Bristol City Women

[astrondrew]

As view from the Dolman says but the tickets are still appearing in my season tickets tab. I guess they might get cancelled. 
I assume they were setting up for an announcement soon...presumably after the division we will be playing in next year is decided at the weekend?

[Eco]

Good news, Bunny Shaw not available for Man City on Sunday according to Lauren in her presser. 

[astrondrew]

That is good news. 

Any similar (but not long term) news on Kelly, Hemp, Roord, Park and Fowler would be welcome too.

[phantom]

8 hours ago, Eco said:

Good news, Bunny Shaw not available for Man City on Sunday according to Lauren in her presser. 

I thought it was announced earlier in the week she was out for the rest of the season?

[Erithacus]

Shaw being ruled out is a minor footnote - Man C have plenty of backup. Incidentally, I see ex-Robin Lauren Hemp has agreed to a new 3-year deal with them. Seems the length of contracts for the top flight players is on the up.

[phantom]

Good to see the Emma Hayes farewell tour is ending as successfully as Jurgen Klopps 

[shahanshahan]

16 hours ago, phantom said:

Good to see the Emma Hayes farewell tour is ending as successfully as Jurgen Klopps 

As long as the team take it out on Liverpool on Wednesday rather than us next Sunday night!

[shahanshahan]

West Ham just got a 95th minute equaliser against Aston Villa, FT 1-1

West Ham now on 14 points; gap between them & City now extended to eight points.

City need to win against Man City tonight now to avoid relegation...

[Robbored]

Just now, shahanshahan said:

West Ham just got a 95th minute equaliser against Aston Villa, FT 1-1

West Ham now on 14 points; gap between them & City now extended to eight points.

City need to win against Man City tonight now to avoid relegation...

Our ladies aren’t strong enough for the WSL but too strong for the Championship and it’ll remain that way unless some serious investment is forthcoming.

[Erithacus]

We were needing a win anyway, but an extra point may well be of no importance.

Well, here goes the last game of the season. A season of what has to be seen as a miserable time at Ashton Gate. No points (with no sign of any today!) and a real disappointment all round. Of course, we didn't expect to be fighting for the title in our first season, but to be cut well and truly adrift has been a painful lesson.

However, we also should see our time as one to build on, even if it means those lessons are applied for a spell in the Championship. Several players have made their mark and the team has made some improvements in the approach. I'm not sure of the average age of the side but it must be one of the lower in the WSL. I hope we can maintain a significant presence and that those young players will stay here to carry on the dream. Perhaps we can attract some better players for the start of next season too. Hopefully.

COYR

[W-S-M Seagull]

My son wants to go today so gonna go down there. 

[phantom]

7 minutes ago, Robbored said:

Our ladies aren’t strong enough for the WSL but too strong for the Championship and it’ll remain that way unless some serious investment is forthcoming.

I'm not sure this current squad are good enough to challenge in the Championship 

[shahanshahan]

6 minutes ago, Erithacus said:

We were needing a win anyway, but an extra point may well be of no importance.

Well, here goes the last game of the season. A season of what has to be seen as a miserable time at Ashton Gate. No points (with no sign of any today!) and a real disappointment all round. Of course, we didn't expect to be fighting for the title in our first season, but to be cut well and truly adrift has been a painful lesson.

However, we also should see our time as one to build on, even if it means those lessons are applied for a spell in the Championship. Several players have made their mark and the team has made some improvements in the approach. I'm not sure of the average age of the side but it must be one of the lower in the WSL. I hope we can maintain a significant presence and that those young players will stay here to carry on the dream. Perhaps we can attract some better players for the start of next season too. Hopefully.

COYR

There's two more games left to play after tonight, or are you talking about the last game you are attending this season?

[shahanshahan]

On 22/04/2024 at 10:24, miser said:

Crystal Palace effectively promoted to WSL. They did announce project to achieve such one year ago (recruited our general manager as part of that process). Will be interesting to see how they fare. Assuming Leicester promotion, WSL will be entirely Premier League affiliated. Meanwhile minnows Lewes & Watford relegated from Championship replaced by Newcastle and Portsmouth. Will a much tougher league than 2 season ago. Will need a big reset by City to compete.

