Not looking forward to Saturday

[pl00peh91]

Anyone else feel this way? I’ve not felt such little enthusiasm for seeing City live than I do on Saturday. I can’t really identify any players I’m actually looking forward to seeing and I don’t recall enjoying a game less than Sunday’s to be honest. The only hope is the fact that as our away form significantly worsens our home form has improved. I am hopeful that Saturday’s performance brings me out of my current malaise as I really am not looking forward to seeing another inept performance on Saturday, if it happens.

[TonyTonyTony]

Derby looked pretty tasty the other night, so im kinda glad we are out Xmas Shopping. Says it all really

[Fordy62]

We’ve all felt like this in the past, but time heals and we forget just how bad we felt under SOD, McInnes, LJ, Holden, it’s nothing new. Just look forward to the future when you’ll have forgotten how bad it used to be and you’ll be ready to have another bout ‘never having felt so detached from the club’. It’s called the City circle of life. 

[GrahamC]

Thanks for sharing.

[Lanterne Rouge]

I`m still undecided whether to come up or not TBH. The weather forecast is pretty crap and for me as a self-employed bloke it`s my busy weekend for invoicing and on top of that it`s the end of a VAT quarter. Can I justify spending all day Saturday going up to Bristol and back? There was a time when there would be no question, I`d be there, but now, I really don`t know.

[steveybadger]

Don’t worry me and the lad are going and we haven’t seen us lose this season!•
 

•only 2 games but whatever

[Fordy62]

12 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

I`m still undecided whether to come up or not TBH. The weather forecast is pretty crap and for me as a self-employed bloke it`s my busy weekend for invoicing and on top of that it`s the end of a VAT quarter. Can I justify spending all day Saturday going up to Bristol and back? There was a time when there would be no question, I`d be there, but now, I really don`t know.

The answer is take more cash. 

[RedRoss]

Watching the team you support does come with the ups and downs emotionally. We've not only had crap results but the way we play is not great currently and hasn't been for a very long time. We can only hope for determination and grit and not much else apart from academy youngsters getting a chance as of right now as a positive. That being said to enjoy the ups you do have to ensure the downside of football.

[pl00peh91]

34 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Thanks for sharing.

You would make an excellent therapist

[1960maaan]

I enjoy meeting mates, it's been a while since I looked forward to a game though.

 

 

[glynriley]

49 minutes ago, pl00peh91 said:

Anyone else feel this way? I’ve not felt such little enthusiasm for seeing City live than I do on Saturday. I can’t really identify any players I’m actually looking forward to seeing and I don’t recall enjoying a game less than Sunday’s to be honest. The only hope is the fact that as our away form significantly worsens our home form has improved. I am hopeful that Saturday’s performance brings me out of my current malaise as I really am not looking forward to seeing another inept performance on Saturday, if it happens.

The beauty of football and particularly following City is you just never know. 

Last Wednesday as I received more and more text’s from our group of ST holders, crying off for a variety of reasons, I was sorely tempted to give it a swerve and watch it on the box. 

In the end I dragged myself down there and thoroughly enjoyed it. Keep the faith. 

[Clevedon Red]

I’ve given up going down to be entertained so see this as a way of chewing the cud with friends instead.

[Bristol Oil Services]

41 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Thanks for sharing.

 

6 minutes ago, pl00peh91 said:

You would make an excellent therapist

But if the "client" was g4s? Or something to do with Preston/Cardiff? Or unfamiliar with the work of Andy Partridge? Or an iffy Championship ref/lino recently abused at Ashton Gate struggling with his feelings??

What if Tony Pulis himself approached GrahamC, therapist, with some traumatic difficulty seeking empathy and containment?

 

[Red Army 75]

We are absolutely dire to watch at the moment. And good times seem quite distant. But always love waking up on a match day getting down the boozer for a few ciders and a laugh with the lads. Then hopefully see the City win. Can’t see me stopping anytime soon even if we go down 

[Sleepy1968]

In my 45ish years of supporting City I've taken two breaks - about 4-5 seasons total football missed. Sometimes enough is enough. If you need a break take it - you'll know when you want to come back.

