The Exiled Robin

For those of you who have listened to the first few episodes of 'The Cider Diaries', then this post is unfortunately a substitute for the big pre-season preview we had planned.  Technical and recording issues tonight meant we couldn't gather enough content of a good enough sound standard to produce, so had to abandon ship and we'll try again on Monday to review day 1. So whilst there's no way to replicate four people's views in a 30 minute recording, I can at least give you a flavour of what was discussed - or attempted to be discussed - and also set the scene for the start of the new season.... There's little doubt the break has been busy and full of promise. 109 days have passed since the defeat against Birmingham confirmed our meek surrender to relegation and Sean O'Driscoll has been busy on and off the pitch forming the squad into the sort of shape he expects.  This has not only meant a flood of new, young, hungry players but also taking on ...

As with all of the greatest shows, they finish on a high and leave you wanting more.   And just when you think it’s all over, there’s a short encore which wraps everything up nicely and leaves you with a smile of satisfaction as you exit, ready to face the dark night outside. And so it is with pleasure I introduce Tom Langridge, a freelance sports journalist who is mad about Bristol City and looking to get into sports writing.   He has contributed this additional piece, focusing on the seemingly tough pre-season the players endured and then moving on to the hustle and bustle of the transfer window, to complete the picture on The Exiled Robin and setting things up nicely as you exit the site and begin thinking about heading up the M5, M42 and M1 for the start of the season. Tom writes match reports on City for the comprehensive football site It’s Round and it’s White so check out his writing by followinghim on Twitter here : “Excitement. Something...

The final season preview comes from a writer I've much-admired since I saw a series of well-written, well-thought out and ever-so-slightly quirky posts on his own website last year . Since then we've collaborated (albeit over a long period of time which meant a slightly flaky end product) on a review of how City play the so-called beautiful game in an early incarnation of The 72 Football's Tactics Bible . Thus I'm delighted to abe able to introduce Will Jones to the pages of The Exiled Robin - if you don't enjoy this then I'll eat my hat! "There’s a phrase you hear around the pubs and bars of BS3 most Saturday evenings, spreading across the city as the night draws on, uttered in homes at 5pm as the scores come in, and at workplaces the following Monday as bragging rights are conceded for a week.   It’s viral.   The more it’s said the more it spreads.   You’ve probably used it yourself, maybe often.   You’ll certainly have heard it. “Typical City”....

In the second of the season previews from guest writers, I'm delighted to introduce Dan Waters for his debut on The Exiled Robin. Dan began following City in 1996 and I'll let him explain further: "In my first game I watched Brian Tinnion smash a volley over Andy Marriott against Wrexham! 1996 was also the year that my parents moved me into the footballing wilderness of Dorset, and absence really does make the heart grow fonder! I'm now 26, living in Surrey and still a proud East End season ticket holder. A cautious optimist when it comes to our great club!" Season Preview: It's the 16th August 2012. After a thoroughly decent pre-season, Bristol City have continued that time honoured tradition of being knocked out of the League Cup at the first hurdle; and by a team from the basement division. At the time of writing August has yielded no new signings, to the frustration of fans and no doubt to the management team as well. However, we have trimmed t...