Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill makes his point at Ashton Gate on Tuesday evening.. please log in to view this image BRISTOL City boss Steve Cotterill claims he would rather have points on the board than games in hand at this stage of the season. Unbeaten in 14 games since the start of the campaign and flying high, the Robins have already registered an impressive tally of 32 points, courtesy of nine wins and five draws. The only unbeaten side in the entire Football League, City boast a six-point advantage over nearest rivals Peterborough United, who slipped to a surprise 1-0 defeat at Crewe in midweek. Preston North End are emerging as genuine promotion contenders and Tuesday's 1-0 victory at Gillingham moved the Lancashire club to within seven points of the Robins with two games in hand. Fellow rivals MK Dons and Swindon Town have also played two matches fewer, while pre-season title favourites Sheffield United have a game in hand. But Cotterill insists his side is far better off for having kept apace with their fixtures and accrued points during the early part of the season. He said: "If you were to ask me 'would I rather have 32 points than a couple of games in hand', I would go for points every time. "At this stage of the season, I would rather have the points for sure." Having been forced to cancel a couple of fixtures owing to international call-ups, Preston, Swindon and MK Dons will each have to negotiate eight games during the course of the next month, three fewer than the Robins. Cotterill said: "I'd rather play on Saturdays with a week in between games to prepare. "You never know what is round the corner and you can easily pick up an injury or two and be stretched when games come thick and fast. "We've done well to get all our games in and I'm happy with the points we've taken so far. "It will take at least three games for the teams behind us to catch-up." City could, and perhaps should, have extended their lead to eight points when twice being pegged back and held to a 2-2 draw by Bradford at Ashton Gate on Tuesday. But Cotterill sought solace in the fact his side broke a 60-year record for unbeaten games at the start of a League season. He said: "I'm pleased we've got the record and that it is out of the way now. It is something that cannot be taken away from the players." City next put their unbeaten record on the line against Barnsley at Oakwell on Saturday and Cotterill is contemplating freshening things up. Midfielder Korey Smith has missed the previous two games while recovering fully from a hamstring strain. But he is now back in full training and could be in contention for a recall this weekend. Cotterill said: "I said before the (Bradford) game Korey had only done one day's training. I don't think it would have been wise to have chucked him back in for a game like that. "I don't think it would have been wise to have put him on the bench, either." Smith was back in training at City's Failand complex today and Cotterill and his staff will put him through a series of stringent fitness tests before deciding whether to involve him against Barnsley. "Korey will do some more strengthening exercises and Thursday will be a big day for him," said Cotterill, who has deployed Marlon Pack in the midfield holding role in recent games against Coventry and Bradford. He added: "We had a couple of players a little bit off colour the other night and that is unlike them. That is something we will have to have a look at ahead of Saturday." Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Steve-...tory-23374300-detail/story.html#ixzz3GxGTTFAl
Cast your minds back one year...."stupid question" time, O'Dismal at the helm, when are we going to win next, should of at least got a draw out of that........what a difference a year makes. Back in love with football again!
This time last year was perhaps the lowest ebb since the early 80's Cotterill has been the catalyst for that revival.
Little, Wilbraham and Bryan looked to me as the ones he was referring to. They have all done great but at 34, Wilbraham cannot be expected to give 100% fro 90 mins week in week out. Other members of the squad will have their moments too and need a freshen up. Cunningham for Bryan is easy. Little, I would guess would be to use Ayling and Osborne to cover him. Up front, we have the option of JET or Burns, neither who fill me with great confidence for 90 mins, but its something that may need to be employed. What also about Fielding, he has been fine so far, other than his kicking but there again is little cover
Wilbers has gone a bit cool, but that is because AGARD is the front man I seem to remember comments about SC doing well then losing it, with SOD getting him off the hook before they swapped! at Florest...I hope he doesn't repeat " the rumour" Only 2 subs on Tuesday... but looking at the team where do you "freshen it up to?" Smith for Elliot? JET for AGARD? Cunningham for Bryan?.....
The team is going to ebb and flow throughout the season and SC's comments about certain players being off colour shows that he will approach those kinds of situations with an open mind and do what is necessary to change the tide. Having games in hand is only good if you win them, so the boss is spot on saying he would rather have the points in the bag because having a series of matches close together opens up a lot of possibilities and not many of them are good, such as over tired players getting injuries that could preclude them for several fixtures. We're doing just fine thank you and I finally believe that not only do we have the right man in charge but we are also ship shape and Bristol fashion.
