Game #40 (#41 for our visitors) - the "business end" of the season, sees our triumphant Bluebirds return home to a heroes' welcome after an excellent result (and 1st half showing) up at Blackpool that saw us help cut adrift the Seasiders. However, we now return home to the very different proposition of a Sunderland team firmly ensconced in mid-table but yet still with an outside chance of the play-offs. Earlier this season, back in autumnal November, the Bluebirds snatched a 0-1 win up at the Stadium of Light thanks to a Mark Harris goal, giving us a rare 3 points on the road and bouncing back well after a disappointing defeat in the game prior. Jaden Philogene greets Mark Harris after not seeing him for what felt like weeks having finally seen him in the box when a cross came in There hasn't been a corresponding fixture at the CCS since January 2018 whilst we've been waiting for this giant of a club to return to the 2nd tier after several seasons in the 3rd. That game in 2018 however was a cracker for the Bluebirds, with the home side running out 4-0 winners on the day, with goals from Callum Paterson (2), Joe Ralls & Anthony Pilkington. During the game, Sunderland were reduced to 10 men with Ndong getting sent off on 49 minutes with the home team 1-0 at the time. The game also saw Chris Coleman return to the CCS for the 1st time since his departure was Wales manager, he was of course given a rousing return as an ex-Jack Will we see a similar result this time around with wily old Tony Mowbray's Black Cats?? Let's hope so, as that would cap one heck of a Bank Holiday weekend if we did!! Sunderland's recent form has been equally as patchy as our own with the Bluebirds picking up 1 point more across the last 6 games, so we can expect an evenly fought game one suspects, though they have become the draw specialists in the division in recent weeks, clocking up 3 draws on the bounce, including the massively entertaining 4-4 at home to Hull on Good Friday, a game that saw them concede a 98th minute penalty as 3 pints slipped to become 1. Will that have any kind of psychological blow for them? We will have to wait and see. Prutton & Co Predict Well old Davey boy got his last prediction VERY wrong eh?? Has that massive misjudgement impacted his thinking for today? Has it heck.... whilst he doesn't think we'll slip to defeat on this occasion he can't quite bring himself t big us up enough for the win either and is settling on a 1-1. To be fair that is probably the score I'm going with in the prediction league too, so I can't say too much! The bookies however have us down as favourites again for this one. After they got it right up at Blackpool (Davey boy take note), it would take a brave man (or woman, or however you want to identify this week... (hang on, is that why Masky wears a mask???)) to go against them; Home Win 29/20 Draw 9/4 Away Win 19/10 Fun Fact After chatting before about club nicknames, Sunderland of course have 2 distinct ones, the Makems and teh Black Cats. My understanding on the "Mackems" is that it is linked to the ship building industry from years gone by and could even have been a bit of a sleight from the Geordies, as they make them in Sunderland and the Geordies from Newcastle would take them away to finsh them and set them off to sea (they "mackem", we "tackem").. however, the Black Cats is a little more unclear... In fact nobody knows for sure why the team are called the Black Cats. Purportedly, in 1805 the south pier at Roker housed a gun battery. One night a soldier heard loud wailing, which turned out to be from a black cat. The battery then became known as the Black Cat Battery. The football club, formed 74 years later, eventually adopted the same nickname, presumably because the stadium was nearby. Other explanations exist, but they’re even flimsier and more apocryphal. Why it was necessary to append the battery story to the club is anyone’s guess. The nickname became (slightly) further entrenched when one supporter supposedly smuggled a black cat into Wembley to watch the 1937 FA Cup final against Preston. Although standing in a 93,495 crowd with a cat stuffed in your pocket sounds downright irresponsible. Still, the image has long been associated with SAFC. For example in 1909 the Sunderland Echo reported: “There has been a big demand for its (black cat) portrait, more having been disposed of than of all the players put together.” Thousands went to Newcastle for that season’s FA Cup quarter-final festooned in black cat mascots. Oddly however for a nickname, it's not one that seems to be overly used by the fans themselves. Early Bluebirds Team News Callum Robinson remains a doubt, as does Callum O'Dowda meaning that Joe Ralls may again have to fill in at left back, a role he did well up at Blackpool. better news may come in the shape of Kion Etete, with the striker possibly being ready to return the fray, however, you'd imagine it is unlikely he will displace either Connor Wickham or Sory Kaba after fine showings from both on Friday, so a place on the bench would be most likely should he be fit enough to return. For this Bluebird, an unchanged line up from Friday is more than likely. Sharing The Love Alas, in the interest of time (as I am due to take Mrs Brizzle out for the day and won't be in attendance at the CCS sadly) I don't have further players to mention here, however, I will point out that we are being treated to a visit from our very own FrankfurterBlue, so anyone who IS heading the the CCS shoudl try to seek him out and buy the chap a beer... even if it is only as a bribe in the Prediction League So, can the Bluebirds get lucky against the Black Cats? Will we Mackem cry into their beer by full time?? Can we send Mowbray away with his black cat tail between his legs??? All I know is, Mrs Brizzle reckons we are on for a 1-0 win and who am I to argue with her???? I mean, she's always right even when she's wrong!!! Blooooooooooooooobirds!!!!!!! C'mon City.......