Promotion confirmed for Crystal Palace - first time in the WSL. Drew 0-0 with Sunderland at Selhurst Park, but it was enough for them to secure the Championship title.
And yep, it will be all teams affiliated with PL sides after Leicester City's promotion was confirmed...

Edited April 28 by shahanshahan

[Erithacus]

My bad ball! Make that the second last game at Ashton Gate!

[W-S-M Seagull]

I just don't know why Lanadown didn't invest. Sure I get sustainability and all that. But if the WSL does takes off like it may well do, then you really do want to be part of it when it does. 

[Eco]

41 minutes ago, Erithacus said:

We were needing a win anyway, but an extra point may well be of no importance.

Well, here goes the last game of the season. A season of what has to be seen as a miserable time at Ashton Gate. No points (with no sign of any today!) and a real disappointment all round. Of course, we didn't expect to be fighting for the title in our first season, but to be cut well and truly adrift has been a painful lesson.

However, we also should see our time as one to build on, even if it means those lessons are applied for a spell in the Championship. Several players have made their mark and the team has made some improvements in the approach. I'm not sure of the average age of the side but it must be one of the lower in the WSL. I hope we can maintain a significant presence and that those young players will stay here to carry on the dream. Perhaps we can attract some better players for the start of next season too. Hopefully.

COYR

Average age is 24 apparently. I wouldn't necessarily totally write us off this evening, Furniss made a big difference last week while she was on and we do have a fit squad plus they're missing Shaw. Of course they have their other stars but they might take a while adjusting to playing without their focal point, maybe we could grab a goal in this bedding in period. Call me a dreamer but you never know! 

Hopefully most of the squad will stay. If players like Bentley, Powell, Napier, Harrison, Morgan, Layzell, Connolly, Rodgers, Jones, Syme, Layzell, Thestrup (please) stick around we'll be near the top. It would be interesting to see who's coming through from the Academy U21's. Sounds as though there are some good players there based on the snippets from the City women twitter but there's sod all on the website, that I can see anyway.

[shahanshahan]

What a response from this councillor...

 

[Erithacus]

Is he up for election soon?

[Robbored]

1 hour ago, phantom said:

I'm not sure this current squad are good enough to challenge in the Championship 

They got promoted the season before this one. Has the squad changed much?

[shahanshahan]

48 minutes ago, Robbored said:

They got promoted the season before this one. Has the squad changed much?

Tell us you don't follow the team without telling us you don't follow the team

Edited April 28 by shahanshahan

[shahanshahan]

Unchanged starting XI it seems, but with some players swapped around in position

KO 6.45pm, live on Sky Sports & BBC Radio Bristol

[Lanterne Rouge]

We`re not doing too badly  here, have certainly grown into the game and had a couple of decent chances.

[Sleepy1968]

5 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

We`re not doing too badly  here, have certainly grown into the game and had a couple of decent chances.

I've been impressed. I know it's a low bar, and certainly Man City have been helping with their wasteful attacks (are they aiming for our goalie?) but could we avoid defeat?

0-0 ht

[Lanterne Rouge]

1 minute ago, Sleepy1968 said:

I've been impressed. I know it's a low bar, and certainly Man City have been helping with their wasteful attacks (are they aiming for our goalie?) but could we avoid defeat?

0-0 ht

Yeah, pretty much every shot`s been straight at Yanez. They are spending too much time faffing about around our box - if they just went direct we`d be in trouble.

[phantom]

I'm sure every game I've seen Yanez play this season she's gone down injured with a glute injury

That friggin band are back in the ground again, fortunately the sky mics do not pick them up as much 

[Lanterne Rouge]

How are Man City not winning this?

[Sleepy1968]

3 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

How are Man City not winning this?

You spoke too soon.

[Lanterne Rouge]

Good goal that but she should have been closed down.

