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Reasons To Be Cheerful


bcfc01

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Our first goal from outside the box this season.

Another clean sheet.

Starting to be a great run of results in the league at AG.

No booking for Scott. Needs to manage that for one more game to avoid a two match suspension.

Edited by cityexile
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51 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

Two goals from open play

3 points to quell any lingering doubts from some about relegation (we've been safe for weeks but hey-ho)

Weimann back on the score sheet (and what a goal it was) 

Scotts first league goal of the season

Taylor-Clark League debut

Scotts performance today - a joy to watch and no booking (one game to go)

Andy King showing he's not done yet - a very good performance

No bloody injuries

Feel free to add (negatives not wanted thanks)

Due deference to Ian Drury with the title (ask yer dads young 'uns)

 

Being pedantic, sorry.

34 minutes ago, formerly known as ivan said:

As good as Scott was today, King deserves special praise.

I’d written him off, especially as a centre back! But he was very good today all things considered, age, lack of game time etc…

His ball into Weimann for the goal was very clever.

He’s played most of his career in a more attacking midfield role and in a game where we controlled possession I thought he passed it well today, little probing passes here, nicely weighted passes there.

But he got his toe in several times today.

As you say, good pass to Weimann (think it was Sykes run that attracted the full-back).

He isn’t gonna play every week, but you can see why Nige wants him around on match day and at Failand.  He seems to enjoy bringing on the kids too.

All allegedly on a v.low wage.

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1.9 points per game over the last 10. xG par of 1.8 points per game over the last 10 games.

Over a period of games results are consistent with performances, and both are consistent with top 4 seasonal form. 

GD is +0.5 per game over the last ten. That's also what you expect from a top four team.

Edited by ExiledAjax
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1 hour ago, bcfc01 said:

Two goals from open play

3 points to quell any lingering doubts from some about relegation (we've been safe for weeks but hey-ho)

Weimann back on the score sheet (and what a goal it was) 

Scotts first league goal of the season

Taylor-Clark debut

Scotts performance today - a joy to watch and no booking (one game to go)

Andy King showing he's not done yet - a very good performance

No bloody injuries

Feel free to add (negatives not wanted thanks)

Due deference to Ian Drury with the title (ask yer dads young 'uns)

 

Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?
Why don't you get back into bed?

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I suppose what everyone else has said but from a slightly different angle.

The power to add given all of the injuries.

Atkinson, Kalas (subject to his future).

Naismith, Williams, James

Benarous

Conway

Plus a fully fit Wilson to compete and push.

Variety and depth wise that is some list to either be out or to be working back to full pelt.

Then the relative youth and age profile.

Tanner, Wilson, Atkinson, Pring arguably.

Potentially Williams.

Benarous, Mehmeti, possibily Sykes too.

Bell, Conway

All of an age that can grow to different levels. Perhaps O'Leary too given that goalkeepers historically can peak or perform at a high level for longer on average.

Scott is of course the jewel in the crown but will he still be here in 6 months??

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15 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Being pedantic, sorry.

He’s played most of his career in a more attacking midfield role and in a game where we controlled possession I thought he passed it well today, little probing passes here, nicely weighted passes there.

But he got his toe in several times today.

As you say, good pass to Weimann (think it was Sykes run that attracted the full-back).

He isn’t gonna play every week, but you can see why Nige wants him around on match day and at Failand.  He seems to enjoy bringing on the kids too.

All allegedly on a v.low wage.

I’ve watched a lot of ageing pros who were on the way down (hello Jody Morris) totally phone it in at Ashton Gate over the years, but yesterday was a perfect example of why Pearson brought Andy King in.

We were without James, Williams and Naismith & so had few other options in centre mid bar the peerless Scott & a load of kids who have been on loan at the likes of Yate earlier this season.

King, who has actually been available for selection for every single game this season & been in the league match day squad on 33 occasions, was very good.

Couple of brilliant passes, some smart interceptions & so calm on the ball.

He’s 34 now & it is obvious 90 minutes twice in a short period is tough for him but I’d happily see him get another year to do exactly the same job he’s done this season, back up player & a coach.

He’s a top professional & if the rumours that he’s on a low wage are true (highly likely when you consider he didn’t have a club after his unhappy time in Belgium) then it’s an even better deal for me.

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15 hours ago, Percy Pig said:

He was classy today. Showed real leadership throughout. 

Was nice to see him in a more natural position and he showed his worth once again. I like him. 

OTC has that little bit of something I think, really committed young man who'll add a bit of legs to our midfield when he's on. I'd be tempted to give him a start or two between now and season end 

Also think King deserves a lot of credit for the way he’s clearly trained and kept himself fit.

