Predicted Bristol City XI: Bentley; Hunt, Mariappa, Kalas, Sessegnon; Lansbury, Massengo, Palmer; Semenyo, Wells, Diedhiou https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/expected-bristol-city-team-face-5192359 please log in to view this image We are bolstered by the returning Callum O'Dowda, Liam Walsh and Marley Watkins, who all came off the bench at the weekend at Birmingham City after returns from injury. And Nathan Baker is not expected to be too far away either: having not played for the U23s at Millwall on Monday (when George Nurse and Owura Edwards were the latest players to make returns from injury) the centre-back may even make the game at Ewood Park. Pearson also name-checked Tommy Rowe on Monday as another player not far from a return to actionbolstered by the returning Callum O'Dowda, Liam Walsh and Marley Watkins, who all came off the bench at the weekend at Birmingham City after returns from injury. And Nathan Baker is not expected to be too far away either: having not played for the U23s at Millwall on Monday (when George Nurse and Owura Edwards were the latest players to make returns from injury) the centre-back may even make the game at Ewood Park. Pearson also name-checked Tommy Rowe on Monday as another player not far from a return to action.
Yes, hopefully soon we can start to rotate the squad a bit, with so many games with little time to rest in between it’s no wonder players get injured
Having a bigger squad available will help Nigel for sure. Although he then has more players to assess. If nothing else NP will get chance to look at them all and decide who is worth keeping and who isn’t.
I agree, personally I would like to see Walsh start in place of Lansbury, we need to see if Walsh is going to be the future, he is out of contract and a decision will need to be made about his future. I would be amazed if we keep Lansbury beyond the end of the season, given his poor performances and his huge wage packet and if Walsh tires I would replace him with ODowda, Pearson needs to look at these players IMHO.
I’d be surprised if he starts, more likely to come in with half hour to go, hopefully start him Saturday, NP has already said he won’t rush players back. I agree though we have to use the games left to weigh up who to keep & Walsh in particular as we’ve no idea how he’d fare in the championship.
I agree, I was really trying to say 'don't let's keep playing players who might even be here next season, instead of players who need game time and needs to decide whether to sign a new contract or be offered a new contract, a player more likely to be the future of the club'. We are in good position to play players and make decisions about their futures and plan for next season to decide exactly what reinforcements we do or don't need, we ain't going down unless we lose virtually every single game and as usual our chances of making the play offs died a death in January.
Scrappy game, Blackburn have the 2 best players on view in Armstrong who Kalas is struggling to contain and Rothwell in midfield the sort of midfielder we need. Most of the danger is coming down Hunt's flank. Gilmartin had a little dig at Diedhiou at one point about his giving up to easily and not putting enough effort in with his pressing and I have to agree, a lot time on his arse as usual. No real chances for either team maybe Semenyo and Wells should have done better with shots on the edge of the box. However the effort is really impressive.
Not a great match but I will take a point, Blackburn are the sort of physical team that we would normally cave in against, but I thought that we battled really well and 10 players put in a lot of effort, Massengo my MOM. Diedhiou put in a wheelie bin performance for me. Lansbury just lacks quality in his passing for me but did his bit defensively, Kalas did his bit but not at his best tonight but can be forgiven, a shout out for Wells his defensive play was excellent tonight put in a lot of effort. Almost everybody put in a great shift tonight just lacked our shooting boots 3 or 4 times, not having a real go but ODowda needs to improve his dead ball delivery or let somebody else take the free kicks and corners. Happy with a point. Happier with the 2nd clean sheet in the last 2 games.
Good point. I was blowing out my rear end just watching Massengo. What a shift. O'leary dodgy distribution, Bentley definitely our no.1 but O'leary better on dealing with crosses tonight. Liked our organisation and effort. Can see the Pearson influence.
A point away at Blackburn is always a good point but probably boring to watch. Pearson must now be getting a better idea of each player's ability and weakness and he must be at a point where individual futures are lost and won.
Sounds like a good point, didn't manage to watch, but glad Massengo is having a good run of games. Will be really interesting if NP stays, what players he wants to keep and his interpretation of our weaknesses..
The commentator on the Sky Red Button channel said after the match that the game was was so bad that it was a victory for COVID over Sport!!!
10 points from a possible 12 from 4 potentially very difficult away trips is an amazing return. If our Nige can sort the home form that we may be contenders Well done Nige and the lads
