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Reading historically have been known as late goal scorers. Therefore it should come as no shock to anyone when Nick Blackman pops up with a 90th minute winner! This may well have masked another iffy display with neither side really troubling the keepers much. Reading with 19 shots (3 on target), and Bristol City with 8 shots (0 on target) hardly shows that Reading can score the goals to make the playoffs or that Bristol can score the goals to stay up.
However, as the old adage goes winning games when playing poorly is a bonus, but when you look at who these wins have been against then it’s open to debate. Anyway it is three points, we are now closer to the playoffs than the relegation dogfight and a good cup run and some league form might cheer us all up!
The Bristol fans' views centered around whether to sack Cotterill and also that their goal was disallowed for offside (probably a little in that as well!) and a players' poll, as well as Simon Cox!
Social
Manager's the eternal question!
To sack the manager or not to sack the manger, that is the question?!? #BristolCity
— tim roberts (@TemoUK) January 2, 2016
Then there is always the manager that you might get…….
Be careful what you wish for City fans Holloway is looking for work.... #Bristolcity pic.twitter.com/dJzTy7u9z4
— Simmo (@SimmosHouse) January 2, 2016
A more analytical view of the managerial issues…..
Some of my views on our problems and Cotterill #BristolCity pic.twitter.com/Fxi9OUn6yV
— James Payne (@jamespayne97) January 3, 2016
Doomed! We're all doomed! - Private Frazer anyone? (For those not born in the 70’s/80’s google it!)
Freeman shocking again wilbs to slow kodija always offside think we are doomed #bcfc #bristolcityfc
— jamie wilson (@wils82) January 2, 2016
Looks like Blackman managed to upset the manager!
@TheExiledRobin saw football league show do you know why Blackman reacted towards cotts after goal? #BristolCity
— Chris Gainey (@7Gainey5) January 4, 2016
All together now…….Sweeeeet Caroline
I can take defeat, I can even take a last minute defeat but celebrating by blasting out Neil Diamond really was too much #BCFC #Reading
— Mark Bennett (@markbennett1964) January 2, 2016
He’s one of our own…..
Are we all voting for Simon Cox as player of the season this year? #bristolcity
— Simon Bruford (@CiderSi) January 2, 2016
Offside/onside……..
Some how I don't think this was offside...vital blow! #bcfc https://t.co/3Xzn88Z81Q
— Barnsey (@Charlieee_6) January 2, 2016
Again scapegoats anyone?
Who is the better player? #BristolCity #BCFC #STFC #Swindle
— Lee Skuse (@Lee_Goose) January 3, 2016
Media
Stats are a wonderful thing and this week I am starting with Squawka, as you get an interesting perception of the game and who has performed well. Sometimes surprising and sometimes expected it’s actually worth looking at as they do a game by game analysis.
A basement battle this early in the season draws little coverage and this game was no exception. Our form and that of Bristol’s leave little to inspire the sporting press and this week’s highlights are as usual Sky who reckon we dominated the game without being threatening and missed far too many chances. They have a good video of the game as well and at 1.52 is longer than we usually get.
Interesting takeaways from that coverage is that Vydra did miss a couple of sitters, however on more than one occasion his tracking back was excellent and the tackle that led to the goal was exquisite.
The BBC’s report as usual is factual and they have an interview with McDermott which is worth a listen; it seems from that that he is firmly behind Vydra.
Looking at the other reports then there are ClubCall, who falsely credit Williams with the pass to Blackman, and Sporting Life whose report is all about Vydra. ESPN FC’s effort is basically a hybrid of the Sky and Squawka ones.
The national press are in blissful ignorance of us and the only place we get a mention online is at the Daily Mail and they give us, wait for it - 3 lines!! That my friends is a record. However there's a nice picture of Blackman with Quinn and Cooper so there you go.
Looking at the local papers then, The Western Daily Press seem a little miffed that they lost and reckon that neither side deserved to win, and that City were naive. Get Reading seem to be understandably a little more upbeat, and hold Cooper out for praise and rightly so for an outstanding performance. With Hector going off to Chelsea we have a ready made replacement in Cooper to bring into the team.
A slightly abridged version today, however a good FA Cup game should hopefully give us some more coverage on the weekend.
See you all at Huddersfield!