On This Day 2015

[Port Said Red]

https://youtu.be/wu4aAteLWGc

When you consider the relevant positions of the teams and what was at stake, surely this was one of the best performances ever by a City team and for any team at that level.

So often teams needing to win to obtain promotion exhibit nerves and stumble across the line, but this group were at it from the off.

 

 

Edited April 14, 2022 by Port Said Red

[Fordy62]

A manager who deserved more than he got. Followed by a manager who got more than he deserved. 

And here we are. 

[Port Said Red]

40 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

A manager who deserved more than he got. Followed by a manager who got more than he deserved. 

And here we are. 

I disagree with both statements but I posted this to cheer people up, not to rake over the coals of a long dead argument.

Edited April 14, 2022 by Port Said Red

[headhunter]

16 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

 

 A manager who deserved more than he got. Followed by a manager who got more than he deserved. 

That is so, so true

[Carey 6]

25 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

A manager who deserved more than he got. Followed by a manager who got more than he deserved. 

And here we are. 

You had to didn’t you?

What a squad, what a manager. 

Probably the best away day I’ve had following City. 

Also, is that video only available in 360p? Shocking.

 

[Super]

Quite sad watching that. Yes we are in a higher position now but a million miles away from how good that was. Depressing times.

[Fordy62]

39 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

I disagree with both statements but I posted this to cheer people up, not to rake over the coals of a long dead argument.

Sorry mate. It just makes me cross!

[Norn Iron]

5 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

Sorry mate. It just makes me cross!

I wish a couple of players could!

[HoldenBall]

Can’t help when I think about the 2014-2015 season how we totally ****** up our return to the championship by going for players way out of our league and not just adding to our squad sensibly. Our greatest momentum we’ve ever had ****** up the Bristol city way. 

[Sheltons Army]

4 minutes ago, HoldenBall said:

Can’t help when I think about the 2014-2015 season how we totally ****** up our return to the championship by going for players way out of our league and not just adding to our squad sensibly. Our greatest momentum we’ve ever had ****** up the Bristol city way. 

I disagree

Our momentum into the Championship , with that trim and talented squad , was the hottest it’s ever been 

Burt and SCs recruitment was fantastic , even the loanees and the plan to bring in some quality to add to that squad was IMO absolutely the right one

McGuire and Gray were not unrealistic at that point in their careers , and it was IMO the right plan to maintain the momentum

SL has made two massive mistakes , amongst many , during his ownership , in not backing managers at the right time

#1 Not backing GJ post Plymouth ( I would have backed GJ and told the players if they wanted out , they could do go )

#2 Not recognising the job SC had done , and his and KBs record on recruitment , right before his eyes , and the momentum and golden opportunity we had

 It was a time , particularly for a ‘intelligent businessman’ , to put aside any personality differences and back , and ride , on the back of what SC was doing - It was time for Bristol City to show some ambition and push the boat out 

We actually have dabble with ‘pushing the boat out’ at times , but regularly the wrong times

When there was a shining bright ‘right time’ we didn’t and ****** up.

 

Ive said on many occasions , the **** up and breakdown of relations with SC , and the subsequent appointment of LJ as a Personal Project , (And the gradual stall and subsequent decline to our current state)  rather than a astute footballing one , was

The missed opportunity of an era

For SL , The Club , and for all of us fans

 

[Davefevs]

22 minutes ago, HoldenBall said:

Can’t help when I think about the 2014-2015 season how we totally ****** up our return to the championship by going for players way out of our league and not just adding to our squad sensibly. Our greatest momentum we’ve ever had ****** up the Bristol city way. 

Out of interest, who?

The only one I can think of is Dwight Gayle.

Gray and Maguire weren’t unrealistic, they were allegedly done deals.

That season we signed PL Baker, L.Moore on loan.  We signed Fredericks from PL. 

Later in the season we signed Tomlin and Odemwingie on loan.

We had momentum.  Those signings showed the others that didn’t happen weren’t unrealistic. 

[Waconda]

A team that was more than the sum of it's parts.

Players where signed to fit the system, 

Dynamic and detailed coaching.

There was an actual game plan and style of play.

Motivated players enjoying their jobs.

Entertaining/attacking football.

The stuff that dreams are made of.

[Sturny]

I miss Wade Elliot. Remember his goal vs MKDons? I think the closest we've come to fill his boots was Brownhill. 

Also I have absolutely no idea why we didn't sign James Tavernier after his loan here. 

Edited April 14, 2022 by Sturny

[CheddarReds]

Every week we turned up expecting to comfortably win the game in style. What a great season.