Having not made a league appearance/started since Boxing Day, given his age (34), given his coaching responsibilities, given his contract situation… to put in two near 90-minute performances in the middle of midfield twice in five days is an absolute credit to him.

He’s clearly near the end as a player and after Boxing Day I doubt anyone would’ve been surprised if he never featured again, but he’s also clearly kept applying himself when it would’ve been really easy not to. Fair play.

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I think it was a pretty good squad performance against probably the worst team we've seen at AG all season. Most City players put in a very decent shift and the likes of King and Dasilva had arguably their best games this term. 

By contrast, imagine the horror of waking up this morning as Jerry Yates - and realising you've made an utter tit of yourself on national television.  

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1 minute ago, Red-Robbo said:

I think it was a pretty good squad performance against probably the worst team we've seen at AG all season. Most City players put in a very decent shift and the likes of King and Dasilva had arguably their best games this term. 

By contrast, imagine the horror of waking up this morning as Jerry Yates - and realising you've made an utter tit of yourself on national television.  

Agree with all of that.

Knew there was absolutely no chance of James playing & must admit thought with so many others missing too & us in the middle of a goal drought it would be a drab 0-0.

However basically the only 11 senior players we had left (just look at that bench) managed to see us through comfortably against easily the worst side we have played.

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33 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

I’ve watched a lot of ageing pros who were on the way down (hello Jody Morris) totally phone it in at Ashton Gate over the years, but yesterday was a perfect example of why Pearson brought Andy King in.

We were without James, Williams and Naismith & so had few other options in centre mid bar the peerless Scott & a load of kids who have been on loan at the likes of Yate earlier this season.

King, who has actually been available for selection for every single game this season & been in the league match day squad on 33 occasions, was very good.

Couple of brilliant passes, some smart interceptions & so calm on the ball.

He’s 34 now & it is obvious 90 minutes twice in a short period is tough for him but I’d happily see him get another year to do exactly the same job he’s done this season, back up player & a coach.

He’s a top professional & if the rumours that he’s on a low wage are true (highly likely when you consider he didn’t have a club after his unhappy time in Belgium) then it’s an even better deal for me.

That’s exactly how I see it as well.

It’s no coincidence IMO that we’re seeing more academy graduates making the step up to the first team while Andy King’s been around. He’s a model pro who clearly sets the standards for others to follow.

Having the experience of both a PL winner and international to guide the youngsters through is indispensable, especially if when can get performances like the one yesterday out of him. 

He has exactly the sort of profile to be a top coach in the future as well.

Edited by tin
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1 minute ago, tin said:

That’s exactly how I see it as well.

It’s no coincidence IMO that we’re seeing more academy graduates making the step up to the first team while Andy King’s been around.

Having the experience of both a PL winner and international to guide the youngsters through is indispensable, especially if when can get performances like the one yesterday out of him. 

He has exactly the sort of profile to be a top coach in the future as well.

Totally agree but a lot of credit needs to go to Andi and Nahki too for their influence on the young ones.

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34 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

That's 11 clean sheets in the league as well as 1 against West Brom in the cup, compared to only 5 clean sheets in the whole of last season. The last two with only one recognised centre half.

Nige has been speaking about making us harder to beat since he came in - this is yet another stat which proves we’re well and truly heading in the right direction 

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17 hours ago, brad blit said:

We get to see Scott at least 4 more times before he leaves in the summer. His quality shone today 

Wow… I really didn’t realise there was only 4 home games left. As much of a meh season as it’s been, it has gone pretty quickly. And whilst we aren’t mathematically safe, relegation won’t happen now. On Boxing Day I thought for sure we’d be in the dog fight. So that’s my biggest reason to be cheerful, we’re ending it strongly, injuries doing their best to get us down but the boys keep fighting. Well done Nige and team, really did have my doubts but you’ve proven me wrong. Hopefully this summer we can get some players in and really push on, even though that will mean losing Scott! 

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I think we all realise Nige is building not just for the now but hopefully a lasting legacy. If Andy King is the personality people are starting to think who better to hand over to when Nige feels the time is right to relinquish his position? If not King then one of the other trusted colleagues.

That scenario sounds a bit like the Anfield Boot Room to me...

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25 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

I think it was a pretty good squad performance against probably the worst team we've seen at AG all season. Most City players put in a very decent shift and the likes of King and Dasilva had arguably their best games this term. 

By contrast, imagine the horror of waking up this morning as Jerry Yates - and realising you've made an utter tit of yourself on national television.  

Better players than him have done it.........

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40 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

I’ve watched a lot of ageing pros who were on the way down (hello Jody Morris) totally phone it in at Ashton Gate over the years, but yesterday was a perfect example of why Pearson brought Andy King in.

