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We return to the CCS this weekend following a couple of disappointing (and in some respects disconcerting) league defeats on the road. Just as it felt like the team had put the nightmare Elland Road debacle to the backs of our minds by seeing off Stoke in the 4th round of the cup, we then go and put in far too meek a performance at Portsmouth, resulting in a 2-1 defeat, despite some small glimmers of a revival in the game.
Those 2 league defeats on the bounce (first time that’s happened since the dreadful Xmas period) have firmly put the pressure straight back on out battling Bluebirds and just notches up the importance of this Saturday’s early kick off against our West Country visitors Bristol City.
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Who Are You?
Liam Manning, the ex-Oxford boss has somehow managed to achieve the feat of keeping what, on face value, is a bang average side fulling in contention for a play-off spot whilst not managing to improve his popularity with the fan base at Ashton Gate.
We all know historically they’ve had ideas somewhat above their station (e.g. a City of that size should have a Premier League team and being the biggest team in the area it should be them) so perhaps that has a little bit to do with - unless achieving REAL success then it’s never going to be enough.
I do however believe he needs some credit given for keeping them in contention the way he has, especially when you look at their recent transfer dealings. Many clubs (including our own) took a chance to tweak their squads and bring in some fresh blood to try help achieve things in the latter half of the season. Bristol City appear to have gone down a different path, letting a few players go (some quite experienced ones such as Kal Naismith heading to Luton and Rob Aitkinson joining our midweek conquerors Pompey, whilst much heralded summer signing striker Fally Mayulu has been sent to Strum Graz for a loan spell) and bringing in absolutely no-one. To make matters worse the club have stated this is because they have overspent against budget already, never something a demanding fan base want to hear!!
Turning to their squad, their current top scorer is Anis Mehmeti with 11 (his mid-week brace against a woeful Stoke side taking into double figures). The Albanian International has come good having been at the club since joining from Wycombe in 2023 where he scored 19 goals in 97 appearances. His record for the Robins is currently 16 in 91, very much highlighting that this season appears to be a bit of an outlier thus far.
Next on the list is the experienced Nahki Wells, a player who was rumoured to be on the brink of joining the Bluebirds on loan a few seasons back only for the move to be kiboshed by the Bristol hierarchy – much to his reported ire. He has however very much returned to favour and has 7 goals so far this term. He is closely followed by big money summer signing Scott Twine from Burnley with 5 in his 23 appearances.
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The Robins' coaches get held up just outside Leckwith waiting to be guided in.
Last Time Out & Form
Last time out saw the Bluebirds come away from Ashton Gate with a rather frustrating but probably fair draw.
City took the lead on 54 minutes through a fine Ollie Tanner goal and appeared to be in the ascendancy at that point, having struggled to make too much of an impression in the first 45 minutes.
However, despite beginning to dominate proceedings, subsequent substitutions seemed to put the Bluebirds into a more defensive mindset, letting the hosts off the hook and back into it, with their equaliser coming on 73 minutes via Luke McNally and thus denying City a 4th win on the bounce against our English rivals from over the bridge.
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Form wise over the last 6 games our respective records are actually quite similar, with both teams picking up just 8 points from the last 16 on offer.
Away from home however, Bristol City do seem to be struggling a little with no away win being picked up since a 2-0 victory at Norwich back in early November – some 9 games ago. They have however also only lost 4 of those games but within those defeats were a 3-0 pasting by Pompey and a 1-0 reverse at Coventry.
Their last outing was the 2-0 win against the out of sorts Potters on Wednesday night, with their last away fixture being a 1-1 draw at Oxford.
They have the 13th best away record in the division so far this season (16 points from 16 games). Overall they have the 10th best attack with 40 goals from their 32 games (we are 17th with our 34 from 31) and defensively they are the 8th best, conceding 36 times.
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In, Out Or No Sign Of Them About
So, just where do we go from here then following that midweek defeat?
Definitely out are;
Alex Robertson (hamstring)
Jesper Daland (shin injury/stitches)
Ollie Tanner (foot fracture)
Isaak Davies (still getting up to fitness)
David Turnbull (as above).
Yakou Meite IS now available once again but will surely be on the bench at best.
With those 2 defeats I really do anticipate there being a bit of a re-shuffle at the back.
Predicted Starting 11
Alnwick
Ng
Goutas
Fish
O’Dowda
Chambers
Mannsverk
Ashford
Robinson
El Ghazi
Willock
The Odds Bods
There I was taking in our new youngsters training facilities when this random ‘bloke’ just wellies the ball at me – anyhow, I figured he looked like he wasn’t from around South Wales and so I decided to ask him to pop his thinking head on and tell me what he thought the odds are for the game tomorrow….
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Match Day Melody
Bit left field this week but I figured given that one divides us, we just need to kick some butt and then send them back….
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Blooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!!
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