[GrahamC]

33 minutes ago, Moments of Pleasure said:

 

But if the "client" was g4s? Or something to do with Preston/Cardiff? Or unfamiliar with the work of Andy Partridge? Or an iffy Championship ref/lino recently abused at Ashton Gate struggling with his feelings??

What if Tony Pulis himself approached GrahamC, therapist, with some traumatic difficulty seeking empathy and containment?

 

You do me a disservice Mr. H, I have had numerous g4s work for me over the years & trust me, I have been scrupulously fair with (nearly) all of them.

Incredibly many are totally unfamiliar with the work of Swindon’s answer to Brian Wilson, but let’s face it, that’s their loss..

I doubt Mr. Pulis would do any such thing, as he’s far too busy with his selfless charity work that he occasionally remembers to mention in his interviews..

[22A]

Going back forty years, having seen Derby win 2-0 in November, did any attend the cup game eight weeks later expecting anything other than a defeat?

Edited December 1, 2021 by 22A

[Red-Robbo]

3 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

 

Incredibly many are totally unfamiliar with the work of Swindon’s answer to Brian Wilson, but let’s face it, that’s their loss..

 

Andy Partridge played right-back??

[Bristol Oil Services]

30 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

You do me a disservice Mr. H, I have had numerous g4s work for me over the years & trust me, I have been scrupulously fair with (nearly) all of them.

Incredibly many are totally unfamiliar with the work of Swindon’s answer to Brian Wilson, but let’s face it, that’s their loss..

I doubt Mr. Pulis would do any such thing, as he’s far too busy with his selfless charity work that he occasionally remembers to mention in his interviews..

"Numerous" g4s? You sure??

[GrahamC]

36 minutes ago, Moments of Pleasure said:

"Numerous" g4s? You sure??

Worked in Fishponds in the Francis era..

[bpexile]

I gave up going to games in 1970 when I came to OZ, I've seen a few games on visits to the UK but just cannot get BCFC out of my system, once you're hooked that's it. I used to get very nervous when we play the lowly teams that are fighting for existence in the league because our record against them has been dire to say the least.

NOW I just get get nervous before EVERY game for the same reasons, but hey............................................... nothing lasts forever.

It will get better, C'mon City.

Edited December 1, 2021 by bpexile

[Roadrunner]

Being a City fan for over 65 years most Saturdays and Tuesdays during the season starts of with hope. By kick off time and for the next 90+ minutes its always a roller coaster. If we end up losing, that ruins my weekend. I do not watch Quest that night. Indeed when we lost to Brighton in the play off final in Cardiff, that depressed me for a whole 12 months. If we draw, well its better than losing. I get to that state by Sunday mornings. But if we win than I fill positive, happy and look forward to the next match building up that hope to a higher level, etc etc. So going back to the main question after the Sheffield United result. No i am not looking forward to the Derby match.

[Sleepy1968]

46 minutes ago, bpexile said:

I gave up going to games in 1970 when I came to OZ, I've seen a few games on visits to the UK but just cannot get BCFC out of my system, once you're hooked that's it. I used to get very nervous when we play the lowly teams that are fighting for existence in the league because our record against them has been dire to say the least.

NOW I just get get nervous before EVERY game for the same reasons, but hey............................................... nothing lasts forever.

It will get better, C'mon City.

I imagine our afternoon games happening during the early hour in oz, Do you get to catch many games 'live' e.g. streaming video/audio or text alerts? If not, is that the first thing you catch up with, apart from maybe having an urgent tinkle, when you wake up on a Sunday morning?

