Hill ready for a fight at Worcester

The talk is over - let the bruising begin. Bristol Rugby’s big guns have been unleashed in full contact training this week to prepare them for their contest at Worcester.

The Guinness Premiership’s bottom club return to league action with another key match up at Sixways, a match up head coach Richard Hill believes will be won by the more physical side.

The Bristol boss has drawn criticism for wrapping his first-team in cotton wool and withdrawing them from the front line for the club’s European Challenge Cup distraction - resulting in a record European defeat at Northampton.

But come the return of Premiership action he has been pushing his troops in a bid to regain the intensity required to win matches.

“Sometimes you've got to sacrifice a few bumps and bruises and maybe the odd injury to get that level of physicality,” said Hill. “That's why this week several of the sessions have been full on contact. I can sense that the players are ready for that on the weekend.

"We take a bit of criticism sometimes but you've got to remember its a nine month season and it's a marathon not a sprint.

"So far we've managed in the last three or four years in the Premiership to give our senior players a week off here or there so that when we come into February March and April, when the season will be won or lost for us, our players are mentally and physically fresh.”

Despite the precautions, club captain Joe El Abd has already been lost to injury and the team’s freshness will be tested to the full on Saturday against a side who could join the relegation fight if they fail to capitalise on home matches against first Bristol then Newcastle.

And Hill is hoping to capitalise on the pressure building at Sixways by firing on all cylinders from the off.

He said: "What we've got to do this weekend is take both second half performances against London Irish in the Premiership and Northampton in the European Challenge Cup and we've got to start well against Worcester. We cannot afford to start slowly.

Bristol failed to get out of the blocks against London Irish and Gloucester and were punished accordingly.

"If you start slowly there with the atmosphere they can generate and the intensity they've got in their players we can be well behind at half-time again,” he added.

Wing Lee Robinson returned to form in the 25-21 defeat at home to Northampton last weekend which almost saw the club snatch victory after trailing 20-9 at half-time and made no bones about how the club are viewing their trip to Worcester.

“We need to look at it as man versus man,” he said.

Bristol to face Latham - the one that got away

Bristol Rugby will come face to face with Aussie ace Chris Latham at Worcester on Saturday - and rue the fact he could have been running out in Blue and white.


The Australian international, widely recognised as one of the best full backs in the world, joined the Warriors last summer but only after considering a very healthy offer from Bristol.


The club were reported to have put a £350,000-a-year contract on the table to tempt the four-time Super 12 Player of the Year into Test retirement before Worcester jumped the queue for his signature, Sixways proving the bigger draw.


And the Wallabies’ second-highest try scorer, and veteran of three World Cup Finals, has recovered from a recent injury in time for what could turn out to be a cricital bottom-of-the-table clash.


"He's an outstanding player,” said Bristol head coach Richard Hill. “It's typical he's fit for us. It's like Jonny Wilkinson. He always comes back for Newcastle just at the time Bristol play them.


“He cost them an absolute fortune but I think he's one of the overseas players who has contributed to that club. You can see that everybody gets a buzz off him and plays a lot better around him.


"We did talk to him to come to Bristol at one stage but Worcester beat us to the punch unfortunately. He's someone I would have very much liked to be here.”


Worcester have spent heavily in their bid to break into the top six of the Guinness Premiership. As well as Latham they have added All Blacks Rico Gear and Greg Rawlinson yet remain in the wrong half of the table, two results away from another relegation battle.


“They've always been a team threatened with relegation,” said Hill. “They've done well to battle out of it and they've spent a huge amount of money. But they find themselves in the bottom six again and dragged into almost a relegation battle.


"It's a crucial time for them and a lot of pressure on them as they've got us and then after Christmas they've got Newcastle at home. They've got to win these two home games because you can imagine if they lost these next two home games they're suddenly right in it as the rest of the fixture list looks pretty grim.”


Bristol winger Lee Robinson was behind a much improved second-half performance against Northampton last weekend which gave Hill renewed hope.


"(Hill) doesn't give out too much praise to me,” revealed Robinson. “But when it does come it’s very satisfying.


“We had a good telling off at half time and it made the difference really,” added Robinson, who hopes to start on Saturday at Sixways against a side which has undergone significant change.


“Worcester are a very physical well-drilled team but recently they've added a lot of superstars to their side,” he said. “I think they're more of a handfull than we used to perceive them as.


“We've got a World Cup winner and a few internationals here though. The scalp is definitely there for the taking."

Bristol skipper El Abd facing three months out

Bristol Rugby's season has taken a further knock with the news that captain Joe El Abd will be out for at least three and a half months – although his loss could be negated by a new signing.
Head coach Richard Hill has lost his leader until April at the earliest, but has been boosted by the return to first-team action of prop Jason Hobson and the prospect of a new recruit in the next 48 hours.
Hill refused to give any further details on the reinforcement until the deal is set in stone, having already seen the transfer of centre Nathan Brew collapse at the 11th hour this season.
Any transfer activity is welcome news for the Bristol Rugby fans though, given speculation over the financial viability of the club and Hill confirmed he still has the ability to bring players in if needed.
"We have to wait until the signatures are on the bit of paper but we hope to strengthen the squad, which is good news and a good sign for the club," said Hill.
The bad news is El Abd's bicep, torn in Bristol's 25-21 European Challenge Cup defeat at the Memorial Stadium last weekend, will rule him out for most of the season.
"If you ask Joe he'll say seven days," said Hill. "But the consultants tell us that, after the operation, it's going to be three months before he's available.
"He could be back at the beginning of April, maybe a little bit earlier because Joe is a good healer. There could be six matches there he could be playing in at a crucial stage of the season – I think it might go down to the last game."
Scrum-half Shaun Perry will captain the side in El Abd's absence when Bristol Rugby take on Worcester Warriors at Sixways on Saturday. And the England international is one of a trio of senior players earmarked to fill the void left by the club's latest patient.
"We're expecting Perry, (Mark) Regan and (Robert) Sidoli to stand up at the front and be leaders," said Hill, who also pinpointed Hobson's timely return from a neck injury.
"Hobson is raring to go," he said. "He and (Mariano) Sambucetti will offer the hard edges of the pack.
"Both are very combative, very abrasive players and they'll both be picked because we'll need to have some tough characters up at Sixways. We need players who are going to stand toe to toe and win that physical battle."
Bristol Rugby (from): Backs: L Arscott, G Barden, G Beveridge, N Brew, E Barnes, L Eves, A Jarvis, D Lemi, S Perry, L Robinson. Forwards: N Budgett, A Clarke, D Crompton, J Hobson, S Linklater, R Pennycook, J Phillips, M Regan, M Sambucetti, R Sidoli, A To'oala, D Ward-Smith.

Salter - On defeat and apologies

Barden back to join Bristol's fight

Greg Barden is back from England Sevens duty and sharing his newly-honed one-on-one skills with his under-fire Bristol team-mates.

The fleet-footed player, who is on sabbatical from the Royal Navy, has had a successful few weeks on the international scene, making his debut for England and rubbing shoulders with some of the best players in Sevens world rugby – all valuable experience which he hopes to transfer to the training pitches of Bristol.

The England team came within seconds of victory in Dubai, losing out to a last-minute try from South Africa, and won the Plate in George after again being beaten by the South Africans, this time in the quarter-finals.

