrie Jones has damaged ligaments in her ankle & won't be available for Sunday or probably for Wales in next international break.

Kudos to the journalist who asked about the fans forum that was postponed for no reason that was made public, and Smith replied that it's likely to be held before end of season

 

Wonder who'll replace Napier? Ward did pretty well tracking back after she came on, plus she's quick. I'd go with her. 

[shahanshahan]

13 hours ago, phantom said:

Was there ever an official reason given for the Q&A being postponed? 

I'd have thought a longer ban as it was the second red card of the season 

None given by the club other than "unforeseen circumstances". However as it was the day before the Arms Fair took place, one theory is that questions about that could have been asked, and/or those against it could have turned up & disrupted it. Also, the team lost at home 7-3 the day before it was due to take place, which could have made things interesting if it went ahead on it's scheduled date.

As far as I'm aware, Napier has only been sent off once. She served one ban (the Brighton game) for getting five yellow cards

[phantom]

14 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

None given by the club other than "unforeseen circumstances". However as it was the day before the Arms Fair took place, one theory is that questions about that could have been asked, and/or those against it could have turned up & disrupted it. Also, the team lost at home 7-3 the day before it was due to take place, which could have made things interesting if it went ahead on it's scheduled date.

As far as I'm aware, Napier has only been sent off once. She served one ban (the Brighton game) for getting five yellow cards

Ahh, I misunderstood, I wrongly assumed the suspension was for a previous red

[phantom]

On 16/03/2024 at 16:12, Barrs Court Red said:

Anyone have an idea when they usually announce if the P&R is running for matches? 

Confirmed not running for the Spurs fixture 

 

[GrahamC]

There could not be a greater example of the false equivalence that goes on in the local media than the fact that both City & Rovers’ women’s teams are at home today.

City play Spurs, Rovers play Liskeard.

Bet the chasm in standard doesn’t get pointed out once.

[Erithacus]

I understand the Gas Girls are already promoted (as of last week's other results) and have sold over 1,000 tickets for their game at the Mem. Could this be a new rivalry in the making?

Meanwhile, in today's game against Spurs it is an imperative that we win. No other result is of any use. We simply cannot go without a victory, what with the remaining fixtures. I will hope that the girls will have it in them to produce the performance that they are capable of and emerge with renewed confidence. However, an adverse outcome will be a nail in the coffin, I fear.

Given that the other teams at the wrong end are not expected to have any fortune today, it may be that that we could do ourselves a huge favour in winning. I'll also hope that there is a big crowd too. It's getting late in the season and we need everything to go our way now.

COYR!

[Super]

One down 

[Coach]

What a way to treat the goalkeepers. Gets Shae in from America, plays several games and does little wrong, gets dropped for Liv Clark (who herself had played consistently well for City and Wales before getting replaced) for the biggest game of the season against Brighton. Shae gets put back in for one game, again does little wrong, and is now dropped for Fran, who presumably won't want to stick around when we get relegated. Crazy selection process.

[Pippintogg]

31 minutes ago, Super said:

One down 

Same problems as usual. Early goal  conceding possession through poor passing, getting hurried in possession. Better press when spurs keeper has the ball, but should be 2 down. Poor miss from spurs.

[Eco]

Brilliant cut back by Thestrup to where Thestrup should be. Still 1-0 Spurs aren't brilliant.

[redkev]

Not a massive follower of the women’s team but do like to keep an eye on results as tbf it’s Bristol city and anything Bristol city catches my eye , but every time I look at a result or match stats we have nearly always lost and the match stats are always pretty much veryone sided , are we really that bad in this division I know the women’s game has grown massively are we that far behind the game line and is it simpley , funding 

[Roger Red Hat]

HPC for the women's team again next season then. Without the correct investment yo-yo ing is going to be best it gets for them, if they're lucky.

