Darius Henderson – His hattrick gave Sheffield United the three points in a dramatic finale

You would’ve thought that. You would be wrong. And it was, quite frankly, my own fault. Darius Henderson had already put Sheffield United 2-0 up in the first half, with the first goal coming in very controversial fashion. Initially, the referee disallowed the goal, presumably for a foul on City keeper Dean Gerken who failed to get a good connection on his punch thanks to another United attacker. However, to be fair, the contact was rather minimal and I myself am a big opponent of the ‘blow the whistle as soon as a goalkeeper falls down under any sort of challenge’ philosophy too-often taken by English referees these days. Evidently the lineman agreed with the referee awarding the goal to the away side following consultation with his co-official.

Things got worse for City when they conceded a second soon afterwards. This time there was little to complain about as Henderson finished off a rather nice move, slamming a Jamie Ward pass into the top corner.

I must mention Mr Ward again, as the United number 18 got himself involved in a rather entertaining moment a few minutes later. He was prepared to take a corner at the East End of the stadium, in front of perhaps the most passionate set of fans in Ashton Gate (I’m not including myself in that category as I have only really been a fan for a fraction of the time some of the guys and gals in the stand have!). He, like most players (including City players, to be honest) put the ball as close to the edge of the corner segment as humanly possible, probably just outside of it. The referee spotted this and told him to move it back in. Ward duly obliged but then pushed it back outside again when the ref looked away. The official was having none of it and booked Ward for disobeying him. Cue angry protestations from the Sheffield United players and rather unsavoury chants from the home fans. Still, was rather funny and good to see cheating (although the benefit is rather negligible) punished properly.

The home side went into the tunnel at halftime to a chorus of boos from the home fans – a relatively rare occurrence considering the lyrics of the popular ‘Johnson says… get behind the team song’, itself an adaptation of the ‘bounce around the ground song’ penned to the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine… penned probably on the back of a Blackthorn coaster in some local pub.

I must give Gary Johnson his due. Following dreadful home performances in the first 45 minutes of games, he is quite good at rallying the troops to a better second half performance. The same applied here. City came out of the blocks flying in the second half, with Robins captain Louis Carey getting one back with a header in the 53rd minute.

Louis Carey – Gave City some hope

However, the game rather fizzled out after that. With 5 minutes of stoppage time announced, I sat through the first couple of minutes or so, and then, when all hope seemed lost, left along with a number of fellow fans. However, when in the stadium car park I heard a cheer, and the announcement that Alvaro Saborio had scored for City. Typical, sod’s law in action (or, according to me, God showed his sense of humour) followed by another, smaller cheer a minute later, signalling United’s winner. This came 6 minutes into stoppage tiome with just 5 minutes announced. But, no spilt milk. Sheffield United deserved it. We were lucky to get back to 2-2, really, in another substandard home performance. A previous psot of mine suggested that City could get into the promotion playoffs. With performances like this, we won’t be going anywhere.

The 3-2 victory marked Bristol City’s first away win this season, with some commentators suggesting that the scoreline flattered the home side, who struggled to deal with the Robins’ superior attacking prowess.

The home side, angered by the rejection of an early penalty shout when City defender Lewin Nyatanga appeared to handle the ball in the box after a slip, went 1-0 down in the 26th minute thanks to City’s top-scorer Nicky Maynard. The goal was the former Crewe man’s eight of the season so far.

Dutch midfielder, Evander Sno put in his best performance in a Bristol City shirt to knock a second, after some determined work from Danny Haynes to keep the ball in play and unleash a cross.

The home side did not give up straight away though, and it looked as if a comeback may have been on the cards when Bogdanovic scored a fortunate goal past Dean Gerken, who clumsily let the weak shot through his arms. 2-1 then, after 62 minutes.

Things went wrong, however, when Ryan Shotton upended Haynes in the area, conceding a penalty and getting himself sent off in the process.

Barnsley keeper Luke Steele managed to save Jamie McAllister’s spot kick, only to see Marvin Elliott reach the ball first to restore the away side’s two-goal cushion.

In typical Bristol City fashion, they conceded another later goal when Adam Hamill curled a beautiful shot into the top corner to leave the travelling fans biting their nails during stoppage time.