Barden and fellow Bristol flyer Matt Turner did themselves proud and are hopeful of recalls to the side for the 2009 legs in Wellington and San Diego.

First though comes domestic duties in less sunny climes, and the long, cold fight to haul their other paymasters to safety.

"When you're with England you concentrate on that," said the centre. "But Bristol is my main aim now.

"It was a great couple of weeks away. It gives you massive confidence, that one-on-one ability in attack and defence. The whole experience and the atmosphere out there in Dubai and South Africa is a step up as an individual. But I'm looking to get back in the team here and take it on."

England are now third on points behind New Zealand and South Africa, the only two full-time teams on the series, while Bristol remain rooted to the foot of the Guinness Premiership.

The club have the chance to erase the memory of their 66-3 loss last week in the return European Challenge Cup fixture this Sunday against their tormentors Northampton. And they have been working hard in training to ensure a return to form ahead of their return to Premiership action against Worcester.

"I know the boys are gutted and you only have to look at the atmosphere on the training paddock and the determination to see what the boys want to do," said Barden, reflecting on the 66-3 humiliation endured in his absence.

"It was unfortunate, but I'm sure we'll bounce back and put things right."

Barden will have to wait to play his part, omitted from tomorrow's 22, but his return to the training pitch can only have helped test the Bristol defence in Friday's team run.

Turner is also absent for this particular battle. The youngster has been given the chance to remain in South Africa for Christmas with his family and has earned his rest, according to his 27-year-old team-mate.

"He joined us for the South African leg and I think he's working hard on his tan now," said Barden. "He did really well. His first cap was against New Zealand. We were a bit under the cosh in that one but on the second day he scored some great individual tries and I think Bristol will look forward to when he gets back in the New Year."

In the meantime Barden, whose only start for Bristol has come in the European Challenge Cup, will be hoping he can bring some attacking flair from the sunshine of the Sevens' pitches to the frozen turf of England and force his way into a side in need of results.

Only five of the fated 15 who started last week have retained their places for Sunday. Tom Arscott, Luke Eves, Mark Irish, Dave Attwood and Matt Salter have been given the chance to make amends.

They may have shipped 10 tries against Northampton but they avoided any injuries and the squad is also boosted by the return to training this week of Junior Fatialofa and Jason Hobson.

Bristol: L Arscott; T Arscott, N Brew, L Eves, D Lemi; E Barnes, S Perry; M Irish, D Blaney, D Crompton, D Attwood, R Sidoli, M Salter, J El-Abd (c), D Ward-Smith. Replacements: S Linklater, A Clarke, N Budgett, A To'oala, G Beveridge, A Jarvis, L Robinson.

French connection can help Bristol's great escape

Bristol will be plotting their own great escape from the Guinness Premiership drop zone with help from the French national team in the new year.

Les Bleus coaches Emile Ntamack and Didier Retière joined Bristol for training ahead of Sunday's European Challenge Cup rematch with Northampton at the Memorial Stadium.Here to observe Bristol's training methods and consult with the club's management, assistant coach John Brain believes linking up with France could be beneficial.

"I think they found it very worthwhile," he said. "We've been invited back there if we want to look at the way the French national team run and I think that's something we'll take advantage of.

"They wanted to have a look at the environment here and we talked to them about the game as coaches.

"It was a very interesting visit. We shared a few ideas with them. I think they found it useful and so did we."

Brain admitted the club have been honest this week after reviewing last Saturday's 66-3 drubbing at Northampton.Bristol have retained only five players – wing Tom Arscott, centre Luke Eves, prop Mark Irish, second row Dave Attwood, and blindside flanker Matt Salter – from the team that lost at Franklin's Gardens.

Brain added: "We're all in this together but there were quite a few players on that field who let themselves down a bit.

"We've done a little bit of soul searching. We're not planning on getting beat by that margin in the Premiership and we did field what many people would regard as an under-strength team – but we didn't expect to lose by 10 tries to nil."

Bristol return to Premiership action a week today at Worcester, and Brain believes the Memorial Stadium outfit must prioritise league survival above everything else.

"The European Challenge Cup is a very good competition," he said."But you have to be realistic and say that our chances of progressing are probably non-existent so we've just got to make sure we get our game in order.

"We've got to get back to playing well and winning and I expect we'll perform a lot, lot better."

Turner's prize for Hereford promotion

As chairman, director of football, and manager of Hereford United, Graham Turner is wholly responsible for the performance of the club, which is why his admirers – Hereford fans or not – have voted him the Blackthorn Western Daily Press Sports Personality 2008.

Turner endured a nine-year exile from the Football League with the Bulls, but last May he celebrated the club's remarkable return to the renamed third tier of English football (League One), just two seasons after escaping the Conference.

And if football chairmen ever need instruction on whether to stand by their man, they should use him as a case study, or call him, for he is a man on a self-confessed "crusade for stability".

"I sometimes think I am almost flying the flag for continuity in football clubs," said the man whose longevity in management with Hereford is only currently surpassed by Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure at Manchester United.

"It is very easy to sack managers," he added. "There is no doubt that at some time a manager deserves to be replaced, but I do think clubs chop and change managers too readily. I sometimes think we lose very good talent that way. Don't sack the manager too readily."

The former Shrewsbury and Aston Villa boss twice handed in his resignation at Edgar Street – once when Hereford were relegated to the Conference and again five seasons later after having bought the majority share-holding.

The board refused on both occasions, kept faith and now enjoy a community club which is financially stable and fit to fight for survival in League One.

"I'm sure the long-suffering supporters who've spent a lot of time going round the Conference clubs and their grounds are now finding it a lot better going to the likes of Leeds, Leicester and MK Dons," said Turner.

"Thank you very much for the award, it's very much appreciated. It's recognition for the club's and the players' achievements over the past 12 months. We've had a terrific time, not only last season, but the promotion from the Conference. I think it was a tremendous achievement for the club."

After twice experiencing play-off defeats in the Conference, Turner only let this year's celebrations begin once automatic qualification to League One was a mathematical certainty – "at quarter to five at Brentford when we finally achieved it".

He said: "I think you are always concerned. What we didn't particularly want was for it all to go to the end of the season. It was nice to get it over and done with as early as possible.

"Second half of the season we began to think we had a chance. We'd looked at every other side in the league and there was nothing to fear in there. We'd done quite well against most of the sides around us at the top of the table and you start having the vision that maybe this is our season."

And so it was. Away defeats at Lincoln and Peterborough kept fans sweating, but a 2-0 win over Wrexham at Edgar Street and an inspired 3-0 victory at Brentford ensured promotion with a game to spare, a victory at home against Grimsby.

"The open top bus tour and things like that for players and supporters who have not seen those sort of things very often was a terrific occasion," said Turner.

"We need to survive now in first division football. We'd like to make sure we are playing the sort of clubs next season that we're playing this season, so we are prepared to push the boat out a little bit but within the confines of sensible financial restrictions on the club and good football governance. We have to be realistic."

Realism of the brutal kind is what has tied Turner to the club. In what he refers to as "the dark days", and only three seasons into his management tenure, he bought into the club, became chairman, and literally put his money where his mouth was.

It has taken years, but he and the club's board are finally seeing the fruits of their labours. "We said at the time when we bought the shares it would take a little bit of time, that we needed to sort the finances out, get the club on a firm footing," said Turner.