[Pippintogg]

1 minute ago, redkev said:

Not a massive follower of the women’s team but do like to keep an eye on results as tbf it’s Bristol city and anything Bristol city catches my eye , but every time I look at a result or match stats we have nearly always lost and the match stats are always pretty much veryone sided , are we really that bad in this division I know the women’s game has grown massively are we that far behind the game line and is it simpley , funding 

We are a long way behind the top teams in the PL. It's all about funding now the big clubs have decided the women's game is worth investing in. Like the men's team we can't compete unless we invest. Although it's a lot more affordable in the WPL. However, the best players are always going to be attracted by the big name clubs. I'm not sure about the pathway for younger players to progress, but would hope that it can follow the model of the men's team. Apart from selling our best players! I think the coaching has been poor this season, very little plan B and performances have been predictable. 

[Pippintogg]

34 minutes ago, Eco said:

Brilliant cut back by Thestrup to where Thestrup should be. Still 1-0 Spurs aren't brilliant.

Spurs should have scored a lot more. 5 or 6 excellent chances at least. 

Edited March 24 by Pippintogg

[JBFC II]

3 hours ago, Erithacus said:

I understand the Gas Girls are already promoted (as of last week's other results) and have sold over 1,000 tickets for their game at the Mem. Could this be a new rivalry in the making?

Meanwhile, in today's game against Spurs it is an imperative that we win. No other result is of any use. We simply cannot go without a victory, what with the remaining fixtures. I will hope that the girls will have it in them to produce the performance that they are capable of and emerge with renewed confidence. However, an adverse outcome will be a nail in the coffin, I fear.

Given that the other teams at the wrong end are not expected to have any fortune today, it may be that that we could do ourselves a huge favour in winning. I'll also hope that there is a big crowd too. It's getting late in the season and we need everything to go our way now.

COYR!

We're still a fair way off this tbf.

Should City be relegated this season (which now looks inevitable) they'll be 2 divisions above rovers next season.

Would imagine Rovers will be pushing for promotion to the 3rd tier before long, but the gap then increases hugely. They'll need a huge increase in funding and infrastructure to get near the level of even the top half of tier 3, never mind the championship 

[Eco]

6 minutes ago, Pippintogg said:

Spurs should have scored a lot more. 5 or 6 excellent chances at least. 

Didn't see first half but yep they hit the post twice in last few mins and Spence nearly scored, also Bentley made a good save. We had a couple of half chances 2nd half, Thestrup may be disappointed with her finish when she went through and there was a bit of goalmouth activity towards the without any end product though. My heart sank when Lisa Evans came on. I hate picking on players but she's added nothing since being added to the squad, on the pitch anyway.

[Calculus]

Don't know anything about our women's team or the WSL but thinking of dragging daughter along for a game or two.

A couple of silly questions if no-one minds:

Is our women's team suffering from a lack of investing, poor recruitment, coaching or what? Obviously they're pretty much adrift at the moment so something is not quite ideal.

Does the women's game have anything like FFP?

[Peter1450]

The only FFP is SL self imposed non investment which begs the question why actually bother if you’re not prepared to make them competitive? 
    Still they’ll be a nice hotel on Winterstoke Road soon .

[Davefevs]

14 minutes ago, Calculus said:

Don't know anything about our women's team or the WSL but thinking of dragging daughter along for a game or two.

A couple of silly questions if no-one minds:

Is our women's team suffering from a lack of investing, poor recruitment, coaching or what? Obviously they're pretty much adrift at the moment so something is not quite ideal.

Does the women's game have anything like FFP?

5 minutes ago, Peter1450 said:

The only FFP is SL self imposed non investment which begs the question why actually bother if you’re not prepared to make them competitive? 
    Still they’ll be a nice hotel on Winterstoke Road soon .

what a wonderful season of missed opportunity.

They worked so hard to get promoted last season (always hard when it’s only one promotion spot available), and then playing WSL games at AG too.

We can see from the men’s side, SL is bored of it.

Just sell it / give it away and enjoy Le Mare Golf in Guernsey.  Put yourself and us fans out of our / your misery.

 

 

[Roger Red Hat]

6 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

what a wonderful season of missed opportunity.

They worked so hard to get promoted last season (always hard when it’s only one promotion spot available), and then playing WSL games at AG too.

We can see from the men’s side, SL is bored of it.

Just sell it / give it away and enjoy Le Mare Golf in Guernsey.  Put yourself and us fans out of our / your misery.

