Enough of the negatives, I think we should look for the positives from last night - and that was our defence. I didn't think we had a back 4 good enough to withstand that level of pressure, but they did. I hope the defensive unit all grow in confidence from that, and now don't fear being on the back foot, as they know they can hold it if they're smart about their defending.
Fammy was lucky not to be sent off at 0-0 - That was not a good challenge 3 welcome points but it's papering over the cracks methinks. A team of decent finishers would have put 10 past us.
I didn't see Fammy's challenge - I didn't start watching until we were already 2-0 up, but I did think that the ref was pretty lenient with both sides - there were quite a few times when I thought he might have blown up for fouls but let it flow. I thought he was quite a good ref actually. Actually, did anyone see when he (the Ref) sprinted from the goal-line to the centre spot? It was after a stoppage just around half-time. My son and I thought he was the fastest man on the pitch!!!!
1For There's no issue for me having a different view of players. It isn't the first time and won't be the last. LJ didn't rate Palmer even though, according to Ashton, he signed him. Explain that ! And the ultimate irony : me an Junior on one side of the fence and you on the other Palmer is an enigma, he has ability, no doubt. A 30 minute cameo and 2 great passes last night hasn't changed my mind, yet. I hope he backs it up.
The 3 points are always welcome, but that final hour is my idea of purgatory. The problem is that the negatives are 4 years in the making and still not resolved by the previous manager or the guy that was with him all of that time, who is now our manager. Last night was the classic example of the need for a midfield organiser, somebody who can make sure that the midfield kept up the press of the first 30 minutes and not act as individuals in a totally disorganised fashion, retreating back to the edge of our own penalty area, making sure everybody is doing their job. I feel so frustrated and angry that arbitrarily the onfield players just abandon the preparation for this game and sit on a 2 goal lead and invite the opponents on to us and yet again it's against a team that are truly struggling, no wonder we have yet to score more than 2 goals in any league game this season and have a paltry 27 goals in 25 games. Because of our surrender of midfield after 30 minutes, it turned Semenyo and Palmer (who both started brightly) into the most ineffectual players on the pitch and with the full backs getting skinned every time Huddersfield attacked, we were beyond lucky to win. And then there is the full back position, during that 4 year period we have never had one right back that is consistent and certainly no back up. For a while we had Joe Bryan and Jay DaSilva in the left back position, but when Joe left we replace him with a midfielder who can fill in at full back and because of DaSilva's injuries woes Rowe is now our main left back and guess what he is injured. Don't get me wrong Rowe always tries his best but he is nowhere near up to championship standard and I don't think Marriappa is either. My frustration is made worse by the fact that we have a terrific spine to this team a great keeper, a choice of 4 really good centre backs and we have strikers who I believe will score with the correct service and in Semenyo and maybe Palmer we have players who can create and terrorise defences what we ain't got is somebody in midfield to hold the midfield together and athletic full backs who can defend and attack in equal measure. If I and many others have seen that over a 4 year period then why can't 2 well paid managers, a host of coaches and Mark Ashton see the same?
Only one person can explain that and he always claimed that he had the final say, just like Ashton said it, if Ashton is not telling the truth, then LJ has to grow a set and say so, because the way I read that interview Ashton has said 'don't blame me for the crap signings the managers have always had the final say', which is backed up on record by statements that LJ made. To be fair Holden seemed to buck the trend somewhat by his pre match statement at Norwich about Ashton's incoming loaner. Palmer might have a better chance of backing that up if he had the 4 year missing midfield ingredient and that 30 minute cameo included the pass for what turned out to be the winning goal. And talking about 30 minute cameo's, Bentley, Kalas and Mawson are excused but there were 8 other 30 minute cameos last night + 4 subs who never changed a thing.
Just to add a point, you can only hold DH responsible for Bristol City FC affairs from the start of his tenure as head coach, any successes or failures for the 4.5 prior years are solely down to the previous head coach, if DH had tried to overrule decisions or policy of his boss he would have been sacked, Pemberton is an example of someone being moved on to suit the then new regime. We all know as nice a guy as DH is he was the cheaper option on the reccomendation of MA and JL, so point the fickle finger at them, DH has inherited the the squad, he knew the situation, so the day he accepted the mantle the task was down to him and his, not before.
Totally agree but early in the game. Shouldn’t matter but refs seem reluctant to get the red card out that early.
Not sure that LJ didn't rate him, it was more like fitting him the side..IMO he's a free role player and 30 mins sometimes is all you need. Like you say, there is a talent there, but if we play him, it shouldn't be expected anything other than what he does. Quality players around him, will give the space a player like him can exploit.
Well l think it's about time to put an end to the Lee Johnson saga its worse than a bloody soap opera on here, he's moved on to another football club or haven't some of you noticed, some come on folks put a sock in it and lets concentrate and support the new coach.
In fairness to DH, we don’t know that he has not identified this midfield issue. Until Williams is fit then we can judge on if DH is the same as others in that respect.
I can't argue with this. I suppose my anger is that it wasn't addressed before, as I say we have the spine of a very good team, but the spine needs stabilising.
I would excuse Hunt too though Jiffie - one of the first things he did after replacing Rowe was make a headed clearance off the line after coming on, preventing a certain goal, followed by 2 or 3 crucial tackles.
sorry ROD know you need help sometimes …. I did 'nt see the first half [ because we had a ] late dinner …. [had a thought ] MA ? said we do not have any income? [ in one of his articles/ replies to a question ] how about all the tenners? [ the club gets income by selling us a pay to view/ watch when playing at home ] and of course SKY MONEY. … .. I put ? after MA as not sure whether was MA / DH