However, City held on, for a precious three points which saw them climb to fifth place in the Championship table.

As always, highlights are available on the BBC website.

George Boyd, making his 124th consecutive appearance for the Posh, equalling a club record headed in a Danny Rose cross as the clock neared 90 minutes.

The point was well-deserved on the part of the Championship newcomers, as they certainly had the better of the play in the second half. It could have been so different had Nicky Maynard not blasted an early chance over the bar , or if Dean Gerken, who is quickly becoming a Bristol City hero for his exploits between the posts, had not made two world-class saves from Peterborough counter-attacks either side of half-time.

However, even Gerken could not save all 3 points for the Robins, with Boyd’s equaliser leaving the City fans to rue another late breach of their side’s goal, an all too familiar trait from last season.

The goal neutralised Cole Skuse’s 31st minute goal, a rather impressive effort which saw the defensive midfielder beat two men to slide it past Peterborough goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

The result has left City in ninth place in the Coca Cola Championship Table, but the aftermath of the game did not end there.

City made more headlines as defender Bradley Orr called in to a post-match phone in on Radio Bristol to answer criticism from some home fans.

He told listeners: There’s a fan shouting at me at the end of the game saying you should be ashamed of yourself.”

“The majority of the fans are brilliant but there’s a couple who are just so negative and I think it’s just a little bit over the top,” added Orr.

And Orr is probably correct in his assessment, with most fans having adopted Orr as a firm favourite since he signed from Newcastle 2004.

Nonetheless, Orr was modest enough to admit improvements could, and should, be made.

“I am the first to hold my hands up – at times my quality needs to be better and I’m working on it day in, day out.”

In response to the episode, Gary Johnson defended his player, and gave an entertaining soundbite of his own, remarking: “When a goal goes in that late, a supporter might be desperate to moan at something or someone. If the cat’s out and the wife is at bingo, he picks up the phone to have a moan.”

Next up for City is Plymouth on Tuesday, a game which Johnson is aiming to win to propel his side into the top 6.

Of course, the result came, thanks in no small part to goalkeeper Dean Gerken. The former Colchester man was not even expected to play in the game due to lingering difficulties after that all-so-lingering ‘virus’ which has ravaged the squad since their pre-season visit to Portugal. However, with Adriano Basso injuring himself in the run-up to the game, Gerken was called upon, and he more than answered that goal with a series of point-saving saves.

Defender Jamie McCombe has suggested that the team relished the match against better opposition, and want more – in the form of Premier League football.

As a fan it is good to see Premier League ambition continue to rear its head among the Ashton Gate squad, but the fact that, by all accounts, we pretty much held on for dear life on the weekend, suggests we have a little way to go year before making that dream a reality.

Obviously that would, hopefully, come in the form of shrewd signings if we do get up into the top flight for the first time since the 1970s. While holding on on Saturday, the result does show that we can hang with the upper echelon of the Coca Cola Championship. Newcastle are a bit of an exception, as they really never should have been relegated, and probably still have a squad superior to teams such as Hull, who stayed up at the Toon’s expense.

With all of that established, what is clear is that Bristol City have a chance. If Burnley and Hull can get promoted, then so can a team from one of the tenth largest cities in the whole of the United Kingdom. But, City cannot reach that height without pressing on from this draw. The side has shown some signs of brilliance – notably against Blackpool at home the other week, and in Nicky Maynard especially, who is starting to pay back some of the £2.5 million the Robins paid for him. Gary Johnson needs to harness the confidence garnered from these last two games and go on to follow, as much as possible, the old adage of ‘win at home and draw away from home.’

The problem last season was that City seemed to be following the adage of ’score first and let in an equaliser late on’ in numerous home games. This much change.

Gary Johnson says that he assesses the side’s performance after each block of ten games. Eleven games into the 09/10 season, and he must be happy – eighth in the table, stuck outside of the play-off places only by goal difference. To press on, he must rally his side to beat opposition such as Peterborough, Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday at home, and perhaps even look to take the scalp of Mark Robins’ Barnsley on the road. But, even more importantly, the team must seek good results against the more quality teams such as Sheffield United, who admittedly, have the capability of beating City, even at Ashton Gate. Away games against the likes of West Brom and Nottingham Forest will also be tough. But if we can draw against Newcastle, then hopefully we should be able to do the same against them.

