Could We Realistically Have Come Out Any Better?

[Silvio Dante]

Other than winning, obviously.

Having been at the game last night and now rewatched the ITV coverage, it strikes me that we’ve come out of that fixture massively enhanced on several fronts.

- From a media perspective, people like Roy Keane don’t pay lip service. If he was impressed, it was because he was impressed. In the written media, Henry Winter continued his love in with us, and although Ben Fisher is a touch biased towards us, he also did a great piece. The universal media perspective wasn’t that we were plucky underdogs - it was that we gave them a game and could have got more with a bit more luck

- I don’t want to be the guy who says “isn’t it great that Man City think we’re great”. But what has massively come through from the Man City team is the amount of respect - in 2018, KDB was quite dismissive. Not now. Pep is waxing lyrical about us, Foden immediately said it wasn’t a fair result and if you see the Grealish/Mahrez etc photos in the tunnel area (and Grealishs tweet re Scott) it’s us being shown massive respect by the premier league champions. Imagine as a young player the confidence that gives you - this wasn’t a reserve side, this was a team that can take most of the prem apart, and we went with them. Game respect game, as they say (And I would imagine Pep may have us on his loan list based on how we play)

- Scott. Scott, Scott bloody Scott. We were already probably resigned to likely losing him, but losing him to a top six side (as will happen) for a £30m + fee (as will happen) softens the blow. He could have been marked out and had questions asked. Instead, he bettered Man City’s midfield for large periods.

- The atmosphere. That will have hooked in several part timers/never attendees. City need to capitalise. Get tickets out for Blackpool at reduced rates. Pack the ground. 
 

A reasonably likely scenario last night, considering the opposition, was a pasting, not laying a glove on them, a relatively despondent crowd and our best players losing confidence. We got the opposite. This forum is buoyant. The atmosphere is buoyant.

Barring the miracle, could it actually have gone any better?

[weepywall]

Bar winning I think scoring would have been nice and deserved, from a personal point of view I bet on Man City to win with a minus 2 goal start which I was happy to lose by the way so as far as Im concerned we only lost 1-0.

Edited March 1, 2023 by weepywall

[Rossi the Robin]

Literally just finished watching the whole programme back after attending last night.

Agree with everything you say and think we looked better on the TV (sit in SS) as sometimes looks worse defensively at the Atyeo end due to distance and eyesight..

We have definitely enhanced ourselves more than I thought - full stadium looked great with all that red and white as well

Commentators said it was rocking

 

[Davefevs]

11 minutes ago, Rossi the Robin said:

Literally just finished watching the whole programme back after attending last night.

Just approaching kick-off here.

No spoilers

[GrahamC]

As someone who for reasons that are far too boring to go into ended up watching it on TV last night, the only thing that could have gone better for me was if Marriner had been a bit less one eyes & awarded the penalty for the clear push on Sykes.

Even if we’d scored it then it would only have been 1-1 at the time, but it would have been a lift psychologically both for the players & the crowd.

As for Scott, if anyone was harbouring any delusion that he’d be here next season, this game ended that.

Planning how to replace him is the next step & Tinnion’s comment about needed 4 players if one is sold suggests we already know this.

Edited March 1, 2023 by GrahamC

[Silvio Dante]

Doesn’t it say something though when you lose 3-0 and want to watch the game again? Normal people don’t do that most of the time!

[johnheadbcfc]

33 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

Other than winning, obviously.

Having been at the game last night and now rewatched the ITV coverage, it strikes me that we’ve come out of that fixture massively enhanced on several fronts.

- From a media perspective, people like Roy Keane don’t pay lip service. If he was impressed, it was because he was impressed. In the written media, Henry Winter continued his love in with us, and although Ben Fisher is a touch biased towards us, he also did a great piece. The universal media perspective wasn’t that we were plucky underdogs - it was that we gave them a game and could have got more with a bit more luck

- I don’t want to be the guy who says “isn’t it great that Man City think we’re great”. But what has massively come through from the Man City team is the amount of respect - in 2018, KDB was quite dismissive. Not now. Pep is waxing lyrical about us, Foden immediately said it wasn’t a fair result and if you see the Grealish/Mahrez etc photos in the tunnel area (and Grealishs tweet re Scott) it’s us being shown massive respect by the premier league champions. Imagine as a young player the confidence that gives you - this wasn’t a reserve side, this was a team that can take most of the prem apart, and we went with them. Game respect game, as they say (And I would imagine Pep may have us on his loan list based on how we play)

- Scott. Scott, Scott bloody Scott. We were already probably resigned to likely losing him, but losing him to a top six side (as will happen) for a £30m + fee (as will happen) softens the blow. He could have been marked out and had questions asked. Instead, he bettered Man City’s midfield for large periods.