[GrahamC]

45 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Out of interest, who?

The only one I can think of is Dwight Gayle.

Gray and Maguire weren’t unrealistic, they were allegedly done deals.

That season we signed PL Baker, L.Moore on loan.  We signed Fredericks from PL. 

Later in the season we signed Tomlin and Odemwingie on loan.

We had momentum.  Those signings showed the others that didn’t happen weren’t unrealistic. 

Jesse Lingard presumably?

Obvious in hindsight but it started to go badly wrong in the following close season, apart from signing Kodjia no one else arrived until the season was upon us & rumours of interference by Pelling (who left not long after) in done deals, was a disaster.

I like Cotts a lot, wish he had been better backed but would also acknowledge that his record at Championship level across a number of clubs isn’t great.

The point about Wade Elliott is spot on, next time someone says don’t sign a bloke well into his 30s, just mention him & Wilbs, one size definitely doesn’t fit all.

[skinheadface]

What a night, what a season.

[Red Exile]

Great night. So glad to have been there. One of the most joyous City occasions I can recall. Perfection!

[One Team]

3 hours ago, Fordy62 said:

A manager who deserved more than he got. Followed by a manager who got more than he deserved. 

And here we are. 

Absolutely, well said. League Cup run aside SL’s nepotism and ignorance has seen us decline ever since. 

We can’t change the past of course but always feels like a sliding doors moment, albeit consequential. 

[The Wild Bunch]

2 hours ago, Sheltons Army said:

I disagree

Our momentum into the Championship , with that trim and talented squad , was the hottest it’s ever been 

Burt and SCs recruitment was fantastic , even the loanees and the plan to bring in some quality to add to that squad was IMO absolutely the right one

McGuire and Gray were not unrealistic at that point in their careers , and it was IMO the right plan to maintain the momentum

SL has made two massive mistakes , amongst many , during his ownership , in not backing managers at the right time

#1 Not backing GJ post Plymouth ( I would have backed GJ and told the players if they wanted out , they could do go )

#2 Not recognising the job SC had done , and his and KBs record on recruitment , right before his eyes , and the momentum and golden opportunity we had

 It was a time , particularly for a ‘intelligent businessman’ , to put aside any personality differences and back , and ride , on the back of what SC was doing - It was time for Bristol City to show some ambition and push the boat out 

We actually have dabble with ‘pushing the boat out’ at times , but regularly the wrong times

When there was a shining bright ‘right time’ we didn’t and ****** up.

 

Ive said on many occasions , the **** up and breakdown of relations with SC , and the subsequent appointment of LJ as a Personal Project , (And the gradual stall and subsequent decline to our current state)  rather than a astute footballing one , was

The missed opportunity of an era

For SL , The Club , and for all of us fans

 

Totally agree.

[The Wild Bunch]

2 hours ago, Waconda said:

A team that was more than the sum of it's parts.

Players where signed to fit the system, 

Dynamic and detailed coaching.

There was an actual game plan and style of play.

Motivated players enjoying their jobs.

Entertaining/attacking football.

The stuff that dreams are made of.

Great at set pieces!

[One Team]

2 hours ago, Sheltons Army said:

I disagree

Our momentum into the Championship , with that trim and talented squad , was the hottest it’s ever been 

Burt and SCs recruitment was fantastic , even the loanees and the plan to bring in some quality to add to that squad was IMO absolutely the right one

McGuire and Gray were not unrealistic at that point in their careers , and it was IMO the right plan to maintain the momentum

SL has made two massive mistakes , amongst many , during his ownership , in not backing managers at the right time

#1 Not backing GJ post Plymouth ( I would have backed GJ and told the players if they wanted out , they could do go )

#2 Not recognising the job SC had done , and his and KBs record on recruitment , right before his eyes , and the momentum and golden opportunity we had

 It was a time , particularly for a ‘intelligent businessman’ , to put aside any personality differences and back , and ride , on the back of what SC was doing - It was time for Bristol City to show some ambition and push the boat out 

We actually have dabble with ‘pushing the boat out’ at times , but regularly the wrong times

When there was a shining bright ‘right time’ we didn’t and ****** up.

 

Ive said on many occasions , the **** up and breakdown of relations with SC , and the subsequent appointment of LJ as a Personal Project , (And the gradual stall and subsequent decline to our current state)  rather than a astute footballing one , was

The missed opportunity of an era

For SL , The Club , and for all of us fans

 

Outstanding post, nails it for me on every point. 

