One dimensional sh*te

[HolmesfieldBlade]

Not an appalling start to the season, had glimpses of good play but we looked too one dimensional, no composure on the ball, hoofing it up to Higdon which never really worked. Nothing like the great counter attacking wing play we saw last season.

That said we did create chances, particularly from Ben Davis' cross threat. Apart from that we didn't get the ball down and play which is disappointing. Reed played very well and JCR made a slight impact. One thing that it has confirmed to me is that we need to replace Maguire, the defenders we've brought in cannot do that job.

 

[Bladesman]

Not an appalling start to the season, had glimpses of good play but we looked too one dimensional, no composure on the ball, hoofing it up to Higdon which never really worked. Nothing like the great counter attacking wing play we saw last season.

That said we did create chances, particularly from Ben Davis' cross threat. Apart from that we didn't get the ball down and play which is disappointing. Reed played very well and JCR made a slight impact. One thing that it has confirmed to me is that we need to replace Maguire, the defenders we've brought in cannot do that job.

I saw it as an OK first half but did not take our chances and then....well...the players forgot to come out for the second half.

The defense had no leader and thus Bristol could just walk straight through if they really wanted to and they did.

 

[Houso]

Not an appalling start to the season, had glimpses of good play but we looked too one dimensional, no composure on the ball, hoofing it up to Higdon which never really worked. Nothing like the great counter attacking wing play we saw last season.

That said we did create chances, particularly from Ben Davis' cross threat. Apart from that we didn't get the ball down and play which is disappointing. Reed played very well and JCR made a slight impact. One thing that it has confirmed to me is that we need to replace Maguire, the defenders we've brought in cannot do that job.

Think we were far from one dimensional in the first half. Higdon, Murphy and Flynn with Scoogs supplementing them worked a treat. Some nice interplay and deserved more than the one goal we got.

Second half totally different story. Higdon was knackered from the 5th minute and Scougall was marked out of the game. The lack of of a plan b was noticeable.

 

[Bladesman]

Think we were far from one dimensional in the first half. Higdon, Murphy and Flynn with Scoogs supplementing them worked a treat. Some nice interplay and deserved more than the one goal we got.

Second half totally different story. Higdon was knackered from the 5th minute and Scougall was marked out of the game. The lack of of a plan b was noticeable.

Changes should have been made sooner.

Not even sure Higdon had a touch of the ball second half.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

The second half was appalling.

 

[Toronto Blade]

Good first half fizzled out in the second ,Bristol had some luck with balls kicked off the line McNulty saved one from going in their net too.Bristol did defend well though something that the Blades didn't Maguire and the beard have left a huge hole to fill..

 

[TarquinDelouche]

One thing that it has confirmed to me is that we need to replace Maguire, the defenders we've brought in cannot do that job.

Totally agree. Flint was massive for City today, and made even more stark what we missed. We've always had someone big, solid and reliable in defence - Maguire, Morgan are recent examples - but we simply don't have that man now. I have hopes for McGahey but he's going to need time.

 

[Bladesman]

Good first half fizzled out in the second ,Bristol had some luck with balls kicked off the line McNulty saved one from going in their net too.Bristol did defend well though something that the Blades didn't Maguire and the beard have left a huge hole to fill..

Brayfords beard took up at least half of the defense.

 

[FTPE]

I like reed, looks very promising, but give Baxter that kindda role with that kindda time n freedom and he'd do some serious damage.
Flynn didn't turn up
Murph showed glimpses
Scoogs was marked out of the game
Higdon was knackered
Our make shift back four was ok- I thought Alcock was superb.
But like people above me have already said- no pace- no plan B

 

[Small Mendonca]

Very disappointing.

 

[bladesman3]

Thought McGahey looked good tbh....
Alcock was good too....

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Good 20 minutes for us after they scored but apart from that we were poor. Second half was abysmal. We lacked pace and energy and there was no pattern to our play. Alcock did ok but the rest of the defence looked shaky. Reed was good first half.

20,000 there for yet more disappointment. I was concerned beforehand that we seem to have signed quantity rather than quality - and there was little today to convince me otherwise.

Early days I know but we saw warning signs in the friendlies too.

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

Higdon was fooked by half time, should have been taken off. Shows how much faith Clough has in Porter.
Where was Butler, is he injured or was he just not selected? The defence was a right old mess.

It was mostly what i expected, best 3 players have gone and the ones coming in are distinctly ordinary. Early days, but pretty uninspiring stuff. You can see how much better the team would be with the 3 weve lost, which makes it really frustrating. Brayford today would have made quite a difference bombing down the wing in the last 20 minutes. Maguire may have snuffed out the 2nd goal. Coady would have helped create more chances. It's those fine margins that turn a 2-1 defeat into a 2-1 win. It feels like the whole place is just waiting for an inspirational signing to give everybody a lift. Brayford did that last season and it's a massive mistake that we didn't go in all guns blazing to sign him right after the season ended. No chance of Cardiff letting him go now he's in their team.

 

[yuley82]

Need a dirty midfielder to release scooges.