[Back of the Dolman]

5 minutes ago, phantom said:

I'm sure every game I've seen Yanez play this season she's gone down injured with a glute injury

That friggin band are back in the ground again, fortunately the sky mics do not pick them up as much 

I wouldn’t be so sure, I’m sat at home and can hear them monotonously drumming.

Its nothing but attack versus defence in this second half, absolutely no outlet for City to get the ball forward to and relieve some pressure.

 

[Red Homer]

9 minutes ago, phantom said:

I'm sure every game I've seen Yanez play this season she's gone down injured with a glute injury

That friggin band are back in the ground again, fortunately the sky mics do not pick them up as much 

I'm watching from home today, my daughters not feeling too great and chose to play this morning instead.

Unfortunately for me, the Sky mics are picking up that bloody group of drummers, and even at home, I'm actually losing the will to live!

[Sleepy1968]

Crikey, we score. Okay, it's an OG and we're 3-0 down, but I didn't see that finish coming.

[Back of the Dolman]

1 minute ago, Sleepy1968 said:

Crikey, we score. Okay, it's an OG and we're 3-0 down, but I didn't see that finish coming.

I can’t say I watch all the ladies matches but they clearly try but the truth is the club have set them up to fail this season.

The club are lucky that so many people are willing to go and pay to watch a no contest.

Even with relegation confirmed and 3-0 down it’s still 5 at the back with no real attempt to get forward.

Change formation and have a go and give the fans something to cheer.

For those of you with greater knowledge, do you see Lauren Smith as being the right coach to lead next seasons campaign?

[redkev]

Men against boys I’m afraid ( you all know what I mean ) and the games I have watched ( not too many may I add ) have all pretty much followed the same pattern . Like someone else has said looks like they have been set up to fail , look miles  behind most of the other sides even the teams just above them . 
decent crowd mind Rovers would be proud of that 

Edited April 28 by redkev

[Back of the Dolman]

Just now, When the river runs said:

A bit odd having drawings of them done by a load of schoolies , imagine that was for the men whilst getting relegated.

Proper piss take it seems

 

It’s all part of family day, was the same yesterday for the men’s fixture 

[JBFC II]

12 minutes ago, When the river runs said:

Proper piss take whilst relegated.

Why? What difference does it make to anything?

It was a family day, so they're giving school kids the chance to be involved as much as possible.

Talk about finding things to be offended about...

[bcfcredandwhite]

Unlucky the ladies - relegated. 
At least they actually managed to GET to the Prem though. 

[Back of the Dolman]

6 minutes ago, bcfcredandwhite said:

Unlucky the ladies - relegated. 
At least they actually managed to GET to the Prem though. 

Sadly it doesn’t appear much effort was made by the club to keep them there 

[Robbored]

3 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Tell us you don't follow the team without telling us you don't follow the team

The only time I watch women’s football is when the England ladies are on TV.

I have never ever watched a women’s match ‘live’. However due the exposure our ladies get on the OS and local bulletins their results are kinda forced onto me.

I honestly couldn’t name one player from the women’s team.

[JBFC II]

Why are season tickets prices rising despite relegation?

[petehinton]

A real wasted opportunity, a very odd approach by the board this season for the women’s side. Really don’t know what they were expecting to happen. Feel sorry for the squad & for Lauren 

Edited April 28 by petehinton

[JBFC II]

5 minutes ago, When the river runs said:

It's not a school fete, these women have worked their arses off to get to play top flight football.

So have City men, why weren't you annoyed at it yesterday?

The kids who made the drawings will be thrilled they've been included, I genuinely don't see the harm it's doing?

[City Rocker]

26 minutes ago, Robbored said:

The only time I watch women’s football is when the England ladies are on TV.

I have never ever watched a women’s match ‘live’. However due the exposure our ladies get on the OS and local bulletins their results are kinda forced onto me.

I honestly couldn’t name one player from the women’s team.

So....on reflection, do you think maybe this is perhaps not the best thread for you to be sharing your wisdom and insight with us? 

