If you would like to send The Incider a letter,
please email us at letters@theincider.com
Dear Incider,
I can't help but feel sorry for Danny Wilson. I know he was under
no illusions when he first came to Bristol City about our financial
situation, but he is now starting his third season with us and the
board are still not allowing him to bring in his own players to
build up his own team.
I understand the point of view that we don't want to end up in
the financial situation of some other clubs and I couldn't think
of anything worse than having your team's future in doubt. I just
think that from the very start of Danny's reign in charge he had
misguided promises that if he could reduce the size of the squad,
get rid of some of the dead wood and reduce the wage bill he would
be given the go-ahead to bring in some players of his choice. As
far as I can see, this is exactly what he has done. He has managed
to offload a number of highly paid players and ones not good enough
for City or Division Two any more. To name a few (and its up to
you which category you put them in) Tony Thorpe, Steve Jones, Carl
Hutchings, Greg Goodridge, Gerard Lavin, Damien Spencer, Matt Hewlett,
Ivan Tistimetanu, Tony Malessa, Ben Wright, Alex Meechan, Paul Holland,
Andy Jordan, Jamie Attwell etc...
I know he has been allowed to buy three or four players since he
arrived, but surely entering into his third season in charge that
is not enough for a team who are so-called "moving forward".
If we really want promotion this season we have to bring in new
blood, especially (and more importantly now that Louis Carey is
out for the beginning of the season) an experienced defender and,
ideally, a nippy little striker in the mould of Thorpe. As far as
I can see, this isn't going to happen and neither will promotion!
At crucial times over the last couple of seasons when we have needed
a fresh player brought into the squad, this hasn't happened. I know
we haven't got the money like a lot of other high profile Division
One clubs, but if we want to get in that division and stay there
we will have to spend something. How many other teams will go into
the new season without any new signings?
Don't get me wrong, I haven't got anything against the young players
coming through the Academy. I think the majority have great futures
ahead of them. I just don't think (and I'm going to sound like Alan
Hansen here!) that we can have a team full of youngsters without
a lot of first team experience. Although I did hear a good argument
that at least the majority of the youngsters are Bristol born and
bred and are City fans, which effectively makes them more dedicated
to the team and more determined than most for promotion. They won't
just be using us as a "stepping stone" to further their
careers, as other players have done before. Even though I agree
with this, I still feel we need some additions to the squad to give
us some depth and cover in all positions.
So there you have it. I’m behind Danny 100 per cent and can
fully understand his frustrations at not being allowed to bring
in his own players to create his own team. Even though he hasn't
said as much, I think it is obvious that he cannot be 100 per cent
happy at the moment. When Danny first took over, my dad said to
me: "He'll be gone by Christmas." To be honest a lot of
us didn't think such a high profile manager would stick around too
long. But he is still here and I really admire him for that. He's
not gonna give up on us easily. Come on The Board - stick by Danny
as much as he's stuck by us. Give him some dosh!!
Kaz Rossiter (Kustard)
Dear Incider,
All the best with The Incider. Just a few lines to start. I've
been supporting the City for over 45 years and I cannot remember
looking forward to season so little as this one coming. I know the
financial situation doesn't help but there seems very little to
enthuse about.
What manager goes on holiday when the hard work of pre season starts???
Every time there is some news from the Gate it seems to be about
another injury. My prediction for the season is that we will be
more likely involved in a relegation battle than a promotion challenge.
Robert Crane
Dear Incider,
With time ticking away and only a fortnight until the big kick
off, what can we, as City supporters, really expect from the coming
nine months? Will it be the same old City or will the boys in the
scarlet red jerseys actually suprise us? I doubt it very much. Keeping
a close eye on all the Division Two transfer activity, it pains
me to see that Danny Wilson hasn't dipped into the club’s
shallow pockets and purchased the commanding centre back we all
crave.
Is it time City fans everywhere stopped thinking Bristol City are
a "big club" and entertain the fact we'll never be one
- or do we all look on optimistically and strive to be one of England’s
premier clubs? It pains me, but I'd opt for the former. With TV
money at a premium and none of our players valued at any significant
sum of money how are City going to take that next forward step?
It's not the '70's anymore and clubs of our size can't just waltz
in to the top flight and expect people to sit up and take notice,
à la 1976. We need a sizeable cash injection and we need
it now.
People out there harp on about the Academy, but is the average
City fan really that stupid? The half dozen or so Academy players
are worth nothing to the club until we sell them on and I don't
see a queue of clubs knocking our door down for Matty Hill, Danny
Coles, Marvin Brown etc. There must be a reason for this. Could
it be that the "people in the know" have injected large
sums of money into a project that produces poor to average players?
In order for the whole idea to work our young players need to be
playing Division One football, not the kick and rush, hustle and
bustle football we've been witnessing over the last three or four
seasons.
I only (and I don't think I'm on my own here) want the board of
Directors to satisfy us, the fans, before the memory of our last
season in Division One pails into a distant, fond memory. Just like
our last stint with the top dogs twenty years ago!! We're still
waiting!