"And we've done that. Financially we're fairly stable. I know there are a lot of clubs who are finding the going difficult in the credit crunch but we're okay.

"I think it probably does help (being chairman, director of football and manager). It's easy to get in trouble. It's easy to pay more money than you can afford. I know exactly what the scene is financially.

"When we had a period where money was that tight we signed cheques, but didn't know where the money was coming from.

"If there was no money left at the end of the month, the people who didn't get paid were the company secretary and myself."

Next on Turner's agenda is the Edgar Street stadium, a rapidly ageing ground in need of an overhaul. With Hereford the town in line for a 100-acre redevelopment, Hereford the football club is working closely with the council with a view to a new stadium.

Until then Turner will continue to work the loan system which helped him achieve promotion last season and on which the club's budget relies.

This season he has brought the likes of UEFA Cup winner and former France international Bruno N'Gotty and England Under-21 goalkeeper Matt Murray to Edgar Street. Both loans have ended in injury but their arrivals give an indication of movement in the right direction, and the right man being at the helm.

"Last season the loan system worked very well for us," said Turner. "We had some outstanding players who contributed a lot. This season that hasn't happened quite so much because players have got injured. Although we're in a little bit of a precarious position at the moment, I still think and I'm very confident we will get ourselves out of trouble.

"It was great to have someone of that standard (N'Gotty) come to the club. He was very quiet but he made defending look easy. He was absolutely immense.

"When you get players of that calibre come to the club the other players sit up and take notice."

And for the future? "For a well-run club that's got a firm base there's no reason not to be optimistic about playing in the Championship. I take encouragement from Colchester, they had a spell in the Championship, Southend had a spell in the Championship. You take that encouragement and set your sights as high as you can.

"I'm not stupid, I'm not naive. That is a tall order to be in contention for promotion. First of all we've got to find our feet in this league and to do that we've got to survive this season."

But will he be the man to take them there? He has had a taste of the top-flight with Aston Villa and has more than served his time in the lower leagues since then, leaving an inevitable desire to raise the bar one more time.

"I don't know," he said. "I've said before I would like to have a go at a higher level. I'm not going to get a big club, I realise that. But maybe something I can take on.

"But at the moment I am totally committed to this club, totally committed to the cause of ensuring that we stay in the first division, ensuring that we progress as a club and ensuring the facilities in the ground are in keeping with modern-day supporter demands and making it far more comfortable for them to come and watch their football."

By his own admission, it could take five, six or seven years before parts of the stadium are improved. And if that means Turner remains in charge in the meantime, the Hereford fans might just be prepared to wait for their heated seats and gourmet pasties.

Big names back in as Hill gets tough at Bristol

Richard Hill has wielded the axe in an attempt to avoid a repeat of Bristol Rugby's embarrassing defeat at Northampton in Sunday's return fixture at the Memorial Stadium.

The head coach, who saw a second-string side hammered 66-3 at Franklin's Gardens last weekend, is bringing back his first team for the European Challenge Cup match.

The Bristol boss, whose team are three points adrift of Newcastle at the bottom of the Guinness Premiership, had hoped to field his fringe men again to give them game-time and reduce the risk of injury to those upon whose shoulders the club's Premiership survival rests.

But he has been forced to recall Ed Barnes, David Lemi and Shaun Perry to his backs, while bolstering his pack with Robert Sidoli, Alfie To'oala, Dan Ward-Smith and club captain Joe El Abd.

And seasoned Bristol campaigner Matt Salter, who captained the side last weekend, believes Hill has rung the changes not just because of the record European defeat but with a view to re-establishing some consistency ahead of their next Premiership match at Worcester.

"There's been chopping and changing between competitions and the first team have been mainly playing the Premiership games," said the former club captain. "I think it doesn't build much continuity in the squad, and leading into the game against Worcester we need to give these guys a run-out and play them.

"And after a team gets beaten by 66 points, obviously there are going to be people that paid the price."

Of those who started at Franklin's Gardens, Vunga Lilo, Kevin Maggs, Anthony Elliott, Peter Bracken, Mariano Sambucetti and James Phillips have been dropped. Salter retains his place in the squad and insists it is the players, not the management, who should take responsibility for the result.

"Since I've been involved with the club, it's the biggest defeat we've ever had," he said. "Obviously we had every intention of playing well and pushing on from reasonable performances over the last few weeks but sometimes it doesn't go your way and no one else but the players can hold their hands up for it.

"I'm sure all the boys who played against Northampton will want to put the record straight.

"Unfortunately some of them haven't been given the chance – some of them probably deserve the chance – but this club needs to put in a good performance at home.

"I think you've got to put out possibly what you believe is your best squad and that's what we've done."

Salter added Bristol need to deliver on the field when the Saints visit Bristol this weekend and said words are no replacement for performances.

"People don't realise how much of what goes on on-the-field is down to the players," said the flanker. "And when a performance is poor, similar to ours on the weekend, then it's up to the players to either put it right the next week or apologise.

"But an apology makes no difference. It doesn't matter until you play your next game and put it right. Words are cheap really."

Bristol (provisional squad): Backs – L Arscott, T Arscott, G Barden, E Barnes, G Beveridge, N Brew, L Eves A Jarvis, D Lemi, S Perry, L Robinson. Forwards – D Attwood, D Blaney, N Budgett, A Clarke, D Crompton, J El-Abd, M Irish, S Linklater, R Pennycook, M Salter, R Sidoli, A To'oala, D Ward-Smith.

Sweeney on agents, contracts and Bradley Orr

Mark Regan talks chimney pots

Midfield general Perry returns for Bristol

Bristol Rugby head coach Richard Hill has overhauled his half backs as he goes in search of a second Guinness Premiership win against London Irish at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday.

Out go Graeme Beveridge and summer signing Adrian Jarvis and in come Shaun Perry and Ed Barnes at scrum-half and fly-half respectively, with a mandate to whip up the home crowd and help bank four valuable points.

London Irish are second in the Premiership and travel to Bristol on the back of a comfortable 27-14 home win over Saracens.

Hill's change of personnel has been sparked by a desire to attack the visitors, a plan bolstered by the return to fitness of Perry.

Perry was in England's World Cup squad a year ago but has since suffered two long term injuries (shoulder and throat) and makes his first start of the season.

"Shaun Perry starts and Ed Barnes will be at 10, so we'll have a different pair of half-backs," said Hill. "It's always difficult for half-backs, particularly when you're not winning.

"It's been a tough time for Graeme Beveridge and Adrian Jarvis, but they've both done well under the circumstances.

"However, I think this combination of Perry and Barnes looks exciting and will add to our attacking threats and create space for the outside backs."

Perry's return to the starting line-up clearly excites Hill, a former scrum-half himself. And he believes the whole team will feed off the 30-year-old's enthusiasm.

"He makes a difference," said the Bristol boss. "He will demand high standards from everyone around him. If he's playing with you, you have to lift your standards as he does not accept mediocre level of play.

"He's a bit meek and mild sat in front of the camera. He was unusually quiet and sensible. But when he's out there he's full of energy and you just can't stop him."

Bristol will be up against the Exiles' half backs, England players Shane Geraghty and Paul Hodgson, who both groomed their rugby careers in the city.