[JBFC II]

Just now, When the river runs said:

They didn't get relegated yesterday 

What difference does that have to do with it? City weren't relegated when the team sheet, with the drawings, was announced pre match.

Their position in the table is irrelevant. Do you really think any of the players care that a child has drawn a picture of them?

If anything, this sort of thing helps bring eyes into the women's game. A child who drew say, Abi Harrison, may now look out for her as their favourite player. It can only be a good thing

[Eco]

26 minutes ago, JBFC II said:

Why are season tickets prices rising despite relegation?

They'll still be playing at AG and crowds will be a lot lower?  At less than £4 a game for adults you can't complain about value for money.

[W-S-M Seagull]

That was my first women's game in over 20 years. The last time being when England played at the memorial. 

Really enjoyed it. It was just a totally different atmosphere to the men's game. Basically no idiots shouting swearwords every 2 seconds. It was really refreshing and something the men's game needs to learn from. 

[phantom]

Great to hear that the ladies will be back playing at Ashton Gate next season 

[JBFC II]

Just now, Eco said:

They'll still be playing at AG and crowds will be a lot lower?  At less than £4 a game for adults you can't complain about value for money.

It's £8 a game isn't it?

Just for comparison, when Reading were relegated last season, theirs were £70 for adults and £35 for u12s for the season after.

An increase after relegation, to what will (I'd presume) be comfortably the most expensive season ticket in the league, feels quite bizarre

[Eco]

39 minutes ago, Robbored said:

The only time I watch women’s football is when the England ladies are on TV.

I have never ever watched a women’s match ‘live’. However due the exposure our ladies get on the OS and local bulletins their results are kinda forced onto me.

I honestly couldn’t name one player from the women’s team.

Thank you for your contribution

[phantom]

34 minutes ago, JBFC II said:

Why are season tickets prices rising despite relegation?

Are you seriously moaning about a £5 increase? 

Perhaps you would be better to understand how much the club loses by playing at Ashton Gate 

[JBFC II]

4 minutes ago, When the river runs said:

Bring eyes to Bristol city women ?

They will have barely any fans next year at the HPC . 

All the plastics here this season to see the other teams .

Bang average and amateur down there.

When you know you know

They're playing at AG next season, not the HPC.

Not quite sure why the need to disparage the club or fans after this season in such a way, the support has been superb (5th highest in the league), who cares whether they're there to see England players or not?

[phantom]

5 minutes ago, When the river runs said:

They will have barely any fans next year at the HPC . 

When you know you know 

Oops.. 

Clearly you don't 

 

[Eco]

1 minute ago, JBFC II said:

It's £8 a game isn't it?

Just for comparison, when Reading were relegated last season, theirs were £70 for adults and £35 for u12s for the season after.

An increase after relegation, to what will (I'd presume) be comfortably the most expensive season ticket in the league, feels quite bizarre

Yep my mistake, but even that seems reasonable.

[W-S-M Seagull]

4 minutes ago, When the river runs said:

Bring eyes to Bristol city women ?

They will have barely any fans next year at the HPC . 

All the plastics here this season to see the other teams .

Bang average and amateur down there.

When you know you know

Me and my son are men's season ticket holders. 

We only went along today because he asked me too because he supports Man City. We had some great banter between us ad he was cheering on Man City and I was cheering on us. You can't do that at a men's game. 

That was his first women's game. So what if he only wanted to go because we were playing Man City. Better than being out on the streets creating trouble. 

Don't know why you're letting this bother you. It has zero impact on your life. 

I actually found it refreshing seeing so many boys being really excited about watching a women's game. That is huge progress. 

 

[JBFC II]

3 minutes ago, phantom said:

Are you seriously moaning about a £5 increase? 

Perhaps you would be better to understand how much the club loses by playing at Ashton Gate 

Any sort of increase after relegation seems odd really.

Had we been relegated to league one this season, I heavily doubt people would have been happy with a 6.25% increase across the board

[phantom]

2 minutes ago, JBFC II said:

Any sort of increase after relegation seems odd really.

