Bryan & Bobby Reid booed: Assessing Bristol City’s FA Cup third-round loss to Fulham

Ashton Gate wasn’t a place full of FA Cup fever as Bristol City fell to a narrow defeat to Fulham which saw them exit the FA Cup in the third round.

Just over 7000 fans were in attendance - 2000 less than their last home match in the same competition back in January 2020 - but for those attended they at least had something to take away.

Treated to an extra thirty minutes after the game was goalless in the 90, the fans got to see a respectable performance against one of their division’s top sides.

Fulham who named a strong line-up after just one game in the last 28 days, were well matched by the Robins but their class showed when Harry Wilson netted the winner.

Here are the key takeaways from the match and what it means in the wider context for the next week

Boos for academy duo Bryan and De Cordova-Reid

In what was a sparsely attended match with fans scattered around the ground, the home fans did not give a good reception to two of their homegrown talents. Both Bobby Decordoa-Reid and Joe Byran, who were brought up in the city were both jeered when they touched the ball for the opposition.

Decordova-Reid took the brunt of the boos as he was the player who had more time on the ball and was the one trying to get his team forward.

Despite the boos, he put in a respectable showing and was a big part of what Fulham did going forward.

Byran meanwhile had a bit of a difficult time having to deal with the running of both Alex Scott and Nahki Wells for a majority of the match.

Ultimately, the two will be delighted that they were on the winning side today and will be undeterred by the boos from fans.

Return of Jay Dasilva and Palmer

October 19th, a 2-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest was the last time Kasey Palmer competitively played for City.

Palmer was reintroduced to the first-team fold, as he was given a runout amidst speculation of a move away.

The 25-year-old can either use this appearance to put himself in the shop window or give Nigel Pearson food for thought on reintroducing him for the league.

Meanwhile two months after making his last appearance, a 3-2 defeat to Coventry City, Jay Dasilva made his return, replacing Andy King in the 70th minute. His introduction saw him take Alex Scott’s role as Scott moved into the centre of the park.

The former Chelsea academy youngster has not been injured but instead has been an unused substitute for the last six games with a number of players fancied ahead of him.

Dasilva was part of a trio that have been linked with a move away from Ashton Gate in this window.

His appearance is one of intrigue as perhaps starting the match would have given Pearson a bit more to ponder on whether he should be in the starting team or not.

City midfielder out with COVID but responding well

In his post-match presser, Nigel Pearson was asked of where Tyreeq Bakinson who hadn’t been in the last two match day squads as well as today.

The picture became clearer today after Pearson revealed that his centre midfielder had contracted coronavirus, which has meant him isolating.

“He tested positive,” revealed Pearson. “Every club is dealing with that. He was training today... He’ll be around... He’s okay.”

He may have not been included in today’s squad but the 23-year-old was going through his paces during a training session today. As well as the competition for the central midfield role, Pearson will now have to manage the player appropriately.

Other absentees today included Matty James, though he may have just been rested, whilst Danny Simpson who has not played since October, did not play in this match.

Blackpool not big six for Bristol City

The defeat today meant that City’s FA Cup run came to an end and some may think that it would mean a free weekend in the calendar but it doesn’t.

An away match at Bloomfield Road had been pencilled in for the date should either club fail to progress in the competition. Blackpool were dumped out of the Cup by Hartlepool United earlier in the day which means the game will go ahead. It’s good news for those who don’t want a break but ultimately elimination means none of the big Premier League teams will be coming to Ashton Gate.