[bpexile]

7 minutes ago, Sleepy1968 said:

I imagine our afternoon games happening during the early hour in oz, Do you get to catch many games 'live' e.g. streaming video/audio or text alerts? If not, is that the first thing you catch up with, apart from maybe having an urgent tinkle, when you wake up on a Sunday morning?

Now we are on to summer time & the UK is back onto winter time the game times are mainly either very late night (11:30pm +) or approx 6am, depending on which state you live in the clocks vary. I used to have my mobile along side the bed with the alerts on but I began to either lose too much sleep or have nightmares . I now gingerly turn on the phone & follow the progress of the game, I just can't help myself, as I said once hooked that's it forever.

Nice to hear from you Sleepy 

[ashton_fan]

We're going to be missing our key midfielders again, with too many of the young players there in their absence we know we get overrun by other teams so Nige has got to think of something different, eg play Viner there and revert to a back four, and maybe try and make use of Simpson somehow, it might not work out but there's no point in picking the same as the last game as we know what will happen.

[ralphindevon]

I always feel the good times/games/moments are so much more enjoyable when you’ve got a bunch of dreadful games under your belt.

As for choosing between going to football or Christmas shopping? Do me a favour.

I think all those games behind closed doors taught us it’s not just about the match itself, it’s the mates, drinks, crowd, banter that goes with it and that’s still there.

[pillred]

4 hours ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

I`m still undecided whether to come up or not TBH. The weather forecast is pretty crap and for me as a self-employed bloke it`s my busy weekend for invoicing and on top of that it`s the end of a VAT quarter. Can I justify spending all day Saturday going up to Bristol and back? There was a time when there would be no question, I`d be there, but now, I really don`t know.

The forecast is dry moderate breeze light cloud around 8 degrees hardly crap so can't really be used as an excuse the fact we have been very underwhelming and p*ss poor pretty well for the past 10 months well there I can't argue with you.

[Waconda]

4 hours ago, Fordy62 said:

We’ve all felt like this in the past, but time heals and we forget just how bad we felt under SOD, McInnes, LJ, Holden, it’s nothing new. Just look forward to the future when you’ll have forgotten how bad it used to be and you’ll be ready to have another bout ‘never having felt so detached from the club’. It’s called the City circle of life. 

Throughout my 47 years of watching and supporting Bristol City this is without doubt the least entertaining football I have ever witnessed. 

Dull, disorganised and at times almost comical.

There was a spark of hope in the Blackburn win, with the change of formation and an actual game plan, lets hope Saturday is the same.

[Waconda]

3 hours ago, 22A said:

Going back forty years, having seen Derby win 2-0 in November, did any attend the cup game eight weeks later expecting anything other than a defeat?

I was at the FA Cup game. 

[BS4 on Tour...]

5 hours ago, Fordy62 said:

We’ve all felt like this in the past, but time heals and we forget just how bad we felt under SOD, McInnes, LJ, Holden, it’s nothing new. Just look forward to the future when you’ll have forgotten how bad it used to be and you’ll be ready to have another bout ‘never having felt so detached from the club’. It’s called the City circle of life. 

1980 - 1982 makes those eras seem highly successful - thank God there wasn’t an online Forum when we plummeted from the top division in England to the bottom of division 4 ... but we are still here and we are still right behind them - a bit of perspective is probably needed - yes the fans’ expectations are soooo different now but we are currently competing in the fifth best division in the world and we are doing ok - don’t give up on our club  just yet ...

[Pezo]

12 minutes ago, VT05763 said:

Throughout my 47 years of watching and supporting Bristol City this is without doubt the least entertaining football I have ever witnessed. 

Dull, disorganised and at times almost comical.

There was a spark of hope in the Blackburn win, with the change of formation and an actual game plan, lets hope Saturday is the same.

I have watched for 30 years and can think of 2 times it's been worse than this off the top of my head - Pulis, SOD.

This is probably equal to D McI, Millen, Tinnion, Holden, Benny.

