After covering a staggering 6,500 miles to witness Bristol City’s final game of the 2023/24 season, Bristol Live fan columnist Math Withers reflects on the unexpected performance and result. Stoke City, traditionally a favorable away ground for Bristol, turned the tables with a surprising 4-0 defeat, marking a departure from the team’s recent successes. Despite notable contributions from Scott Twine and Max O’Leary, the majority of players fell short of their usual performance standards.
Math Withers refrains from exaggeration but acknowledges the disappointment of the poor showing. Manager Liam Manning opted for a pragmatic team selection, choosing not to rely on sentimental choices or experimental lineups. However, injuries to key players like Matty James and Cameron Pring necessitated adjustments. Although a disallowed goal added to the frustration, Stoke’s dominance, particularly from players like Bae Jun-Ho and Million Manhoef, underscored Bristol’s defensive vulnerabilities.
The lackluster display extended throughout the team, with midfielders Joe Williams and Jason Knight struggling to maintain possession. On the attacking front, the combination of Scott Twine and Tommy Conway showed promise, reminiscent of Bristol’s brighter moments. Reflecting on Stoke’s Tyrese Campbell, who showcased qualities akin to Antoine Semenyo, Math considers the possibility of recruiting him to bolster Bristol’s offensive prowess.
Despite the disappointing result, Math highlights the uplifting moment of veteran Andy King’s late cameo appearance and the subsequent ovation from fans. King’s influence on younger players like Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo is evident, prompting thoughts of retaining him in a coaching capacity. Post-match, both Manning and King emphasized the need for improvement, despite the season’s relative success.
In broader Championship news, Math extends congratulations to Ipswich Town for their promotion and commiserations to Birmingham City for their relegation. Looking ahead, Math expresses anticipation for the upcoming season and extends gratitude to fellow fans for their support. As the column concludes, Math reflects on player ratings and the unexpected nature of the game’s outcome, encapsulating the sentiment with Manning’s own assessment of the surprising result.