In appointing Pearson after the Holden shit show I thought SL has finally learnt his lesson. We shall see, though it’d never surprise me if he sacked NP and brought LJ back in. 

[The Journalist]

The only Bristol City game I commentated on all season. They say timing is everything.

[pongo88]

2 hours ago, Sheltons Army said:

…. SL has made two massive mistakes , amongst many , during his ownership , in not backing managers at the right time

#1 Not backing GJ post Plymouth ( I would have backed GJ and told the players if they wanted out , they could do go )

 

 

That’s any interest suggestion that’s not raised very often, if at all. I suppose it depends on how many players wanted GL out. If it was one or two, SL could have supported GJ. If was most of the team it would have been difficult to keep the manager and sell a lot of players. 

[Sheltons Army]

2 minutes ago, pongo88 said:

That’s any interest suggestion that’s not raised very often, if at all. I suppose it depends on how many players wanted GL out. If it was one or two, SL could have supported GJ. If was most of the team it would have been difficult to keep the manager and sell a lot of players. 

Get rid of the main rebels , club ‘legends’ or not , and others would have got back in their box 

Whether GJ could have rebuilt and kicked on again is debatable tbf , but he deserved the backing and chance to do so IMHO

[Waconda]

1 minute ago, pongo88 said:

That’s any interest suggestion that’s not raised very often, if at all. I suppose it depends on how many players wanted GL out. If it was one or two, SL could have supported GJ. If was most of the team it would have been difficult to keep the manager and sell a lot of players. 

Once you lose the players you are finished, cannot come back from that. They have to believe in what you are doing and why.

That's why -  "respect needs to be earned and not just given"

The days of shouting players into compliance are long gone.

[tin]

3 hours ago, Sheltons Army said:

I disagree

Our momentum into the Championship , with that trim and talented squad , was the hottest it’s ever been 

Burt and SCs recruitment was fantastic , even the loanees and the plan to bring in some quality to add to that squad was IMO absolutely the right one

McGuire and Gray were not unrealistic at that point in their careers , and it was IMO the right plan to maintain the momentum

SL has made two massive mistakes , amongst many , during his ownership , in not backing managers at the right time

#1 Not backing GJ post Plymouth ( I would have backed GJ and told the players if they wanted out , they could do go )

#2 Not recognising the job SC had done , and his and KBs record on recruitment , right before his eyes , and the momentum and golden opportunity we had

 It was a time , particularly for a ‘intelligent businessman’ , to put aside any personality differences and back , and ride , on the back of what SC was doing - It was time for Bristol City to show some ambition and push the boat out 

We actually have dabble with ‘pushing the boat out’ at times , but regularly the wrong times

When there was a shining bright ‘right time’ we didn’t and ****** up.

 

Ive said on many occasions , the **** up and breakdown of relations with SC , and the subsequent appointment of LJ as a Personal Project , (And the gradual stall and subsequent decline to our current state)  rather than a astute footballing one , was

The missed opportunity of an era

For SL , The Club , and for all of us fans

 

Excellent post. 

One thing I would contest, and I said at the time, was that as good as GJ was, I thought he’d reached his ceiling at the top end of the Championship. He struggled to manage players like Trundle, Noble, Sno and Hartley.

Once we’d got that high, I thought he was increasingly out of his depth. Not taking anything away from the job he did getting us there, though. Those were memorable times. 

[cidercity1987]

Loved that squad and loved that manager but at the end of the day they were taking us back down to L1. Far closer to relegation then we ever were under Johnson, Holden or Pearson

[Sheltons Army]

4 minutes ago, tin said:

Excellent post. 

One thing I would contest, and I said at the time, was that as good as GJ was, I thought he’d reached his ceiling at the top end of the Championship. He struggled to manage players like Trundle, Noble, Sno and Hartley.

Once we’d got that high, I thought he was increasingly out of his depth. Not taking anything away from the job he did getting us there, though. Those were memorable times. 

Thanks Tin

And I do agree that there is a decent argument that he had reached his ceiling , and wasn’t necessarily a good fit for ‘upper market players ‘

I still think he had earned the right to / deserved the chance to continue , art that time , we weren’t in a relegation battle .

Fans getting ahead of themselves and expectations did him no favours 

I think he would have been better served to have relied on recruitment from L1 & 2 , hungry players on their way up.

