Date: Sunday 21st August KO: 12:00
Competition: Football League Championship
Venue – Ashton Gate
Ok, on to game #5 of the league season and the West Country derby... it's South Wales v the South West, Wales v England and Mr Brizzlebluebird v Mrs Brizzlebluebird.
Once again we have a televised Sky game, can we get the same kind of result as our last v Brum? The Bluebirds head into this derby game in decent form, having lost only one of their opening 4 games. Our hosts on the other hand have had a slightly indifferent start, picking up their first win of the season last weekend with a solid display and deserved win v Luton Town.
it's fair to say Bristol City have been a tad unfortunate in some of their games so far this season, with good penalty shouts going unheard and soft awards going against them. Combine this with a horribly deflected winner for Hull very late in the game and you begin to see why their fans were fearing the curse of recent seasons whereby they have conceded late in games was returning yet again, but the Luton performance and result has provided some renewed optimism for our Local Yokel Cousins.
The Robins have shows themselves to be more than capable of scoring goals having notched in every game so far this season. Andreas Weimann appears to be continuing his good form, having scored 4 goals in 5 games already on the back of his best ever return in a season of 22 goals last year.
Suspensions and injuries may be a concern for the host though, with Mark Sykes seeing red in that Luton win.
Last season of course saw a blip in the recent trends, with the West Country side coming out winners in both games. Something of a rarity in recent years, with the Bluebirds definitely having the upper hand over the last decade or so in these ties.
Over the full history however, the Robins hold the advantage with 41 victories to the Bluebirds 36, with 21 games drawn.
There have been a few memorable victories for the Bluebirds at Ashton Gate, none more so than the 0-6 score-line inflicted on the Robins in January 2010. What would us City fans give for a repeat of that on Sunday?
The Bristol City team bus pulls up outside the CCS last season.
Early Team News
The Bluebirds face a bit of a selection dilemma having lost Jamilu Collins to a season ending ACL injury. The left back will be a huge loss for the Bluebirds having started the season in impressive form and earning rave reviews already. The likelihood is that Steve Morison will bring young Joel Bagan into the starting line up as replacement, however, having flourished in a back 5 / wing back system previously, will he be able to have the same kind of impact in our currently preferred back 4 system?
Cedric Kipre is likely to return at CB with JB Simpson probably dropping back to the bench. In midfield I can see a return to the starting 11 for Romaine Sawyers in place of Joe Ralls and up front, with the limited options available it is likely to be a straight shootout between Watters and Etete for the starting birth.
This game also sees Callum O'Dowda return to his old club for the first time. It's fair to say that there weren't many tears shed by the Wurzle Faithful when he departed, however, having started the season in great form for the Bluebirds, if selected he is no doubt going to want to prove the Robins apathy towards his departure wrong. He may though have to settle for coming off the bench having been forced into the fray in mid-week to replace JC at full back when the gaffer was looking to give him some rest.
Prutton Predicts
The Sky pundit again called it incorrectly in mid-week, expecting a Bluebirds victory but the game seeing the spoils shared.
This weekend he has plumped for a 1-1 between the two sides, highlighting the Bluebirds solidity and the improved performance of the Robins.
This Bluebirds head is telling him that Davey boy may have got this one correct.
Sharing The Love
There have of course been many players to have donned the shirts of both the Bluebirds and our hosts over the years, especially in recent times where the Bluebirds seemed to develop a habit of nicking quite a few of Bristol City's players.
Probably one of the most revered for both teams though would be Brian Clarke, having made 195 appearances for the Robins and 203 over two spells for the Bluebirds, with the most famous of goals v Real Madrid being scored in our 1-0 victory over the Spanish giants.
What a goal... What a night...
Other notable players to have "crossed the divide";
Player Cardiff Apps Bristol City Apps
Marlon Pack 101 244
Aden Flint 86 209
Lee Tomlin 51 89
Christian Roberts 23 94
Bobby Reid 28 135
Tom Heaton 50 43
Will the Bluebirds right the wrongs of last season? Will Mrs Brizzle stop talking to me for the evening and "shut up shop" if I'm all excitable after the game?? Will the travelling masses of Bluebirds "soldiers" get the beach head well established for a full scale take over later on??
C'mon City, do us proud... Bloooooooooooooooooooooobirds....
Who do you think you are kidding Mr Pearson, if you think we're on the run.....
Bar stools reserved in the Pick & Shovel for Mrs Brizzle and I already... not sure we'll be sat this closely together by full time!