- The atmosphere. That will have hooked in several part timers/never attendees. City need to capitalise. Get tickets out for Blackpool at reduced rates. Pack the ground. 
 

A reasonably likely scenario last night, considering the opposition, was a pasting, not laying a glove on them, a relatively despondent crowd and our best players losing confidence. We got the opposite. This forum is buoyant. The atmosphere is buoyant.

Barring the miracle, could it actually have gone any better?

I loves this club mind

[Silvio Dante]

8 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

As someone who for reasons that are far too boring to go into ended up watching it on TV last night, the only thing that could have gone better for me was if Marriner had been a bit less one eyes & awarded the penalty for the clear push on Sykes.

Even if we’d scored it then it would only have been 1-1 at the time, but it would have been a lift psychologically both for the players & the crowd.

As for Scott, if anyone was harbouring any delusion that he’d be here next season, this game ended that.

Planning how to replace him is the next step & Tinnion’s comment about needed 4 players if one is sold suggests we already know this.

Hope all ok mate, shit one to have to miss whatever the circumstances.

[The Original OTIB]

41 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

Other than winning, obviously.

Having been at the game last night and now rewatched the ITV coverage, it strikes me that we’ve come out of that fixture massively enhanced on several fronts.

- From a media perspective, people like Roy Keane don’t pay lip service. If he was impressed, it was because he was impressed. In the written media, Henry Winter continued his love in with us, and although Ben Fisher is a touch biased towards us, he also did a great piece. The universal media perspective wasn’t that we were plucky underdogs - it was that we gave them a game and could have got more with a bit more luck

- I don’t want to be the guy who says “isn’t it great that Man City think we’re great”. But what has massively come through from the Man City team is the amount of respect - in 2018, KDB was quite dismissive. Not now. Pep is waxing lyrical about us, Foden immediately said it wasn’t a fair result and if you see the Grealish/Mahrez etc photos in the tunnel area (and Grealishs tweet re Scott) it’s us being shown massive respect by the premier league champions. Imagine as a young player the confidence that gives you - this wasn’t a reserve side, this was a team that can take most of the prem apart, and we went with them. Game respect game, as they say (And I would imagine Pep may have us on his loan list based on how we play)

- Scott. Scott, Scott bloody Scott. We were already probably resigned to likely losing him, but losing him to a top six side (as will happen) for a £30m + fee (as will happen) softens the blow. He could have been marked out and had questions asked. Instead, he bettered Man City’s midfield for large periods.

- The atmosphere. That will have hooked in several part timers/never attendees. City need to capitalise. Get tickets out for Blackpool at reduced rates. Pack the ground. 
 

A reasonably likely scenario last night, considering the opposition, was a pasting, not laying a glove on them, a relatively despondent crowd and our best players losing confidence. We got the opposite. This forum is buoyant. The atmosphere is buoyant.

Barring the miracle, could it actually have gone any better?

What news on Ben Acey? 

[steveybadger]

Probably mentioned elsewhere but also thought the scarves on seat thing was a great touch. It would’ve been great had we had any floating fans in, in terms of free gift to encourage back, but given all the tickets were snapped up by season ticket holders or members it effectively rewarded the core support. Plus it made AG looked really red and impressive.

[1960maaan]

Watched it earlier, though did fast forward past the goals.

Perfect World maybe we score the Pen, Bell passes the chance he hit into the defender and we go 2-1.

Of course with nearly £400 Bazzillion sat on the bench , they could get into third gear and sneak it anyway.

All I wanted was to put on a good show, we did. The one in a thousand game we win, will have to wait.

[sh1t_ref_again]

I must be really sad, I went home from the game and watched the whole programme last night, although did allow myself to fast forward the adverts

[ralphindevon]

I saw Jack Grealish tweeted “top top talent” about Alex Scott which will be a boost for the lad, if he needed one that is.

I watched it back this morning and found myself appealing loudly for penalties etc. Loved that first half 

[One Team]

Good post OP and agreed on all counts, although no respect after the game from the Man City fans I saw. Gloating about their win was all a bit odd, as was their shock at getting a blunt response!