 

 

[Sheltons Army]

Just now, cidercity1987 said:

Loved that squad and loved that manager but at the end of the day they were taking us back down to L1. Far closer to relegation then we ever were under Johnson, Holden or Pearson

I will raise and remind , for the umpteenth time

Johnsons first full season , despite the various signings , and Tammy goals

We got safe in the penultimate game with a surprise away win at promoted BHA

So this,  regular posted myth , needs to be put to bed

 

[plumb]

2 hours ago, One Team said:

Absolutely, well said. League Cup run aside SL’s nepotism and ignorance has seen us decline ever since. 

We can’t change the past of course but always feels like a sliding doors moment, albeit consequential. 

 

How can you say it has seen us decline from that moment- we finished consistently higher than we ever had in the past 40 years!

I don't understand how you can argue with fact - the league table does not lie!

Yes we are pants now, and the football may not always have been so exciting - but we are at a different level now - what did you expect that we carry on beating teams 6-0 in the championship?

We all look back at times in the past as being better, the Wilson era was one of the most exciting, but you cannot argue with the positions we have finished in the past 5 years or so.

Edited April 14, 2022 by bbew

[Fordy62]

36 minutes ago, bbew said:

 

How can you say it has seen us decline from that moment- we finished consistently higher than we ever had in the past 40 years!

I don't understand how you can argue with fact - the league table does not lie!

Yes we are pants now, and the football may not always have been so exciting - but we are at a different level now - what did you expect that we carry on beating teams 6-0 in the championship?

We all look back at times in the past as being better, the Wilson era was one of the most exciting, but you cannot argue with the positions we have finished in the past 5 years or so.

Suppose it depends if you factor in resources or not. 

I can’t afford a Ferrari, but if you gave me £500k I damn sure could. 

[One Team]

1 hour ago, bbew said:

 

How can you say it has seen us decline from that moment- we finished consistently higher than we ever had in the past 40 years!

I don't understand how you can argue with fact - the league table does not lie!

Yes we are pants now, and the football may not always have been so exciting - but we are at a different level now - what did you expect that we carry on beating teams 6-0 in the championship?

We all look back at times in the past as being better, the Wilson era was one of the most exciting, but you cannot argue with the positions we have finished in the past 5 years or so.

How can I say it? Because it’s my opinion, just as you have yours. 

You are clearly correct with the league positions, although the best finish over the last 40 years was in 2007/2008 under GJ, not under LJ, Holden or for that matter NP. Apart from league cup run I can’t really say I’ve enjoyed things that much since our promotion. 

LJ had periods of good spells, but also presided over the worst run in our history, and was backed like no other manager before or since. To what @Fordy62 was alluding to it would have been great for GJ or especially SC to have had the same backing. 

I’ve never understood the Wilson great football opinion personally. All I remember that tenure for is the LDV Final win, Mansfield away and a period of huge underachievement and disappointment. 

[CyderInACan]

5 hours ago, GrahamC said:

The point about Wade Elliott is spot on

Top player. Often to be seen on North St as his boy goes to Ashton Gate Primary 

[GrahamC]

1 hour ago, CyderInACan said:

Top player. Often to be seen on North St as his boy goes to Ashton Gate Primary 

Clearly a man of taste, so did my Dad!

[Port Said Red]

9 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Clearly a man of taste, so did my Dad!

And so did I!

 

[petehinton]

9 hours ago, Sheltons Army said:

I disagree

Our momentum into the Championship , with that trim and talented squad , was the hottest it’s ever been 

Burt and SCs recruitment was fantastic , even the loanees and the plan to bring in some quality to add to that squad was IMO absolutely the right one

McGuire and Gray were not unrealistic at that point in their careers , and it was IMO the right plan to maintain the momentum

SL has made two massive mistakes , amongst many , during his ownership , in not backing managers at the right time

#1 Not backing GJ post Plymouth ( I would have backed GJ and told the players if they wanted out , they could do go )

#2 Not recognising the job SC had done , and his and KBs record on recruitment , right before his eyes , and the momentum and golden opportunity we had

 It was a time , particularly for a ‘intelligent businessman’ , to put aside any personality differences and back , and ride , on the back of what SC was doing - It was time for Bristol City to show some ambition and push the boat out 

We actually have dabble with ‘pushing the boat out’ at times , but regularly the wrong times

When there was a shining bright ‘right time’ we didn’t and ****** up.

 

Ive said on many occasions , the **** up and breakdown of relations with SC , and the subsequent appointment of LJ as a Personal Project , (And the gradual stall and subsequent decline to our current state)  rather than a astute footballing one , was

The missed opportunity of an era

For SL , The Club , and for all of us fans

 

Jamie Murphy was also a done deal before his contract offer was revised and he subsequently turned us down for Brighton

[Peter O Hanraha-hanrahan]

1 hour ago, Port Said Red said:

And so did I!

