So, what's the starting XI after today's win?

Any of the subs do enough to make a start next Saturday?

Ameobi injured?

Yeah I’m having all of that

 

Not been impressed with Vela for a while and Otzumer seems to be ready made for that role off SJM; my only slight concern is that is a big change in physicality. Hopefully the 2 behind make up for that and Oztumer probably won’t harry and bite so much but the creative benefits more than make up for it

I was thinking that, but you’d hope if there’s one position where you can give a bit on physicality it’s in that number 10 role, especially with 2 big fuckers behind him, 2 on the wing and another ahead of him up top.

 

Then again this lad from MK Dons is meant to play in that role and is also massive ????, best of both worlds!

Oztumer won't get a chance in parkys team imo

Oztumer won't get a chance in parkys team imo

Another one he didn't sign?

Not all at the same time. Magennis the only one of those five who completed the 90 mins.

 

We played two holding midfielders. At home. Again. When neither of them are capable of a decent forward pass it's negative.

 

Clear as day at end of last season that our defence chronically lacked pace, hence Parky feeling he needed to give them double protection even at home. Absolute priority should have been to get in at least one CB and a left back with pace, so he could be confident enough to have just one in front of them and somebody who could pick a forward pass. Not easy I know, with our budget but had to be done. Beevers and Wheater, as a pair, are nowhere near what's required against the majority of teams at this level. Taylor only adds to the problem, slow as a boat.

 

The Championship is rapidly evolving in terms of the approach of most teams. Our approach is nowhere near keeping pace, it is outdated to the point of being pre-historic

Nail on head, well put.

Not all at the same time. Magennis the only one of those five who completed the 90 mins.

 

We played two holding midfielders. At home. Again. When neither of them are capable of a decent forward pass it's negative.

 

Clear as day at end of last season that our defence chronically lacked pace, hence Parky feeling he needed to give them double protection even at home. Absolute priority should have been to get in at least one CB and a left back with pace, so he could be confident enough to have just one in front of them and somebody who could pick a forward pass. Not easy I know, with our budget but had to be done. Beevers and Wheater, as a pair, are nowhere near what's required against the majority of teams at this level. Taylor only adds to the problem, slow as a boat.

 

The Championship is rapidly evolving in terms of the approach of most teams. Our approach is nowhere near keeping pace, it is outdated to the point of being pre-historic

Not all at the same time. Magennis the only one of those five who completed the 90 mins.

 

We played two holding midfielders. At home. Again. When neither of them are capable of a decent forward pass it's negative.

 

Clear as day at end of last season that our defence chronically lacked pace, hence Parky feeling he needed to give them double protection even at home. Absolute priority should have been to get in at least one CB and a left back with pace, so he could be confident enough to have just one in front of them and somebody who could pick a forward pass. Not easy I know, with our budget but had to be done. Beevers and Wheater, as a pair, are nowhere near what's required against the majority of teams at this level. Taylor only adds to the problem, slow as a boat.

 

The Championship is rapidly evolving in terms of the approach of most teams. Our approach is nowhere near keeping pace, it is outdated to the point of being pre-historic

You are right. 4231 is so old hat. Literally no decent team plays it....oh....

 

Murphy more a passer than a tackler, but he’s not up to speed yet after not having a proper pre season.

 

If you get Ameobi and Wildschut in yesterday’s team once both are fit it has a totally different dynamic. Our main issue yesterday was our wide players didn’t have the pace or creativity to be effective. So we looked more functional. We still nearly won the game against a very good side. Nothing to be ashamed about. Given our resources compared to Bristol’s it was a good result,

Frankly the formation and personnel won't alter Parky's approach. Or so it seems.

I sincerely hope that once they've all settled in he does adopt a more progressive approach but I won't hold my breath.

 

He has a very difficult job and little money, but as the nature of this thread illustrates, there's still a great deal of unease at the general approach.

 

In sjm it appears we might have someone who fits into his style and he may be more of a goal threat, but he must be supported adequately.

As has been said, first half was utter drudgery, would have taken a draw after 20 mins and still woul have at half time.

 

Somehow found ourselves in dreamland at 2-0 but never secure, both goals conceded were poor, especially 2nd, criminal when we're winning to toss one when it was our corner. Olkowski did get caught up field I think for that but otherwise a cut above rest of our lot, confident, composed and quick.