[Waconda]

4 minutes ago, Pezo said:

I have watched for 30 years and can think of 2 times it's been worse than this off the top of my head - Pulis, SOD.

This is probably equal to D McI, Millen, Tinnion, Holden, Benny.

Pulis was close but not SOD (but may be clouded by the Rovers win !)

 

Edited December 1, 2021 by VT05763

[hollydog]

5 hours ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

I`m still undecided whether to come up or not TBH. The weather forecast is pretty crap and for me as a self-employed bloke it`s my busy weekend for invoicing and on top of that it`s the end of a VAT quarter. Can I justify spending all day Saturday going up to Bristol and back? There was a time when there would be no question, I`d be there, but now, I really don`t know.

Ditto. I am Devon based as I think are you.

[RedRock]

Horrible times.

We’ve done the change of manager, the CEO, backroom staff. Had the ‘new’ stadium, training ground. The local mega-rich owner. Even the marquee signings. 

The players are dire and the play equally so.

Surely two players can form a playing partnership, link and understand each others play. Something, anything, on which we can start to develop some teamwork, patterns of play and identity. Is that such a big ask?

It just seems such chaotic, random rubbish, mainly from half-arsed or made of glass players. 

 

In the past, even at the bottom of the 4th division, there was hope that something, on or off field, could trigger a change of fortunes. We just seem in a tailspin at the moment and no idea of how to get out of it. 

[hollydog]

5 hours ago, Fordy62 said:

We’ve all felt like this in the past, but time heals and we forget just how bad we felt under SOD, McInnes, LJ, Holden, it’s nothing new. Just look forward to the future when you’ll have forgotten how bad it used to be and you’ll be ready to have another bout ‘never having felt so detached from the club’. It’s called the City circle of life. 

I get that but from a personal basis (and I’ve been watching since 71 this feels an unusually grim/ grey period. Perhaps it’s just my age!

[mozo]

I always look forward to City games and always have that daft hope that the next one could be the turning point!

[zippycar]

1 hour ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

1980 - 1982 makes those eras seem highly successful - thank God there wasn’t an online Forum when we plummeted from the top division in England to the bottom of division 4 ... but we are still here and we are still right behind them - a bit of perspective is probably needed - yes the fans’ expectations are soooo different now but we are currently competing in the fifth best division in the world and we are doing ok - don’t give up on our club  just yet ...

Are we still one of only two teams (believe Huddersfield were the other) that have plumited through all leagues (from 1 to 4) in consecutive seasons?

[Oh Louie louie]

Pulis signing beadle was a dark dark day.

Then the clown, said signing marcus browning could turn our season around.

He was about 14 stone, playing for bouremouth reserves.

[weepywall]

5 hours ago, zippycar said:

Are we still one of only two teams (believe Huddersfield were the other) that have plumited through all leagues (from 1 to 4) in consecutive seasons?

Us and Wolves I believe.

[RedRock]

Wasn’t it Swansea?

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

1 hour ago, weepywall said:

Us and Wolves I believe.

along with Nicky Hunt?

[Sir Geoff]

Ten days or so since the Stoke game, seems an eternity. Damned right I can't wait to get back down the 'Gate. Looking forward to it already. COYR

[One Team]

8 hours ago, Pezo said:

I have watched for 30 years and can think of 2 times it's been worse than this off the top of my head - Pulis, SOD.

This is probably equal to D McI, Millen, Tinnion, Holden, Benny.

Absolutely spot on!

Anyone saying this is the worst ever either has a short memory or has only watched City since the SC era. 

SOD’s period was definitely worse and Pulis THE worst for me. Not only was the Pulis era horrendous football but the atmosphere was poisonous every game, much of it personal and the feeling in the end was mutual!

It will take something to beat that; Joey Barton taking us to the National League perhaps!

[Oh Louie louie]

The fanzine, did a spread i recall when pulis left.

Thankyou portsmouth fc.

Then went on to warn them,dont expect to see passing football.