Ramsay Pontin (Robbie Robin)
Dear Incider,
Congratulations on the launch of your new website. It's always
refreshing to have different viewpoints and the more gags that can
be expressed at the expense of the Gas the better! Speaking as someone
who has seen the light and moved to Australia, the Web is about
the only way to stay in touch with what's happening down the Gate
- so the more the merrier.
One question people always ask an ex-pat is "Well what do
you miss about England?" It's pretty simple really - the pubs,
English comedy (well have you ever seen an Aussie sitcom?), and
football. Of course, we have football here (oops...soccer) but unless
you've ever stood on a terrace (albeit with a beer in your hand)
and watched the equivalent of Canvey Island Second XI taking on
an invitational team from Guatemalan primary schools then you'll
have no idea as to how sad the state of the game over here is. However,
it was a sterling effort from the boys here to scrape by 36-0 against
American Samoa - apparently 35 of the goals were lucky so the scoreline
is quite deceptive.
So what a joy it was for me to come back in February and March
and sit in a freezing cold Atyeo Stand watching our lads take on
the likes of Peterborough and Cambridge. Just like watching Brazil!
And how pleasant to feel your fingers and toes going numb, knowing
that in 105 minutes at the latest you'll be sat in front of a roaring
log fire, tending to your chilblains with an industrial-sized belt
sander and that thing in a Swiss Army knife used for getting stones
out of horses hooves. It's what English football is all about -
and I bloody love it.
I've read a lot about City during the close season and it seems
that there's been a mixed response to what's happening as far as
activity in the transfer market is concerned, and as a result there
is a mixed response as to optimism/pessimism. Well I for one would
be optimistic. You're not going to be sat in the 40 degree heat,
looking so sunburned that you appear like you've just dipped your
face in to Harry Ramsden's batter, clutching on to a rapidly warming
Fosters, knowing that any second the sausage sanger you had at half
time is going to come up faster than a speeding bullet and is quite
likely to strike the central defender on the back of the head (well
the last part might not be alien to those who purchased the steak
and kidney at the back of the Dolman before the Brentford game!)
So for Christ's sake cheer up. Win, lose or draw - at least you're
watching English footie, in an English ground, with English weather.
You only know you've lost something when it's gone! C'mon Aussie
for the 2006 World Cup - you know you can beat Guam to get there!
D.G.
Dear Incider,
A first match of a season is always memorable as we all go into
a season with so much hope and anticipation. But the 1970/71 season
was extra special for me as it was the first of my 32 continuous
season tickets and the first in the great new “Dolman”
stand. I had to dig deep to find the requisite sum of £8/10s/0p
for an adult pass, for in those days you were merely given a card
to show at the turnstile each match. I’ve copied them below
so you can see how they’ve changed!
The weather was remarkably hot and sunny and we
were playing Sunderland in front of a crowd of 17,500.
The match was so exciting with literally end to end open play.
Our star Alan Skirton was on the wing. He was never a good footballer
but my goodness could he run. Never one to dribble or beat players,
he always belted it past the fullback near the halfway line and
then ran like hell after it, usually beating the opposition purely
on pace. He also had an awesome shot.
The match see-sawed on goals – my memory lets me down on
the exact sequence – but I do recall Gerry Sharpe getting
a couple, Wimshurst another and Skirton getting one to give a final
score of 4-3 in our favour. We all went home looking forward to
a promotion season. Unfortunately, supporting Bristol City rarely
follows such a script and we in fact clung on grimly to stagger
home in 19th position!
So win lose or draw against Blackpool, it’s a season that
counts, not one result and it’s for all of us to support the
team through all the ups and downs that are certain to come our
way. But it is good to start off well, innit!
Tony Parker (Teepee)
Dear Incider,
I for one am undecided on how City will do next season. I wake
up one morning and think: "Yes, we're gonna do it this year.".
And then I wake up the next morning and think: “We haven't
got a chance.” I think a lot will depend on what team Danny
Wilson chooses to start off with.
I believe if he starts with Marvin Brown and Liam Rosenior we've
got a great chance of promotion. I know they're only young BUT,
along with Tommy Doherty, Rosenior looked like one of our best players
against Ipswich and I was impressed with him against Stoke. Plus
he can't be that bad for West Ham and Chelsea to offer him trials,
can he?
As for Marvin Brown, if Danny Wilson gave him a chance up-front
instead of right
wing, I'm sure he'd replace Thorpe easily in the goal-scoring department.
I see him as a future England international (I've just bet £50
with my mate that he'll play for England one day, that's how confident
I am!).
Along with Matt Hill, I believe those players are showing the true
worth of our Academy.
Back to my original point, if Danny Wilson doesn't pick Brown and
Rosenior (which It doesn't look like he will at the moment), I can
see us missing out on the play-offs. A bit drastic, maybe, but I
rate these two players so highly they'd be in my team any day.
Sam Allward
Dear Incider,
Great idea and while I am disappointed not to be a regular contributor,
I look forward to sending in my contributions.
Seeing Edson and RedTop together is no surprise! I hope it is as
controversial as OTIB - but I fear it will be a 'fans' voice from
the club.
Best of luck
Rich Bailey (RichieB)
Dear Incider,
Hi lads. Just a short note to wish you all the best with your E-Zine.
I will certainly try and contribute when events require it.
Paul (Working Late Again) |
Front
Page
Email Us