We were without James, Williams and Naismith & so had few other options in centre mid bar the peerless Scott & a load of kids who have been on loan at the likes of Yate earlier this season.

King, who has actually been available for selection for every single game this season & been in the league match day squad on 33 occasions, was very good.

Couple of brilliant passes, some smart interceptions & so calm on the ball.

He’s 34 now & it is obvious 90 minutes twice in a short period is tough for him but I’d happily see him get another year to do exactly the same job he’s done this season, back up player & a coach.

He’s a top professional & if the rumours that he’s on a low wage are true (highly likely when you consider he didn’t have a club after his unhappy time in Belgium) then it’s an even better deal for me.

The fact that Nige was at City undoubtedly had a massive effect in King coming here. They obviously know each other from their time at Leicester and they have huge respect for each other and the same applies to James.

I really believe that appointing Nige was an astute move. 

He’s gradually cleared up the mess left by Ashton and LJ and created a squad of youth and experience - SLs long term ambition being fulfilled.

 

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38 minutes ago, tin said:

That’s exactly how I see it as well.

It’s no coincidence IMO that we’re seeing more academy graduates making the step up to the first team while Andy King’s been around. He’s a model pro who clearly sets the standards for others to follow.

Having the experience of both a PL winner and international to guide the youngsters through is indispensable, especially if when can get performances like the one yesterday out of him. 

He has exactly the sort of profile to be a top coach in the future as well.

You could see how close King and Alex are after Alex goal, great to watch

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43 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

Aye. Doesn't make it any less of a head-in-your-hands moment though.. 

Various options to beat O'Leary but manages to carefully steer it well wide. 

From my view in Dolman E29 I thought he tried to go around O'Leary on the outside but he shinned his last touch and it ran away from him.

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13 minutes ago, redysteadygo said:

From my view in Dolman E29 I thought he tried to go around O'Leary on the outside but he shinned his last touch and it ran away from him.

I think he was trying to place it in the bottom left corner, but simply missed. 

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19 minutes ago, redysteadygo said:

From my view in Dolman E29 I thought he tried to go around O'Leary on the outside but he shinned his last touch and it ran away from him.

I think he just was caught in two minds, not sure whether to round the keeper or shoot and ended up doing neither.

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2 hours ago, GrahamC said:

He’s 34 now & it is obvious 90 minutes twice in a short period is tough for him but I’d happily see him get another year to do exactly the same job he’s done this season, back up player & a coach.

⬇️⬇️⬇️

2 hours ago, The Journalist said:

Also think King deserves a lot of credit for the way he’s clearly trained and kept himself fit.

Having not made a league appearance/started since Boxing Day, given his age (34), given his coaching responsibilities, given his contract situation… to put in two near 90-minute performances in the middle of midfield twice in five days is an absolute credit to him.

He’s clearly near the end as a player and after Boxing Day I doubt anyone would’ve been surprised if he never featured again, but he’s also clearly kept applying himself when it would’ve been really easy not to. Fair play.

I think perversely, having not played much over the 3 or 4 years, there are still minutes left in his legs.  Someone posted on Friday they doubted that King could play back to back.  My response, part joking, was that he’s probably like a coiled spring, ready to go again.  He probably can’t wait for game day when there’s a chance he’s gonna start.  His weight of passing is excellent.  Think he was offside for the far post volley he didn’t quite get hold of, but he has good instincts in the box too.

2 hours ago, tin said:

It’s no coincidence IMO that we’re seeing more academy graduates making the step up to the first team while Andy King’s been around..

⬇️⬇️⬇️

1 hour ago, sh1t_ref_again said:

You could see how close King and Alex are after Alex goal, great to watch

It was wasn’t it…I think we’ve seen from the various uncut videos that he is a bit of big kid around Alex, Tommy etc.  Think he admitted they were giving his a fresh lease of life too, so a bit two way.  Got the impression from those videos that him and Andi are here in Bristol on their own during the week, so plenty of mixing with the young’uns.

And so many moaned about the old-school Leicester network.  But Rennie, King and James have been a big success.  Simpson wasn’t overall, but someone I know with a kid in the Academy said he was really good too with the youngsters, just became frustrated because he wanted to play.

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I felt lots of good individual performers today. But most importantly we are seeing better combinations and tram work ethic developing and improving. Yates was a handful. Noticed him trying tough Pring up couple of times first half and he did do Zak twice. But the defence was solid as a unit. And the degree of patience we should in possession as Blackpool set up to block and spoil again showed good organisation, tactical awareness and all playing to a plan. And the crowd, do not believe 19,000, got behind the team well. So all in all well done everybody. We are moving forward slowly but duty and I enjoying going down the gate again. Still think we three seasons off a serious play off pushing season. I happy to watch the journey.

