View from the other side: City fans on last night's draw

Last updated : 19 February 2008 By Nik Taylor
"Neil Warnock made a few changes to the team that lost to Ipswich with Scowcroft and Morrison being replaced by Fletcher and Kuqi and can't have been disappointed with the commitment to the cause as Palace worked hard all night and Kuqi looked a dangerous player considering his lack of games.

"City played their strongest team available and lined up in their most effective formation with Carle playing in the hole behind Adebola. Unfortunately for City, Warnock had done his homework and Fletcher did a good job of removing Carle from the game with the Australian limited to a couple of shots and a few nice touches.

"I'm guessing that Palace's brief was to ensure they didn't concede before half-time as they did little apart from defend for the first forty-five minutes. For all their possession City did little to trouble Speroni and despite the number of balls into the box there was little quality. The lack of penetration has been a problem all season and is reflected in our low goal difference.

"Second half I was expecting City to control the game as before but Palace came flying out of the blocks and put City on the back-foot. The football from Palace was direct but effective and Kuqi came more and more into the game with a couple of half chances. The goal had a bit of fortune in the lead up to the ball reaching Hills but the finish was excellent and few could deny that Palace deserved the lead.

"As City continued to press the minutes ticked away and Lawrence and Hudson continued to be resolute in defence with Speroni rarely troubled. However City's heads never dropped and their spirit to play until the final whistle has seen several injury time goals so when it came - whilst being a surprise given Palace's superiority over the ninety minutes - it was entirely in character with a team that has defied expectations this season.

"Whilst not playing a great passing game its hard to knock Palace on last nights performance. They were committed, restricted us to few chances and did a good job of nullifying our game. Whilst few City players excelled last night none had a particularly poor game and you have to give Palace and Warnock credit for that.

"With Palace five points off the play-offs then they need to end their run of bad luck and start registering victories and with away games to West Brom, Stoke and Watford still to come the run-in is not kind to the Eagles. Saturdays game at home to Wolves is a must win. Play as they did last night and they'll deserve one."

Get another take on Bristol City's view of last night's game at the Bristol City Supporters' Trust website.