Fly-half Geraghty attended Colston's and won the Daily Mail Cup with the Stapleton-based school in 2004 before joining London Irish Academy that same year.Hodgson was an Academy player during Bristol's last spell in the Premiership and was first choice scrum-half during Hill's maiden season at the Memorial Stadium in 2003-04.

Meanwhile, Hill has been working hard on Bristol's defence this week. "For some reason this season we've been guilty of giving away soft tries, particularly from first phase where sides haven't had to work hard for them," he added.

"Often we've had lots of pressure for 10 minutes or more, come away with three points or maybe nothing and then conceded a silly score at the other end.

"We've got to embroil London Irish into an arm wrestle, into real combat."If you stand off them and let them have quick ball they'll cut you to shreds."

Bristol fans will be offered free shirt printing this weekend as part of a promotional event, taking place at the Memorial stadium. For the visit of London Irish, Bristol fans will be able to get a number of their choice printed on the back of their replica shirt, while for an additional £5 a name will be added to the shirt, with proceeds going to the Sue Ryder Care charity.

Bristol eye chance to gain ground

Win, lose or draw, Bristol have the chance this weekend to get one up on their biggest rivals in the race to avoid relegation from the Guinness Premiership.

Head coach Richard Hill, has, like the bookies, earmarked Newcastle Falcons as the team most likely to slip below Bristol come the end of the season. So he has set his side the task of matching them point for point.

And Sunday’s opponents London Irish provide a perfect opportunity for Bristol to get ahead as the Falcons took nothing from the Exiles’ trip to the North East this season. So if Hill’s team take anything from this weekend, even just a losing bonus point, they will have gained ground.

“We targeted these two games (Gloucester and London Irish) because (Newcastle) went to Kingsholm and got nothing,” said Hill. “We were hoping to get something from there so that would be a little bit of daylight opening up.

“We’re not suddenly in a relegation battle. We were prepared for that.”

Bristol’s record has, in part, matched that of Newcastle’s this season. Both sides took a losing bonus point at home from Sale and all four points, again at home, from Northampton.

“We’ve got to look at (Newcastle’s) results,” said Hill. “They played London Irish at home last week and they didn’t get a single point. So obviously our incentive playing London Irish at home this week is that we’ve got to get something. If we get anything from this game on Sunday that, in our little mini league table of two puts us just a little nudge ahead. It’s going to be tight, but that’s our incentive.”

The game against Gloucester may not have gone as planned, the club slumping to a 29-10 defeat, but Newcastle fell foul of Worcester 26-11 to remain just three points ahead of Bristol and Hill is confident his squad has what it takes to pull off his plan.

“We had one of those evenings at Kingsholm but that happens,” he said. “It’s happened over the last six years for Bristol where we lose the odd game heavily and we’ve learned not to beat ourselves up about it. We make a couple of points out of it and then draw a line under it.

“The mood of the players is absolutely superb. Normally after a heavy defeat it takes them a few days to get over it. But they were absolutely flying on Tuesday. It was as if we’ve won at the weekend and not lost.

“We try to be as positive as we can be, even after defeats. And you have to be. We’ve won two out of 12 games and you can’t keep punishing people again.

“If the effort’s not there then we’ll probably go back to the old school style of training and they’ll be up and down without a ball and running for three hours and a beasting until they can’t run any more. But that doesn’t happen very often. Even against Gloucester the effort was very good. We only had five days to turn it around and they worked hard in the short time available.

“We scored the try of the game with David Lemi’s effort which we kept about two minutes 15 seconds worth of continuity. If you’re a side that’s not bothering you don’t go through two minutes 15 seconds of patient continuity and then finish off with David Lemi’s try. You can’t fault that.”

London Wasps can help Hill’s plan along on Friday in Newcastle by further clipping the Falcons’ wings in front of the Sky TV cameras. Plan B for Hill of course is the showdown between Bristol and Newcastle on February 13 at the Memorial Stadium, a tie which could shape their season, unless they have created enough daylight to breathe easy, starting by beating London Irish.

Winters: Premiership is a different matter

Roy Winters believes higher stakes and first-choice line-ups will ensure no repeat of Bristol’s EDF Energy Cup defeat to Northampton Saints when the two sides meet in the Guinness Premiership on Sunday.

The Saints saw to their South West visitors 30-17 at Franklin’s Gardens thanks to four tries for the home side and three yellow cards for Bristol. Robert Sidoli, Kevin Maggs and Mark Irish all irked the referee into beckoning them off the field, debateable decisions which handed the Saints the intiative and gave Northampton the chance to, in Winters words, “rip us apart”.

Bristol’s 6ft 6in, 17-stone second-rower is intent on setting Bristol back on track in the Premiership and is confident the EDF Cup defeat to Northampton will have no bearing on Sunday’s encounter.

“It’s the main competition for us really,” he said. “We’re massively looking forward to it. It’s a great opportunity for us to put right what’s not gone well so far in the season, Premiership-wise, so everyone’s itching to get there.

“I don’t think you can read too much into that last game. You can almost say that was more a second string side. There’s a few guys who were playing in that who are playing on Sunday but they’ve worked their way up through the squad. And it was the same for them. They had a very young side.

“Yes your patterns are there and your style of play’s there within both sides but, again, that’s a game we could have won which we didn’t. We’ve now got a home advantage and we’ll do everything we can to get a result.”

Head coach Richard Hill has had more than a month to review Bristol’s play and Winters expects the results to come to the fore against Northampton who lie three places and just six points above them in the Premiership table.

He said: “The last four to five weeks we’ve completely broken our game down, selected moves from certain areas, worked on them very hard. Everyone’s singing off the same hymn sheet. Everyone’s very rested up and now it’s just a case of getting it right at the weekend.

“Line-out wise we’ve tinkered with a few moves to make sure that runs smoothly, then it’s just being in the right place at the right time for the first four or five phases, just so we’re all running the right lines.”

After such a poor start to their Premiership campaign and lying bottom of the Premiership, Hill has called on his players to “save our season” and earmarked two victories from Bristol’s next three games (against Northampton, Gloucester and London Irish) as imperative for survival.

At 32 though Winters has been around long enough to recognise there is still a lot of rugby to play. “It’s still early doors in the season,” he said. “It’s only the sixth Premiership game, 22 in total, so.... And we’re not that far behind the people above us."

Worcester are just four points above Bristol and, remarkably, London Wasps are only one point above that so Hill’s demands, if met, could see Bristol in a much more comfortable position come Christmas.

“We owe it to the supporters and ourselves to get a good result; no-one likes losing,” added Winters. “I’m sure it will be a heated affair at times. We’ve certainly got players within the side who’ve got those firey characters but we’ve got to keep a lid on it to make we’re not down to a numerical disadvantage. Hopefully we keep our cool, they lose a player and that’s to our advantage.”

Winters has earmarked scrum half Ben Foden and the mercurial half back Carlos Spencer for special treatment. He said: “Spencer on his day can either be magic or go into his shell. We’ve got to shut those two players down at half back. If that can be done then we’re in with a shout. Up front it’s going to be a very physical battle as ever. The front five have got to try and get one up on them and just try and get set pieces right.

“They ripped us apart up there just from our loose kicks and bad chases. Hopefully we’ll rectify that.”

