A media storm and field matters

In many ways it was a perfect media storm. Footballers, unruly behaviour and a day at the races. For anyone who has missed the major news story of the week (obviously not the budget or the peace tales in Syria or any trivial matter like that) I will sum it up in one sentence for you…

Some footballers went to Cheltenham racecourse, they were pictured in a box drinking and having a good time then one of them threw a pint of urine over the balcony. The incident itself is pretty innocuous in my view. Stupid immature behaviour by a group of twenty something blokes, hardly front page news.

The media reaction however was fascinating. The Sun did deem it front page news worthy, the Mail put it on it’s second page. Those who are interested in racing would have been delighted to see the BBC and others reporting live from the prestige event in the sports calender only to hear about some footballers behaving badly.

Luke Ayling has since apologised for his minor role in the proceedings and hopefully we can move-on. It will though, I’m sure, be reflected upon as a prime example of the countries, well at least the tabloid media’s, obsession with footballers and what they get up to in their not so private private lives.

So, back to on field matters. What a game last week! So exciting for the four thousand odd travelling fans. It is games like that that make me want to switch my job to free up all weekends and spend Saturday’s toing and froing my way around the country.

Sadly I didn’t make it but from the match reports and highlights it seems like it was the archetypal game of two halves. City started with a 4-4-2 formation that looked a little gung-ho on paper and sure enough Jonhson had the foresight to change things early on and what a turn around.

Interestingly in the post match interviews, he sighted his willingness to change things round and indeed take players off if he felt they were not up to scratch. Kodjia and Freeman were pulled off at half time at Fulham and fair play to Lee, it would appeared he made the right call, culminating in Lee Tomlin’s last minute free kick to send the away end into raptures.  

This weekend City host a Bolton side who, after four wins all season, are bottom of the Championship table, 11 points adrift with nine games remaining who have also recently departed company with their manager Neil Lennon. It does make one wonder if Zach Clough regrets only taking “ten seconds” to turn down City’s advances in January. 

That being said, City themselves are only four points above the drop and every point from here on in will prove vital. Vital for Championship survival and one may argue vital to sustain numbers inside Ashton Gate upon completion of the redevelopment with the new west stand now looming large over South Bristol. 

As i write, news filters through that ticket prices for next season will be frozen. A good incentive for old and prospective new fans alike. Lets hope Saturday provides further incentive with three points to help consolidate City’s standing as a Championship club.