BRISTOL CITY: Bobby Reid's ready to stake his claim for a regular place, says Joe Bryan. By a_Stockhausen please log in to view this image Bristol City's Bobby Reid tries to get past Middlesbrough's Daniel Ayala. JOE Bryan reckons fellow Bristol City Academy product Bobby Reid is now ready to stake a claim for regular first-team football at Ashton Gate. A peripheral figure since the arrival of Steve Cotterill as manager in December 2013, Bristolian Reid made just one senior start for the Robins last season. And when he was unable to break into City's League One promotion-chasing side, he was loaned out to League Two Plymouth Argyle. But the skilful 22-year-old midfielder, who made 32 appearances for the Pilgrims last term, has returned a better player, according to team-mate Bryan. Introduced as a second-half substitute in last week's home Championship match against Leeds United. Reid made an immediate impression, setting up a goal for Kieran Agard as the Robins came from 2-0 down to salvage a draw. That cameo earned him his first senior start for City in 12 months against Middlesbrough three days later and he produced another impressive please log in to view this image display to help the Championship newcomers achieve a surprise 1-0 win at the Riverside Stadium. Having come through the junior ranks at Ashton Gate ranks with Reid, left wing-back Bryan is not surprised to see his friend and colleague finally proving himself in the first team. Bryan told the Bristol Post: "It was brilliant for the two of us to be out there on the pitch in a game like that. "It was especially good to see Bobby starting a game and I think he showed how he can be an important part of our team. "He has matured through playing games, albeit elsewhere, and he has cut out those little mistakes he was making before. "He is, without doubt, one of the best players on the ball that I have ever seen at the club." Whether Reid retains his place in the starting line-up when Burnley visit Ashton Gate on Saturday remains to be seen. Speaking on the eve of the season, manager Cotterill hinted that Reid and Wales Under-21 international Wes Burns could again be heading out on loan this season. But Cotterill's plans to replenish his squad with new signings have been only partially successful and he has been forced to call upon both during the early part of the campaign. Cotterill has always maintained he is committed to developing young players while insisting they will only be given an opportunity in the first team if he considers them good enough. He said: "It doesn't matter if they are academy boys or not, they will only play if they are good enough. "We are never going to play any of our academy boys if they are not good enough, so let's not get too far ahead of ourselves or too soppy just because they are Bristol boys." http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/BRISTO...-stake-claim/story-27681318-detail/story.html
Any of the boys from the academy who make it through to the first team are Bristol City FC boys. Bryan, Burns and Reid all good fella's but there on merit only.
Just can't see Burns making it... He's looked alright when he has come on but not sure if he is Championship quality. Bryan has showed he is, the last time we were in this league he was more than capable and now he looks solid. Reid was always the most well known from our academy. Used to score plenty for the u21s so glad to see him FINALLY looking like the player we thought he could be. Whether he can do it consistently though I'm not to sure... No doubt he'll be back on the bench when freeman's back though.
I know it's totally impractical but a full squad of Bristol born lads who made an effort without constantly bitching about their lot in life would suit me just fine. To make it all work we could hire my old friend Mario Balotelli to be the lifestyle/public relations coach.
I think Joe Bryan succeeded because he got a fast-track lesson in the Football League through the loan system. He played conference football, then in League 1, and then League 1 with us. Now he's playing in the Championship since he's never looked out of place in either league. This kind of experience is important for footballers that don't have the luxury of a top Premier League academy. Burns and Reid need to ply their trade in League 1 before they can prove themselves at this level. Both have had a run in League 2, but to be fair to the lads the only reason they've had time with us is because we don't have enough players. With three more signings, I reckon we would loan both off to a League 1 team and if they do well enough this season they'd be in with a shot next season. If they don't succeed, at least other clubs know their limit and can put in reasonable bids for them. We don't seem to loan enough of our academy prospects out. When they hit eighteen they need to be playing regular competitive football to improve.
Of his ability. He is one of the most technically adept players I seen in a Bristol City shirt in decades. Four years ago City academy coaches were almost purring "just wait!" They were bang on.
'Should be, unless Cotts has replaced his brain with a cauliflower' If Reid plays against Burnley, does well and we win then f**k Freeman. Reid stays in. Freeman, the daft twat made the most ridiculous challenge I've ever seen. Left us with 10 men and lost 3 points. If anyone has a cauliflower between his ears it's Freeman.