All sounds easy enough? Of course, it sounds so simple on paper (or should that be on screen?!), so I, and Gary Johnson will take another serious look after the next 10 games.

Yes, the drummer Holloway spoke so proudly of in a recent Coca Cola League Podcast was in full-force among the orange (or should that be tangerine?) and white congregation, competing with the drum which graces the home side of the stand every home game. And throughout the evening, two versions of City chants broke out among the home fans. The only times all the City addicts in the East End sang in sync was when their jibes were aimed directly at Holloway, his past with Bristol Rovers earning him a berating which he visibly enjoyed as much as the home fans did.

The game gave the City fans plenty of opportunities to voice their opinions of the ever-eccentric Holloway. The home side played very well, and dominated the early stages, Maynard going close on a number of occassions. At one point, he sent the City fans in all four sides of the ground into momentary rapture, as the net rustled after a tap-in. Even I was convinced that he had sent the Red Army into the lead. However, as the ball bobbled towards the stand, we all realised the ripple was merely that of the side netting, and we were still at 0-0. Cue the ironic ‘waheys’ from the Blackpool fans.

However, the same fans were not cheering when Maynard did give City the lead in the 28th minute, with a marvellous overhead kick, to send the hosts into the break with a 1-0 lead.

With the mid-match rituals over, and my friend once again bemoaning his failure to win the halftime lottery, the contest resumed. Things did not get that much better for the travelling side, with substitute Danny Haynes sweeping away a great goal just 12 minutes into the second 45.

Blackpool did have their half-chances, and did force Adriano Basso into a couple of typically extravagant (and typically brilliant) saves. However, they never really looked like getting back into the game in any major way, and City went on to see the game out and secure a solid home win over an admittedly in-form Blackpool.

For those of you who want to take a look, match highlights are available on the BBC Sport website.

The win took City up to ninth in the table, with 16 points. The fact that Gary Johnson’s side are seperated from fifth-placed Cardiff only by goal difference indicates that they have made a good start to season, despite hiccups against Derby and Cardiff away from home.

They face an even tougher challenge on Saturday, however, as they travel to St James’ Park to take on league-leaders Newcastle. As the two sides haven’t met for 14 years, past results do not really matter, a concept I would like to push still further considering the Toon put five goals past City in 2 of the last five games contested between the teams, all won by the Northerners anyway.

My heart says we have a chance, my head says “home win”. However, the picture is lightened by the absences of Joey Barton, who could be out for months after sustaining a foot injury, and Fabricio Coloccini, who is also sidelined.

However, Bristol City right-back Bradley Orr, who used to be on United’s books, is convinced that, come Saturday evening, the fans coming back down to Bristol on Easyjet will have something to cheer about.

He told the BBC: “If you look around our dressing room it’s a very talented one, certainly the best I’ve been involved with in my time here.”

“It’s going to be a great day but certainly one we feel we can go and win and we believe that as a squad.”

Personally, I suggest that a draw would be a very good result. I’m concerned that Newcastle will come away with all three points, though.

The bigger of City’s 2 loan signings made this past Tuesday, is undoubtedly Ajax midfielder Evander Sno.

Sno, 22 has already played in Britain, during a spell with Celtic between 2006 and 2008. He signed for Ajax last year.

His transfer comes about following the friendly match played between Bristol City and Martin Jol’s side in pre-season. Sno played a big part in the Dutch side’s 4-0 demolition of City at Ashton Gate, and was given a warm reception when he was substituted.

Sno claims that the reception from the Cider Army played a part in the move, as did a cheeky word from Gary Johnson to his opposite number during the match.

Johnson told the Bristol Evening Post, “I decided I had nothing to lose and that I would have a word with Martin Jol.”

“I asked if I could take Evander on loan and he looked at me for a moment and then said ‘maybe.’ To be honest, I thought he was joking at the time.”