Edited March 1, 2023 by One Team

[Dan Robin]

If our strike force were not halfed by circumstances (players injured or cup-tied), maybe we could have had more/better chances to score. Apart from this lack of options...I guess the team did a great job and asking for more would have been unfair/unrealistic.

Atmosphere was good too, and reading all the compliments by opponents, pundits/journalists and neutral fans is really nice and the team deserves it.

Edited March 1, 2023 by Dan Robin

[Northern Red]

8 minutes ago, ralphindevon said:

I saw Jack Grealish tweeted “top top talent” about Alex Scott which will be a boost for the lad, if he needed one that is.

And Grealish didn't have to do that, so a really nice touch for him to do so.

[deadredfred]

1 minute ago, Northern Red said:

And Grealish didn't have to do that, so a really nice touch for him to do so.

Classy isn’t it 

[ChippenhamRed]

Says a lot about last night that so many of us are keen to watch a 0-3 defeat back again! If it’s possible to enjoy a defeat, this was it.

[steviestevieneville]

4 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

And Grealish didn't have to do that, so a really nice touch for him to do so.

He gets lots of stick but he’s done a lot behind the scenes. I think his sister has cerebral palsy & there’s a couple of great videos of him helping out fans with disabilities . He did a goal celebration for one of them . He’s a good lad 

[Lanterne Rouge]

2 minutes ago, steviestevieneville said:

He gets lots of stick but he’s done a lot behind the scenes. I think his sister has cerebral palsy & there’s a couple of great videos of him helping out fans with disabilities . He did a goal celebration for one of them . He’s a good lad 

He is now. He`s grown up over the last few years and I like him a lot now.

[1960maaan]

11 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

And Grealish didn't have to do that, so a really nice touch for him to do so.

 

9 minutes ago, deadredfred said:

Classy isn’t it 

Mutual appreciation society

 

[Davefevs]

4 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

He is now. He`s grown up over the last few years and I like him a lot now.

I still can’t get my head around how such an ex-bellend now has such a nice way about him.

I guess it really is as simple as growing up.  Well done Jack.  I like him too.

[cityexile]

I suppose one of your biggest fears as a Man City player is that you spend all night getting kicked, trodden on, hacked etc.

They were better than us, but it was a very honest game. Other than the bit of handbags at the end not a bad foul all night, they played their game, we played ours and they won. Although words are easy when you have won,I think that would help at least give it a semblance of being genuine on their part.

[TonyTonyTony]

11 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I still can’t get my head around how such an ex-bellend now has such a nice way about him.

I guess it really is as simple as growing up.  Well done Jack.  I like him too.

Imagine being so young, a bit thick, good looking and a health bank account at the age of 17. Most of us would be bell ends. As you say he has grown up into a good bloke.

[TV Tom]

18 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I still can’t get my head around how such an ex-bellend now has such a nice way about him.

I guess it really is as simple as growing up.  Well done Jack.  I like him too.

Fair play to him, he’s won over a lot of people with what he does behind the scenes

[Guest Fred Day]

Well came away from the game very happy, not with the result, but with the way we played against one of the best teams (possibly) in the world. They didn’t put out a vastly weakened team, showing us respect, which was added to by the post match comments. Well done BCFC, you did us all proud, and so did the fans. 

[MelksRed]

2 hours ago, steveybadger said:

Probably mentioned elsewhere but also thought the scarves on seat thing was a great touch. It would’ve been great had we had any floating fans in, in terms of free gift to encourage back, but given all the tickets were snapped up by season ticket holders or members it effectively rewarded the core support. Plus it made AG looked really red and impressive.

Would have been nice to have the scarves.....all three of my seats had them stolen before we arrived. 

 

Really started my kids night off really well.

Edited March 1, 2023 by MelksRed

[Bristol Oil Services]

Were we not better v them in 2018? Did the media not go a bit ott about us then too? Has KDB perhaps not mellowed/grown up a bit himself? 

[Cityboy1954]

2 hours ago, Northern Red said:

And Grealish didn't have to do that, so a really nice touch for him to do so.

Considering he was booed when brought on.

[W-S-M Seagull]

I will forever wonder what could have happened had Bell scored that header...

[The Journalist]

11 hours ago, GrahamC said:

As someone who for reasons that are far too boring to go into ended up watching it on TV last night, the only thing that could have gone better for me was if Marriner had been a bit less one eyes & awarded the penalty for the clear push on Sykes.

