England’s Lionesses (good luck for the semi-final) have helped hugely with the void filled by the off-season, but it’s still been a long summer.
The older I get the more I miss travelling to Ashton Gate and grounds up and down the country to watch City. It makes me realise the impact that watching the Robins and meeting up with friends has on my mental well-being.
Even after a poor performance and result, there are still positives that can be taken, and laughs that can be shared. I’m even looking forward to the 450-mile round trip to Hull City’s MKM stadium on Saturday.
Our 3 Peaps in a Podcast has kept going during the summer break, which has also helped, with a memory and music theme. Fans have joined us with their recollections of some memorable Bristol City games over the years and we have also had a listen to the Top 10 of that week.
It’s been great recalling some big games over the years against Hereford, Mansfield, Birmingham, Watford, Bristol Rovers, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Liverpool and listening to some banging and some not so banging tunes from the past.
Last season won’t live long in the memory and 17th place was in and around where I had expected to finish this time last year when discussing our prospects. We were never truly in relegation trouble but that was more down to the points deduction for Derby County and the poor showings from the likes of Peterborough and Barnsley.
We had a decent end of the season, winning three and drawing two out of the last six games, with arguably our best performance of the campaign coming against Saturday’s opening day opponents Hull City, a 5-0 victory in the last home game.
The fixture list announcement always brings a buzz and then there was the eagerly anticipated arrival of my new season ticket, this year arriving in a Huboo (new sponsors) gift box along with a free key ring. It was a really nice touch and I’ve seen lots of online footage of delighted young Bristol City fans.
So, what about the upcoming 2022/23 season? It’s been a decent pre-season, in terms of results and our unbeaten run but pre-season results don’t hold much weight for me. I think the key part is fitness and team bonding and developing a style/pattern of play.
The players seemed to get a lot out of the Austrian training camp, and I have to praise the Bristol City Communications and Media team for the social media posts that kept us entertained throughout the trip.
We have seen Kasey Palmer, Taylor Moore, Callum O’Dowda, Tyreeq Bakinson and Robbie Cundy leave City and I wish them all well at their new clubs. Palmer, Moore, O’Dowda and Bakinson all promised much but for a number of reasons could never cement a place in the starting line-up, never really fulfilling their potential with the club and a change of scenery was the right for all concerned. I actually expect all to do well and one or two of them may just bite us a little on the backside.
I am pleased with the signings of Mark Sykes, Kal Naismith, Kane Wilson and Stefan Bajic (who we are yet to see play) and loved the social media signing reveals in particular of Naismith and Wilson. I have been really impressed with what I have seen from the new men.
Naismith looks to be a born leader; his voice could be constantly heard during the pre-season games. The Scotsman is well organised and demands perfection from those around him, but he can also play, and I fully expect us to be better defensively with Kal in the side.
Sykes looked a little nervous and unsure of his role in the first pre-season game that I watched but since then has been impressive and was my man of the match in two of the matches. He appears to have a great engine and has linked up well with Chris Martin and Andi Weimann. Already in pre-season the former Oxford United man has shown his versatility and will be a valuable addition to the team.
Wilson was perhaps the most exciting pre-season signing and has impressed with his attacking intent and crossing ability in the games played. Certainly, Wilson and Dasilva on the other flank seem to have a directive to get forward and get balls into the front men, which should make for a more exciting spectacle for those in the stands.
The manager has come out and said that he doesn’t expect any more imminent additions unless further bodies are moved out. Nigel Pearson has talked openly of his desire for a central defensive midfielder, a position that I think we are lacking in.
Along with a defensive midfielder, with Cundy departing and Nathan Baker expected to miss this season, I think we need another central defender in the squad. I also think that we need another physical option in the striking department. Someone to take the load off Chris Martin.
I think Alex Scott, our European Under-19 Championship winner and Antoine Semenyo will have a big influence on where we finish this season. The best bit of transfer business we can do this summer may well be keeping hold of them.
You can’t help fear losing one of both of them, but City do hold the cards and it would take bids of £20million plus for each for me to even consider letting them go.
Andi Weimann’s goals and assists last season were a huge factor in our finish and whilst the best season of his career to date will be hard to match, there is no reason why he can’t. With a more attacking intent from the wings, Weimann should get more opportunities and last season will definitely have given him newfound confidence. A fit Joe Williams can also have a major say on our season.
The Championship is never easy and the likes of Middlesbrough, West Brom and Sheffield United will all be pushing for automatic promotion along with last season’s Premier League relegated sides, Burnley, Watford and Norwich City. Queens Park Rangers have a new manager and have strengthened, Luton Town under Nathan Jones are always going to be difficult to beat and I fancy Millwall as an outside play-off contender, along with Coventry City and Stoke City.
So, what would constitute a decent season? If we finish in and around 10th place with some exciting performances and an improvement on what we have seen the last couple of seasons, then I think I will be content. Obviously, I’d love to be talking of play-offs and promotion but I’m also realistic.
I look for an improved season on season and 10th to 12th would certainly be that with maybe a decent cup run. As of today, with the squad, as it is and the other business completed in the league, I think we will be around mid-table so I’ll plump for 13th. But, if we get off to a good start and make a couple more quality additions, who knows?
One thing for sure is I can’t wait. The optimism in the MKM Stadium concourse on Saturday before kick-off will be tangible. Every fan dreams on the opening day of the season. Let’s hope by 4:45pm, we still feel the same. Nothing is ever won or lost on the first day but it’s always great to have a good start.
Finally, at the time of writing this, I have just seen the really sad news that Bristol City fan Stoney Garnett has passed away. Stoney was a legend in and around Knowle West and Ashton Gate. Stoney always had a smile, a laugh, and the time of day for absolutely anyone that he came across.
Seeing him in his red hat, scarf and red shoes always made me smile. Social media comments from members of the board past and present, ex-players and fans alike show how highly regarded he was. Thoughts and love go to his family and friends. Rest in peace Stoney, a Bristol City fan who transcended generations.
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