Bristol City wasteful but well worth point against Watford on emotional Ashton Gate afternoon Bristol Live fan columnist Math Withers breaks down Bristol City's goalless Championship draw against Watford please log in to view this image Andy King (right) claps the Ashton Gate crowd following their draw with Watford On our 3 Peaps In A Podcast Bonus show, we always start with a check-in on the back of our podcast with Talk Club - a talking and listening club for men, offering discussion and sports groups and therapy to help keep you mentally fit. It’s a simple medicine that starts with asking, “how are you, out of 10?” As well as our check-in, we also start with "Lee’s three words". Our fellow City fan's words for Watford on Saturday were “wily, workmanlike and wasteful”. As always, Lee was spot on, however, we also received three words from a listener who had listened to our Talk Club podcast previously and wanted to reach out. He’d taken his eldest son to his first ever game on Saturday and his three words were, “life’s more important” and how right he is and never was it more evident than it was on Saturday. The fixture against Watford was dedicated to the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal in memory of and support for those who serve to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life. Players took to the field, 'The Last Post' performed and a minute's silence observed. At half-time, City fans were able to show their appreciation for Nathan Baker, a fans favourite, due to his blood and thunder, no-nonsense approach, who had announced his retirement earlier this year on medical grounds. City staff and players formed a guard of honour and Nathan, who was with his wife and child, walked through before being met by manager Nigel Pearson. It was extremely emotional for Nathan, the staff, and players and for fans in the stands. I’ll admit to shedding a tear. Best wishes, Bakes, for the future from all Bristol City fans. Onto the game. Following the Lincoln City debacle on Tuesday, and Pearson’s strong words, I was interested to see just who would be left out. As it was, the manager opted to make two changes from last weekend’s game against Middlesbrough with Andy King and Jay Dasilva starting in place of Timm Klose and Antoine Semenyo. Klose’s absence was no surprise but King starting in the centre of a back three, over Rob Atkinson, was a big call. Andi Weimann was also deployed as right wing-back again in preference of Mark Sykes. There was also a surprise on the bench, with Han-Noah Massengo named as a substitute. When quizzed pre-match about Massengo and his team selection, the manager said: “I think I said three, four weeks ago that we’d spoken, and he said, 'I’ll be ready if you need me,' and we need him so he’s back in, as simple as that. “He’s a player who’s contracted to the football club, he gets paid by us, so we’ll use him when it suits us. He’ll get an opportunity and I’ve got no reservations about using him if this situation is needed.” On his team selection Pearson added: “It’s just the side we feel is the best one to start. It’s as simple as that; there’s nothing complex about it. We need to be positive, we need to be very much in a positive mentality out on the pitch and the 11 players starting are the best ones for that.” Watford boss Slaven Bilic surprised a few with his own team selection, deciding against starting with star forwards Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro, who were both named on the bench. City started brightly and Tommy Conway had a couple of opportunities in the opening 15 minutes. The Robins showed the desire and commitment that was so clearly missing in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie and made the team fancied by many for promotion look very ordinary. City were pressing at every opportunity and Joe Williams was covering every blade of grass with his midfield partner Matty James patrolling and directing from the middle of the pitch. At the back, King, Zak Vyner and Cam Pring were all impressive, getting in front of their opponents at every opportunity, stealing the ball and starting off a City attack. Wing-backs Dasilva and Weimann were both getting forward and Alex Scott was showing the mercurial talent that he possesses. It was a positive opening. As we approached 30 minutes we thought the moment had arrived as Dasilva sent over a ball to the back post where Weimann headed it back across goal and just as we think Nahki Wells is going to score a high boot comes in and down goes Nahki. It’s been a year and surely the referee will point to the spot? Don’t you believe, City’s protests are waved away and our wait goes on. Watford really offered very little, but I think that was more down to the intensity that City had showed. At half-time, as well as the Nathan Baker tribute, we were also treated to seeing John Ward and former players from his 1997/1998 promotion-winning side. City were still the team more likely to score in the second half but just couldn’t get the goal that their play warranted. There was a great save from a Weimann header that was pushed wide, Weimann meeting a Dasilva cross with a great connection, and he held his head in his hands when it didn’t find the back of the net. It wasn’t the three points that we hoped for but it was a really strong performance and gives us more heart now entering the World Cup break. Our 3 Peaps In A Podcast Bonus show ratings were: Max O’Leary 6, Zak Vyner 8, Andy King 8, Cameron Pring 8, Andi Weimann 8, Jay Dasilva 7, Alex Scott 7, Matty James 7, Joe Williams 8, Nahki Wells 7, and Tommy Conway 7 (subs have to have come onto the field before the 60th minute). A game average of 7.36 and a season average of 6.25. For Nigel it’s a 7, a brave decision to play King in the centre of a three at the back and following the Lincoln defeat he got a tune out of his side. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-watford-ashton-gate-7817072
A much improved performance from the team, unfortunate not to score but a strong resistant defence and well earned point has given Nige a breathing space.