Even if we’d scored it then it would only have been 1-1 at the time, but it would have been a lift psychologically both for the players & the crowd.

As for Scott, if anyone was harbouring any delusion that he’d be here next season, this game ended that.

Planning how to replace him is the next step & Tinnion’s comment about needed 4 players if one is sold suggests we already know this.

I was actually thinking about this after the game without knowing Tinnion had spoken about it.

Two midfielders and two centre-halves? Assuming we’re happy with what we’ve got in goal.

[GrahamC]

54 minutes ago, The Journalist said:

I was actually thinking about this after the game without knowing Tinnion had spoken about it.

Two midfielders and two centre-halves? Assuming we’re happy with what we’ve got in goal.

Think it has to involve a replacement for Jay, Cam Pring has done excellently but we don’t have another LB & there has to be a reason we went for the Wimbledon lad in January.

Should Kalas sign a new contract we wouldn’t need 2 CBs with Naismith, Vyner & him.

[ralphindevon]

9 hours ago, MelksRed said:

Would have been nice to have the scarves.....all three of my seats had them stolen before we arrived. 

 

Really started my kids night off really well.

That’s annoying, who would do that to their own fans? I must say there didn’t seem to be any problems around where I sit, I guess there’s always a rogue somewhere in a crowd that size.

[ralphindevon]

11 hours ago, 1960maaan said:

 

Mutual appreciation society

 

Andi Weimann is like a proud dad in this photo.

”Don’t worry son. I used to play with young Grealish, I’ll make sure you get to meet him” 

[Super]

I have to admit i can see why that pen wasn't given correct decision for me barely any contact certainly not enough for Sykes to go over.

[Super]

3 hours ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

I will forever wonder what could have happened had Bell scored that header...

I thought at the time how did he miss but it was just too far behind him.

[Red Exile]

13 hours ago, GrahamC said:

As someone who for reasons that are far too boring to go into ended up watching it on TV last night, the only thing that could have gone better for me was if Marriner had been a bit less one eyes & awarded the penalty for the clear push on Sykes.

Even if we’d scored it then it would only have been 1-1 at the time, but it would have been a lift psychologically both for the players & the crowd.

As for Scott, if anyone was harbouring any delusion that he’d be here next season, this game ended that.

Planning how to replace him is the next step & Tinnion’s comment about needed 4 players if one is sold suggests we already know this.

Agree with all that Graham. Watched in Australia as the sun was rising. Felt a very long way away! Looked and sounded great though. Good enough to book a seat for the remainder of the matches I can get to this season. Promising signs. 

[Kid in the Riot]

I think the only way it could have gone better is if we hadn't drawn Man C, and had a more winnable tie. The draw has opened up massively with it nailed on at least one non-Prem team will make the semis at Wembley. 

Even an FA Cup QF would've been amazing and I'm a touch jealous of Grimsby fans this morning. 

Edited March 2, 2023 by Kid in the Riot

[Northern Red]

55 minutes ago, ralphindevon said:

Andi Weimann is like a proud dad in this photo.

”Don’t worry son. I used to play with young Grealish, I’ll make sure you get to meet him” 

They said on ITV that Andi's son had told him to make sure he got Grealish's shirt.

[ralphindevon]

5 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

They said on ITV that Andi's son had told him to make sure he got Grealish's shirt.

Yeah I saw on Andi’s Instagram a picture of his son with a signed shirt. I hope Alex got one too, or maybe he’ll wait until they’re England teammates 

[Talk Of The Town]

24 minutes ago, Super said:

I have to admit i can see why that pen wasn't given correct decision for me barely any contact certainly not enough for Sykes to go over.

The defender puts his hand on Sykes shoulder and he fell to the ground. It was never a penalty. I agree with Roy Keane he was looking for a pen instead of trying to get a shot on target and score 

[Swede]

Unfortunately not. Ironically when we played them in the Cup Semi Final I felt we had more of a chance even over two legs as I believed their weak point was the central defenders. Fast forward 5 years they have continuously recruited and improved with money no object to such an extent that I really can't see a weak point other than the keeper.

Although it's almost a privilege to be playing against such a wonderful team that includes KDB, Foden & Grealish I can't help feeling that they represent all that is wrong with football with £150M + worth of talent sat on the bench. It's Monopoly money to them of course but in these days of recession, fuel bills and job losses elite football seems totally divorced from reality and the real world and with it in a small part my love for the beautiful game.

