Bristol City verdict: The week the Championship overtook the Robins with Norwich City loss Our City writer's considered take on defeat to the Canaries. Such is the fashion, that following a defeat in the Championship there is often an uproar in social media from supporters unaccepting of the failure. But after Bristol City's two losses in the last four days it is worth reminding that both Bournemouth and Norwich City begin the season with a broad estimate of £30m to swell their playing budget with courtesy of Premier League parachute payments. And hence arguably City have been outclassed in the last two games. But it should be no surprise. There is no lasting damage and we've a long way to go following a third league defeat. Dean Holden's honeymoon period as the permanent Robins head coach is now over. It's time for the head coach to roll the sleeves up and arguably this is where his management will be put to the true test. The West Country men simply must get something from up at Huddersfield to halt the current run of results. Pukki and Buendia revel in BS3 Against Norwich City, the Robins defence had to operate better than it did in the first half at Ashton Gate, where Pukki was finding space at will and the Canaries were cutting through Bristol City time and again. Too little pressure was put on the key midfield men - Marco Stiepermann had far too much time to pick out Teemu Pukki for the first goal after just six minutes, as Zak Vyner let his man get away - was one reason but also a lack of concentration and communication in the back three. Tomas Kalas and Taylor Moore were also culpable at times, for letting the prolific Finn escape the clutches of the defence. The opposition chances were the produce of not pressing in midfield enough (oh Andi Weimann, we miss you now) and poor marking from the back three. By the end, Pukki had had four shots and the dangerous Buendia five, with Pukki creating two chances and Buendia four as Norwich's most proven attackers enjoyed their day out in Bristol. Summer signing Przemyslaw Placheta - a Poland U21 international - was a threat throughout, and also had five shots at goal, as the team in yellow were given far too much room to create. Bristol City, as per last season, must tighten up if they are to threaten the top six. Nahki Wells' bad day at the office But neither of those three players had as many as Wells' six shots across the afternoon, unfortunately just one of those on target, a volley at goal as he met a free-kick, two good chances blocked and fired wide in the first half, respectively, catching the eye and that may have been scored on another day. But the biggest miss was from 12 yards out, a poorly executed penalty following a pressure-kick scored against Swansea City just a week ago. Wells' penalty record is of missing six of his last nine, and that sequence must mean that Bristol City hand over duties to someone else. "Nahki will be disappointed, he takes them every day in training and puts them into the net. He didn’t execute it properly today to take his chance," said Holden after the game. The good news is that the former QPR man keeps getting into good positions and getting quality chances. With regular starts he'll no doubt soon start bagging again. Dean Holden needs and deserves time It's been some swing in results recently but nothing that wasn't expected and nothing that raises alarms. The Bristol City board made their choice in the summer and there have definitely been good signs from this early Holden side, with a settled team, formation and system underpinning that. Two losses to two Premier League sides is no big deal and the aim is to keep improving and to find a way to match them. (Not forgetting some pretty disastrous injury problems affecting the side; with up to four first-team players out by our estimate.) The spirit in the camp is evident, and arguably the two performances against Norwich City and Bournemouth deserved more than zilch points. Bristol City had plenty of shots on Saturday and no-one created more chances in the game than Jamie Paterson, and as per above, no-one had more shots than Wells. In attack, things look promising. But the problem of last season remains: this team is too generous to the opposition and is shipping too many goals to make the top six. Until the Robins tighten up defensively then they will not meet their ambitions. And to that end, the search for another defender becomes paramount if the Robins want to go seriously go for promotion this campaign - though will a free contract signing add genuine quality? Norwich will be right up there A word on the opposition. Daniel Farke's side have the best attack of any team we've yet seen in the Championship and with better finishing they could have ripped the Robins to shreds on Saturday. While Bournemouth may have a mite more defensive solidity, the Canaries look more clinical, with Barcelona-linked Max Aarons at full0back, and the highly-rated Todd Cantwell on the bench for the most part at the weekend. The Norfolk side will go very close to promotion again this year and after taking 13 points from the last 15 they have now got their season well on track. We suggest they will go straight back up. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport...ristol-city-verdict-week-championship-4658610
DH is under pressure now -Lansdowns won’t except less than last year. Heard yesterday the SL and Son wanted Hughton but Ashton persuaded them to go internal. Pressure on Ashton he was clocked by sky yesterday he was fidgeting and looking uneasy. Huddersfield and Cardiff two more losses coming up guys.