Had we been relegated to league one this season, I heavily doubt people would have been happy with a 6.25% increase across the board

I'd suggest that it's the funding required to stay at Ashton Gate 

[JBFC II]

Just now, phantom said:

I'd suggest that it's the funding required to stay at Ashton Gate 

Perhaps, I'd imagine there'll be a drop in season tickets next season anyway, so not sure how much of a difference that'll make.

It's also a £25 increase on their last championship season, which feels quite extortionate really

It just feels a bit odd to me, but I guess there's a reason I'm not in charge of these things!

7 minutes ago, When the river runs said:

How long have you been watching the ladies then ?

What does that have to do with anything? 

[JBFC II]

3 minutes ago, When the river runs said:

If they are playing at Ashton gate next year  , then I would doubt they actually make a profit from the games.

 

Likewise, I guess it's to increase attendances as much as possible. 2/3k watching them at AG would be way better than 1k at failand 

[JBFC II]

1 minute ago, When the river runs said:

I'd be surprised if they 2/3k in the championship even if they're giving tickets away.

 

Playing at AG I'd say it's very likely. Theyve been getting over 4k for the less Glamourous prem ties

[Nugget]

Went with my girls, been to a few games,  atmosphere is very different, much more friendly vibe, but feels a bit like a pop concert at times, but for the youngsters in the crowd it seemed to get them going.

Will probably get a season ticket as they are great value really for a nice day out & to support the club in a different way. Hopefully they back the team certainly brings more people out when some of the big name players are coming to town.

Actually prefer the female announcer to Downsy too, seems pretty knowledgeable. 

[shahanshahan]

2 hours ago, Back of the Dolman said:

For those of you with greater knowledge, do you see Lauren Smith as being the right coach to lead next seasons campaign?

I feel that (speaking purely as a fan here, not as a SC&T board member) Lauren has only been able to work with what resources she's been given.
I listened to the Gavin Marshall interview on the Forever Bristol City podcast where he admitted that the team have the smallest budget in the WSL.
I believe there has been more investment than last time in the WSL, but still not enough compared to all the other teams that have affiliations with Premier League clubs.

Overall, the performances have been a lot better for most games this season, despite the outcome. I would remember when Tanya Oxtoby was in charge and the team would sometimes be 3-0 or 4-0 down within 20/30 minutes. But tonight I was so impressed that we kept Man City to a 0-0 at half time.

Lauren's already proven her success in the Championship, but unfortunately only one team goes up to the WSL. And in this season, there was pretty much a five-horse race between Crystal Palace (eventual champions), Sunderland, Charlton Athletic, Southampton & Birmingham City. And with the likes of Newcastle & Portsmouth coming up to the Championship, it will be interesting.

Also depends on who stays & who goes over the summer (as well as who comes in).

The Fans Forum is happening this Wednesday evening at the SC&T Bar so fans have the opportunity to ask Lauren & Gavin themselves

Edited April 28 by shahanshahan

[shahanshahan]

Existing season ticket holders have until Monday May 20th to renew their seat.
https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/2024-25-city-women-season-ticket-faqs/

[Sleepy1968]

1 hour ago, Robbored said:

The only time I watch women’s football is when the England ladies are on TV.

I have never ever watched a women’s match ‘live’. However due the exposure our ladies get on the OS and local bulletins their results are kinda forced onto me.

I honestly couldn’t name one player from the women’s team.

I 100% believe that you never told us all this before.

In fact you spend so much time not telling us this, that I believe you don't have a squad poster stuck up on your bedroom wall.

[The Constant Rabbit]

@shahanshahan @phantom

 

As a matter of interest, how much do you guys think Lansdown needed to put in this season to sign 4 or 5 players good enough to just stay up?

 

It would be interesting to see that cost compared with the drop in TV revenue (I assume relegation = a drop), lower season ticket numbers, POTD crowds and concession sales during the game.

 

I don't think the gap will be that big - regardless, another baffling decision by our great overlord.

