Any comments about Bristol City on the net "unofficially ", will be most welcome.
At the end of last season I wrote as follows:
"In truth over the season we just lacked something Shaun Taylor had he been fit would certainly have galvanised a defence that was too porous when the season began. A purchase then of a quality defender instead of Tony Thorpe who was the major disappointment of 1998/9 might have been enough. Had John Ward been able to stay and form the kind of partnership with Benny that he eventually accepted with the inexperienced Colin Lee who knows what may have happened."
Since that time a lot has happened at the club with Benny departing and Tony Pulis arriving, and Ade departing on the same day that the real Tony Thorpe finally turned up. So with 5 games gone time for an initial assessment of the season ahead and the moves that have gone on.
On the evidence of 3 home games the team under Pulis will not be short of attacking desire, and if Mortimer particularly and Lavin are anything to go by then Tony can be relied upon to make good use of any money he is given from Ade's transfer. Mortimer is clearly a class act and even though not fully fit on Saturday he conducted the team effort in much the same way as Jack Russell has orchestrated Gloucestershire's wonderful one day season. Lavin is better than anyone we have had at right back in recent years and should be a beneficial addition to the squad. GG on the right looks to have his confidence back and Jim Brennan has continued his progression.
On Saturday in a very poor first half Tony Thorpe shone like a beacon -eager and quick witted he stole the show and did not deserve to hear the What a load of rubbish taunts-although some of his colleagues may. His performance level did not dip in the second half and he would normally have been comfortably man of the match, but for Jim Brennan's cameo display coming off the bench. Thorpe looked for the first time in a City shirt like a man worth £1m and on this display we can perhaps afford to take our time spending the money from Wolves, and wish Ade every success. Pinamonte looks a fine prospect, while against Bury Alec Meechan made an excellent contribution. Steve Torpey does not deserve to hear cheers when he is substituted and his presence in attack constantly provides opportunity for others-viz Scott Murray's missed sitter against Bury: he may not have Tinman's cultured left foot but his willingness to give everything for the cause..................
The midfield is still not right and while Hutchings seems to be everywhere he has yet to really stamp his authority on a game and a fit Tommy Doherty would be my choice.
So far Tony Pulis seems to have given Thorpe his self confidence, been willing to try youngsters and seen their performances reward him for his faith, and shown he can source quality players for the club.
At the same time he has made mistakes from which he will hopefully learn. He seems too anxious to talk to the press-his comments about the Lavin incident were unhelpful and whatever had been said in private should have remained just that. Equally breaking up the Brennan Tinnion axis down the left for the Bury game probably cost us two points. I have nothing against MB but at present Tinman and Brennan seem to be on exactly the same wavelength and City have looked a constant threat down the left as evidenced by his scintillating 30 minutes on Saturday. It was indeed good to see Pulis prepared to make substitutions on Saturday early enough to allow those coming on to have an impact, but against Bury a reorganisation at half time may have been equally rewarding.
So far though Pulis has settled in well and if the real Tony Thorpe is finally about to emerge then we can look forward to a successful season even without Ade.................
Courtesy of Andrew Beattie
Next update - as soon as the E-mails start arriving!!!
Andy Williams
Red 'til dead!!! and always a Robin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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