Competition: Football League Championship
Venue – Ashton Gate
You must log in or register to see images
Ok, on to game #5 of the league season and the West Country derby... it's South Wales v the South West, Wales v England and Mr Brizzlebluebird v Mrs Brizzlebluebird.
Once again we have a televised Sky game, can we get the same kind of result as our last v Brum? The Bluebirds head into this derby game in decent form, having lost only one of their opening 4 games. Our hosts on the other hand have had a slightly indifferent start, picking up their first win of the season last weekend with a solid display and deserved win v Luton Town.
it's fair to say Bristol City have been a tad unfortunate in some of their games so far this season, with good penalty shouts going unheard and soft awards going against them. Combine this with a horribly deflected winner for Hull very late in the game and you begin to see why their fans were fearing the curse of recent seasons whereby they have conceded late in games was returning yet again, but the Luton performance and result has provided some renewed optimism for our Local Yokel Cousins.
The Robins have shows themselves to be more than capable of scoring goals having notched in every game so far this season. Andreas Weimann appears to be continuing his good form, having scored 4 goals in 5 games already on the back of his best ever return in a season of 22 goals last year.
Suspensions and injuries may be a concern for the host though, with Mark Sykes seeing red in that Luton win.
Last season of course saw a blip in the recent trends, with the West Country side coming out winners in both games. Something of a rarity in recent years, with the Bluebirds definitely having the upper hand over the last decade or so in these ties.
Over the full history however, the Robins hold the advantage with 41 victories to the Bluebirds 36, with 21 games drawn.
There have been a few memorable victories for the Bluebirds at Ashton Gate, none more so than the 0-6 score-line inflicted on the Robins in January 2010. What would us City fans give for a repeat of that on Sunday?
You must log in or register to see images
The Bristol City team bus pulls up outside the CCS last season.
Early Team News
The Bluebirds face a bit of a selection dilemma having lost Jamilu Collins to a season ending ACL injury. The left back will be a huge loss for the Bluebirds having started the season in impressive form and earning rave reviews already. The likelihood is that Steve Morison will bring young Joel Bagan into the starting line up as replacement, however, having flourished in a back 5 / wing back system previously, will he be able to have the same kind of impact in our currently preferred back 4 system?
Cedric Kipre is likely to return at CB with JB Simpson probably dropping back to the bench. In midfield I can see a return to the starting 11 for Romaine Sawyers in place of Joe Ralls and up front, with the limited options available it is likely to be a straight shootout between Watters and Etete for the starting birth.
This game also sees Callum O'Dowda return to his old club for the first time. It's fair to say that there weren't many tears shed by the Wurzle Faithful when he departed, however, having started the season in great form for the Bluebirds, if selected he is no doubt going to want to prove the Robins apathy towards his departure wrong. He may though have to settle for coming off the bench having been forced into the fray in mid-week to replace JC at full back when the gaffer was looking to give him some rest.
Prutton Predicts
The Sky pundit again called it incorrectly in mid-week, expecting a Bluebirds victory but the game seeing the spoils shared.
This weekend he has plumped for a 1-1 between the two sides, highlighting the Bluebirds solidity and the improved performance of the Robins.
This Bluebirds head is telling him that Davey boy may have got this one correct.
Sharing The Love
There have of course been many players to have donned the shirts of both the Bluebirds and our hosts over the years, especially in recent times where the Bluebirds seemed to develop a habit of nicking quite a few of Bristol City's players.
Probably one of the most revered for both teams though would be Brian Clarke, having made 195 appearances for the Robins and 203 over two spells for the Bluebirds, with the most famous of goals v Real Madrid being scored in our 1-0 victory over the Spanish giants.
You must log in or register to see images
What a goal... What a night...
Other notable players to have "crossed the divide";
Player Cardiff Apps Bristol City Apps
Marlon Pack 101 244
Aden Flint 86 209
Lee Tomlin 51 89
Christian Roberts 23 94
Bobby Reid 28 135
Tom Heaton 50 43
Will the Bluebirds right the wrongs of last season? Will Mrs Brizzle stop talking to me for the evening and "shut up shop" if I'm all excitable after the game?? Will the travelling masses of Bluebirds "soldiers" get the beach head well established for a full scale take over later on??
C'mon City, do us proud... Bloooooooooooooooooooooobirds....
You must log in or register to see images
Who do you think you are kidding Mr Pearson, if you think we're on the run.....
You must log in or register to see images
Bar stools reserved in the Pick & Shovel for Mrs Brizzle and I already... not sure we'll be sat this closely together by full time!
