Night fever, night fever,
We know how to do it,
Gimme that night fever, night fever,
We know how to show it
We had a little insight into just where the club is at the moment and the atmosphere around the place when Nigel Pearson was caught on camera celebrating our second penalty in a week, scored by Nahki Wells in the 70th minute against Hull City.
Nige showed his dance moves, pointing to the sky and at the players sat on the bench, showing a ‘soft shoe shuffle’, which continued into the technical area. The manager looks far more relaxed and why wouldn’t he be, when his players are putting in the sort of performances that they are at the moment?
Everyone was a 7/10 and above and we are playing some really good football which is a joy to watch. There is a real excitement and an expectation now when you go to games. Fans have smiles on their faces before, during and after games.
Unfortunately, we received the disappointing confirmation during the week that Rob Atkinson has suffered an ACL injury, which will rule him out for the remainder of this season and most likely the start of next. It is a cruel blow for Rob who had been playing some of his best football in a City shirt and we all wish him a speedy recovery.
What is it with all of these ACL injuries in the game? Years ago, it seems to me that you only heard of one or two of these types of injuries in the league and now most clubs seem to get two or three players with them in a season.
Atkinson’s injury meant a recall and chance for the fit-again Tomas Kalas. Pearson discussed in his pre-match press conference about how this is Kalas’ opportunity to earn a new contract.
I thought that Tomas was one of the players who had been offered a new deal but perhaps on a lower salary ala Wells, but from Pearson’s comments it would seem not, and a run of games between now and the end of the season, will hopefully see an offer which the Czech Republic international will sign as there is no doubting his qualities as evidenced against Hull.
The Kalas-for-Atkinson change was the only alteration to the starting line-up that had taken to the field at Sunderland in the previous week. I was again a little surprised at Sam Bell being preferred over Wells, but it shows the great faith that Pearson has in the youngster.
Anis Mehmeti had us on our feet from the get-go - what an exciting talent this lad is - and it makes you wonder just how he stayed below the radar of other Championship clubs.
It seems to be a great bit of business and watching Mehmeti linking up with Alex Scott was a joy to see. Both were quite rightly given a standing ovation as they left the pitch having been substituted, walking past Section 82, the South Stand and the Lansdown Stand.
Both are a couple of ‘ballers’ and I hope we witness many more games together and linking up between now and the end of the season.
This was a tough Championship game that I really enjoyed. Hull are no mugs and Liam Rosenior has them well organised at the back. They were perhaps a little impotent up front, but they worked hard and defended manfully during an opening 20 minutes when we did everything but score.
So much had been made about our penalty drought, ended after 469 days by Wells' equaliser at the Stadium of Light, that perhaps it was no surprise that like buses - although maybe not so much in Bristol these days - that two came along, one after the other.
Hull fans will perhaps feel aggrieved at the award for a handball against Cyrus Christie from a Mehmeti cross, but the full-back's arms were out, and the ball clearly struck a limb. For me, it’s a touch of justice for the penalty that was awarded and scored against us away at Hull on the opening day of the season, and there was also a clearer penalty earlier in the half when the ball dropped over the shoulder of a defender and struck him on his outstretched arm.
Mehmeti like Mark Sykes last week was the decoy, fielding all of the flack from the Tigers players to allow Nahki to clear his head, go through his process and ready himself for the spot kick which he duly dispatched.
Almost immediately from kick-off, Rosenior’s side nearly forced an equalizer, but Benjamin Tetteh’s header came back off the post and we were able to scramble it clear.
Another aspect that is very noticeable in this side now is the way that we see games out. We showed a certain 'housery during injury time, keeping the ball in the corner and the players taking it in turns as to who was going to take the throw-ins just to waste time. The final whistle went and we’re 12 games unbeaten, with an even record of 11 wins, 11 draws and 11 defeats, on 44 points.
Next up is the mouth-watering FA Cup fifth round tie against Manchester City. It is going to be another special atmosphere under the lights at Ashton Gate and whilst Pep Guardiola’s side are clearly the favourites, you just never know. Maybe we can have our Rocky moment and beat the odds. Anyone for a Wells penalty to win it?
Our 3 Peaps In A Podcast Bonus show ratings were: Max O’Leary 7, George Tanner 7, Zak Vyner 7, Tomas Kalas 8, Cameron Pring 7, Alex Scott 7, Matty James 8, Joe Williams 8, Mark Sykes 7, Sam Bell 6 & Anis Mehmeti 7 (subs have to have come onto the field before the 60th minute).
A game average of 7.18, and a season average of 6.38. For Nigel, it has to be a 7, some great dance moves and also got the selections right, some enjoyable football and another win.
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