Match Day Thread Bristol City FC v Sunderland AFC – Saturday 6th August 2022 - KO 15:00

cheers again RTB...

reet, where to start with that one, nice start obviously but failed to keep at them as they were obviously very nervy at that point.

pritchard and clarke really took some time to get going this game for some reason but once they found their gears they were almost unplayable...ballard and baath starting to look like a damn good pairing.

simms, exactly what you want from a debut in my eyes, did not try to overdo anything or try to impress, he just did his job and did it very well, thought patterson was a bit 'not quite himself' most of the game but was strong when needed at the end.

was never a foul by alese ffs, we see defenders do far worse when shielding the ball out...cast iron penalty on simms, ref was sharp into his pocket for cards for our lads but think overall he was decent (as compared to our recent officials in the third div) as there were a few times he could have fallen for them falling over but waved play on.

evans deserved a goal for his shot, dan neil plugged away in the middle, gooch and cirkin doing the defensive side of their game as well as helping occasionally in attack.

overall i thought we were very sluggish early on, our passing was often on the heavy side and our control let us down many a time but eventually it all fell into place and we just deserved the win i thought...have to add that bristol city will cause plenty of problems this season, good movement and got men in behind a little too regular for my liking, if they get it right in front of goal they could do well.

don't think anyone really stood out today until later in the game so my MotM goes to simms for an excellent debut and two goals as well as some decent link up play which will hopefully get even better with games.

 

It was their big day and they did their best ...

... in the end football was the winner

 

I love that. The City fans giving it what for to the SAFC fans!!! Hahaha

 

It's such a pleasure to actually watch 2 teams trying to play football and win instead of the pure **** cheating and time wasting that we have had to put up with

 

Looks like we are going to be everyone's cup final again. Looking forward to seeing how many car parks get sold out

 

Superb win that. Massive to get our first 3 points and both strikers getting off the mark. They are going to be a handful.

 

Andy’s Player Ratings: Bristol City 2-3
Anthony Patterson: 6/10
No chance with either goal, particularly after Chris Martin bundled into him for the second, but was strong from set pieces late on.
Lynden Gooch: 5/10
Nowhere near his man for the first Bristol City goal and did the same again shortly afterwards. Improved from that point on, however, and was steady.
Dan Ballard: 7/10
A battling display by Ballard. Not afraid to chuck himself into dangerous situations and looks the part.
Danny Batth: 7/10
Unfortunate to score an own goal but was a rock at the back, with City not getting much change out of him.
Dennis Cirkin: 6/10
Played on the left side of a three and was solid throughout.
Corry Evans: 6/10
Was booked in the first minute and maybe a little hesitant for the majority of the first half as a result, but much better after the break and almost scored with a volley from a corner.
Dan Neil: 6/10
A little too casual with the ball in the first half and was passed around at times, but much better in the second.
Alex Pritchard: 7/10
Was struggling to get involved in the game and did not track his runner well enough for the second Bristol City goal. Afterwards, he stepped up a gear or two, got two assists and was instrumental in the win.
Jack Clarke: 7/10
A bit quiet in the first half in the left wing-back position, although he did clear a shot off the line, but really troubled the home side down their right in the second half.
Ellis Simms: 8/10
Was a handful for the home side all game. Looked to have too much strength and pace and marked his debut with two really well-taken goals.
Ross Stewart: 7/10
Scored the winner, set up the first for his strike partner after he closed down a defender, and his work rate was superb.

Substitutes
Elliot Embleton: 6/10
Replaced Pritchard as we looked to see the game out, and had one shot blocked from the edge of the box.
Aji Alese: 6/10
Came on late for Jack Clarke and won some important headers as the minutes ticked down.
Leon Dajaku: N/A
A late replacement for Simms.

Man of the Match: Ellis Simms
A brilliant debut. He scored after just three minutes with a driven shot from the edge of the box; he scored his second following a good run and turn in the box, and troubled the home side all afternoon.

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Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

 

Thanks again for the brilliant match thread RTB, makes my Saturday when I can’t get to the match. Time to crack open the cans, Prosecco & wine for me & The Wife. Enjoy your Saturdays lads & lasses

 

This all day long ... we have let the dark arts anti football world..

 

The ****ing gaffer..

 

The reaction from the other end is better

 

Simms.
Championship top scorer.
Averaging 2 goals a game.

 

That pass for the goal was a bit ****

 

Love Gooch, but as a winger. He's not a full back. I like my defensive players to be able to defend first and foremost.

 

He had 2 assists

 

About right, good going forward 2 up front gave us goals
Spot on about defending... have to tighten up.

 

My point still stands (of a fashion). We either build a team around Pritchard, yes he is quality but we have to lose something to accommodate him or we have a more balanced team with occasional flashes of brilliance coupled with weak links.

 

Just one. Pritchard played the pass to simms. Think the key passes isn’t assists, it’s passed resulting in a chance

Ecit… sorry you’re talking about Pritchard ignore me

 

He scores when he wants, Ellis Simms, he scores when he wants....