[Erithacus]

So, the glaringly inevitable has come to pass. No last-minute, last-gasp stunners. No death-defying feats nor miracles. The atmosphere around the Gate was familiar, helped in no small amount by a large away contingent (despite Man C men playing at the same time at Forest) as well as the familiar Lioness spotters. Even the drummers were somewhat more muted than usual. It was all so...typical.

I dare say the team were more than aware of the situation and perhaps had already come to terms with relegation but this season has been difficult to describe in any other words than miserable. A tale of what could have been, not what was. But that's the reality and now we have to start to focus on the Championship - from now.

We started in an unusual 4-5-1 out formation, with Powell on the bench and Layzell at fullback. That may have had some surprise factor but the way Man City worked around us was not. Given some reshaping with Shaw out, Chloe Kelly played as a 9 and Lauren Hemp tucked in tighter than normal. Kelly often dropped short to take the pass, allowing Hemp and Coombes to fill in behind, opening space. Mary Fowler, the Aussie star, was able to flit into spaces on the right. For the most part we worked hard and held our defensive shape well, particularly in the first half. However, if the visitors had their shooting boots on the half time score would not have stayed at 0-0. We kept our nerve but on the odd occasion when we nicked possession, we squandered it very quickly. The match stats tell their own story: 33% possession, 3 shots - 0 on target. The visitors were miles ahead in that department.

One recurring feature was Man C skipper Alex Greenwood strolling about from centre half, doing her Beckenbauer impersonation and taking the ball 40-odd yards from her own box to near ours - no-one came to greet her as we were all locked into our formation. Although it was something of a blinder that broke the spell (helped by more standing off), more goals soon flew in.

It's no use trying to find real positives from this season, now that we will drop down, but I think the real value of our time back in the WSL will be measured in the next few seasons. Doubtless some players (and perhaps coaches) will depart soon, but those that stay will hopefully be steeled with this experience. It may be time in the bank, earning a bit of interest over the long term. All we need to do in cash out properly. Next season is already looking rather tough, what with those large clubs at the top end being joined by Newcastle and Portsmouth. Whoever will end up on top of that pile will have deserved the title.

And so the wait until the last home game. And the wait to earn just a single point from our fixtures; what a turnaround from twelve months ago. I hear that the club is looking to retain the use of Ashton Gate next season - it will be a strong move if so. We do have something to be proud of here, and it will need some courage to stay with it, both fans and board.

[RedLionLad]

10 hours ago, Robbored said:

Our ladies aren’t strong enough for the WSL but too strong for the Championship and it’ll remain that way unless some serious investment is forthcoming.

Not a bad response from someone who has absolutely no interest in women's football.

[Nugget]

Will the team get parachute payments?

[Never to the dark side]

radio Bristol reporting that Bristol City woman will continue to  play at Ashton Gate stadium and not at the high performance center at Failland in the new season 2023/24

[Robbored]

5 hours ago, RedLionLad said:

Not a bad response from someone who has absolutely no interest in women's football.

Just based on their results RLL.

[1960maaan]

It's a sorry but inevitable end to the season. I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on the WSL or City team, I've only seen a few games and only went to one. The thing that appears to me is they look like they are playing damage limitation lately . The Man U home game, they were clearly better and dominated, but City seemed keener to win the ball and actually created chances. The last couple of times I've seen them they have been very passive in getting the ball back, marking space and just trying to block lines by sitting in. 
Ok , it took a great goal to make the break through yesterday, but anyone watching knew it was a matter of time. City barely laid a glove on Man C, again yes they are clearly better but it didn't look like we really wanted to attack , just in case.  TBF it may be end of season and they have been beaten down to some extent, but surely they should be trying to win games when 4 wins over a season keeps you up. 

Early in the season we seemed to stay in games , create a couple of chances and maybe just fall away. Lately it's looked like capitulation and no self belief at all . 
I may be being unfair as there is such a massive gap in class , but it just felt better organisation and intent may have bridged the quality gap a little. 

IMO , the next step would be getting together the best recruitment and scouting team we can. Try and get the gems early, trawl the lower Leagues  and build for the future as there is no guarantee we will go back up next year.