Bristol City 1-1 Watford FC - FA Cup Third Round - 04/01/2014

Discussion in 'Match Day' started by Smudger, Jan 3, 2014.

  1. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

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    Bristol City formed in 1897 changing name from Bristol South End, merging with Bedminster in 1900 prior to joining the Football League in 1901. They had by then already acquired a fierce rivalry with neighbours Bristol Rovers who they have encountered 105 times since though not recently given the disparity in league positions which the two clubs have found themselves within the pyramid.

    The early years were the Robin's heyday, so distant they are confined to fading sepia tinted photographic albums and the history books.A runners up spot to Newcastle in 1907 in the top flight was shortly followed by a 1909 FA Cup final defeat at the old Crystal Palace stadium to Manchester United. The short lived golden age ended in 1911.

    Barring a triumph in the 1934 Welsh Cup in which the Welsh FA offered select entries to English clubs and a Football Trophy win under Danny Wilson the trophy cupboard at Ashton Gate has remained rather bare.

    Alan ****s pictured below left with club hero John Atyeo on the right, took the club back to the top flight between 1976-80 before his departure signalled three successive relegations (the first club to do so) ending in bankruptcy.

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    After several turbulent seasons former assistant to Graham Taylor John Ward took the club into the second tier despite having only recently been manager of Bristol Rovers. Relegation was unavoidable and despite the heroics of Danny Wilson taking the club to the playoffs twice losing in the final in 2004 he was not proffered any thanks and was sacked.

    So began the era of former Watford youth player and coach Gary Johnson at the start of the 2005 season. Already a success with Yeovil he took the Robins into the second tier and had promotion to the Premier League within their grasp before losing to Hull City 1-0 in the 2008 playoff final.

    After failing to match expectations Johnson eventually left in March 2010, replaced by a succession of incumbents including another of Steve Coppell's short reigns and the annus horribilis of the last manager but one Sean O'Driscoll. 2013 saw just nine wins attained which placed the team bottom of all 92 clubs in the pyramid in terms of points acquired.The recent two wins back to back under new manager Steve Cotterill being their first since January when we were on the end of a miserable 2-0 defeat.

    The last victory over a Stevenage side whose defence which currently resembles a colander saw veteran 36 year old Louis Carey surpass the appearance record of another City stalwart John Atyeo (after who one of the stands of Ashton Gate the former Park End is named) turning out for the 646th time in the red of City.

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    The club has high aims and a firm desire to return to the Championship and at the very least in the future a place in the Premier League. Bristol is the sole connurbation in England that has as yet failed to provide a Premier League team.

    Current majority shareholder Stephen Lansdown who also has interests in Bristol Rugby had been looking at moving both clubs to nearby Ashton Vale. This was due to have been the site of the proposed 2018 World Cup stadium but since the collapse of the bid the intention now seems to be to redevelop Ashton Gate in it's entirety in a phased development including the building of corporate boxes that the current stadium lacks and a statue of John Atyeo.

    An artists impression of the redevelopment planned for Ashton Gate over the next five years

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    Despite the lofty ambitions the club at present is more concerned with the threat of relegation and joining the Gasheads in the basement of the League. As such they may well prefer to concentrate on what is a tough upcoming league programme against several promotion contenders in League One including franchise FC, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford.

    Their route to the FA Cup third round has been relatively simple with wins over Dagenham & Redbridge and Tamworth.However I would expect us to win this tie with relative ease.

    Last season the two Championship encounters a 2-2 draw at home denied by a late Steven Davies effort and a disastrous 2-0 loss in a rearranged game at Ashton Gate cost us and ultimately Gianfranco rather dear.Greg Cunningham who scored his first league goal in that drab affair and was also on the scoresheet in the last match against Stevenage.

    Cotterill has moved the side to a 3-5-2 with the flexibility of allowing midfielders like Reid to surge past into the box.Cunningham and Wagstaff will be expected to provide more service for the Robins current top scorers former Arsenal youth playerJay Emmanuel Thomas and former MK Don Sam Baldock. The two may not have fully lived up to expectations but between them they have scored 28 goals in all competitions and play well together as a pair.

