[themaclad]

Bristol City
Ashton Gate 3/5/2025 1230hrs

10 years to the day since our last massive game on the last day of the season



A horror of a day, might be matched on Saturday



MANAGER



Decent manager

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/

LAST TIME OUT





Wouldn't read to much into this game, one time played in a very relaxed party mood

FORM GUIDE

BRISTOL CITY 8 PNE 1

The lowest rating North End have had all season

THINGS TO DO IN BRISTOL AFTER POSSIBLE RELEGATION



The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Avon Gorge and the River Avon, linking Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods in North Somerset. Since opening in 1864, it has been a toll bridge, the income from which provides funds for its maintenance. The bridge is built to a design by William Henry Barlow and John Hawkshaw,[2] based on an earlier design by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It is a Grade I listed building and forms part of the B3129 road.

The idea of building a bridge across the Avon Gorge originated in 1753. Original plans were for a stone bridge and later iterations were for a wrought iron structure. In 1831, an attempt to build Brunel's design was halted by the Bristol riots, and the revised version of his designs was built after his death and completed in 1864. Although similar in size and design, the bridge towers are not identical, the Clifton tower having side cut-outs, the Leigh tower more pointed arches atop a 110-foot (34 m) red sandstone-clad abutment. Roller-mounted "saddles" at the top of each tower allow movement of the three independent wrought iron eyebar chains on each side when loads pass over the bridge. The bridge deck is suspended by 162 vertical wrought-iron rods in 81 matching pairs.

The Clifton Bridge Company initially managed the bridge under licence from a charitable trust. The trust subsequently purchased the company shares, completing this in 1949 and took over the running of the bridge using the income from tolls to pay for maintenance. The bridge is a distinctive landmark, used as a symbol of Bristol on postcards, promotional materials, and informational web sites. It has been used as a backdrop to several films and television advertising and programmes. It has also been the venue for significant cultural events such as the first modern bungee jump in 1979, the last Concorde flight in 2003 which flew over the bridge, and a handover of the Olympic Torch relay in 2012.

[themaclad]

The Fitness Test

Sam Greenwood, who has missed the last two matches, is back in training and could be in contention to feature.

Ryan Ledson made a return from an injury of his own last weekend and will be in an even better position come Saturday after a week in training.

It’s unlikely that any of Ali McCann, Brad Potts, Freddie Woodman, Jack Whatmough and Mads Frøkjær will be available.

The Robins


Like North End, the fate of Bristol City is in their own hands, however at the other end of the table. The Robins currently sit fifth and are looking to secure a Play-Off place.

A win will confirm their top-six spot, and even a draw or defeat could see them do it, however they would at that stage be relying on results elsewhere to go in their favour.

Liam Manning’s side find themselves in the position they’re in largely thanks to their record at Ashton Gate, with only the top three holding better home records in the Championship.


We have been in the same league as City since 2013/14

Are the Siamese twins of football finally going to be seperated, probably going to see my first defeat at any Bristol ground since September 1986 lost 3-1 Jim Brannigan put in one of the worst performances ever seen in a North End shirt.

The key match in my view is Portsmouth v Hull, Tigers fans really do think they will go, hope they are right but no matter what happens things have to change at Deepdale, no ifs or buts

[johnno_pne]

The Fitness Test

Sam Greenwood, who has missed the last two matches, is back in training and could be in contention to feature.

Ryan Ledson made a return from an injury of his own last weekend and will be in an even better position come Saturday after a week in training.

It’s unlikely that any of Ali McCann, Brad Potts, Freddie Woodman, Jack Whatmough and Mads Frøkjær will be available.

The Robins


Like North End, the fate of Bristol City is in their own hands, however at the other end of the table. The Robins currently sit fifth and are looking to secure a Play-Off place.

A win will confirm their top-six spot, and even a draw or defeat could see them do it, however they would at that stage be relying on results elsewhere to go in their favour.

Liam Manning’s side find themselves in the position they’re in largely thanks to their record at Ashton Gate, with only the top three holding better home records in the Championship.


We have been in the same league as City since 2013/14

Are the Siamese twins of football finally going to be seperated, probably going to see my first defeat at any Bristol ground since September 1986 lost 3-1 Jim Brannigan put in one of the worst performances ever seen in a North End shirt.