COYR

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25 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

⬇️⬇️⬇️

I think perversely, having not played much over the 3 or 4 years, there are still minutes left in his legs.  Someone posted on Friday they doubted that King could play back to back.  My response, part joking, was that he’s probably like a coiled spring, ready to go again.  He probably can’t wait for game day when there’s a chance he’s gonna start.  His weight of passing is excellent.  Think he was offside for the far post volley he didn’t quite get hold of, but he has good instincts in the box too.

Certainly get the logic - I think it’s more appreciating that keeping himself in that condition when there may never be another opportunity takes a different level of drive and persistence.

FWIW, if he started near every game in a 46-game season I think he’d comfortably score double figures. The timing of his runs into the box is excellent - seems to always arrive onto things, sort of Lampardesque. Very clever player.

Edited by The Journalist
Just to caveat - obviously assuming he’s playing in that position and he still had the legs, before anyone thinks I’m mad!
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Premier League often gives the impression of being undeserving/ungrateful egocentric juveniles swanning around, earning a fortune and thinking they’re the bee’s knees. We’ve got (I think) 5 players with Premier League experience: Andy K, Andi W, Matty J, Nahki W and Tomas K (the latter two each with fewer than 10 appearances each admittedly). These seem like 5 experienced professionals, setting great examples on work ethic etc to the younger lads. Maybe a good indication that some experience from higher levels around training and on match days, even if later in in careers (Andy rather than the other four), can have significant benefits in imparting wisdom and what it takes to succeed at the top level. Must be impactful for Alex to be working with someone with a Premier League winners medal. 

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1 hour ago, redysteadygo said:

From my view in Dolman E29 I thought he tried to go around O'Leary on the outside but he shinned his last touch and it ran away from him.

Whatever it quickly went from a heart in the mouth moment to one of total hilarity. 
As Margot Leadbetter would have said ‘ Thank you , Jerry’ 

It’s a good life ! 

Edited by Major Isewater
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He said, 

So far the speculation has been cooked up by journalists and agents.

"We have not received one firm offer. If we do, it will need be more than £25 million in today's market.

"I believe Alex will play for England one day. I thought that when I first saw him in a training session and nothing since has changed my mind."

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It gives so much encouragement for next season, no loan players about to go back to their ivory tower clubs, so many young players who are constantly improving making up the majority of the team. 

Think we all accept AS will be sold in the summer and best we can accept is a loan back , but with 25m+ in the bank to invest in more young hungry talent and not highly paid has beens. Also allows us to fight off interest in our other young starlets who I can also guess are being watched.

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Plenty of reasons to be cheerful. 

We have got rid if wasters such as Bentley, Palmer, Martin etc and reduced the wage bill yet we are on course for a better placed finish. 

This season as a whole has been better than last season. Bad performances have been few and far between. 

When Nige first came in, we couldn't even get a shot on target. 

We then couldn't stop conceding.

We then couldn't see games out and would concede late goals. 

Generally our players were not fit. 

Finally we then couldn't score goals from outside the box. 

I'm very cheerful because in Nigels time here, each one of those things have been addressed one by one. 

With this continued progression then I'm excited that next season we will be pushing for the play offs.

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We are moving in the right direction at the moment and yesterday was all about patience, a little bit of luck, and a committed performance throughout the team.

Its a shame we find ourselves with injury issues yet again, and who knows where we might be if we had a fully fit squad. But it is what it is, and for me a top half of the table finish would be very satisfying. 

There still is a long way to go before we are strong enough to compete with top six sides over the course of a full season, but hey, another Championship season beckons, in what is becoming an increasingly difficult league to get out of. 

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48 minutes ago, Jerseybean said:

He said, 

So far the speculation has been cooked up by journalists and agents.

"We have not received one firm offer. If we do, it will need be more than £25 million in today's market.

"I believe Alex will play for England one day. I thought that when I first saw him in a training session and nothing since has changed my mind."

I trust he will be selected for the U21's whenever the next squad is named ?

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1 hour ago, Red_Alligator said:

We are moving in the right direction at the moment and yesterday was all about patience, a little bit of luck, and a committed performance throughout the team.

Its a shame we find ourselves with injury issues yet again, and who knows where we might be if we had a fully fit squad. But it is what it is, and for me a top half of the table finish would be very satisfying. 

There still is a long way to go before we are strong enough to compete with top six sides over the course of a full season, but hey, another Championship season beckons, in what is becoming an increasingly difficult league to get out of. 

A long way off? With all those injuries we are only 3 wins off of being short of competing to be a top 6 side. 

Let's not forget that by and large we've had some appalling refereeing decisions throughout the whole season which has cost us points.

I think we're actually a lot closer than you realise. 

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