 

 

Spot on Dave. Surely somethings got to give soon.

[Calculus]

Thanks all for the responses. Not totally unexpected but still a bit depressing. Football for either gender is nothing without dreams.

[Erithacus]

Another home game, another defeat. Our record is terrible: ten straight losses now, equalling Yeovil's of 2017-18, and closing in on the Covid season that no-one saw and ended in relegation. It simply isn't good enough, for whatever reasons.

Good to see Fran Bentley back in goal, although understandably she showed a little rustiness. It was a familiar 5-4-1 formation but with Harrison and Hayles supporting Thestrup from the flanks. The midfield was short of a few starters once again and there was a distinct weakness at times. Oddly Fi Morgan started at left back, perhaps her speed being best suited to deal with Spurs' Naz. Whatever the intentions, we once again let in an early goal. It was just what we didn't need and it set the tone for much of the rest of the game. The few decent moves upfield were often based on Spurs' mistakes but the end product was a long way from being achieved. As ever, it was a case of being unable to stop opponents and not being able to score.

Beth England (in her return after a long lay-off) was able to run free at times and eluded the back line. Drew Spence was running the midfield in the hour or so she was on with impunity and we often stood off her whilst the runners picked us apart. Brook Aspin has a miserable game with poor passes and was caught a few times keeping the back line open for runners. When we did stop an attack, the response was usually slow, indecisive and lacked real thrust. It was largely a case of looking for a teammate, rather than knowing where they would be. Such play leads to the opponents finding plenty of time to drop into the block.

Shania Hayles looked to have done a collarbone or a shoulder and I suspect it may be the end of her contribution this season. Even with Harrison moved to centre forward, and Stratigakis and Jas Bull brought on to bolster the midfield it did little real damage. Only in the last frantic minutes did we look like there was any appetite to score.

Given that Spurs missed a few good chances and Bentley made a good tip-over, the scoreline flatters us. With other results not being detrimental and appreciating it is not yet mathematical, the inescapable fact is that we are all but down. I am afraid that this season is now beyond salvation and it will be interesting to see how the remaining games are used as a foundation for the next. Stick a fork in it, sadly - it's done. It will also be interesting to see who stays, who goes and how the club reacts now. The players will be hurting, I'm sure, but that will only sharpen attitudes. Next season will be rather different, I feel.
 
All in all the return to the top flight was always going to be a tough task, and there was never going to be an easy ride. However, it does have the flavour of a major disappointment and this must ask question of how we have handled it.

[Davefevs]

Dare I say the “one club” culture might’ve been lost since November?

Some of you will know better than me, but has there been any / much men’s “team” presence since Nige was sacked.  Or am I just putting 2+2 together?

(I know Nige had a hand in Grace Williams coming here from Watford and she left in May)

Edited March 24 by Davefevs

[Engvall’s Splinter]

Is it after the defeats at Ashton Gate that the players are then smiling having photos with those in the crowd? I find that bizarre if so.

[Cidre Monita]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

what a wonderful season of missed opportunity.

They worked so hard to get promoted last season (always hard when it’s only one promotion spot available), and then playing WSL games at AG too.

We can see from the men’s side, SL is bored of it.

Just sell it / give it away and enjoy Le Mare Golf in Guernsey.  Put yourself and us fans out of our / your misery.

 

 

Perfectly put, Dave. I feel so sorry for all involved with the City ladies they have been badly let down. SL clearly had no intention of making us competitive this season. I think we are heading for a major crossroads soon under the current ownership. On a side note I think Gavin Marshall tweeted something similar to the above tweet, but then deleted it? Either that, or he’s blocked me!! 

[Midlands Robin]

On Saturday we went to watch Man City Women v Man Utd women which my lad wanted as part of his Christmas present. 

There were 40 thousand fans in the Ethiad for that game. 

The match day experience was pretty good as well. 

We're throwing away something that's now well established and is worth investment. By not putting any effort behind our ladies we're losing a massive opportunity.

If this was the men's team Lauren Smith would have been shown the door months ago. 

