‘We aren’t winning every game, but we’re competing in each’ – why Bristol City supporters should be optimistic

Callum O’Dowda of Bristol City is tackled during a heavy defeat to FulhamCallum O’Dowda of Bristol City is tackled during a heavy defeat to Fulham
Callum O’Dowda of Bristol City is tackled during a heavy defeat to Fulham | Getty Images
BristolWorld fan columnist Paul Binning says despite fans’ frustration there should be optimism over the future in his review of the season so far

Considering that, at the start of the season, many Bristol City fans were just hoping to not be in the midst of a relegation scrap come the Spring, then you would be forgiven for assuming everyone was reasonably happy with the progress made, given the club hasn’t been in the bottom six at any point this season.

In terms of expectation, if you’re anticipating finishing say, 19th, you’re likely to lose nearly half of your games, around 20-22 games in the season.

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A sobering thought, and pretty hard to take as and when they happen, but that’s the depressing reality. But that demonstrates you’ve got to roll the losses, take them on the chin and ‘go again’ as the modern-day player is so keen to articulate.

When you throw into the mix a squad that’s being slowly rebuilt after a double-figure departure of senior players in the summer, and a financial position that leaves little room for manoeuvre, surely we were just achieving what was expected?

Yet, entering December, hovering just above that 19th position but a reasonable number of points clear of deduction-affected and weak-looking teams, there seemed a sense of despondency amongst many at Ashton Gate. The underlying feeling was one of frustration. There was boredom at a couple of years of fairly turgid football, at home especially.

Bristol City lost 3-0 to Birmingham City back in NovemberBristol City lost 3-0 to Birmingham City back in November
Bristol City lost 3-0 to Birmingham City back in November | Getty Images

There was real anger that we weren’t competing at times, most notably Bournemouth and West Brom, where whilst defeats might be expected, it’s not good form to roll over without laying a punch on the opposition.

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A dreadful performance at Birmingham was followed by what could end up being a bit of a turning point; a pathetic surrender against the ten men of Coventry which resulted in a significant amount of abuse and gesturing when the players came over to the large travelling support at the end of the match.

There was genuine concern over what Nigel Pearson’s plan was. What was his style, what was our identity and ethos? We didn’t press, we didn’t counter-attack particularly well, we weren’t great at keeping possession – so what were we?

We seemed directionless and not improving in any area of the pitch. Few had any idea what type of football we were trying to play or where we were heading and, after nearly a year in the job, it was a major concern.

The lack of backbone shown at the old Ricoh Arena was highly concerning.

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The lack of nous and experience to see that result to fruition left the away fans incredulous. Yet since that embarrassment we have started to see changes. Perhaps we saw it that day, but were left blinded by the ineptitude of the pummelling endured in the second half.

There was concern over what Nigel Pearson’s plan was There was concern over what Nigel Pearson’s plan was
There was concern over what Nigel Pearson’s plan was | Getty Images

There was at least an attempt to get on the front foot. Callum O’Dowda’s direct goal contributions may be woeful for someone in his position (look them up!), but occasionally his pace causes defenders real problems and it did that day, winning the penalty and reducing the 1987 FA Cup winners to ten men. Alex Scott was brought back into the side that afternoon after a spell on the periphery and hasn’t looked back since, with his performances perhaps persuading Nigel Pearson he could put more faith in the youth around the squad.

Fast forward three months and we’ve just lost six in nine games, so surely everyone’s depressed and worried?

Well, no. Arguably the outlook is as bright as it’s been since Dean Holden briefly led us to the top of the table in September 2020.

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We’ve seen positivity, front-foot football and a team that defends (and attacks) from the front, putting pressure on opposition passes. A string of young players have been introduced, some more successfully than others, but certainly a handful who will hopefully form the bedrock for years to come.

We aren’t winning every game, but we’re competing in each – even at Fulham until we got blown away – and we’re showing intent.

Against Cardiff, Luton, Preston, and QPR to an extent, and for other spells we’ve controlled possession and attacked with a zest not seen since Bobby Reid and Jamie Paterson were combining to such good effect.

The defeat to Blackpool, who knows - hopefully just a blip in the road but a performance that clearly needs work and focus in training.

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Blackpool’s Josh Bowler adds a third goal against a poor Bristol CityBlackpool’s Josh Bowler adds a third goal against a poor Bristol City
Blackpool’s Josh Bowler adds a third goal against a poor Bristol City | CameraSport - Dave Howarth

There are obvious failings which need addressing, defensively in particular, but we’re now playing in a way that genuinely worries the opposition for the first time in a long time – with Antoine Semenyo at the fore. There haven’t been too many young players who have come through in the last 30 years who have forced their way into the team and established themselves in the way Semenyo and Alex Scott have these last few weeks.

Cardiff may be an average side, but the way Semenyo battered the experienced Aden Flint and Curtis Nelson, and the way Scott just dropped into central midfield and ran the game alongside Han-Noah Massengo, was a joy to watch. Over four decades we’ve had all too few central midfield partnerships who have dominated possession, but at a combined age of just 38, Scott and Massengo have shown their potential in recent games.

What the last six weeks has shown is that we’ve got some exciting youngsters, we’ve got more pace than we maybe realised we had, we can attack and, critically, we can make football more enjoyable for fans again. Fans will always get behind a team that obviously cares, that works hard and give them something to cheer, even if we’re conceding too many goals. Especially when the vast majority seem to fully understand we can’t just go and bring new faces in due to financial constraints.

The lower reaches of a division can be a depressing place to be. It all depends on your expectations and how you play. When the team has youth on its side, when pace is present and there is a true dynamism to the style of football, then it can also be a positive foundation for what lies ahead.

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