 

[WeareBlades]

Just think that could be the best side we play all season and we was average... Just a thought

 

[Harry's Game]

If I could pick one word to describe us today it would be "lightweight"

 

[Hartley Hare]

It will take time for the new players to settle in, particularly the defence.

No place for Collins, Doyle, Porter or Baxter, and without Maguire, Coady and Brayford a very different team by or large to last seasons end.

Time will tell.

HH

 

[Bladesway]

If I could pick one word to describe us today it would be "lightweight"

Missed you H. Where you been?

 

[Revolution]

That defeat was 100% Cloughs fault. Selecting a defence like that - and still only having 1 man up front - was nuts.

We have 3 centre halves but we play just one. The worst, least experienced one.

And of course Elliot bags the winner with none of our 5/6 midfielders anywhere near him...

We were second best for most of that Game. We had too little physical presence to win it.

Good: Alcock, Howard, JCR, Alcock.

Average: most of the rest

Poor: Basham, Flynn.

 

[TarquinDelouche]

It will take time for the new players to settle in, particularly the defence.

I hear this a lot. But didn't Bristol City just buy a load of new players too?

 

[I've never felt more like]

Not an appalling start to the season, had glimpses of good play but we looked too one dimensional, no composure on the ball, hoofing it up to Higdon which never really worked. Nothing like the great counter attacking wing play we saw last season.

That said we did create chances, particularly from Ben Davis' cross threat. Apart from that we didn't get the ball down and play which is disappointing. Reed played very well and JCR made a slight impact. One thing that it has confirmed to me is that we need to replace Maguire, the defenders we've brought in cannot do that job.

Agree with you about the hoofing it upfield never seems to work

 

[true99blade]

I think that the result shows how well each team have done in the summer. Bristol City have bought proven, effective players whereas it showed today that our signings are very lightweight and average. Elliott and Wilbraham are effective players whereas you saw how effective Basham and McNulty were. I'm extremely disappointed with the second half performance and probably quite a chunk of the first half.

Alcock and McGahey looked our better players today and I thought the defence wasn't too bad apart from the fullbacks who were poor defensively all game I felt. Midfield had no bite or physicality and we'll struggle to win more than we lose with that midfield display.

However it's early days and hopefully Nigel can fix the issue because I felt there were very little positives to be taken from today.

 

[judge]

Higdon was fooked by half time, should have been taken off. Shows how much faith Clough has in Porter.
Where was Butler, is he injured or was he just not selected? The defence was a right old mess.

It was mostly what i expected, best 3 players have gone and the ones coming in are distinctly ordinary. Early days, but pretty uninspiring stuff. You can see how much better the team would be with the 3 weve lost, which makes it really frustrating. Brayford today would have made quite a difference bombing down the wing in the last 20 minutes. Maguire may have snuffed out the 2nd goal. Coady would have helped create more chances. It's those fine margins that turn a 2-1 defeat into a 2-1 win. It feels like the whole place is just waiting for an inspirational signing to give everybody a lift. Brayford did that last season and it's a massive mistake that we didn't go in all guns blazing to sign him right after the season ended. No chance of Cardiff letting him go now he's in their team.

Been saying that all week
Got slaughtered for it

 

[DronnieBlade]

Higdon was knackered ?

For knackered I will read terrible.

Won't go to town on him 1st game of season but the improvement in the lad will have to be "significant" to win me over, otherwise I fear we have brought in yet another over the hill useless lump.

The defence was also all over the place due to the tactical decision in midfield. NC obviously thought we could dictate in an offensive sense. It did work for a short period in the first half but overall, we were 2nd best.

The difference in their offensive players and ours was clear for all to see.

Much work to be done.

UTB

 

[lawlessdan]

We should have made better use of the right wing in the second half. Campbell-Ryce looked lovely when he came on, it did seen to me at times Davis didn't want to pass to him though.

Let's not start to panic though. You can't judge anything on the opening game, as we all saw last year. Stick with it and then judge us after 10 games.

 

[Houso]

Higdon was knackered ?

For knackered I will read terrible.

Won't go to town on him 1st game of season but the improvement in the lad will have to be "significant" to win me over, otherwise I fear we have brought in yet another over the hill useless lump.

Eh? He was outstanding in the first half!

 

[DronnieBlade]

Need a dirty midfielder to release scooges.

Or just release Scoogs !!

NGE

That is all.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Eh? He was outstanding in the first half!

Then you and I must prefer very different brands of Darjeeling sir

 

[Houso]

Then you and I must prefer very different brands of Darjeeling sir

Furry muff

 

[moDtheGod]

Disappointed with Clough's subs today. It was clear for all to see that Higdon - who did do very well in the first half - is not up to speed yet. I don't understand why he wasn't subbed around the hour mark. Bringing Baxter on might have encouraged us to bring it down and play, but if we were to persist with the more direct approach, Porter would have been much more effective holding the ball up. Really annoyed he left him on all game, it was like playing a man light.

And with what, five, maybe ten minutes of normal time left to play, we're chasing the game and playing very direct, who does he bring on? Someone with pace to chase down long balls? Someone with height and power to make it stick? Jose Baxter. What impact is Baxter going to have in that short a period of time? He's not fast, he's not big, he doesn't chase down balls or pressurize defenders... really confused by that one.