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What Bristol City fans had to say about defeat to Newcastle – Interesting!

8 years ago
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It was the biggest home crowd in well over 20 years but what did Bristol City fans make of the visiting Newcastle United?

I have to say it is a really interesting read below, also good to see opposition supporters not always taking the predictable route of slagging off the opposition.

It was a game of very few real chances and Bristol City’s two tame efforts on target was one more than Newcastle managed.

Rafa Benitez had a game plan and after the 19th minute Dwight Gayle goal, was happy for his team to say to Bristol City ‘ show us what you have got’.

The Newcastle boss also having said post-match that he knew the opposition would present a major physical challenge with three players who were 6ft 3 or taller, Rafa tailoring his tactics accordingly.

A professional win and display by Newcastle or a lucky away win? Read on to see what the Bristol City fans had to say.

Here are a range of views taken from the top Bristol City fans message board OTIB.co.uk:

‘What an embarrassing performance from them (Newcastle). Yeah they won but surely they should be offering more than that!

Players diving throughout, time wasting, no attacking threat (did they even enter our half in the second half other than the last 5 mins?) and shirt pulling (I believe we should of had two pens for this reason).

Ref was certainly favouring the ‘big’ club today with decisions. Even booking Tomlin for decent yet letting Colback get any with it numerous times.

I look forward to these types of games as we aren’t expected to win and it promises to be an exciting open game but they made it anything but. Hoping Villa bring more with them next week.’

‘Yep. Awful. Apparently he (referee) came down on the coach with them, ‘cuz he lives nearby (ED:Ref from Hartlepool).’

‘Embarrassment?! They beat us today without breaking a sweat!

Tomlin’s weak left footed shot from distance being the only shot on target I can remember from us. They got their goal and then asked us the question and we had no answer.

Sure we didn’t help ourselves at times but if you had to write a book entitled ‘How To Play Away And Win Comfortably’ you could write it easily by their performance.’

‘I thought they managed the game very effectively, limited us to half chances, and showed their quality with one decisive move that decided the game. Despite a spirited effort from City, they rarely if ever looked unsettled.

“Embarrassing” is certainly not a word I would use to describe it.’

‘Really? Must have watched a different game as they didn’t win comfortably and spent a majority of the game defending, quite desperatey at times.’

‘I haven’t seen that many long balls from an away team since Colin’s Rotherham showed up.

They will be happy because they won but dear me I can’t see them staying that way if they keep playing like that.’

‘They didn’t even break a sweat and once ahead they challenged us to try and beat them and we had no ideas.’

‘Strange how fans see games differently.

I though Newcastle managed the game very well after they went 1-0 up. We didn’t really threaten them much nor did they threaten us but that was because they knew how to see a winning position out. Our lads could learn from that.

One thing that impressed me was their goal. Well made and well finished by Gayle. That’s how you play a long ball lads…’

‘Did any of their players break sweat or get out of 2nd gear? They didn’t dominate us, but they were comfortable. Other than one half chance Flint header from a set piece we didn’t threaten once. Why? Because they were organised and knew their jobs etc.’

‘They weren’t poor at all. We are a good side that plays some good football. Calling them an embarrassment does us a disservice. We had 2 shots on target and they weren’t memorable.

They defended comfortably. They countered comfortably. They passed it around comfortably. They will do that against most teams.

We played well. They matched it and their better players made one outstanding pass with a good finish. It won’t be a famous win but I don’t think they’ll feel they were in any sort of real trouble.’

‘Could I argue that actually it was a long pass, as it wasn’t a blind hoof but a beautifully weighted ball.’

‘I thought Newcastle’s game management was quality. We huffed and puffed and tried hard but we never threatened them. They had a really solid defence and looked totally comfortable.’

‘I was thoroughly unimpressed with Newcastle. Saw much better away performances last season. Matt Ritchie in particular didn’t impress. Gayle scored his archetype goal and was a great finish.’

‘I’m going to actually give some credit to Newcastle. They did a good job in beating us and the victory was the reward.

Should City play an away game this season and perform in the same fashion and win 0-1 then we’d all be cooing in delight.’

‘Newcastle managed the game completely today. They doubled or tripled up on most our danger men and did just enough to get the game won. Rafa had his tactics and organisation spot on.

Forget the BBC stats, the fact was we had 0, and I mean zero clear cut, clean chances all day and that was testament to Newcastle for being as organised as they were, because we know we have players who can threaten, but were nullified today.’

‘Newcastle were clinical. One real chance and they took it. Game stayed open until just into the second half when they really shut up shop.

They made us play and we didn’t have an answer. That’s just good football away from home when you’re 1-0 up. I’d be well happy if we did the same to other teams.

Nobody really stood out for positive reasons but I was irritated by how much they dived. They went to ground for everything. Ref bought it nearly every time. Very poor ref.

We’ve done alright today but just not the quality in the final third. Decent show from Newcastle who we must remember are managed by one of the most successful managers of the modern era. He’s got them well drilled. Expect them to be a force this season.’

‘The Newcastle supporters who came along with me thought they were (in their words) “Crap”.

Shocked at the size of some of our players and actually quite complimentary of the team and very surprised they ‘got away with a win’.’

‘I was shocked at the size of some of theirs! Right back Anita looked about 4’8″! Colback too. Thought he looked very neat and tidy and got stuck into some challenges. Shame about his diving.’

 ‘Newcastle managed the game well.

People blaming the refs already need to have a word with themselves.  So small time.’

‘I was expecting more from Newcastle to be honest. On paper man for man they have a better team/squad but i think we more than matched them today, ok we never really looked like scoring but neither did they.

Newcastle will be chuffed with the 3 points but i am not sure the fans will like the style they played today, that isn’t the newcastle way.’

‘Losing 4-3?’

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