The key match in my view is Portsmouth v Hull, Tigers fans really do think they will go, hope they are right but no matter what happens things have to change at Deepdale, no ifs or buts

---

Fair comments there Maclad, as always.

And if NE /do/ somehow manage not to have a dubious penalty given against them, the Stoke Derby game also comes into consideration. Either of those two teams could theoretically go down too.

As for the large number of wrong decisions against NE that have since been overturned, I'd like to see a mathematician show whether this seasons evidence for PNE adverse decisions stands out as statistically significant. (That term statistically significant has a formal definition in maths.)

And, beyond that, I can see multiple improvements that can be made. Here's one: over the years there has increasingly been a 'good character' test applied to players before they are signed. This commentator suggests that the test outcome can be faked.

It's a complex matter which, again in an opinion, has resulted in the root cause of the problem of many, many obvious poor performances (and points gifted away) by players (not anyone else!) being masked. However, maybe it is time for the 'advisors' of those players to pass a good character test themselves.

That might mean almost none of the current set get admitted to the professional body that is needed.

Would we weep ?

[themaclad]

Bristol City 2 McCrorie 2 Preston North End 2 Riis Osmajic

Attendance: 24,987 (1,213 PNE fans).

Referee: Mr J Linington.

In a season of crap, we end with one of our better performances of the season, although the inability to keep a lead reared it's ugly head again, but perfect ending scenario both teams achieved their objectives.
Love getting up at 4.15 am said no one ever, coach 6.30, Strensham by 9, coolish May morning as we arrived at the Gate. One change Ledson for Thor. Odd firt 30 minutes or so, having to watch a game when having to listen to other scores rattling through, Luton losing, then drawing and Hull winning and we are close to the dreaded line, Luton starting then to collapse faster than the Government vote at Thursday's election correspended with us going 1 up. Commentator in highlights Preston worst record of scoring at corners in the League, seconds later Brady corner, awful defending Riis header, the light at the end of the tunnel was in sight.
In truth those we were excellent in that first period and personal view deserved it. No alarms until the break.
Could have scored early on Os's first touch when through wasn't great decent save by the keeper, Luton now 5-1 down still had that sneeking feeling they could still win but Os down inside left channel from Whiteman's pass, easily outpaced the defenders and nutmeged the keeper, carnage in the away end

We couldn't see it out as per usual City started to get lots of joy down the right wing, cross into the box, Storey not aware McCrorie behind him 2-1, Knight blitzed one against the bar, before providing the pass for McCrorie to level.
Full voice from the City fans as their team tried to force a victory but our game management for once was decent. Honours even, one in the play offs ad the other safe, fair result and still not lost at any Bristol ground since 1986




HECK

Paul Heckingbottom felt his side put in a “very good” performance on a day where their Championship status was on the line.

PNE headed into the final day of the season knowing victory would be enough to keep them up. Anything less and they’d be reliant on results elsewhere.

Goals from Milutin Osmajić and Emil Riis put the Lilywhites in a great position, albeit a quickfire Ross McCrorie limited them to a point. By full-time, though, games involving other teams towards the bottom had ended and PNE’s 2025/26 Championship spot was secured.

On staying up, Hecky said: “That was the be-all and end-all today, but to do that we knew we'd have to perform well, and I felt we did that.

“I'm disappointed we didn't win the game. They had two shots on target and scored two goals. Particularly without the ball, I thought we controlled the game and we were a threat when we had set plays, counter attacks, every time we got in their box really.

“The players executed the plan brilliantly and I’m just really disappointed with the two goals. The objective was to make sure we stayed up. To do that, we had to prepare, we had to mentally be right and I’m proud of the players and how they performed today because they were very good.”

The manager opted for Riis and Osmajić up top, a combination which haven’t been seen together too often, but it worked a treat with both getting on the scoresheet.

Riis sent his side into the break a goal to the good thanks to a close-range header, before Osmajić slotted home a nice finish in the second half, sparking pandemonium in the away end.

Hecky said: “Milly and Emil worked unbelievably hard without the ball. We always knew that they would be a threat when we did turn the ball over because there's more space away from home against teams that like to play.

“At home against Plymouth, a team dropping in, and a lot of games at home the space is denied and we have to create it a lot. But today it would naturally turn up and it means you can get those players who are really good with grass in front of them running towards the opposition as well.”