Bristol (from): Clarke, Crompton, El-Abd, Grieve, Hobson, Linklater, Regan, Sambucetti, Sidoli, To’oala, Ward-Smith, Winters; T Arscott, Barnes, Beveridge, Brew, Eves, Jarvis, Lemi, Lilo, Perry, Thomas, Turner.

Trollope scoops Manager of the Month

Bristol Rovers coach Paul Trollope has won the Coca-Cola manager of the month award for October and declared the customary curse which accompanies the title has been and gone.

Trollope watched his side overhauled in dramatic fashion against Leicester at the Walkers Stadium on November 1 and suffered no less than three full backs lost to injury.

The three points the Pirates seemed to have won, courtesy of a wonder strike from forward Jo Kuffour, vanished in the final four minutes when Matty Fryatt struck twice to steal the win for Leicester. To compound the horror of Gas fans, players and officials, Aaron Lescott (hip), Joe Jacobson (ribs) and David Pipe (hamstring) all picked up injuries.

But their coach was delighted with his award for the fine run of results in October and believes the Leicester game contained enough bad luck to shake off any curse, real or imagined.

“The curse is gone,” he said. “Two late goals at Leicester mean the curse has gone. We hope that’s the case anyway.

“It’s always an award for everyone at the club. The staff and especially the players who have performed. It’s been a good month and we’d like to repeat it.

“We’ve not started this one well with a defeat at Leicester and we want to bounce back quickly. Trollope, who is now in his fourth season at the club, has won the award once before when he led Bristol Rovers into the League Two play-offs in the 2006/07 campaign which saw them promoted to League One.

“It’s always nice,” he said, “but the points are better than the award. We tweaked the system a bit (during October) and the players have responded very, very well to it.

"The spirit is very good and even in defeat at Leicester we kep the performance level which we’ve had and that was crucial. We know that if we can get there more often than not we will win games.

"We were disappointed to lose at Leicester after a good run but determined to get it going again.”

After some poor results in September Trollope’s men enjoyed four wins and a draw in October from their five league fixtures. The Pirates began the month with victories against Colchester United away (1-0) and Leyton Orient at home (2-1) before sealing an important point away at Huddersfield Town with a 1-1 draw.

Their impressive run continued with back-to-back home wins against Oldham Athletic (2-0) and Southend United (4-2), ensuring Rovers headed into November with the Play Off places firmly in their sights.

Also short-listed for the October award were Danny Wilson of Hartlepool United, Roberto Di Matteo of Milton Keynes Dons and Peterborough United’s Darren Ferguson.

Chris Kamara, chairman of the Coca-Cola Manager of the Month Awards panel, said: “Paul Trollope has taken to management brilliantly since being appointed Bristol Rovers boss just over three years ago.

“His side endured a difficult opening to the season but got back to winning ways in October, remaining unbeaten and picking up thirteen points from a possible fifteen during the month.”

Dave Jones of Cardiff City won the award in the Championship and Lincoln City’s Peter Jackson was given the League Two accolade.

The decision to present the Coca-Cola League One Manager of the Month award was made by the Coca-Cola Awards panel headed by Sky Sports pundit Kamara, former World Cup referee Jack Taylor, on behalf of The Football League, Richard Bevan and Olaf Dixon of the League Managers Association and James Williams, Head of Brand Experience, Coca-Cola Great Britain.

Kuffour out to end Rovers' curse

The FA Cup beckons tomorrow and Jo Kuffour aims to inspire a magical run to echo last season’s heroics - starting by ending Bristol Rovers’ Bournemouth jinx.

Kuffour returns to his old club and is looking forward to putting one over his former colleagues as the Pirates seek to confine to history an appalling run of results against the Cherries.

Rovers, who reached the quarter-finals of last year’s FA Cup, have been drawn against Bournemouth in four out of the last five cup competitions throughout all levels of the club.

The south-coast side knocked the Pirates out of the FA Cup 1-0 in a first-round clash at the Fitness First Stadium in 2003 and took the club to a second-round replay in the 2006/07 competition.

Before Bournemouth’s relegation last season they beat Rovers twice in League One (2-1 at home and 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium) and knocked them out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy 1-0 at the Mem, a feat they repeated this year on the south coast with a 3-0 margin of victory.

Kuffour intends to change this. “It will be nice to go back and see a load of old friends and hopefully get one over on them,” he said.

“I wasn’t surprised, I knew it was a banker to have happened out of all the teams we could have got. Suprise, suprise, it was Bournemouth.

“They seem to be a bit of a bogey team so hopefully we can put things right on Saturday.”

Bristol Rovers coach Paul Trollope described the 3-0 JPT Cup defeat in September as the worst performance in a long time.

Kuffour had only just signed for Rovers and didn’t travel with the squad but was able to witness the fall out and the subsequent return to form. “I heard Bournemouth did really well,” he said. “But we’ve put a good run together since then.”

His own FA Cup high point was with another former club, Torquay, when they reached the fifth round and took Birmingham City to a replay, a run which reinforced his belief that the FA Cup retains its reputation.

“(The magic) definitely still exists,” he said. “Whoever says it doesn’t can’t be a footballer.”

Bristol Rovers cause has not been helped by the loss of an entire back line to injury in recent games. David Pipe, Danny Coles, Steve Elliott, Aaron Lescott and Joe Jacobson have all been out of action. But coach Paul Trollope, who won the Coca-cola League One manager of the month award yesterday is confident he will not have to resort to the loan market and is hopeful some of the injured contingent will recover in time for the tie against Bournemouth tomorrow.

“We’ve obviously got defensive problems,” said Trollope. “David Pipe will definitely be out, Joe Jacobson looks like he’ll be out, Aaron Lescott might be back, possibly. Danny Coles is still a week or two away.

“Steve Elliott is back in contention after playing an hour in the reserves on Monday and Jeff Hughes returned to training on Tuesday after tightness around his hip flexor but is now fully fit.

“We’ve got enough in the building to cover it. It may mean we’re a little bit thin on the bench but will give some of the youngsters a chance as the cup run did last year.”

Cheesley on Barnsley & Sheff Utd

Former Bristol City striker Paul Cheesley talked to me about Bristol City's coming games up north against Barnsley on Saturday and at Ashton Gate on Tuesday against Sheffield United.

It was just a shame we found out about the Stern John signing AFTER I'd spoken to him.

Bristol City back on track with Norwich win

Jamie McCombe returns to the Bristol City side after six weeks nursing a fractured cheekbone and serves up the goal for their first win in a while.

Bristol Rugby win at last

Lucky 13 for Bristol Rugby tonight after a torrid start to the season. At last, a win, 32-11 over French big spenders Toulon.

It might have been in the Heineken Cup's poor relation but it's a win nonetheless and a timely boost for coach Richard Hill's side.

Sweeney on Bristol City's midfield

Bristol City legend Gerry Sweeney gave me the pleasure of his company this week to chat about the club he played more than 400 matches for, and manager Gary Johnson's midfield selection headache.

Bristol City get cash injection

In a week which has seen many people fearing for their savings, Bristol City Chairman Steve Lansdown has invested more of his own in the club he is nurturing towards the Premier League.

The financier, who made his money as a stockbroker, founding Hargreaves Lansdown with business partner Peter Hargreaves, has put a further £2.3million into the club.