They wouldnt have him there neither.

[Clutton Caveman]

16 hours ago, RedRoss said:

Watching the team you support does come with the ups and downs emotionally. We've not only had crap results but the way we play is not great currently and hasn't been for a very long time. We can only hope for determination and grit and not much else apart from academy youngsters getting a chance as of right now as a positive. That being said to enjoy the ups you do have to ensure the downside of football.

Problem is the downs don't normally last this long

[Guest]

10 hours ago, Oh Louie louie said:

Pulis signing beadle was a dark dark day.

Then the clown, said signing marcus browning could turn our season around.

He was about 14 stone, playing for bouremouth reserves.

No way! Beadle scoring for us against the gash was one of my favourite football moments

[DaveF]

22 hours ago, pl00peh91 said:

Anyone else feel this way? I’ve not felt such little enthusiasm for seeing City live than I do on Saturday. I can’t really identify any players I’m actually looking forward to seeing and I don’t recall enjoying a game less than Sunday’s to be honest. The only hope is the fact that as our away form significantly worsens our home form has improved. I am hopeful that Saturday’s performance brings me out of my current malaise as I really am not looking forward to seeing another inept performance on Saturday, if it happens.

Surely you're excited for the OTIB meltdown if we lose?

[Waffleflap]

I haven't been anywhere near the ground since Lees second season. Got to the point where the piss up was the only thing that excited me and I got bored with that. I don't miss it one bit. Listen to it on the radio these days 

[Curr Avon]

On 01/12/2021 at 17:37, pl00peh91 said:

Anyone else feel this way? I’ve not felt such little enthusiasm for seeing City live than I do on Saturday. I can’t really identify any players I’m actually looking forward to seeing and I don’t recall enjoying a game less than Sunday’s to be honest. The only hope is the fact that as our away form significantly worsens our home form has improved. I am hopeful that Saturday’s performance brings me out of my current malaise as I really am not looking forward to seeing another inept performance on Saturday, if it happens.

 

[richyy66]

As much as the football is pretty uninspiring at the moment i still enjoy the day out.

Gives me a bit of time with my son and a chance to have a catch up with him. Supported City for many years, we have had worse.

Come on you reds...

 

[ZiderEyed]

Be Zen.

City were good against Reading? Maybe.

City were shit against Sheffield United? Maybe.

City are shit? Maybe.

It's constantly in flux. It's the only way I can cope. 

[Andy082005]

On 01/12/2021 at 17:37, pl00peh91 said:

Anyone else feel this way? I’ve not felt such little enthusiasm for seeing City live than I do on Saturday. I can’t really identify any players I’m actually looking forward to seeing and I don’t recall enjoying a game less than Sunday’s to be honest. The only hope is the fact that as our away form significantly worsens our home form has improved. I am hopeful that Saturday’s performance brings me out of my current malaise as I really am not looking forward to seeing another inept performance on Saturday, if it happens.

Yep. Dreading Saturday if I’m honest …

….not because of the football. But because I’m getting married  

[Swede]

I can see Derby escaping. I think we're in for a difficult match and I can't see anything other than a defeat.

Four points taken off the top two in the division commands respect.

[Red-Robbo]

13 hours ago, Andy082005 said:

Yep. Dreading Saturday if I’m honest …

….not because of the football. But because I’m getting married  

 

I remember about a decade plus ago seeing a bride, groom and full wedding party (all togged up appropriately) watching a game in the old East End. 

Why not go down the Gate after the service, with new Mrs 082005?   Combine two terrifying ordeals on one day!

[bcfcredandwhite]

On 01/12/2021 at 22:48, VT05763 said:

Throughout my 47 years of watching and supporting Bristol City this is without doubt the least entertaining football I have ever witnessed. 

Dull, disorganised and at times almost comical.

There was a spark of hope in the Blackburn win, with the change of formation and an actual game plan, lets hope Saturday is the same.