Defence improving williams and James best game yet-that is what i expected of these two in the middle. King best game in a city shirt played well. Kalas and Naismith back after the break which has come at the right time. Looking promising for a good second half of the season with new arrivals as well in January. The Nige doubters gone back under the rocks for now
Who will be these new arrivals do you think? Nige himself has put the doubt into the doubters.. inconsistently and defending have been the main issues.. what part of that do you disagree with? He’s had enough transfer windows to address them but has CHOSEN to ignore our weaknesses.. And before you say it, his hands are not tied!!
Is that the same Naismith you said this about? Naismith cost us points tonight once again. Sol Bamba surely worth a go-would never give the goals Naismith has cost us this season. Defence is definitely going to cost us this season.
The difference i blame the players not the manager inconsistent performances. Williams summed it up in his video we have to perform week in week out like we did today-no excuses.
The players that NP selects, the formation that NP decides, the tactics NP instructs, the Subs that NP makes, the defending pattern that NP agrees the coaching on, whether to close down and play on the front foot.....is all down to NP. It works well for you, until it doesn't and then it's all down to the players.. I think sometimes you need to be honest..he should be making us better than we are.. Again, who will these new arrivals be in Jan?
A few of the keyboard warriors who 'stream' missed a special day against Watford. I was proud to stand with my grandson observing the silence for the fallen. And soooo chuffed to see, hear and feel the reception afforded to Nathan Baker. I've since seen the warmth on Robins TV of his fellow professionals especially the emotional greeting/farewell Pearson gave Bakes. Ps Thought we really played well to cap the day.
I don’t think he’s ignoring our issues as a such , he’s said many times he’s not just going to sign players for the sake of it, which in my opinion is fair enough and a sensible approach. No point in him signing 100s of players if he doesn’t believe they would improve our overall squad.
The silence was messed up, we were supposed to do the minutes silence after the last post. But everyone started cheering so the ref blew his whistle. I normally have a vape at half-time but luckily I couldn’t be bothered this time so got to see the Bakes reception. I also thought you would have been excited to see Shaun Taylor again.
No need to tell me mate.. It's RR that blames the players when we lose..He's expecting new arrivals, I just want to know who he thinks they will be..
It was all shown on my stream, so not missed by me!! Glad you enjoyed your day with your Grandson.... Steaming gets me to watch all games and I can work if required at the same time!!!
Spot on Rod, thought he was up there with the best CH I've seen play for City. Particularly liked how he got up immediately after being fouled, never once trying to con the ref to book the perpetrator.
Yes we played very well but frustratingly we spurned many chances to get the ball into the opposition box, instead preferring to play keep ball. Just get the ball into the box, that’s where goals are scored!
Cliftonville and I touched on this a few weeks ago on a thread about why we don't get any penalties (from memory I think we are far behind ALL other teams in the EFL and the Prem). Clifton suggested it was down to our tactics, which avoided the box, thus the reason for our lack of penalties. Whilst I understood his point, I argued that we HAVE had the ball into the box enough times to (statistically at least) be awarded at least ONE penalty - especially when Martin was playing and our fans were accusing us of lumping balls to him. We have also had some strong claims turned down. Not disagreeing with your post btw Frampton - I agree with you that we are not in the oppositions box enough - although I don't know the stats. I just still think our lack of penalties is incredible though despite this.
