Match Day Thread Season 2023 - 2024 - Match #35 - Brizzle City Away - Time for the cross border incursion

This weekend sees our newly invigorated Bluebirds make the short hop across the border to our west country derby rivals Bristol City. Since their formation in 1982 the fortunes of Bristol's largest club have very much mirrored our own with a topsy turvey kind of existence jumping up and down between the lower divisions, with the very notable exception of our English rivals having not yet made it into the Premier League of course.

This could shape up to be a very interesting game, with neither side having been in overly sparkling form and with Bristol City actually have a home record as equally as poor as our own, with just 7 wins from 17 games and having won just 1 of their last 6 at Ashton Gate, though it must be said that that was the impressive 3-1 trouncing of the then in-form Southampton.

The January window saw them make some decent signings (at least on paper) but clearly results have been something of a mixed bag since then, perhaps indicating that their new(ish) manager Liam Manning is suffering a similar issue to our own gaffer in trying to find the right balance in the team to achieve some kind of consistency.



Last time out saw a relatively even game (in terms of possession) but the Bluebirds ended up coasting to a relatively comfortable 2-0 win with a set-piece goal from who else but the scourge of the Wurzels Perry Ng and a well taken 2nd from Rubin Colwill who left 2 Bristol defenders gazing at thin air late on as he gracefully waltzed right between the 2 of them.

Perry Ng wheels away after scoring the opener leaving a bemused Bristol City backline to debate what went wrong!

Bulut's Bulletin
The Bluebirds will be boosted by the return of former Robin in Callum O'Dowda this weekend. The Bluebirds have badly missed him down the left-hand side this season and his recovery seems to have taken an age. He has not played since August and has undergone surgery for a groin issue.
When asked whether the Republic of Ireland international will be back this weekend, Bulut replied: "Yes, he will be back. We are happy! It's like a new player, a new transfer! He has trained well in the last few days and weeks. He is pushing really hard. We didn't want to bring him back so quickly, maybe last time he back too quickly in the training team. Now he is in a good way to be in the team on Saturday. He is one of the high-quality players we have."
However, Karlan Grant looks likely to miss the Severnside derby after a hamstring strain he suffered in the win over Stoke City last weekend, which will be a big blow for the City.
Callum Robinson will also likely remain sidelined but is back in training, likewise Jak Alnwick who will be back in contention next week, while Mark McGuinness and Aaron Ramsey are expected to return after the international break.
Ex-Wurzel Famara Diedhiou will be chomping at the bit for this one and owes the Bluebirds faithful a decent performance having showed very little so far over the 6 games he has been involved in, indeed Gaffer Bulut has apparently pulled him aside and demanded much more of him.

What Are The Odds On That?
There I was, wondering who I could nab to display the odds this week when some little tubby fella pulls up in his Lamborghini and offers to do it for me - apparently he hates Bristol so I figured why not let him have some fun?



Well I Never
Did you know that Bristol City fans are starting a campaign to get a statue put up in the centre of Bristol in honour of their owner Steve Lansdown? Ok, it's just so they can have a demonstration and pull it straight back down again because they are so disillusioned with life under his ownership but it's the thought that counts eh?

Did you also know that as well as to being to blame for Bristol City's poor showings ever since he managed them, Lee Johnson is also culpable for the cost of living crisis, the state of the NHS, the war in Gaza and Putin's decision to invade Ukraine - oh and is apparently also the reason why going to the loo on Weston sea front will also cost you 20p!

Lastly, Bristol City defeats at the hands of Cardiff have proved to be the end of 2 of their last 3 manager's tenures (Lee Johnson & Nigel Pearson) - what price on the disgruntled west country fans calling for Manning's head after this one should it go badly for them??

Sharing The Love
The list for this one could be very long, even when discounting past coverage, so this week we have gone for a keeper that was perhaps with us at just the wrong time to really establish himself, a striker that perhaps could have been utilised a little more before his release by the club and a towering defender who after taking some time to settle became a mainstay in the team and a derby day hero to boot.






Tom Heaton
Heaton originally joined the Bluebirds on loan for the 2008-09 season, chosen as the club's first choice goalkeeper, above Peter Enckelman, for the start of the season by then manager Dave Jones. He played in every match until late November, when he was replaced by Enkelman for a spell.
In February, Enckelman was forced to undergo knee surgery which saw Heaton return in goal until injury again forced him out until the final few games of the season after which he returned to Manchester United.

Heaton then returned on a permanent basis for the 2010-11 season. He made his second debut in 4–1 win over Burton Albion in the League Cup.
After first-choice goalkeeper David Marshall suffered an elbow injury, Heaton established himself as Cardiff's new number one starter with Heaton's performances during the season earning him the club's Young Player of the Year award.

Under new manager, Malky Mackay, Heaton however found himself as cover for David Marshall, but he played a key part in the club's League Cup run in which they reached the final thanks to two saves from Heaton in a semi-final penalty shoot-out against Crystal Palace.
He suffered an ankle injury just before the final, but he overcame the injury to start at Wembley Stadium with him again facing penalties and actually pushing Steven Gerrard's effort onto the bar to set the Bluebirds into the lead on the spot kicks, however he ultimately ended up on the losing team as Liverpool ended up winning the shoot-out 3–2.