 

Magennis, fair play, wasn't that excited when he signed but can't fault him, effort, commitment, prepared to have a contest with their CBs and took his goal very well.

 

Otherwise, same old same old at the back, Beevers and Taylor dreadful on ball, no pace in either of those or Wheater.

If Hobbs has any amount of pace and a grain of confidence to pass it forward to one of ours surely to god he should be in front of Beevers.

 

Only difference between Murphy / Lowe and Henry/Pratley is they're younger. Neither got a decent forward pass in them on today's showing.

 

On the atmosphere, Parky can't keep waving his arms about and trying to get it going when what's happening on the pitch is mind numbing. I was bored shitless by half time. People need something to get into, a few chances, a good move, couple of shots, there was nothing at all. If all he's going to do is stick rigidly to his game plan from last year and just freshen up the personnel it isn't going to enthuse people and put bums on seats.

 

I get that we pay our money to see results, and we've got four points, which I'd have snapped up from these two fixtures, but I was hoping that we might be trying to play a bit more football from the off this season.

I have to agree with this, sadly. 

I said at the start of the Summer that Wheater and Beevers should be kept around but as the two reserve central defenders with two brand new ones as first choice. I don't like moaning about them, they are both wholehearted and both have the club at heart, Wheater in particular. Agree also about Lowe and Murphy on yesterday's evidence. They do though get around the pitch more than Henry and Pratley - and for certain we weren't being dragged around the park in the same manner as the first dozen or so games of last season. That first half was poor fare - but we kept our formation tight, it's just a shame we're doing this at home! 

 

We've got 4 points on the board, which is great. But as of now I think it's going to be a long year and we need to find three teams to finish above. To be fair, with our finances, I never seriously thought it'd be any other scenario - and I think the fans are all up for the battle. It's all about our Championship status.

Highlights 

 

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11470177/bolton-2-2-bristol-city

Highlights 

 

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11470177/bolton-2-2-bristol-city

Marking by our CB's for their 1st was awful but he looked fractionaly offside

 

Who is our number 16? Gash for the second goal

Marking by our CB's for their 1st was awful but he looked fractionaly offside

 

Who is our number 16? Gash for the second goal

16 is Olkowski, got caught too far forward and couldn’t get back

16 is Olkowski, got caught too far forward and couldn’t get back

Le Fondre’s fault that ????

It’s only obvious to half wits

Pratley got a great assists for Charlton yesterday

 

Think he will do very well for them

Pratley got a great assists for Charlton yesterday

 

Think he will do very well for them

Different level of course but Morais' assist for Crawley was bloody good too

16 is Olkowski, got caught too far forward and couldn’t get back

Nah, he was goal side so not sure about that

 

He was overloaded though cos Parky had just took Noone off and it was before O’Neil was told to go right

Ended up goal side but never composed enough to put a challenge in. I agree it was due to lack of help though. Shit goal all round to give away, should have been easily preventable

He didn't look very happy with his work when it went in. He had a good game apart from that. Very composed with the assist too.

Pratley got a great assists for Charlton yesterday

 

Think he will do very well for them

Trotter scored a 30 yard volley for us at sheff wed once. Dreadful player, similar to pratley.

Trotter scored a 30 yard volley for us at sheff wed once. Dreadful player, similar to pratley.

Comparing Pratley to Trotter

 

Dear oh dear

 

JohnnyRottenEyesight

Trotter scored a 30 yard volley for us at sheff wed once. Dreadful player, similar to pratley.

Have to dig out the numbers again but I’m sure our points haul per game was nearly double when he played for us vs when he missed games

https://twitter.com/cityrelated_/status/1028320328685154304?s=21

Didn't realise pratley had gone charlton, but we have magennis who has already got us 4 points

16 is Olkowski, got caught too far forward and couldn’t get back

 

Problem was we had just subbed Noone who was tracking back for Alf leaving olkowski exposed.

Comparing Pratley to Trotter

 

Dear oh dear

 

JohnnyRottenEyesight

Yep, apples and pears I feel.

 

Great goal tho...........

2games in and 4 points and the doom merchants are already at it .