I feel similar to this. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's the worst EVER, but it's pretty close. 

To think - a few seasons ago we were all frustrated and upset because we slipped out of the top 6 playing boring football. 

Ah well, it looks like Nigel might achieve in his first full season what LJ failed to do in all his 5 year tenure - take us out of the Championship!!!!! 

Edited December 3, 2021 by bcfcredandwhite
add words

[GrahamC]

14 hours ago, Swede said:

I can see Derby escaping. I think we're in for a difficult match and I can't see anything other than a defeat.

Four points taken off the top two in the division commands respect.

Escaping? 

They are currently 19 points adrift of 4th bottom having gained 22 points from 20 games.

If they continue with their current form they will end up with 51 points, 21 of which are already deducted.

Absolutely ******* delusional, they will need to get around 70 points to stay up, so need 49 more from 26 games. That’s top 3 form, they have only won 4 games all season.

Edited December 3, 2021 by GrahamC

[Supersonic Robin]

13 hours ago, Swede said:

I can see Derby escaping. I think we're in for a difficult match and I can't see anything other than a defeat.

Four points taken off the top two in the division commands respect.

Escaping relegation you mean? That will take a hell of an effort - we're roughly half way through the season and Derby are currently 19 points from safety.

Derby's underlying numbers are pretty poor this season too - they're performing at the standard of a team in a relegation battle. Note that even without the points deduction they'd be below us in the table.

Credit to Derby for the fight and spirit they've shown in recent weeks, but they're still not a great side.

Obviously we're not in a great place ourselves (especially with the midfield injuries), but really I don't think it's a game we should be expecting to lose,

 

[The Swan and Cemetery]

For me it’s nothing like the worst I’ve seen, started watching during Dicks Div 2 days and whilst vaguely depressing that the highlight of my football watching times was right at the start, there have been many worse periods than now (that lots have highlighted on this thread). Feels like recency bias to see this as being so awful compared with the past.

With a few key players fit think we’re solid mid table, accepting it maybe tricky to get those players fit (at least consistently). When we’ve had King and James on the pitch, we’ve generally looked solid if unspectacular, with Williams, think we’ve looked pretty good. Interesting lesson in what’s needed in central midfield (simplistically, obvs individual ability quite important!):

preferred: experience and athleticism (mid/late twenties - Williams)

next best: experience (James/King)

least valuable: youthful exuberance (Bakinson/Massengo - albeit get that exuberance and TB may not be synonymous)

Personally would prioritise centre mid in Jan if we can afford to get anything done, as think that’s consistently the area that’s the problem when we’re awful. 
 

Back on topic, not a million miles off being average in annals of the football I’ve watched, currently poor (way too inconsistent), but nowhere near the worst. 

[Davefevs]

15 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Escaping? 

They are currently 19 points adrift of 4th bottom having gained 22 points from 20 games.

If they continue with their current form they will end up with 51 points, 21 of which are already deducted.

Absolutely ******* delusional, they will need to get around 70 points to stay up, so need 49 more from 26 games. That’s top 3 form, they have only won 4 games all season.

12 minutes ago, Supersonic Robin said:

Escaping relegation you mean? That will take a hell of an effort - we're roughly half way through the season and Derby are currently 19 points from safety.

Derby's underlying numbers are pretty poor this season too - they're performing at the standard of a team in a relegation battle. Note that even without the points deduction they'd be below us in the table.

Credit to Derby for the fight and spirit they've shown in recent weeks, but they're still not a great side.

Obviously we're not in a great place ourselves (especially with the midfield injuries), but really I don't think it's a game we should be expecting to lose,

 

Tomorrow will be a tough game, but w/o a points deduction they would still be below us presently, on 22 pts.  As you both say, they aren’t chugging along like QPR and a promotion chasing team had they not been penalised points.  They are a bottom 6/8 team.