I posted when relegation became inevitable last time we went down (and in similar circumstances with whimper) that we were chucking away a real opportunity to grow the name of Bristol City at a time when the women's game was only going to get bigger and this was before the Lionesses winning the Euros. 

I think Fevs put it perfectly above but I'd like to quote a line from Lotus cars founder Colin Chapman, "If you're not winning, you're not trying"

Lansdown out 

 

 

[The Bard]

4 hours ago, Calculus said:

Don't know anything about our women's team or the WSL but thinking of dragging daughter along for a game or two.

A couple of silly questions if no-one minds:

Is our women's team suffering from a lack of investing, poor recruitment, coaching or what? Obviously they're pretty much adrift at the moment so something is not quite ideal.

Does the women's game have anything like FFP?

It's investment.  Pure and simple

[MrBibs]

Went to Everton v Liverpool women at Goodison today as my daughter wanted to see the ground before it goes. Less than 10k there which did surprise me, and also a reminder of a huge missed opportunity this season has been for City. I think there were at least 3 attendances bigger than that for our women at the Gate this season. Fair play to the 5,000 plus who turned up at the Gate today for yet another inevitable defeat

[Eco]

2 hours ago, Midlands Robin said:

On Saturday we went to watch Man City Women v Man Utd women which my lad wanted as part of his Christmas present. 

There were 40 thousand fans in the Ethiad for that game. 

The match day experience was pretty good as well. 

We're throwing away something that's now well established and is worth investment. By not putting any effort behind our ladies we're losing a massive opportunity.

If this was the men's team Lauren Smith would have been shown the door months ago. 

I posted when relegation became inevitable last time we went down (and in similar circumstances with whimper) that we were chucking away a real opportunity to grow the name of Bristol City at a time when the women's game was only going to get bigger and this was before the Lionesses winning the Euros. 

I think Fevs put it perfectly above but I'd like to quote a line from Lotus cars founder Colin Chapman, "If you're not winning, you're not trying"

Lansdown out 

 

 

Not sure if you can put it on Lauren, I think any manager would struggle with the lack of WSL-type quality in the squad, especially midfield, plus long term injuries to Furness, Bentley & others. 

[Davefevs]

4 hours ago, Cidre Monita said:

Perfectly put, Dave. I feel so sorry for all involved with the City ladies they have been badly let down. SL clearly had no intention of making us competitive this season. I think we are heading for a major crossroads soon under the current ownership. On a side note I think Gavin Marshall tweeted something similar to the above tweet, but then deleted it? Either that, or he’s blocked me!! 

This is the only tweet I can see from GM:

When your owner shows apathy to invest in both City Mens and Womens, it’s not long before the fans show similar apathy back.  For the women off of the back of a promotion too.  Think I t might tweet something back to Gavin!

Edited March 24 by Davefevs

[shahanshahan]

On 24/03/2024 at 18:48, Engvall’s Splinter said:

Is it after the defeats at Ashton Gate that the players are then smiling having photos with those in the crowd? I find that bizarre if so.

I think that seems to still be a thing in women's football. Mainly seems to be kids (especially girls) who see the players as role models.
I do remember seeing some photos after City lost 7-3 to Brighton & did wonder if the kids actually read the room or not. If I was a player who lost (a game like that), I probably wouldn't want to go pose for photos etc...

I've had photos with players in the past; but that's usually at smaller grounds (Stoke Gifford/RHPC), or even at away games when City players only seem to be approached by fans who travelled, as well as their families/friends

[shahanshahan]

On 24/03/2024 at 16:17, JBFC II said:

We're still a fair way off this tbf.

Should City be relegated this season (which now looks inevitable) they'll be 2 divisions above rovers next season.

Would imagine Rovers will be pushing for promotion to the 3rd tier before long, but the gap then increases hugely. They'll need a huge increase in funding and infrastructure to get near the level of even the top half of tier 3, never mind the championship 

Also, the Gas Girls (since they reformed) have been run by Bristol Rovers Community Trust. If they were to go up the leagues, then I believe the football club would have to take full control of them...

[shahanshahan]

Hopefully Furney could be back for the next game against Arsenal on April 14th. Maybe score another wonder goal against them?