The signing illustrates the intent with which City are playing so far this season. Despite a 3-0 loss to Cardiff, they have made a good start to the Coca Cola Championship season, epitomised by last week’s 2-1 victory over newly-relegated Middlesbrough.

The Robins lie 5th in the table with 5 games gone.

Their second last-minute signing was another loan transfer – this time for Costa Rican international forward Alvaro Saborio, from Swiss Premier League side FC Sion.

As previously reported on Blogs FC, City also had Quincy and Vincent Pericard on trial. Gary Johnson has since ran the rule over them and has decided against a move for either of them.

The 2-1 victory ends what was a difficult week for Gary Johnson and his team, after poor performances against Cardiff in the league and Carlisle in the Carling Cup.

Quietly, City fans may have been expecting another defeat, and Middlesbrough did threaten on a couple of occassions during the first half. Mark Yeates, signed under Bristol City’s noses during the Summer recess, broke through after half an hour, but his tame shot was easily gathered by Dean Gerken.

Former Bristol City striker Leroy Lita, now Middlesbrough’s number 9, also threatened, but was unable to breach the City defences.

After entering the half time break 0-0, Bristol City turned on the pressure in the second half. Their persistence payed off when Nicky Maynard curled the ball into the top corner with 62 minutes gone.

This sent the home fans into jubilant celebrations, but they didn’t last for too long as Boro were awarded a penalty in the 79th minute. Adam Johnson put the ball away following Louis Carey’s handball in the area, to make it 1-1.

It looked as if the game would end that way, until stoppage time, when Maynard latched onto a Paul Hartley cross to make it 2-1.

The Personal Verdict: City were much better today. Although Middlesbrough looked dangerous on the counter attack during the first 45 minutes, City fully deserved their win after a very good performance.

City MOTM: Nicky Maynard – Great finishes for both goals. Well on his way toward achieving his season target of 20 goals.

Boro MOTM: Probably Mark Yeates. Always lively and had a couple of chances which could have made it a different game.

Vincent Pericard

Pericard is a former Juventus and Stoke player, but I have little idea how good of a player he is overall. The name is one which is hard to forget, so I’m guessing that is why I’ve heard of him! He is only 26, so could have a fair few years in him, and could be a good replacement for Adebola upfront.

Quincy is someone I am more familiar with, however. When at Arsenal he was touted as a star of the future. However, having moved to Spartak Moscow and returned to England for loan spells with Cardiff and Birmingham, he has since failed to reach his apparent potential. Nonetheless, he looked a very solid player in his outings for the teams in blue, and could be a useful addition if City judge him to be worth the small fee they would have to pay Moscow for his services. And he is only 23 still, which means he still has time to improve as a player if he can finally settle at a club.

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie

He can play up front or as a winger, which could add some much-needed versatility in the final third of the pitch. However, the game against Cardiff yesterday showed that pace up front doesn’t always mean success, as Maynard and Haynes were starved of good service for much of the match.

But, ever the optimist, I suppose signing both Pericard and Quincy could make the City frontline more dynamic. However, I question how good Pericard is if Stoke has released him.

I guess we will all find out in the coming days if they will be putting on the red and white shirt for real during the season. More here as it breaks.

The away side’s preparations for the game were hit by injury and illness, with Cole Skuse ruled out thanks to an ankle injury and defenders Bradley Orr and Lewin Nyatanga sidelined by a bug.

However Gary Johnson’s team started the brighter, with Maynard and Haynes making a number of promising runs in the early stages.

Gary Johnson – Bad day at the office for his side

However, after that, Cardiff began to dominate. Chris Burke nearly scored after bursting through the City defence. He rounded Dean Gerken in the City goal, but his shot was blocked on the line by the retreating Liam Fontaine.

Just minutes later, Joe Ledley broke through, with Gerken on hand to make a handy save.

The former Colchester shot-stopper was again City’s saviour on the half hour narrowly beating Burke to the ball after a great long pass.

By this stage, it was only a matter of time before the Bluebirds took the lead. However, it was a Bristol City player who netted for the home side in the 37th minute. Jamie McCombe, City’s captain for the day in the absence of Louis Carey, had been one of City’s better outfield players, but unluckily sliced the ball past his own ‘keeper following a Cardiff cross.