According to documents registered with Companies House this week Lansdown has bought 1.15m worth of shares in Bristol City Holdings Limited, the parent company of Bristol City Football Club. Vice chairman Keith Dawe has also invested £200,000 for an increase in his share holding.

Steve Lansdown declined to comment on the specific use of the money. A Bristol City spokesman said: “Steve Lansdown and Keith Dawe have put money into the club regularly over the years and will continue to do so.”

The businessman, listed by the Sunday Times Rich List 2008 as the sixth richest person in the West of England with an estimated fortune of £338m, has always played down his role in financing the club.

Lansdown backed manager Gary Johnson in the close season with the purchase of the highly rated Maynard following the club’s Play-Off final defeat to Hull City in their first season back in the Championship.

City’s chairman, who took over the club in October 2002 and is now in his seventh season as Chairman, has revealed in Q&A sessions with fans that the club's wage bill has risen from £2.5m a year to £6m a year since promotion to the Championship.

And the businessman told the Fanancial Times in February this year the club's turnover for their first season back in the Championship would be about £8m - before the trip to Wembley.

The latest accounts filed at Companies House show the club made nearly a million pound loss in the year up to 31 May 2007 and the reports of their auditors Deloitte & Touche make it clear the club, like most others, runs on the financial promise of its board.

According to Ben Sulaiman of leading lawyers Lovells, the allotment of shares is one of two main ways for a football club to raise money. The other is debt, which in the current climate is expensive due to higher interest rates.

In August 2006 for example the Bristol City Supporters Trust bought 2,500 shares in Bristol City Holdings Limited for £5,000 which went towards improvements at the club's Abbots Leigh Training Ground.

Bristol Rovers stadium 'on target'

Bristol Rovers chairman Nick Higgs has confirmed the club’s ground revamp is on target despite the current financial crisis.

The £36-million Memorial Stadium makeover has already suffered from the credit crunch and was delayed for a year this summer when the student accommodation provider Opal pulled out.

The Rovers chairman was bullish in August, in his first interview after taking over from Ron Craig, that the stadium would still be delivered, with plans to push the button in the New Year and commence work in May.

And this week he confirmed the club had put the project out to tender as planned, that he would be making an announcement in the next few weeks and May 2009 was still the goal for starting work.

He said: “It’s all on target. I have been in design meetings today and we are out to the market. There is no change to the spec. It suits what we want in the future and where we want the club to be.

“Now we are in a state of limbo while we wait for responses.”

As revealed in August, the redevelopment project will leave the club with a residual debt of about £2m, a situation which has not changed but which will not jeopardise the rebuilding despite the banking crisis.

“Nothing has changed on that front,” said Mr Higgs. “We are still comfortable with the amount which will be repaid through revenue from the new stadium.”

Financial director Toni Watola was equally confident about the project but, like Mr Higgs, tempered his statement with a touch of realism.

“We’re, what’s the phrase, ‘quietly confident’,” said Mr Watola. “We still have the support of the bank, but until you get signatures on a piece of paper you never know.”

Bristol City legend speaks out

Bristol City legend Paul Cheesley tells ANDY SLOAN what he thinks the Robins need to achieve promotion to the Premier League.

Cheesley was part of the Robins' 1976 side which won promotion to the top tier of English football and scored their first goal back in the First Division against Arsenal on a memorable day for City fans.

A knee injury against Stoke three days later effectively ended his career at the tender age of 23 but he still has a passion for the game and is fondly remembered for his 20 goals in 64 league appearances for City.

The burly striker signed for the club after several years as an apprentice professional at Norwich City and returned to Ashton Gate for the sum of £30,000 in 1973 (£167,000 today).

Now landlord of the Knowle Hotel bar in Leighton Road, Cheesley still follows the team closely and believes they have more work to do both on and off the pitch before they can step up a division.

He said: “You can have hiccups along the way, and that's exactly what Gary Johnson's finding now.

"I thought we overachieved last year. Without being too rude to the club and the team, nobody expected us to do what we did. We managed to get into the play-off final which was magnificent but with no glory at the end of it unfortunately.

"Were we ready to go into the Premier League with the infrastructure we have now? I don't know, but Hull seem to be doing very well and on the crest of a wave as it were.

“It's a bit like when we were promoted in '76. The next season we were on the crest of a wave but we just managed to stay up, which was good. And I think Hull will stay up.

"You need to get those early points in the bag and big squads are paramount now in the Premiership. Would we have the money or the backing from the chairman? Sorry Mr Chairman, but it needs an awful lot of money to get into the Premiership.”

Michael McIndoe spoke out after City's 2-0 defeat at Wolves in September citing a need for extra quality and Johnson himself admitted after the 3-0 reverse to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane that the team requires something between a "fine tuning" and a "major overhaul".

He now has an international break to consider 'emergency' loan signings, plan for the January transfer window and, most importantly, to work with predominantly the same squad which reached the play-off final last year.

"(International breaks) are important to a degree because there are an awful lot of games in football so you do need a bit of a break from time to time,” said Cheesley.

"Some people could go stale in that short space of time, some people don't want a break but I would say the majority would. Especially after a bit of a dodgy time recently. Gary Johnson will be looking to stop that kind of thing happening again.

“My opinion is I think we need a couple more players to strengthen what is not a bad squad at the moment.” City aside, Cheesley's next passion is England and he's expecting a full house at the Knowle Hotel for their encounter with minnows Kazakhstan on Saturday.

Perfect start to Butland's England career

BRISTOL goalkeeper Jack Butland marked his England debut with a clean sheet against Northern Ireland as the England Under-16s hammered their hosts 6-0 at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

The 6ft 4in former Clevedon United keeper played for the full 90 minutes but had little to do as his team-mates proved too good for their Irish opponents in the opening fixture of the 2008 Victory Shield.

Butland, who is a member of Birmingham City’s Academy, enjoyed what will probably be one of the most comfortable matches of his career in front of the Sky Sports cameras last Friday.

He said: “It was quiet for me but what I had to do I did well. I didn’t have a shot to save but I was there when I needed to be for pass backs and the like. The coaches were pleased.”

Despite a confident debut, Butland is likely to make way for England’s next match against Wales in Llanelli on October 31 as the rest of the squad are given a chance to shine.

“For the Victory Shield they tend to rotate the players around,” he explained. “Our goalkeeping coach (former Liverpool, Tottenham and England keeper) Ray Clemence said I shouldn’t worry if I don’t play against Wales. Obviously I have had a chance and shown them what I can do.

“It was the biggest match I’ve played so far and I’m looking forward to more of them.”

The 15-year-old Clevedon Community School pupil described lining up for the anthems as a “special moment” and is hoping to be handed the number one jersey against Scotland in the final Victory Shield match as the squad seek to retain the trophy.

God and football

Bristol Rovers' chaplain David Jeal sets me straight on how long he's been with the club in a chat about God and football.

No football? no problem - 10 sporting things to do in and around Bristol

FOR the first time this season all three of Bristol’s leading clubs, City, Rovers and Bristol Rugby, are playing away from home along with Clifton RFC, Bristol Ladies Academy, and Dings RFC – so the Evening Post took a look at what is on offer in their absence:

1. Somerset and former England cricketer Marcus Trescothick is turning his hand to Major League Baseball at the County Ground tomorrow when the Trescothick Bangers take on the Great Britain baseball team at 2pm.

