Bristol City vs Barnsley

[Aaron-Bcfc]

The reason you are top and not us is because you have managed to see off the real cruddy sides whilst we have not, consistently.

We have gained more points than any other team when playing the top 12 sides, averaging 2.2 points per game. Against the bottom half we only average 1.5 points per game.

As with most things, it's consistency that gets you to the top

And our ability to mix it up is often the difference between us beating the sides you say you struggle against. Look at Crawley at home, 0-0 game looking destined for a draw, we go direct then 85th minute Ayling scores from a corner. Crawley away 1-1 we go direct and once again 85th minute Ayling scores from a corner. I think it's fair to say Swindon wouldn't have picked up 6 points from those situations as your 'passing' style wouldn't allow for it. I'm not saying we don't play good football, 90% of our game is on the floor. But we can, and we do mix it up, which is often the difference between seeing off those bottom half sides who park the bus and make it difficult

 

[Ciderup]

Surely that's shows there's an issue then Dan? Cooper having a problem motivating the team for the lesser sides maybe or do your team celebrate winning the league if you beat all the top sides like they did against us?

 

[Heisenberg20]

The reason we are top is because we're better than you to be fair mate.

Bang on the money. Table doesnt lie, sorry Indian Dan you come across a tad bit bitter about us, leave it yeah.

 

[Aaron-Bcfc]

Bang on the money. Table doesnt lie, sorry Indian Dan you come across a tad bit bitter about us, leave it yeah.

 

[Indian Dan]

And our ability to mix it up is often the difference between us beating the sides you say you struggle against. Look at Crawley at home, 0-0 game looking destined for a draw, we go direct then 85th minute Ayling scores from a corner. Crawley away 1-1 we go direct and once again 85th minute Ayling scores from a corner. I think it's fair to say Swindon wouldn't have picked up 6 points from those situations as your 'passing' style wouldn't allow for it. I'm not saying we don't play good football, 90% of our game is on the floor. But we can, and we do mix it up, which is often the difference between seeing off those bottom half sides who park the bus and make it difficult

Which is exactly what I have been saying.

You are more consistent. There is no bitterness in what I have been saying. The fact we do better against the better teams has no impact on Bristol City at all. It isn't knocking you or belittling your season so far.

If we beat you at AG does that make us a better team than you - not if you go on and win the league as you will almost certainly will.

The best team will always be the one that finishes top.

All I want is to be better than Preston and Franchise this season

 

[Heisenberg20]

Which is exactly what I have been saying.

You are more consistent. There is no bitterness in what I have been saying. The fact we do better against the better teams has no impact on Bristol City at all. It isn't knocking you or belittling your season so far.

If we beat you at AG does that make us a better team than you - not if you go on and win the league as you will almost certainly will.

The best team will always be the one that finishes top.

All I want is to be better than Preston and Franchise this season

Lets see if you have a better record against the top 12 come St Daniels Day (May 3rd) got a feeling you wont tbh.

 

[Ciderup]

Serious question Dan, why are you so bad against the lesser teams then?

 

[Aaron-Bcfc]

Which is exactly what I have been saying.

You are more consistent. There is no bitterness in what I have been saying. The fact we do better against the better teams has no impact on Bristol City at all. It isn't knocking you or belittling your season so far.

If we beat you at AG does that make us a better team than you - not if you go on and win the league as you will almost certainly will.

The best team will always be the one that finishes top.

All I want is to be better than Preston and Franchise this season

I think your missing my point mate. I don't think you're being bitter either by the way. I agree that we have been more consistent, but the point I'm making is that one of the main reasons we are so consistent is because we have the ability to mix it up. If you could have that same aeriel threat you'd probably have more points yourselves, and appear more consistent. Obviously your players and style don't really allow for that

 

[Jamo]

That sounds like our 2 Jamo. Do you play a back 4 or a 3 / 5? If it's a 4, I would imagine it leaves you a bit open at times?

Back 4 and surprisingly we've not been open much at all recently, only conceded twice. I do worry for us tomorrow though.

Think we'll be playing 4-5-1 tomorrow. Which is a shame as that means Winnall (our best striker) will either be on the wing or on the bench, but if there's one game this season where I'd advocate going a bit more defensive then it's this one. Not that I don't want us to play for the 3 points though.

 

[BCFC Jordan]

Our CBs have to be able to take the ball well into the opposition half and play others in. As an example, our winning goal against donny was set up by a pass from CB Turnbull to Obika well inside their half.

We don't really do the blood and guts, head and boot it away CB.

I take your point about goals, though.

Not saying he isn't effective for you, but he honestly wouldn't suit us.