 

[GrahamC]

Just now, Davefevs said:

Tomorrow will be a tough game, but w/o a points deduction they would still be below us presently, on 22 pts.  As you both say, they aren’t chugging along like QPR and a promotion chasing team had they not been penalised points.  They are a bottom 6/8 team.

 

Agree it will be tough & Rooney has done a decent job of getting a competitive side on the pitch from the many out of contract players that trained with them pre season but the lack of perspective on here at times is baffling.

I genuinely can’t see Barnsley or Peterborough overtaking us & have seen far worse sides (& football) than the current one but feel like I enter a parallel universe on here sometimes.

[Davefevs]

Just now, GrahamC said:

Agree it will be tough & Rooney has done a decent job of getting a competitive side on the pitch from the many out of contract players that trained with them pre season but the lack of perspective on here at times is baffling.

I genuinely can’t see Barnsley or Peterborough overtaking us & have seen far worse sides (& football) than the current one but feel like I enter a parallel universe on here sometimes.

….and yet Pearson is the spawn of Satan () for what he’s done.

I take a look at Derby’s squad and think people give them too much sympathy.  Is it a worse squad than ours?  You could argue it’s better, more players in the prime age group (25-30), youngsters further into their development curve than ours (Knight, Sibley, Bird, Buchanan).  It highlights how weak our “squad” has become.

[ExiledAjax]

Baker, Williams, James and King all still out (the latter two "joined in team warm-ups this week" but won't be in the 18 tomorrow). 4 senior players, 3 of whom would be in the starting XI every week when fit, plus King who I thought was pretty good in the early season and would certainly be in the 18 every week. Going to be a tough game tomorrow.

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

more players in the prime age group (25-30)

I said in pre-season I was concerned over the very small number of players we have in this age bracket. It's poor of us to have planned a squad that would so clearly be defective in this area. Nagy and Fam leaving in the summer hurt us here, although obviously both had reasons for leaving beyond just "City want them out". It's more that we didn't/couldn't replace them with players of the same age/experience. Both are doing ok at their new clubs. Fam has his standard 1 in 3 goals per game (4 in 12), and Nagy has played in 12 of the 14 Serie B games he's been eligible for. I'm not saying we should not have let them go, but it's the lack of replacements that is disappointing.

Is Derby's squad better than ours? Looking at the ages on transfermarkt, it's actually pretty similar.

They have 7 players over 30, 4 of whom are 35 or over. We have 4, all below 35.

In the 25 - 30 bracket they have 6, and we have 8, and for both clubs two of these are goalkeepers, so about equal in terms of outfield potential, and you could even argue we actually edge it.

Then we have 12 under 25, and they have 12. They've got 6 20 year olds and two teenagers, we have one 20 year old, two teenagers, and 4 23 year olds.

So really, I kind of contest your claim that they have more players in that prime age range. I think both clubs are deficient there, and both have more players than is ideal in the early 20's and 30's 

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

youngsters further into their development curve than ours (Knight, Sibley, Bird, Buchanan).

I don't know enough here really, but from a quick check on transfermarkt I can see that all four  of these named lads have a substantial number of Championship minutes over the past three seasons. Knight and Bird in particular have racked up 6,000 and 5,000 respectively, which for guys who are 20 and 21, is a lot, and it's 30 - 40% more than players of similar ages that we have such as HNM (4,000 mins) and Semenyo (3,000 mins). You have to look at our 23/24 year olds like Dasilva, Bakinson and Williams to find players with similar numbers.

So I guess here they do have an advantage, although their young players are generally a couple of years younger than ours, they tend to actually have more league minutes under their belts.

It's an intriguing match up tomorrow, two reasonably similar squads, drawn along similar lines IMO. I think that on our day and with a fair wind behind us, we can get the win, but it's not going to be comfortable.