Ashley Giles, Robert Croft, Geraint Jones, Martin Saggers, Graeme Hick and Simon Jones as well as some Somerset favourites will be taking a swing. Adults £10, children £5. All funds go to Trescothic’s benefit year and Children’s Hospice South West. Tickets from the Somerset CCC box office or on 0845 3371875.

2. If baseball is not for you then check out some Banger racing and stock car action at the Mendip raceway, Warrens Hill Road, near Cheddar, BS40 7XU. On Sunday the final meeting of 2008 takes place featuring one of the oldest titles in banger racing – the West of England Championship. Racing is from 1.30pm to 5.30pm. Gates open at 11.30am. Adults £10, OAPs £5, children (5-15) £2, u5s free, family ticket (two adults and three children) £22. Go to www.apwd.co.uk/joomla/ or call 01963 220028 for more information.

3. Support some grass roots football on the Downs at 2pm on Saturday. Downs league Division One leaders Bristol Barcelona are taking on second-placed Cotswool in a crunch top-of-the-table clash. It’s free. Just check at the tea room by the water tower for the pitch number.

4. Spend the weekend with the wife/husband/family then cheer on the next generation of Bristol Rugby stars against local rivals Bath on Monday night (7.30pm). Bristol United take on Bath United at Clifton RFC in the Guinness A League. Tickets £5 on the night.

5. Support Alcove AC fishing for the Ken Davies Cup at the Fishponds Lido. Draw is at 8.30am with fishing from 9.30am to 2.30pm. Call Alan Sheppard for more details on 0117 9571344.

6. There is more motor -racing action at Castle Coombe as the Melton Concrete Products Formula Ford Carnival brings the courses’ 2008 racing season to a close with FF1600 cars, Saloon cars, the Special GT Championships, classic sports cars, tin tops, Jaguar XJSs. Practice starts at 8.40am with racing at 1.00pm. Adults £12, OAPs £6, accompanied children free. The circuit is close to Jct 17 & 18 of the M4 and signposted by brown tourist signs marked with a chequered flag.

7. For the agriculturally minded supporter, or those desiring some greenery, head to the Somerset Ploughing Championship Match on Saturday. It includes a mini-digger driving competition, tractor ploughing and horse ploughing at Hinton Park Farm, Hinton St George, Crewkerne (signposted from A30). Ploughing starts at 10.00 am and, more importantly, there’s a licensed bar and a hog roast. Contact Mr Hardwill on 01460 30661for more information.

8. Enjoy the beach at Weston-super-Mare before 100,000 motorbike enthusiasts descend on it next weekend for the Weston Beach Race (www.wbruk.com).

9. Mangotsfield Utd v Evesham Utd – See Mangotsfield attempt to leapfrog their British Gas Business Football League Premier Division opponents at Cossham Street (3pm). Adults £8.00, senior citizens £6.00, under 16’s £4.00 and under 10’s £2.00.

10. Parkour – the athletic art of free-running over walls and buildings. Watch Bristol’s finest train between 11am – 12pm at Castle Park Church. It’s free and you can even join in.

Bristol keeper gearing up for England debut

CITY and Rovers have let a jewel slip through their fingers but teenage Bristol goalkeeper Jack Butland has his grip on a greater prize – his first England cap.

The towering 15-year-old from Clevedon has been called up to the England Under-16s squad for their Victory Shield opener against Northern Ireland, which is being shown live by Sky Sports on Friday (7.40pm).

Butland, who still attends Clevedon Community school, signed for Birmingham City’ s academy at the age of 14 following a whirlwind six-month spell which saw him progress from his local Clevedon United side to the then Premier League outfit thanks in part to a stint with the Jamie Shore Football Academy in Bristol.

England were nearly denied his talents though as his dad, Matt, revealed. “We are a rugby family,” he said. “My dad and I both played for Somerset. I was a No 8 and my dad (Jack’s grandad) was a centre.”

Jack began his sporting career as a No 8 in the mould of his father. But his talents as a shot-stopper quickly came to the fore, helped by his love of Manchester United and his idol Edwin Van der Sar.

Butland is now just one inch in height and one football division below the 6ft 5in United keeper and his dream, along with a full England cap, is to appear for the Blues at the Theatre of Dreams.

Jack will turn 16 in March when he will hear if he has earned a two-year modern apprenticeship with Birmingham and the England call-up has helped to prove that he is on-track to achieve it.

He said: “I have not been at this level of football for very long. The England call-up will take a while to sink in. Two years ago I was playing against my friends on a Sunday afternoon.”

Butland now trains with the Blues’ first team and revealed striker Marcus Bent comes closest in the tricks stakes to his favourite outfield player, Cristiano Ronaldo.

A highlight for the youngster are the regular penalty shoot-outs after training and he has even upset one of the big names with his ability.

“Gary McSheffery likes to think he’s the best penalty taker,” said Butland of Brum’s £4 million acquisition from Coventry.

“I saved one and someone told me it’s the first time a youth team keeper saved one of his penalties for two years.

“It’s a privilege to train with the first team keepers at Birmingham. (Alex) McLeish and (Steve) Bruce before him always talk to us.

“You just have to take your chances, I just have to stick with it and work hard. But it’s started brilliantly.”

Former Aston Villa keeper Nigel Spink was key in Birmingham’s recruitment of Butland. Spink was working as a coach at the club under former manager Bruce when Jack went for a trial, and his manner and enthusiasm made an immediate impression.

“Birmingham were very down to earth,” added his dad, Matt. “We heard some horror stories about clubs academies. We trialled with Birmingham first and I liked the way they conducted themselves. It just seemed right for Jack. We didn’t have any contact from the Bristol clubs so we didn’t try out with them. He slipped under their radar.”

The Iron too strong for Yeovil

Scunthorpe United 2

Yeovil Town 0

By Andy Sloan at Glanford Park

Yeovil Town manager Russell Slade described Scunthorpe United’s performance in their comprehensive victory as the benchmark his side must aspire to.

Scunthorpe’s attacking verve surpassed even Slade’s pre-match predictions following various scouting missions and, without a win in eight outings, the Yeovil manager is hoping his players took note.

“I think we probably played the best team in the league,” he said. “The tempo at which they played and the ability they’ve got throughout the side was a fantastic yardstick for where we need to travel, where we need to be.”

The Iron unleashed an avalanche of attacking play from kick-off, buoyed by the prospect of topping League One if other results went their way and roared on by a hearty support lapping up the late-summer sunshine at Glanford Park.

Only Asmir Begovic and some sturdy woodwork kept Yeovil in the match as Nigel Adkins’ side showed why they, and not Leeds or Leicester, are making the early running at the top of the table alongside Oldham.

“The gaffer warned us all week, the first 15-20 minutes they will try and win the game and then just coast,” said Town striker Paul Warne. “And, to be fair, they absolutely destroyed us in the first 20 minutes.”

Paul Hayes hit the inside of the post and fired a shot straight at Begovic from point-blank range before some of the crowd had even finished taking their seats.

Then Martyn Woolford tested the Yeovil keeper with a header from Matt Sparrow’s cross and Sparrow himself forced Andy Welsh into a desperate, diving block on the edge of the area as the Iron flexed their muscles.