I don't think they should be making any judgements about Holden yet, he is only 9 games into the season, 6 of his first team squad are injured, they are still gelling and getting it together, LJ had 4 plus years and unlimited resources, DH deserves time and space, I'm still 100% behind him although I was a strong advocate for Chris Hughton, we are where we are.
I agree strange that-thought Forest looked absolutely class against us even though we managed to hang on for the win. Thought with a good manager they would rocket up the league.
I think DH deserves the season, ridiculous to think otherwise unless we are in danger of relegation..
My Sunday opinion is you can't play Vyner and Moore in a back 3. I'd advocate dropping Moore and playing a back 4 and 4 in midfield. Bakinson and Brunt must play in midfield with anyone other than Patterson. Up top I'd go with Martin and Wells even though I'd have the pineapple waiting for Wells. I'm not sure at all of his attitude, miserable sod. I feel for Holden, he doesn't have many options until we see Mawson, Baker, Williams and Walsh return from injuries.
For me the next international break cannot come quick enough, I cannot see where our next win is going to come from. And apparently we will have 2 injured midfielders called Walsh and Williams, ready to come back from two of the most mysterious injuries I have ever known, one of the them may have a thigh injury and the other one, I have no idea.
took the words right out of my mouth! .lol Well unfounded! he was never considered by any of the board as a candidate! That is not to say in compiling a short list his name didn't come up "of available out of work contenders" but that was it...… DH whom I expected / suspected might CARRY ON THE MANTLE and felt quite happy with when confirmed [ albeit didn't expect the change so drastically of the coach's ] has not had the smooth start squad wise that would assist a more level state of results. The loss of Weiman is akin to should you lose your thumb on your lead hand! and circumstances to date would say/ indicate we have about 4 more games to turn things around for a promotion [ 1-2 ] and maybe 8 games to put in top 6 contention! [based on needing average 2 pts per game! ] Ever since SC failed with 3 - 5 -2 I have not been so keen on that formation, it is very good should you have the right players that can switch from the "5 " back to the "3" [ covering as 4 - 4 -2 when need arises during game ] On paper we do but in reality they need more work "will power"!
Ever since SC failed with 3 - 5 -2 I have not been so keen on that formation, it is very good should you have the right players that can switch from the "5 " back to the "3" [ covering as 4 - 4 -2 when need arises during game ] On paper we do but in reality they need more work "will power"![/QUOTE] You need defenders that can compliment a back 3, a header, someone with pace and an organiser and brave enough to make blocks. You need 2 wing backs, who are athletic can cross and more importantly defend. But most importantly you need a midfield who read when a defender is out of position, afford the defence protection and support the front and spot midfield runners, if you play Paterson somebody who can do the majority of his midfield duties and if you play Paterson and Odowda together you need a midfielder called Clark Kent, who when he dons the kit changes to Superman and our midfield is still unfit for purpose.
often people not in the know resent the fact there is others that may be... on the fringes as opposed to in the driving seat!
Funny you should say that. I know for instance the reason why at least 2 players were transferred very quickly and unexpectedly in the past. I have also been told some stuff about this season, that I will not share, but it certainly makes certain issues a little clearer.
interesting comments so a mystery is not shared, and you respect that! so in reality it means nothing, as other than the names has now been shared an event happened. The "treatment " of the 2 players involved will never be challenged by someone / anyone who may confirm the same or respond differently ….. of course the events of Cheltenham can not be the case in hand as that was open house.. and one of the players is now in the prem!
I respect peoples decision not to say, what they have heard. I respect someone’s decision to say what they’ve heard.
