Well colour me surprised based on comments from their fans... I said early on the Championship Expectations thread that our style of play wouldn't be pretty, would get us results, whilst not winning us many fans / plaudits.
Apart from the fact we're getting results, I feel I've got the other two comments wrong, as we're not playing "ugly" by any stretch
Was a bit worried before today as i was expecting a much tougher game. Not sure if Bristol City were below par or we made them look below par but it was a very good performance from us, (especially Ramsay) and a very good point. We also looked the more likely to nick the longer the game went on. If we keep most of that defence fit, we will have no problems staying up as they are so well organised.
Slightly worried about TC, he's worked hard in both games but he hasn't looked great, which is kind of carrying on his form from the play offs where he was pretty ineffective. I'd personally start Tanto next weekend.
More comfortable than last week. Think many over-rated Bristol City (me included from zero evidence other than their win v Sheff Utd). After a difficult first 10 we at least matched them.
Also love the strength in depth we have now. Great options coming off the bench and the likes of Mannion, Burke, Fullah, Godden and Kanu not even in the squad today. Jones is going to have some serious selection headaches if by some miracle we ever have everyone fit.
I must say that I was so impressed with the quality of the team today. It was one of the best performances I have seen in ages considering that City have been in the Championship for years, we held our own. What a season this promises to be.
Once we made the adjustment to deal with their extra man in midfield we more than matched them.
Teams are going to hate playing against us this year. So well organised and absolutely relentless in the pressing and harrying. The Bristol players looked shocked and bemused at times and got increasingly frustrated as the game went on.
When you consider the absolute basket case we were defensively when Jones come in, it is an unbelievable turn around. Our shape and all round play out of possession was superb today.
Whilst there were some huge individual performances (Ramsay, Apter, Jones, Bell) make no mistake we are already a team. The majority of the signings look like they have been here for years.
One negative and its a big one. Kelman looks miles off the pace. I don't think him and Campbell is going to work. He doesn't look to have the all round game that Godden does and is going to struggle to lead the line - at the moment he is getting bullied and we are risking destroying his confidence. We need to get his fitness up quickly. I think he would benefit hugely from playing alongside Tanto or Leaburn.
I'll sign off by saying Ramsay is an absolute Rolls-Royce of a player and there is no doubt in my mind he will be playing in the premier league next year. What did he cost? £125k? That is insanely good business.
TC is starting to show flashes, and I felt Leaburn looked good when he came on.
Nathan deserves the biggest shout-out, 2 clean sheets in the Championship is the biggest indication that we’ll stay up this year, we are a difficult team to play.
They doubled up on Apter all game. Partly to nullify him on the ball but also to put pressure on him in the RB position. But he dealt with it all exceptionally well.
Cracking start to the season, 4 points and two clean sheets. If ever there was a solid performance, this was it. Another day and we could have nicked that.
Also the all dressed in black fake ultras in their corner were embarrassing.
Phew... I read your post, thinking we had some Ultras at Charlton at first... Why do they always wear black though? - Its daylight, and its a hot day... its not like they can melt into the shadows?
Brilliant team effort - Ramsey, Jones, Bell and Apter were impressive, but I do wonder what Docherty adds to our team. I think it’s a mistake to make him captain, as he is one of our weaker players.
However a huge congrats to Nathan and the team to make us so difficult to beat and of we play like that, we should have no fears about this league.
Well done and COYRs!!
That was one of Doc best games for us , him and Coventry broke up a lot of Bristol moves and made Vital challenges …
I just dont see it, but the results don’t lie, so i am probably talking shite !
They started strong but we grew into it. Nullified them for the most part. Got into good positions a lot but seemed to be looking to engineer the perfect chance rather than taking what was on offer.
Second half we came out the traps strong and got stronger. Took it up a level when Leaburn came on. Had a period when we were all over them and their only time on the ball was hitting us onnthe break. Their 2 subs lifted them and their fans and ot bevae more open for the last 20 mins. Either side could have nicked it but felt like we had the most desire.
Draw a fair result and would have taken that before the game.
Cracking start to the season, 4 points and two clean sheets. If ever there was a solid performance, this was it. Another day and we could have nicked that.
Just like last week 😁
I feel when the team gets up to speed and clicks, we're going to be a force and nice games like this. No issues staying up and looking a a comfortable mid-table finish.
Comments
Apart from the fact we're getting results, I feel I've got the other two comments wrong, as we're not playing "ugly" by any stretch
I always was, because of the fanbase and how we’ve stuck together the last 15 years. But now I can say it’s also because of the team.
I never saw the ‘90s climb with Kinsella, Rufus, Robbo & co. (my earliest memories are the Prem seasons) but I must imagine it felt like this.
Slightly worried about TC, he's worked hard in both games but he hasn't looked great, which is kind of carrying on his form from the play offs where he was pretty ineffective. I'd personally start Tanto next weekend.
What a season this promises to be.
Teams are going to hate playing against us this year. So well organised and absolutely relentless in the pressing and harrying. The Bristol players looked shocked and bemused at times and got increasingly frustrated as the game went on.
When you consider the absolute basket case we were defensively when Jones come in, it is an unbelievable turn around. Our shape and all round play out of possession was superb today.
Whilst there were some huge individual performances (Ramsay, Apter, Jones, Bell) make no mistake we are already a team. The majority of the signings look like they have been here for years.
One negative and its a big one. Kelman looks miles off the pace. I don't think him and Campbell is going to work. He doesn't look to have the all round game that Godden does and is going to struggle to lead the line - at the moment he is getting bullied and we are risking destroying his confidence. We need to get his fitness up quickly. I think he would benefit hugely from playing alongside Tanto or Leaburn.
I'll sign off by saying Ramsay is an absolute Rolls-Royce of a player and there is no doubt in my mind he will be playing in the premier league next year. What did he cost? £125k? That is insanely good business.
There's plenty more to come from this side too. Haven't had quality and depth combined like this in years or maybe even ever.
Not a bad performance from any of them.
TC is starting to show flashes, and I felt Leaburn looked good when he came on.
Nathan deserves the biggest shout-out, 2 clean sheets in the Championship is the biggest indication that we’ll stay up this year, we are a difficult team to play.
Ramsay class. Jones a colossus.
If ever there was a solid performance, this was it.
Another day and we could have nicked that.
Second half we came out the traps strong and got stronger. Took it up a level when Leaburn came on. Had a period when we were all over them and their only time on the ball was hitting us onnthe break. Their 2 subs lifted them and their fans and ot bevae more open for the last 20 mins. Either side could have nicked it but felt like we had the most desire.
Draw a fair result and would have taken that before the game.
https://x.com/cafcofficial/status/1956765378282975485?s=46&t=ynww82GMl7VKBjthBflU0g
I feel when the team gets up to speed and clicks, we're going to be a force and nice games like this. No issues staying up and looking a a comfortable mid-table finish.