On our 3 Peaps In A Podcast Bonus show, we always start with a check-in on the back of our podcast with Talk Club - a talking and listening club for men, offering discussion and sports groups and therapy to help keep you mentally fit.
It’s a simple medicine that starts with asking, “how are you, out of 10?” As well as our check-in, we also start with "Lee’s three words". Our fellow City fan's words for Watford on Saturday were “wily, workmanlike and wasteful”. As always, Lee was spot on, however, we also received three words from a listener who had listened to our Talk Club podcast previously and wanted to reach out.
He’d taken his eldest son to his first ever game on Saturday and his three words were, “life’s more important” and how right he is and never was it more evident than it was on Saturday.
The fixture against Watford was dedicated to the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal in memory of and support for those who serve to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life. Players took to the field, 'The Last Post' performed and a minute's silence observed.
At half-time, City fans were able to show their appreciation for Nathan Baker, a fans favourite, due to his blood and thunder, no-nonsense approach, who had announced his retirement earlier this year on medical grounds.
City staff and players formed a guard of honour and Nathan, who was with his wife and child, walked through before being met by manager Nigel Pearson. It was extremely emotional for Nathan, the staff, and players and for fans in the stands. I’ll admit to shedding a tear. Best wishes, Bakes, for the future from all Bristol City fans.
Onto the game. Following the Lincoln City debacle on Tuesday, and Pearson’s strong words, I was interested to see just who would be left out.
As it was, the manager opted to make two changes from last weekend’s game against Middlesbrough with Andy King and Jay Dasilva starting in place of Timm Klose and Antoine Semenyo. Klose’s absence was no surprise but King starting in the centre of a back three, over Rob Atkinson, was a big call.
Andi Weimann was also deployed as right wing-back again in preference of Mark Sykes. There was also a surprise on the bench, with Han-Noah Massengo named as a substitute. When quizzed pre-match about Massengo and his team selection, the manager said: “I think I said three, four weeks ago that we’d spoken, and he said, 'I’ll be ready if you need me,' and we need him so he’s back in, as simple as that.
“He’s a player who’s contracted to the football club, he gets paid by us, so we’ll use him when it suits us. He’ll get an opportunity and I’ve got no reservations about using him if this situation is needed.”
On his team selection Pearson added: “It’s just the side we feel is the best one to start. It’s as simple as that; there’s nothing complex about it. We need to be positive, we need to be very much in a positive mentality out on the pitch and the 11 players starting are the best ones for that.”
Watford boss Slaven Bilic surprised a few with his own team selection, deciding against starting with star forwards Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro, who were both named on the bench.
City started brightly and Tommy Conway had a couple of opportunities in the opening 15 minutes. The Robins showed the desire and commitment that was so clearly missing in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie and made the team fancied by many for promotion look very ordinary. City were pressing at every opportunity and Joe Williams was covering every blade of grass with his midfield partner Matty James patrolling and directing from the middle of the pitch.
At the back, King, Zak Vyner and Cam Pring were all impressive, getting in front of their opponents at every opportunity, stealing the ball and starting off a City attack. Wing-backs Dasilva and Weimann were both getting forward and Alex Scott was showing the mercurial talent that he possesses. It was a positive opening.
As we approached 30 minutes we thought the moment had arrived as Dasilva sent over a ball to the back post where Weimann headed it back across goal and just as we think Nahki Wells is going to score a high boot comes in and down goes Nahki. It’s been a year and surely the referee will point to the spot? Don’t you believe, City’s protests are waved away and our wait goes on.
Watford really offered very little, but I think that was more down to the intensity that City had showed.
At half-time, as well as the Nathan Baker tribute, we were also treated to seeing John Ward and former players from his 1997/1998 promotion-winning side.
City were still the team more likely to score in the second half but just couldn’t get the goal that their play warranted. There was a great save from a Weimann header that was pushed wide, Weimann meeting a Dasilva cross with a great connection, and he held his head in his hands when it didn’t find the back of the net.
It wasn’t the three points that we hoped for but it was a really strong performance and gives us more heart now entering the World Cup break.
Our 3 Peaps In A Podcast Bonus show ratings were: Max O’Leary 6, Zak Vyner 8, Andy King 8, Cameron Pring 8, Andi Weimann 8, Jay Dasilva 7, Alex Scott 7, Matty James 7, Joe Williams 8, Nahki Wells 7, and Tommy Conway 7 (subs have to have come onto the field before the 60th minute). A game average of 7.36 and a season average of 6.25.
For Nigel it’s a 7, a brave decision to play King in the centre of a three at the back and following the Lincoln defeat he got a tune out of his side.
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