Despite the successful cup run, Heaton still found himself second string to Marshall and was released at the end of the season after rejecting a new contract in the Welsh capital whereupon he made the short trip across the Severn Bridge to sign for our opponents this weekend.

An away fans eye view

Christian Roberts
Roberts came through the ranks at Cardiff City, breaking into the first team in 1997 aged 18. He had somewhat of a slow start to his career with the Bluebirds and as a result, following a couple of loan spells away left South Wales to join Exeter City for whom he enjoyed probably his most prolific period in front of goal (18 goals in 79 league games), a record which, despite its modesty was enough to tempt Bristol City into signing him for an undisclosed fee.

Now retired he works as a sessional education worker with anti-racism charity – Show Racism the Red Card and also published his biography in 2010 - "Life Is A Game of Inches" (Why am I thinking of Masky now???).

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-v-bristol-city-christian-10328792




Aden Flint
Big Flinty joined the Bluebirds in July 2019, on a three-year contract after signing from Middlesbrough. He made his debut on the opening day of the 2019–20 season in a 3–2 defeat to Wigan Athletic but scored his first goal for the club, scoring the opening goal in a 2–1 victory over Luton Town in his 2nd game.

He had a spell away from the club after falling out of favour under Neil Harris but returned to Cardiff in January 2021 and became a key fixture of the side under new manager Mick McCarthy. He bagged his first goal following his return in a 1–0 victory over arch rivals Swansea City, a goal which earned him cult status among City fans.

Flint began the 2021–22 season in fine form, scoring a late brace in an away match against newly-promoted Peterborough United to salvage a 2–2 draw for the Bluebirds. Flint doubled his tally a week later, grabbing another brace in a 3–1 home victory over Millwall. This briefly placed him atop the Championship’s goalscoring charts however, in a bid to freshen up the club and reduce wages, on 10 June 2022, Cardiff announced Flint would leave the club when his contract expired on 30 June.

So, can the Bluebirds bounce continue to see us experience double derby delight again for the 1st time since 2016-17? Will Fammy's famine end as he gobbles up gaols at the Gate to guide us to victory?? Or will Erol spell peril for Manning if we march on to victory???

All I know is I miss the days of us winning this one on a regular basis so it'd be really very nice for me to sit, smug, with a quiet look of contentment on my face when I see my in-laws knowing we'd just won our 3rd on the bounce, so come on Erol, lead us on to victory please!!

And yes, before anyone asks, this thread has been written at a safe distance away from Mrs Brizzle's sight!!!

Blooooooooooooooooobirds!!!!!!!! \0/<0>\0/<0>\0/<0>\0/<0>\0/<0>\0/<0>\0/

 

Those are good odds Brizzo - I only got 3/1 on a Blue City win......

 

Bloody, flipping, blummin' superb read Brizzle.
Love the picture of Perry v Gummages.
As well as the usual, supreme footballing content, you shifted my view in world politics.
Just one thing and that's when thinking of Masko, millimetres are more appropriate than inches apparently.
Fir the life of me I can't see us getting anything out of this one. There again my position in the prediction league speaks volumes.

Blooooooobirds

 

I've been looking on the opposition board and most are convinced we're going to win!
There's no reason for them to have seen us play recently but their pessimism is proof that they haven't.

 

That Lee Johnson has got a lot to answer for. Another top quality piece Brizzle.,

 

As Brizzzzzle said their home record is as bad as ours

 

Good morning Bluebirds( good evening remote) and happy match day!

Blooooooobirds

 

What's the snow situation? We've had a dusting here in Glosser. Don't want another Derbyesque, derby snowgate.

 

I’m in Bristol now. Saw a lot of cars on the way up with snow on them but nothing lying here.

 

Ooo, early kick off.

 

So what will the formation be? Turnbull at 10 and Colwill out wide?

 

I had a lie in this morning cling. Didn't get up til half 7.
No snow in cheshireland, though there was a bit of sleet first thing.
The day will be done by half two. Football over and no egg to chase.
Will do a sheep check later and have a nosey at our club trout water. Our new membership year started yesterday, so I'll go see if any newbies are out.

In the mean time, blooooobirds.....

 

What do you look for when you do a check pal, a good kisser.....an easy lay? Masky

 

Slimy back ends. Suggests their waters have broken. Lambs on the way.

 

Hi guys
Here’s a stream if you want to watch it
http://www.fawanews.com/

Just be patient with the pop-up ads. Best thing is to leave them active in the background and keep trying the main page

 

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

Watching a Bristol City stream. The co commentator is a complete cretin. Completely biased. Wells should have a yellow for diving.

0-0 half time. Weve been worse over the past couple of months but that may be due to Bristol City being poor as well but we have no threat up front.

2 poor sides really.

I think ill switch the 2nd half off.

 

A pile of shiite! Masky

 

Well done Masky, that did it! Masky