Pretty Impressed By How Bristol City Tried To Play Tonight

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Never thought they were going to score though. That shot that hit the bar was a total shock when it came, & the only other bit of quality in the penalty area came from Danns, when Greer blocked at the far post.

They offered absolutely nothing up front, and I can't help feeling they were only able to fanny around passing the ball like they did because we were already two goals up by that point.

Nailed it.

 

[Yoda]

The biggest difference between the two sides is that we are good at it making their players run about chasing the us and the ball, to make us make the mistake or nick it back.

When they tried to do it, they looked to be working harder trying to hold on to the ball than we were trying to get it back. We held our shape superbly and just waited for them to cock it up.

 

[The Large One]

I think the point is that five or six years ago, you wouldn't have teams - mediocre or poor teams who knew they were inferior to their opposition - try to play it around in order to create a chance. Many more were far more direct, playing the percentages.

Nowadays - and we've seen it at the Albion over the past three years - there has been a slow but sure sea-change in the approach to football in that keeping the ball, rather than 'getting it forward quickly' at any cost is considered far better. But in order to work it does seek to presume you have a certain amount of quality in your side.

Bristol City's approach was the correct one insofar as hoofing it would have played into our hands much easier, it's just that they didn't have the quality to break us down (too many times). If they got relegated, then employing the same system against lesser opposition would, I'm sure, bounce them straight back up.

 

[Decode]

They played it around nicely at times, but for a team 2-0 down, there didn't seem to be any urgency, or fight to get back in the game. If i was a fan, i'd be pretty pissed off at that attitude, especially when they are down at the bottom.

Their manager showed more urgency to get the ball back in play at throw-ins than any of their players just ambling about.

Was a weird game, felt more like a pre-season friendly.

 

[JJ McClure]

I think we made them look good as we weren't at our best and gave the far to much time on the ball. With the amount of possesion they had a better team would have punished us.

 

[Twizzle]

I don't think they were. We're just getting pretty bloody GOOD!

I want to see that proved to palace on Saturday.

 

[Durlston]

I had a bet on 2-1 and really thought they were going to score in the last minute of injury time with that scramble in the box. I even said to the chaps next to me if I win my bet I'll offer to buy a round of drinks for them!

Wasn't very impressed with Albert Adomah, who some Premier League clubs are looking at. Not much trickery on the wing. He was incredible at Barnet a few years ago.