The Exiled Robin

A little over a year ago, four writers having a conversation on Twitter one evening were debating who the best player in the Championship was at that time.  We came up with around a dozen contenders ourselves and then opened up the question to a relatively extensive follower base and, eventually, came up with a list of the top 25 voted for by our followers, released in a daily format in an advent calendar style throughout December 2011. The well-received list was published on The Seventy Two, and now resides in the archive of the same name on the fabulous The Two Unfortunates . One year (and-a-bit) on and we thought it would be an interesting experiment to review all of the names on the list and see where their careers had taken them.  Upon reflection the list doesn't look that bad a stab, with 10 of the 25 players now with Premier League clubs, plus at least another three at Cardiff seemingly destined to reach the top flight in May (or indeed, April). There are of...

Bearing in mind I’ve just returned home to my CF post-code after watching three City players put the ball in the net in the Severnside derby, yet am still facing work on Monday morning after a 2-1 defeat, this is one of those nights where the feeling of a need to write overwhelms. However, I feel my words may be tainted by disappointment – with the result, with the way luck seemed to fall, with some of the decisions made by the apparently top-class officials and most certainly with some of the so-called City fans who have decided to react to their own frustration already, via twitter, in abusing one of our players.   I also figured most from the West Country who’ll read this will have already been poring over the forums and Twitter and have a gist of the outlook of their companion fans. So, instead here’s something a bit different.   Seeing as I’m based t’other side of the bridge and take a higher-than-average interest in the goings-on in the nation’s capital, I follow a h...

Bearing in mind the single bright spot of Keith Millen's reign was a shock win at The King Power (the ground formerly known as the Walkers Stadium), there is perhaps more hope than most fans might imagine heading into the first of City's home match double-header.  After all, of the eight wins this season, there are already two doubles on the record - Southampton and Millwall - with the victory against Doncaster matched up with an away point.  Leicester, Barnsley and Burnley have yet to cross our paths a second time. Indeed, one way to look at City's season is they haven't yet lost to a team they've taken maximum points from - OK, OK, clutching at straws maybe, but nevertheless, losing runs don't go on for ever and maybe, just maybe, Leicester are there for the picking. David Bevan , editor of the always brilliant The Seventy Two , is also a Leicester fan and kindly offered me this detailed insight into Leicester's form and the trends that lead him to thi...

One single, lonely point from the last seven games, and that via an injury-time equaliser. 17 (Seventeen) goals conceded in the last six outings. Form guide: 0-3; 1-3; 0-3; 2-2; 0-3; 0-3 The worst goal difference of all 72 clubs in the entire football league.  Fewest goals number of scored in the entire football league. How Bristol City are not adrift at the bottom of the league is quite remarkable when those statistics are absorbed?  If I wasn't already worried about City's prospects this season then I am now.  Even Portsmouth's financial woes which, with the removal of 10 of their hard-earned points seemed at the time a personal silver lining in a sad tale, now appear to be the opposite of a blessing in disguise.  A glance at the table as it would stand if Pompey went out of business in the week showed City 3rd bottom and just two points ahead of the revised relegation spots.  If a point is somehow miraculously gained at Fratton Park later this month C...

I wanted to share some of my recent offerings on other websites. Hope you enjoy! Firstly, a review of the big winners and losers of Transfer Deadline Day on @The72Football : http://theseventytwo.com/football-league/championship/2012/02/02/the-football-leagues-winners-and-losers-in-the-january-transfer-window/ Next up are two previews of the home game against Leeds for two different sites; 'The Scratching Shed' and 'The Offside - Leeds' : http://www.thescratchingshed.com.customers.tigertech.net/posts/away-fans-views-bristol-city-a-2/ http://leeds.theoffside.com/team-news/interview-with-an-away-fan-bristol-city-2.html Finally, just to act as Mr. Smarty Pants, my preview of the last week's Reading game for @TheTilehurstEnd , including an unfortunately accurate prediction of the impact the signing of  @JasonRoberts30 would have on the outcome (and a pointer towards Peterborough's prospects that seem far more real after a heavy home defeat)... http://t...

Including the top three moments of the year, as voted by you 2011 has been a difficult year for all concerned at Ashton Gate.   The club started the year trying to edge clear of the relegation zone and ends it in a similar position.   In the intervening 363 days there has been a change in manager, chairman and board, whilst off the field the new stadium at Ashton Vale seems as far away as ever, despite the focus put on it. The January transfer window is about to open with star striker Nicky Maynard officially up for sale and vultures circling over Ghanaian international winger Albert Adomah.   With losses totalling just shy of £30m over the past three years, there are no guarantees about the immediate future of the club, the squad or the division they’ll be playing in this time next year. City face a number of key issues as Britain enters a golden year and these are reviewed below, whilst the review then finishes on a positive note, with detail of the three favo...