Sadly ...while ffb is in town a dreaded lurgy has overcome him!!!! He will be watching closely but not in attendance!!
Purrrrrrfect as usual. Nothing like a good black cat story to get me feline fine (I apologise unreservedly). Sunderland are one of the many clubs for whom I have a soft spot. Great memories of going to Roker way back in the day. Another toughie this afternoon with the Mackems enjoying an outstanding first season back in the Championship. Probably made tougher by the probable absence of both Callums but once again I'm sure La Moochie will have them fired up. Hope the home support is loud and proud because the away support will be! C'mon City, let's have two in the bounce and CCS rocking. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
Bloody hell. Just looked at the stats. Sounds like we're lucky to have nil right now. 2 subs on 36 minutes too... What's going on???
I don't have a clue. No live commentary available to me today. The timing of the subs seems bizarre. Or perhaps inspired? Time will tell.
Looking forward to reports from attendees. Looks like we got back into second half. Also, what was the ref like? Seemed a bit one sided on the foul and card count. Or were we really just dirty today?
That was torture watching that game. Only one team played football - as comfortable as a 1-0 win could be. I lost count of the number of times we lost or gave away possession and conceded so easily the second ball. The lack of quality in the final ball was embarrassing; Romeo and Davies in particular were atrocious in their final crossing. Saying that to concede a goal through a hole in the wall and to see Kaba miss a free header from 5 yards compounded the pain of watching that garbage from City. They deserved nothing and got nothing.
Very poor. Odd selection from the outset with Ralls on the bench and no obvious left back, Romeo starting there. It got even more odd when Romeo went to right back, Ng to the centre in a back 5 and Ojo to left wing back. That left Sawyers, Wintle and Philogene in midfield with the first 2 playing defensively and Philogene as an unaccustomed no.10. It looked like no tactical change was advised, we were overrun in the middle and Philogene totally lost. 2 subs unusually on 36 minutes with Ojo and Philogene off, Rinhomota and Simpson on - as left back. Kaba and Wickham were stranded upfront with little support. Wickham will henceforth be known as Teflon as nothing stuck to him all half. Subbed by Etete at half time. However somehow we stayed in the game. Should have gone 1 up when Kaba had a free header - straight at the keeper. . Their goal, free kick in nearly the same place as the Swan's. Not sure if it went around the wall or through it, Pritchard appeared to scuff it. Allsop made a clumsy save when the ball came off the post and they were queueing up to knock it in. After that, Sawyers and Romeo went off with Ralls and Isaak coming on. We got a lot more possession but basically resorted to hoof ball which they defended successfully. In reality with a decent striker they should have scored another couple but wanted to walk it in. A very poor performance accentuated by our strange starting selection and odd mid game changes. Back towards the soft and smellies with some tough away games to come.
Hmmm, sounds like a very bad day at the office all round. Got to hope this is just a one off over our remaining games now. Just have to make sure we do as well as or better than the three chasing teams.
So this is the bit where I confess that I actually ended up being duped by Mrs Brizzle... After I promised to take her out for the day, we went for a light Italian lunch, then a beer (gin for the lady) at a pub on the waterfront that happens to only be around 10 minutes from Ashton Gate. On seeing lots of Boro and Wurzel fans downing their drinks she then declares it would be nice to go to the game. So, I actually ended up at Ashton Gate this evening. Entertaining game to be fair but then I'd expect nothing less given that it bloody well cost me £40 a bloody ticket... And that was only for the Dolman Stand I was a little peeved paying £34 a ticket for our game against the Jacks but that was in the Ninian Lounge seating, so we had a lovely comfy lounge to drink in before the game (I knew it was a posher area when I saw a toilet brush in the cubicle in the gents), so how the hell does a team that's won nothing of note in their entire history???? Still, I had a (semi) happy Mrs so I guess it was wort it just for that
Well, I can match that to a degree - it was December 1976 when my mate & I went to see a First Division game in Bristol v Boro - as it was called then; as Bristol City still haven’t played in the PL. Anyway it was a drab affair if I recall & like you we were in the Dolman Stand overlooking a tiny knot of Boro fans - but they went home happiest winning 2-1. I seem to recall that bald headed bloke with the Ralph Coates combover David Armstrong scoring. ps I checked the date and we lost at Carlisle. I recall reading the Pink in the Central station bar and being dismayed to read we were 3-1 up deep into the 2nd half but lost 4-3 as some geezer scored a hat trick in treble quick time - Rafferty was his name.
I really think we should be preparing for Division One football now after that abysmal performance. Looking at our remaining fixtures I fear relegation is now a probability. Okay Lamouchi inherited these players but it was he who selected the team and then had to use two substitutes in the first half because of his poor decision. If he is to remain as manager next season I do hope he’s got some decent players lined up or he will be looking for a new job.