Just three minutes later, Bristol City nearly got themselvs back into it when Paul Quinn dragged back Danny Haynes deep into the Cardiff half. From the resulting free kick, McCombe nearly made immediate ameds by forcing Marshall into a good save from a header, while Marvin Elliott hit the post from the rebound.

In first-half stoppage time, Cardiff doubled their lead. Chris Burke was again involved, evading a number of challenges to spread it wide to Peter Whittingham, who teed up Michael Chopra to deftly lift the ball over the oncoming Gerken.

Michael Chopra – Seven goals in just four games this season

Cardiff continued to press in the second half, with the Welsh side forcing another off-the-line clearance just 4 minutes into the second half.

Gerken continued to impress with his brave interceptions an clearances, as City enjoyed their only sustained period of pressure around the hour mark.

Hour, with 65 minutes gone, Gavin Rae sealed it for Cardiff after a great Burke pass.

Bristol City manager Gary Johnson was defiant in defeat. He told Sky Sports:

“All is not lost.

“We’ll hold our hands up and say we were second best, but we’ll move on.”

Personal Verdict: Bristol City were very flat today. With no target man up front any more, the insistence of the use of the long ball was counter-productive. The away side looked bright in the openign 10 minutes, with the pace of the front two Haynes and Maynard looking a threat. However, the pacy forwards had little service for the remainder of the game, and were isolated. City were outclassed by a far superior Cardiff side today. If their early season form is anything to go on, Cardiff are a good tip to at least make the playoffs this term.

I wanted to post about the controversy surrounding Bristol City’s 1-0 win against Crystal Palace yesterday afternoon.

The Robins stole a win with Nick Maynard slipping in a 89th minute winner, but the real talking point of the game came in the 30th minute.

Crystal Palace forward Freddie Sears evaded the City defenders to seemingly score a goal for his side. The ball hit the stantion at the back of the goal net and bounced back into the game play area. Now, I was unfortunately not at the game yesterday, but have seen the incident on television replays. It was a goal, no doubt, and Neil Warnock and co have every right to be aggrieved.

However, what I was not happy about was Warnock’s accusation that Gary Johnson and his players cheated. From the bench, he couldn’t have heard what was said between Jamie McAllister, a Crystal Palace player and the linesman. From my perspective, I can’t be 100 percent sure either. But it looks as if McAllister was explaining what happened.

Yet the referee and linesman alike said that it was not a goal, for whatever reason. Gary Johnson has stated on both local and national radio broadcasts that he was told that the goal was disallowed for some sort of infringment before the ball hit the net. We have to assume that he is telling the truth.

I can understand Warnock’s frustration, but to call Bristol City players, officials and fans cheats is out of order. I doubt he would have been so vocal if he had been in Johnson’s shoes. The officials’ decision is final, like it or not, right or wrong. Warnock’s reputation wasn’t helped by his refusal to shake hands with Johnson and co after the final whistle. The pictures of his on-pitch hissy fit with Bradley Orr were, quite frankly, embarassing and unprofessional. I respect Warnock as a manager, and for being a seemigly nice guy outside of the game. However, he showed himself up badly yesterday.

The whole thing reminds me a lot of the Robbie Fowler penalty incident in the Arsenal-Liverpool game in 1997. Fowler went over a David Seaman challenge, to which the referee blew the whistle and pointed to the penalty spot. Fowler waved his finger and pleaded that it was not a penalty as no contact had been made. Whether or not there would have been had he not leapt out the way, is not the point. The referee made a decision, and despite even Fowler’s pleas, did not waiver. The penalty was given. Fowler went on to miss the kick, only for Jason McAteer to slam home the rebound to seal a 2-1 win for the Merseysiders.

With all that being said, it’s time for Warnock to silence himself and get on with it. His side lost 1-0. Had the goal stood, City may still have won, we’ll never know. It’s only the second game of the league season, and Warnock’s side did have 60 more minutes to score a goal, but they didn’t and City did. Awful decision, yes, but football evens itself out – Bristol City were probably robbed of a win in last week’s game against Preston when North End scored a 96th minute penalty when only 4 minutes of added on time were scheduled. The footballing version of karma, I guess.