A disappointing result will dictate so much of the narrative about Saturday, but we also need to recognise the positives both on and off the pitch.
The club provided a 'mates rates' offer for the game, allowing season ticket holders to bring up to two friends for £12.50, which along with a tremendous following from the Northeast, saw a crowd of 24,543, the largest opening home crowd since 1977.
It was the annual Flag Day celebration at the Three Lions pub with lots of fans paying tribute to the memory of Stoney Garnett, who so sadly passed away recently, donning red fedora hats that became so synonymous with Stoney.
Walking into the ground and having a pre-match drink in the concourse, chatting to friends that I hadn’t seen since last season was brilliant. The atmosphere was great, and I hope the initiative is something that the club will look to repeat in future games this season.
Let’s hope that the result, after what was an entertaining game, doesn’t deter those mates returning to Ashton Gate again this season. We spoke with Mark Kelly, Ashton Gate Managing Director on 3 PEAPS IN A PODCAST before the game and Mark talked about the investment in the Family stand concourse and I’m sure that the youngsters who attended before the game enjoyed the kick-about.
The club and the Former Players Association opened the Legends Lounge, and before kick-off former players Tony Thorpe, Ray Cashley, Brian Drysdale, Mike Gibson and Gary Owers took to the pitch. Paying recognition to those that have been before and looking at fans of the future.
I was interested to listen to owner Steve Lansdown pre-match on Radio Bristol. Steve said that he is looking for other investors to come in, citing his age (70 on the 30th of August) and the fact that he is not getting any younger.
The owner, who has been involved for 25 years and has done so much for Bristol City and the City of Bristol, said that it needs some fresh blood, some fresh ideas, and whilst he is not looking to sell the club, if the right deal was there then he would sell the club.
They are looking for tens of millions to be invested and to share the burden. Nothing is expected short term, but they are talking to a number of different people from different angles. The City owner was asked by Geoff Twentyman what the strategy was in terms of selling or retaining Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo.
Mr Lansdown said that 'we don’t need to and don’t want to sell them', but it would take mega offers and he wouldn’t stand in their way of playing in the Premier League. I am sure that any deal will be the right one for the club, Steve, Maggie (Lansdown) and Jon (Lansdown) have too much love for the club and have spent too much time and money, to sell to the wrong people.
So many good things going on off the pitch but of course, it’s on the pitch where it counts most. There was no surprise in the starting line-up when announced at 2pm, although this changed due to a pre-match injury to midfielder Matty James, Han-Noah Massengo taking his place.
The game was only a few minutes old when one of last week’s stand-out performers, Kal Naismith made a real ricket. Receiving a pass from keeper Dan Bentley, looking to play out from the back, Naismith got caught out, was tackled, and on loan Everton striker Ellis Simms received the ball and fired past the helpless Bentley from the edge of the box.
It’s the way that Pearson wants his team to play and unfortunately, sometimes you get caught out.
It was an early blow, but City were soon on the offensive with Joe Williams having a shot, which was comfortably saved by Sunderland keeper Patterson. We didn’t have to wait long for parity, when on ten minutes, Andi Weimann finished off a flowing move, firing into the net after a fine pass by Zak Vyner.
Weimann is a player full of confidence. It was an open, entertaining first half, with both sides looking to attack. City were getting the ball down much like they had done last week away at Hull, with Alex Scott having a growing influence on the game.
One moment where Scott danced through Sunderland before laying the ball off to Chris Martin for a chance. For Sunderland, Simms and Ross Stewart were causing problems for the City defence with Alex Pritchard architecting from midfield.
Within minutes of the second half starting, City took the lead, this time Weimann turning provider finding Martin although how much contact the City forward had on the ball is debatable.
Unfortunately, within a couple of minutes, Alex Neil’s team were level and it was that man Simms again. Pritchard played a ball in behind and Simms bullied Vyner, coming back inside on his right foot, when Zak should have kept him on the outside. The shot was powerful enough but again Bentley will be disappointed.
Zak, up to that point had a decent game but unfortunately, he does always seem to have those moments in a match. From that point on Sunderland were in the ascendency and it was in the middle of the pitch that we really struggled.
I was surprised that we didn’t change the shape. Williams and Massengo had too much to do in the middle. It perhaps highlighted the importance of James.
We needed an extra body in there or certainly someone to get closer to the influential Pritchard. Andy King was left on the bench, and it was Pritchard again who provided the delivery for Stewart's winner, rising above Naismith who was on the wrong side and powering his header into the net.
Of course, no one is panicking but two games without a point and five goals conceded is not the start anyone wanted or expected after a good pre-season. The pressure will ramp up the longer it goes on and with the cup game against Coventry City in doubt because of the appalling state of their pitch, we could be heading to promoted Wigan Athletic needing to get something, even this early in the season.
Our 3 Peaps In A Podcast Bonus show ratings were: Daniel Bentley 5, Zak Vyner 5, Kal Naismith 5, Rob Atkinson 6, Jay Dasilva 5, Joe Williams 5, Han-Noah Massengo 5, Mark Sykes 5, Alex Scott 6, Chris Martin 5 and Andreas Weimann 7 *MotM.
A weekly average of 5.36. For Nigel it’s a 5. We needed to change shape when Sunderland started to get on top in the second half and bring an extra body into the middle and we didn’t.
I was disappointed after the game to read on social media the misogynistic comment made to Bristol City women's team manager Lauren Smith, who was supporting the men’s side at Ashton Gate, along with her team and was told, “women shouldn't be at the football but in the kitchen."
Seriously? In 2022, after what has just happened with the Lionesses in the last few weeks and the club's strong support for the HerGameToo campaign someone could say that. The club were quick to condemn the behavior and I hope that the man involved takes Lauren up on her offer and visits the Robins HPC. Sadly, I doubt very much that he will.
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