I think you'd be surprised at how much Flint has improved, not just in the technical side of the game, but in all areas. He has been our player of the season and I don't think there's a better CB in the league. Flinty deserves all the praise he gets for the way he recovered from injury last season.

It would be nice if we could beat Barnsley tomorrow and go one better than Preston did last week. Under no illusions, though, it will be a tough game and LJ knows the club well.

Here's hoping for another win closer to promotion.

 

[pnefcben]

I think you'd be surprised at how much Flint has improved, not just in the technical side of the game, but in all areas. He has been our player of the season and I don't think there's a better CB in the league. Flinty deserves all the praise he gets for the way he recovered from injury last season.

It would be nice if we could beat Barnsley tomorrow and go one better than Preston did last week. Under no illusions, though, it will be a tough game and LJ knows the club well.

Here's hoping for another win closer to promotion.

Flint and Huntington together would be colossal.

 

[JonBCFC]

Flint and Huntington together would be colossal.

They'd be fighting over the goals from corners that's for sure!

 

[Quedgeley exile]

For you Tykes on way down M5 from Gloucester to avonmouth running fine as is the A4 portway

 

[Alex_BCFC]

Good first half. City well on top for 34 mins then Barnsley back in to it...

 

[TomPNE94]

Come on Barnsley!

 

[BCFC Jordan]

Boo.

 

[City169]

Could be an exiting last few minutes now

 

[JonBCFC]

Could be an exiting last few minutes now

Probably not. They'll still time waste

 

[Lambourn Red]

Well at least that puts to bed any silly talk of winning promotion against us

 

[Luke_ciderhead]

Please nobody bother with cliches like "good battling point", or "im happy with that after being behind". Im feeling rather grumpy. I want this league done and dusted asap so I dont have to be frantically refreshing my ipad at 1am on sunday morning with a full day of classes ahead later on. Now this guarentees at least one more of these horrible nights.Grrrr.

 

[Craig]

Well I'm delighted.

 

[Craig]

Professional debut for our young keeper Joe Wildsmith, joined Barnsley on loan today and goes straight into the team, excellent prospect and just 18, will be keeping an eye out for the result now.

Had a great debut apparently.

 

[Alex_BCFC]

Exciting end to the game. Thought we should have got the win but they held out for a hard earned point.

Nice 2nd goal by Barnsley. They looked good just after half time but our team is very tough to beat this season and it was siege to the goal in the last 20.

 

[Aaron-Bcfc]

Jabo Ibehre is the only player to have gotten the better of Flint this season, and he's done it twice. Colchester at home 2nd game of the season and today he bullied us, but more so today. His play for the second goal was incredible really.

As for the rest of the game, we were pretty good up until half time. Then, like at home against Sheff Utd we absolutely collapsed. For 35 minutes of that 2nd half we were pathetic to put it generously. Last 10 minutes became a complete onslaught however and we should've won the game in the end. Not a bad point though.

 

[slades_29]

Pity we only woke up for the last 10...

 

[BCFC Jordan]

A feeling of relief and frustration for me. We showed great determination to come back into it when I feared it was going to be a repeat of the Preston/Sheffield Utd fixtures. Not easy against an in-form Barnsley side.

I really wish we'd play JET more - his mere presence on the pitch unsettles the opposition more than Agard. This is probably the 25th time I've said this this season.

 

[Ciderup]

Good side are Barnsley! I wouldn't want to be the side to have to face them in the play offs.
We were a tad pedestrian at times and the first Barnsley goal, although well taken, was a travesty after we dominated the first half. For 20 minutes immediately after half time, we struggled against our visitors, particularly Ibehre, again, who gave Flint a lot of trouble this afternoon. Decent finish for Barnsley's second after which, once we woke up, we absolutely battered their defence who looked like holding firm until JB belted one in with his swinger right foot.
Probably a draw was just about fair and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Tykes in the Championship with us next season as little Lee has got them 'at it' although the faking injury has to stop fellas.
Sorry Luke but after being behind, I will take a point although the young Wednesday keeper looks a good 'un and made a few good saves towards the end of the game. You'll have to set your alarm clock for a while yet mate!
Good luck in the play offs Tykes, you've got a decent chance I reckon.

 

[Alex_BCFC]

Yep they were the best team we have played in a long time.

 

[Ciderup]

Oh yeah, just to add (a few will like this) Cott's HAS to change his first 11 now. Drop Agard and play JET. Even though he won the penalty, Agard has to be dropped to the bench and JET start. It's an absolute no brainer now!

 

[Alex_BCFC]

For me it is always a no brainer - JET everytime.