 

[Davefevs]

16 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Baker, Williams, James and King all still out (the latter two "joined in team warm-ups this week" but won't be in the 18 tomorrow). 4 senior players, 3 of whom would be in the starting XI every week when fit, plus King who I thought was pretty good in the early season and would certainly be in the 18 every week. Going to be a tough game tomorrow.

I said in pre-season I was concerned over the very small number of players we have in this age bracket. It's poor of us to have planned a squad that would so clearly be defective in this area. Nagy and Fam leaving in the summer hurt us here, although obviously both had reasons for leaving beyond just "City want them out". It's more that we didn't/couldn't replace them with players of the same age/experience. Both are doing ok at their new clubs. Fam has his standard 1 in 3 goals per game (4 in 12), and Nagy has played in 12 of the 14 Serie B games he's been eligible for. I'm not saying we should not have let them go, but it's the lack of replacements that is disappointing.

Is Derby's squad better than ours? Looking at the ages on transfermarkt, it's actually pretty similar.

They have 7 players over 30, 4 of whom are 35 or over. We have 4, all below 35.

In the 25 - 30 bracket they have 6, and we have 8, and for both clubs two of these are goalkeepers, so about equal in terms of outfield potential, and you could even argue we actually edge it.

Then we have 12 under 25, and they have 12. They've got 6 20 year olds and two teenagers, we have one 20 year old, two teenagers, and 4 23 year olds.

So really, I kind of contest your claim that they have more players in that prime age range. I think both clubs are deficient there, and both have more players than is ideal in the early 20's and 30's 

I don't know enough here really, but from a quick check on transfermarkt I can see that all four  of these named lads have a substantial number of Championship minutes over the past three seasons. Knight and Bird in particular have racked up 6,000 and 5,000 respectively, which for guys who are 20 and 21, is a lot, and it's 30 - 40% more than players of similar ages that we have such as HNM (4,000 mins) and Semenyo (3,000 mins). You have to look at our 23/24 year olds like Dasilva, Bakinson and Williams to find players with similar numbers.

So I guess here they do have an advantage, although their young players are generally a couple of years younger than ours, they tend to actually have more league minutes under their belts.

It's an intriguing match up tomorrow, two reasonably similar squads, drawn along similar lines IMO. I think that on our day and with a fair wind behind us, we can get the win, but it's not going to be comfortable.

 

Yeah, I sorted the Derby squad on matches started to kinda show that their starting eleven is usually better balanced across the experience range than ours.  If Palmer, Williams, O’Dowda started every games our age “profile” this season would’ve looked different.

As above, not very scientific from me, but definitely not a squad where we should feel sorry for them, or think they are doing amazingly well with the resources.

I quickly knocked this up.

 

[ExiledAjax]

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

If Palmer, Williams, O’Dowda started every games our age “profile” this season would’ve looked different.

Sure, and each has their reasons for not starting every game. No idea what Derby's injury situation has been over the season - transfermarkt says they have a single injury atm, Bielik with a torn knee

6 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

As above, not very scientific from me, but definitely not a squad where we should feel sorry for them, or think they are doing amazingly well with the resources.

God no, no way do I feel sorry for them. Like us the Club/ownership have got them into this situation where they have an unbalanced squad and lack the resources - or more accurately the leeway to spend the resources needed - to correct it. They of course differ from us as they are under transfer restrictions, an agreed EFL Budget, and have the relegation-shaped sword of Damocles hanging above them - but again, that's all Derby County/Mel Morris' fault and so they can go and swivel on that very same sword once it inevitably falls.

Dear god I hope we win tomorrow.

[mozo]

8 hours ago, GrahamC said:

Escaping? 

They are currently 19 points adrift of 4th bottom having gained 22 points from 20 games.

If they continue with their current form they will end up with 51 points, 21 of which are already deducted.

Absolutely ******* delusional, they will need to get around 70 points to stay up, so need 49 more from 26 games. That’s top 3 form, they have only won 4 games all season.

The big question though is...if we beat Derby, are we certain to not finish bottom?! It's 50/50, no?