 

And me..

[Lew-T]

Right up there with United at home for the best City nights I’ve ever witnessed. Made a last minute decision to go at around 3:30pm after managing to finish work a little earlier that day!

The best decision I’ve ever made. What a night, what a season, what a team and gaffer to be proud of. 

[Slacker]

Count myself as very fortunate to be up there that night.Absolutely incredible game and celebrations after.

[Merrick's Marvels]

3 hours ago, GrahamC said:

Clearly a man of taste, so did my Dad!

And "Sexy" Sexstone - a mixed bag then! 

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, petehinton said:

Jamie Murphy was also a done deal before his contract offer was revised and he subsequently turned us down for Brighton

I did not know that….in that same summer Pete?

[Curr Avon]

I was there!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02p5ltl

[petehinton]

29 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I did not know that….in that same summer Pete?

Yep, was one of those that contributed to cotterill’s anger/frustration when he came back from holiday 

[CyderInACan]

5 hours ago, GrahamC said:

Clearly a man of taste, so did my Dad!

So does my boy, Ashton Gate runs right through the family.  

[Chairman Mao]

Cotts was hamstrung by the squad size but he really made some poor tactical decisions in the 15/16 season. It definitely felt like the L1 winning side were a bit out of their depth in the Championship. 

[pillred]

17 hours ago, Carey 6 said:

You had to didn’t you?

What a squad, what a manager. 

Probably the best away day I’ve had following City. 

Also, is that video only available in 360p? Shocking.

 

There is a better quality version on you tube in 720p, look down the right hand side of the page when clicking on the original link.

Edited April 15, 2022 by pillred
Add comment

[Red-Robbo]

These one past manager v another past manager v another past manager etc etc posts are so tedious. They are full of hypotheticals and tell us nothing about our present dilemma. 

Like every City fan I loved the 14/15 season. I wish my dad had been alive to see it. But lets not pretend City weren't a well-resourced club in L1 that year, and let's equally not pretend we are well-resourced by Championship standards 21/22. 

Our present travails, having to rely on multiple youth players in the second tier, hoping we don't get a points deduction, make most previous seasons look rosy.  But there's nothing rosy about L1. Playing clubs with mainly <10K attendances. 

I like nostalgia about great matches. I just don't like pointless "if only" arguments. 

[pillred]

17 hours ago, Carey 6 said:

You had to didn’t you?

What a squad, what a manager. 

Probably the best away day I’ve had following City. 

Also, is that video only available in 360p? Shocking.

 

Type in on you tube Bristol City Vs Bradford City (A) 2015 it's in 720p.

[Wanderingred]

I had a bottle of red bubbly on ice for weeks prior to this game, which I popped open in the wee hours of a freezing cold day in the North East of China! Usually with City, we do things the hard way and scrape over the the line, but this team was different. We were so organised, hard working, calm and collected and just head and shoulders above everybody else in that division. There was zero doubt in my mind from about February that we were going to comfortably be Champions. We’re unlikely to ever see a City team dominate a division like that ever again.

Edited April 15, 2022 by Wanderingred

[wayne allisons tongues]

6 hours ago, Red-Robbo said:

These one past manager v another past manager v another past manager etc etc posts are so tedious. They are full of hypotheticals and tell us nothing about our present dilemma. 

Like every City fan I loved the 14/15 season. I wish my dad had been alive to see it. But lets not pretend City weren't a well-resourced club in L1 that year, and let's equally not pretend we are well-resourced by Championship standards 21/22. 

Our present travails, having to rely on multiple youth players in the second tier, hoping we don't get a points deduction, make most previous seasons look rosy.  But there's nothing rosy about L1. Playing clubs with mainly <10K attendances. 

I like nostalgia about great matches. I just don't like pointless "if only" arguments. 

How much did we spend that season?

People keep saying we bankrolled the league, but we only spent what we got for Sam Baldock and also released some high earners in the summer in Louis Carey, Sam Baldock, Marvin Elliott and Stephen Pearson.

It was a very good summer of recruitment, and seemed to follow a plan.

[Red-Robbo]

2 hours ago, wayne allisons tongues said:

How much did we spend that season?

People keep saying we bankrolled the league, but we only spent what we got for Sam Baldock and also released some high earners in the summer in Louis Carey, Sam Baldock, Marvin Elliott and Stephen Pearson.

It was a very good summer of recruitment, and seemed to follow a plan.

The very fact that we had a summer of recruitment then, is something we may not have this year.