[elhombrecito]

4 hours ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

I will forever wonder what could have happened had Bell scored that header...

We'd likely still have lost. But that moment celebrating the goal would have been epic.

[sh1t_ref_again]

36 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

I think the only way it could have gone better is if we hadn't drawn Man C,

May not have been the same reaction on here had we then got beat by Burnley or Fleetwood who ran them close with 10 men, Blackburn or Grimsby, whilst I agree we had the least winnable game and would have more fancied our chances against the other prem teams at home, at least we have gone out in style.

[BCFCGav]

50 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

I think the only way it could have gone better is if we hadn't drawn Man C, and had a more winnable tie. The draw has opened up massively with it nailed on at least one non-Prem team will make the semis at Wembley. 

Even an FA Cup QF would've been amazing and I'm a touch jealous of Grimsby fans this morning. 

Yea I'm a little frustrated seeing the draw. The City game was all well and exciting but much like the Carabao this year it's very open. A nicer draw and who knows... But I'm not moaning, our last 13 games have been excellent so I'm a happy fan right now. 

[Kid in the Riot]

1 hour ago, Bobby Bollax said:

The defender puts his hand on Sykes shoulder and he fell to the ground. It was never a penalty. I agree with Roy Keane he was looking for a pen instead of trying to get a shot on target and score 

That happens on Foden at the other end and it's likely a pen imo.

[Rob k]

2 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

That happens on Foden at the other end and it's likely a pen imo.

It’s one of those for sure, if you get it you admit it’s soft but the defenders been clumsy and given the ref a decision to make, If it goes against you, your probably calling it as a dive 

[cidercity1987]

1 hour ago, Super said:

I have to admit i can see why that pen wasn't given correct decision for me barely any contact certainly not enough for Sykes to go over.

Don't disagree with you tbh Super but as KitR says, based on how Marriner reffed the rest of the game it would have definitely been a penalty to Man City

Having not given that penalty he was very very quick to give similar fouls to Man City in the middle of park and the threshold for a penalty is no different to a free kick

[Super]

11 minutes ago, cidercity1987 said:

Don't disagree with you tbh Super but as KitR says, based on how Marriner reffed the rest of the game it would have definitely been a penalty to Man City

Having not given that penalty he was very very quick to give similar fouls to Man City in the middle of park and the threshold for a penalty is no different to a free kick

I do agree with that.

[steveybadger]

13 hours ago, MelksRed said:

Would have been nice to have the scarves.....all three of my seats had them stolen before we arrived. 

 

Really started my kids night off really well.

Yes sadly I thought some idiots would do that - sorry to hear that.

[Mad Cyril]

6 hours ago, Swede said:

...... I can't help feeling that they represent all that is wrong with football with £150M + worth of talent sat on the bench. It's Monopoly money to them of course but in these days of recession, fuel bills and job losses elite football seems totally divorced from reality and the real world and with it in a small part my love for the beautiful game.

I see your point, but there are many, many clubs that feel the same level of disparity when they look enviously at our squad and facilities. 

I will take what we have got and be thankful for being born in the right part of Bristol - more so than ever after that performance

 

Edited March 2, 2023 by Mad Cyril

[Bazooka Joe]

Hate to say it, but (at the moment) Grealish is okay for me.

Hopefully, he'll display his good attributes more often.

 

The club has benefited substantially from the national exposure and all-round positive comments from certain highly-regarded people.

This will certainly help us to secure some good signings in the near future.

[Rossi the Robin]

He’s a top lad 

 

[Red_Alligator]

Other than the display given by Mr Marriner (predictable but nevertheless disappointing), the evening was  - aside from the result of course - a big win for our beloved City. The players did us and them proud, the game was fluid and mostly good natured, and of course, the national exposure for certain players and the club as a whole is great.

Our players were a credit to themselves  - it really is quite staggering what they were up against in terms of value and talent.

 

[Frenchay Red]

11 hours ago, Bobby Bollax said:

The defender puts his hand on Sykes shoulder and he fell to the ground. It was never a penalty. I agree with Roy Keane he was looking for a pen instead of trying to get a shot on target and score 

I recorded the game and since Tuesday have watched the Sykes potential penalty incident several times. It looked to me that in addition to the defender making contact with his arm, he also slightly clipped Sykes leg causing him stumble.

Very strong claim for a penalty in my view. But we've had plenty of those turned down.