    In defence Millwall loanee Karleigh Osborne has been solid and the club will look to retain him if they can. Veteran defender Nickey Shorey has been released along with Marlon Harewood,but compared to the line up against Stevenage Derrick Williams is ruled out by suspension and combative midfielder Simon Gillett will not be allowed to play by parent club Nottingham Forest. However Marlon Pack will return to replace Gillett after a one match ban and veteran Carey is likely to replace Williams.

    We may even see some of the talented academicians from the Robin's excellent academy including Wes Burns and a player many Premier League vultures are interested in Jack Batten.

    Bristol City's formation from their last match against Stevenage Borough:

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    This is the first encounter between the clubs in the FA Cup. Revenge for last season would be sweet as would be the lure of a big fish should we progress in the next round. I am sure Sannino will be made aware of the importance of the FA Cup as opposed to the domestic cups in Italy and with the sort of attitude he has another win will be all he expects and demands of the players.

    Things are looking up after a dismal autumn with the signings of Alexander Merkel and Matthias Ranegie. Merkel may even feature tomorrow and as we have seen in recent games the passing game, work rate and cohesiveness has improved markedly.

    However we still remain without Almen Abdi and Tommie Hoban along with Marco Faraoni and Essaid Belkalem. The futures of Hector Bellerin and George Thorne are yet to be decided and they will also therefore not feature having returned to their parent clubs.Despite the appalling weather the West Country has suffered recently as the oceans continue to warm, the match unlike last December should go ahead.

    The Bristol City anthem, One for the Bristol City from The Wurzels.

    [video=youtube;Bo7YnsDtvmY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo7YnsDtvmY[/video]

    Bristol City's last ten match results:

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    Top scorers for each side Troy Deeney and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas with 11 and 16 goals respectively:

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    Our historical record against the Robins:
    http://www.11v11.com/teams/watford/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Bristol City

    Bristol City fan forums:
    http://www.otib.co.uk/
    http://www.bristolcity.vitalfootball.co.uk/forum/category-view.asp
     
  2. Diamond

    Diamond First Team

    Thank You for that Smudger, I really appreciate the work you guys do on the write ups, bravo.
     
  3. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    Hard to predict this one. I think Sannino will take it seriously, but we are thin on the ground with players.

    Forestieri, Anya, Pudil and Faraoni are all out, together with longer term absentees in Abdi, Belkalem and Hoban. Bellerin, Merkel and Ranegie are not eligible either. So our recent injury crisis has switched from the centre backs to the wing backs.

    Not sure who will play the left wingback role as all are injured. Sannino maybe forced to go 4-4-2 or 4-1-3-2 and use someone like Doyley as a standard full back.

    Team Prediction:-

    ..................Bond

    Cassetti - Nosworthy - Brown - Doyley

    .................Iriney
    .....Murray - McGugan - Battocchio

    ...........Acuna - Fabbrini

    Subs:- Woods, Deeney, Ekstrand, Mensah, O'Nien, Angella, Smith

    Prediction: 1-1
     
  4. El distraído

    El distraído Johnny Foreigner

    Really need 3 points here. We've done well at home but it's important to see us put on a good display away from home too.
     
  5. HELGO

    HELGO Reservist

    I saw a tweet yesterday, I think from Britol city advising of a car park for visiting fans 5 mins walk from ground(£5).

    Can't seem to find it now.

    Does anyone recall what the car park is called?

    MTIA
     
  6. tom bola

    tom bola Reservist

    I've always had a soft spot for City having gone to the Freight Rover Final (I think!) at Wembley with a Bristolian uncle in 87. As a young lad the colour and noise of that day made an impression. Almost a second club.

    After we turn them over tomorrow I hope they pick up. A city that size should have at least a Championship club. A bit cliched to say but so true.

    Prediction a hard fought 2 1 win for us, after going a goal down.
     
  7. domthehornet

    domthehornet Moderator Staff Member

    Just hope we don't crash the team bus again!
     