With the campaign now over, work for the next season can now properly begin. The manager has previously called it a summer of change and opportunity.

Hecky said: “Just naturally things have happened where players are out of contract, we've got loan players and you've got to try and make the most of it.

“That's happened but all that planning or talk about it would have meant nothing if we didn't stay up. To a man today, I'm really proud of the players who've delivered a performance and shown how hard they fought. We've had things go against us which have been unfair this season but you can either sulk about it or get on with it.

“I think today you can see what the players have done throughout this season and we're proud of them.”

Bristol City head coach Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol: "I have no idea how I am feeling, to be honest. Exhausted, stressed, happy, over the moon, proud - what an afternoon.

"We made real hard work of it but I spoke to the lads beforehand and there's a lot made now about styles and philosophies, and we spoke about us to underpin everything with the culture we have got.

"It says on the shirts 'always believe' and we have done that numerous times now, and you see it today - it's a fantastic group of lads.

"I said to them, irrespective of what happens today, I couldn't be more proud of them and what they've done, so I'm delighted.

"I have had a tough six months. I spoke to the lads beforehand, 'today is everything'.

"There's no expectation or pressure on us so we have got to go and be brave and enjoy it. You see today the lads give everything for the shirt."

---

The Fitness Test

Sam Greenwood, who has missed the last two matches, is back in training and could be in contention to feature.

Ryan Ledson made a return from an injury of his own last weekend and will be in an even better position come Saturday after a week in training.

It’s unlikely that any of Ali McCann, Brad Potts, Freddie Woodman, Jack Whatmough and Mads Frøkjær will be available.

The Robins


Like North End, the fate of Bristol City is in their own hands, however at the other end of the table. The Robins currently sit fifth and are looking to secure a Play-Off place.

A win will confirm their top-six spot, and even a draw or defeat could see them do it, however they would at that stage be relying on results elsewhere to go in their favour.

Liam Manning’s side find themselves in the position they’re in largely thanks to their record at Ashton Gate, with only the top three holding better home records in the Championship.


We have been in the same league as City since 2013/14

Are the Siamese twins of football finally going to be seperated, probably going to see my first defeat at any Bristol ground since September 1986 lost 3-1 Jim Brannigan put in one of the worst performances ever seen in a North End shirt.

The key match in my view is Portsmouth v Hull, Tigers fans really do think they will go, hope they are right but no matter what happens things have to change at Deepdale, no ifs or buts

---

Fair comments there Maclad, as always.

And if NE /do/ somehow manage not to have a dubious penalty given against them, the Stoke Derby game also comes into consideration. Either of those two teams could theoretically go down too.

As for the large number of wrong decisions against NE that have since been overturned, I'd like to see a mathematician show whether this seasons evidence for PNE adverse decisions stands out as statistically significant. (That term statistically significant has a formal definition in maths.)

And, beyond that, I can see multiple improvements that can be made. Here's one: over the years there has increasingly been a 'good character' test applied to players before they are signed. This commentator suggests that the test outcome can be faked.

It's a complex matter which, again in an opinion, has resulted in the root cause of the problem of many, many obvious poor performances (and points gifted away) by players (not anyone else!) being masked. However, maybe it is time for the 'advisors' of those players to pass a good character test themselves.

That might mean almost none of the current set get admitted to the professional body that is needed.

Would we weep ?

Decisions, decisions, we do seem to have had a shed load of iffy ones, which probably is supported by the amounts of apologies we have ref's association, is off the scale.
If we hadn't won 6 off the first 7 last season, probably would have been in the same position, over the last 80 plus games we ahve not won 20 games, they have got into a losing mentality needs to change which hopefully will happen this summer, also they need to be fitter, suspect pre season miight be a tough one this summer.
Big summer ahead, one thing though away fans were brilliant yesterday

[St Charles Owl]

Survived by the skin of your teeth in the end!!! See you next season!!

[johnno_pne]

The lads gave away another strong lead. Saw the goals this morning. Hmmm defending.

In his interview Hecky mentioned the unjust recent decisions again and the 'no accountability' referees. Wonder if they'll ping him again for speaking his mind the truth.

A draw opened up further safety options but still just one dive away from disaster.

Certainly don't want to go through that again though.

[themaclad]

And he was on his second ban of the season

[themaclad]