  8. wfcloyal

    wfcloyal Reservist

    Alumni a
    Cassetti Angella Ekstrand Doyley
    Iriney
    Murray Battocchio
    Fabbrini
    Deeney Acuna

    Subs: Bond Nos Brown O'Nien Smith Mcgugan Mensah
     
  9. Hornet23

    Hornet23 First Team

    Bond

    Doyley
    Nosworthy
    Ekstrand
    Cassetti

    Battocchio
    Iriney
    Smith

    Acuna
    Deeney
    Fabbrini

    Strong team to be put out but with the likes of O'Nien and Mensah getting some minutes.
     
  10. El distraído

    El distraído Johnny Foreigner

    My line-up:

    ----------------------Bond---------------------------

    --------Ekstrand----Angella-------Nosworthy------

    ----Doyley-------------------------------Pudil------

    --------------Iriney----Battocchio------------------

    ------------Smith---Fabbrini----Murray-----------

    -------------Deeney----------Acuña----------------
     
  11. Alban Hornet

    Alban Hornet Squad Player

    My FIFA Predicts...

    Bristol City 0 - 2 Watford

    21' - Fabbrini - Fabbrini chests down a long ball from McGugan and finds the bottom corner
    65' - Acuna - Receives the ball on the edge of the box and takes it past the center back before finding the back of the net
    74' - McGugan hits the bar from a free kick

    Man of the match: Reece Brown

    Watford subs:
    74' - Fabbrini off/Deeney on
    88' - McGugan off/O'Nien on

    Odds: Diego Fabbrini FGS + Bristol City 0-2 Watford @35/1
     
  12. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    3 points here and we're back in touch with the playoffs.
     
  13. LPC213

    LPC213 Reservist

    Think it'll be a P-P draw.
     
  14. CarlosKickaballs

    CarlosKickaballs Forum Picarso

    Deeney first to P.
     
  15. JH93

    JH93 Squad Player

    This would be a fantastic result, two goal-shy strikers scoring and a clean sheet. Shame you had to ruin the dream by predicting it yourself.
     
  16. AngelHornet

    AngelHornet Reservist

    Pudil is injured
     
  17. coldbrain

    coldbrain Academy Graduate

    I knew there was something wrong with this otherwise perfect 5-5-2 line-up
     
  18. COYH

    COYH Academy Graduate

    Just making sure, you are aware this is FA cup right?
     
  19. JH93

    JH93 Squad Player

    No, he just doesn't care enough.
     
  20. StevieT

    StevieT First Year Pro

    This is my only memory of us scoring a goal against Bristol City

    [video=youtube_share;nk9N7IOizCA]http://youtu.be/nk9N7IOizCA[/video]
     
  21. TheDon

    TheDon First Team

    Anyone know where is good to drink? Had a quick look there's a spoons near the station but that's nowhere near the ground is it?
     
  22. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    Nice try mate. Norwich knocked us out months ago.
     
  23. gazzah100

    gazzah100 Reservist

    That was a tap in for Jonno.

    3-1 to us with Deeney 2 and Ekstrand with a header.
     
  24. Orny Arry

    Orny Arry Guest

    Which station??
     
  25. TheDon

    TheDon First Team

    Temple Meads.
     
  26. UHORNS

    UHORNS V-Bookie

    Amazed its still on, just drove back from somerset and rain has been relentless until back in sunny Watford.
     
  27. Rostrons Red Card

    Rostrons Red Card Reservist

    Trains are all screwed.
     
  28. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    Anyone who is going down to Bristol in the hope of the game going ahead is going to be mugged off good and proper.
     
  29. Malteser

    Malteser Squad Player

    On what are you basing that comment?
     
  30. Legskeattch

    Legskeattch Squad Player

    There are only light showers due until kick off
     
  31. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    Facts.
     
  32. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    Can't argue with facts moog. I'm off to book my train out of dodge.
     
  33. El distraído

    El distraído Johnny Foreigner

    Fessi, Anya, Hoskins & Pudil will all be assessed before the teamsheet is announced this afternoon.
     
  34. Darrenje

    Darrenje First Year Pro

    Almunia (c); Nosworthy, Angella, Ekstrand; Cassetti, Murray, Iriney, McGugan, Battocchio; Deeney & Fabbrini.

    Subs Bond (GK), Kyprianou, Doyley, Smith, O'Nien, Ikpeazu & Acuna.
     
  35. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    Who is playing the other wing back role?
     

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