It was to be the theme of the afternoon. Woolford had the better of Lee Peltier on Scunthorpe’s left wing and Sparrow was simply too good for Nathan Jones to cope with on the right.

Welsh and Danny Schofield switched wings in an effort to work a way past the Scunthorpe full backs but were literally muscled off the ball on too many occasions.

Peltier courageously took on Woolford in the second half in a crunching block tackle but was left lying on the turf after a sickening smack. It took him ten minutes to run off the effects.

Sam Togwell, a former Yeovil transfer target, bossed the centre of the park imperiously despite the best efforts of Gary Roberts and Darren Way.

Jones was in for Nathan Smith, the only change from the encouraging draw with Bristol Rovers last week. Yeovil twice took the lead at Huish Park against Rovers but had no real chance of achieving a similar feat at Glanford Park.

Their sturdy, if at times fortuitous, resistance ran out just before the half-hour mark, and in frustrating fashion.

Scunthorpe captain Izzy Iriekpen drifted free of Yeovil’s own leader, Terry Skiverton, and had time to loop a careful header, from Grant McCann’s corner, back across the face of goal and past Begovic. There may have been something inevitable about the goal but the manner of its happening galled Slade.

“There was some good defending in there,” he said. “We got some good blocks in. But to concede from a set play is a bit of an Achilles heel. You don’t want to concede from set plays.”

Scunthorpe started to ease up towards the end of the half, gifting Warne a couple of chances. And Slade massaged his formation after the break to make the most of Yeovil’s temporary ascendancy.

Aidan Downes had suffered a recurrence of the knee injury which has seen him sidelined recently and was replaced by Andre McCollin as Slade switched from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 – and saw an immediate result.

“For the first half an hour it was one-way traffic,” said Slade. “They could have put the game to bed in that period, there’s no doubt about that.

“The second period was much better. I felt a little bit disappointed we didn’t get a goal.”

Yeovil centre back Terrell Forbes did get on the score sheet, just at the wrong end. His unfortunate and unavoidable own goal, turning in Woolford’s wayward cross, sank hopes of a comeback after a more settled spell from the visitors.

McCollin’s pace up front alongside Warne pulled Scunthorpe’s defence deeper but the non-league recruit from Fisher Athletic would do well to study the Iron’s front pairing of Hayes and Gary Hooper. Their interplay was worthy of the Championship and their team are tipped by Slade to get back there.

Scunthorpe United: (4-4-2) Murphy; Byrne, Iriekpen, Pearce, Williams; Sparrow, Togwell, McCann, Woolford; Hooper, Hayes (May 68). Subs not used: Lillis, Mirfin, Hurst, Morris.

Yeovil Town: (4-5-1) Begovic; Peltier, Skiverton, Forbes, Jones; Downes (McCollin 46), Way, Roberts, Schofield, Welsh (Tomlin 69); Warne. Subs not used: Bircham, Alcock, Murtagh.

Warne set for pain at Yeovil

YEOVIL TOWN striker Paul Warne predicted a “week of hell” for the Glovers players after their humbling at the hands of Scunthorpe United in Lincolnshire on Saturday.

The 35-year-old frontman offered a sober assessment of the 2-0 defeat at Glanford Park and insisted the team had to bounce back against Southend on Saturday or suffer the consequences of continued failure to win games.

The Glovers are without a victory in eight matches, despite being unbeaten at home, and are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league.

Promise was shown in the 2-2 draw against Bristol Rovers but positives were distinctly lacking from their trip to Scunthorpe.

Warne said: “Next week is going to be a week of hell as the gaffer (Russell Slade) is a proud man. He doesn’t want to come and lose games.

“We need to toughen up, have a hard week, and have to bounce back next week. If not, the way football is, heads will roll. Different people will come in and people will go, that’s the sad truth.”

The Iron graced the Championship last season and looked like a class above Slade’s outfit. Warne forced Scunthorpe keeper Joe Murphy into a few smart saves on Saturday but Yeovil never looked like taking all three points, and the former Oldham front man was clear on what they deserved.

He said: “We did create a couple of chances, more from huff and puff really. We probably muscled up three or four chances and they muscled up 15.

“If we’d have come away with a point, although it would have cheered us up, it would have been a disgrace to football.”

His manager was similarly minded. “Our weaknesses were exposed by a good side,” said Slade. “They set the standard for League One.”

Yeovil managed to weather Scunthorpe’s opening salvos but were undone by a first half set-piece and a second half Terrell Forbes own-goal – material for Slade to work with this week.

He said: “We’ve got to tighten up on our travels. The only way I know is to work harder on the training ground with the players and get a few more rules in place to make sure we’re a little more solid.”

Swindon restricted to one in one out

MAURICE Malpas has revealed any action for Swindon Town in the ‘emergency’ loan market is strictly subject to a one in, one out, policy.

Blair Sturrock made in a trial appearance for Bournemouth reserves last night as Swindon boss Malpas seeks games for his increased squad – an increase which has already proved its worth but which has created problems at the same time.

Sturrock, who played a big part in Town’s promotion to League One in 2007, has fallen to fifth in the striking pecking order at the County Ground behind Simon Cox, Billy Paynter, Barry Corr and Ben Joyce.

Malpas admitted he “badly needed games”, but did not rule him out of a future with the club. The manager has increased the size of his squad from last season and, while the decision has proved wise given the run of injuries and illness, he is having difficulty ensuring those on the fringes of the first team remain match fit.

“Blair’s been a bit unfortunate, he’s missed a few games and Ben Joyce has jumped in front of him,” said Malpas.

“Hopefully Bournemouth will take him on loan for some period of time and Blair can get his fitness back up and get going again.”

Cherries’ boss Jimmy Quinn asked Sturrock to undergo a trial in last night’s reserve game with Cheltenham Town, which they won 4-1, before determining whether he takes the player on, a decision Malpas described as “the way of the world now”.

He said: “It’s all a bit frustrating that I can’t get some players out on loan. I’m juggling the squad around in terms of the ones who go and play with the reserves because guys need games. It’s important for us to say that a person is available on loan and when the manager asks me if he’s been playing I don’t say ‘no, he hasn’t played since the start of the season’.

The problem becomes all the more pressing with the revelation from Malpas that: “There’s nobody coming in until we get people out.”

Corr and Jerel Ifil were in action for Swindon reserves last night in their 2-0 defeat against Exeter.

Corr made his return to the first team on Saturday with a second-half substitute appearance against Stockport and is pressing for his first start of the season while Ifil is looking to bounce back from being dropped following the loss to Leeds.

Smith out to rewrite recent Swindon history

SWINDON defender Jack Smith is hoping his side can erase the bad memories from both last week and their last visit to Stockport when they face the Cheshire side today.

Smith is one of the few survivors from Swindon’s previous trip to Edgeley Park, a League Two clash in March 2007 that saw the Robins beaten 3-0 and reduced to 10 men after Jerel Ifil was sent off.

But the 24-year-old believes Town have the quality up front to ensure a result – as long as he and his defensive colleagues cut out the errors and maintain their composure.

He said: “We want to put last week behind us, out of our minds. We’ve been looking good going forward and we’ve scored, I think, in every game bar Cheltenham. We’ve just got to try and keep a clean sheet, and if we do that we’ve got a great chance. We’re always likely to score a couple of goals.”

Town boss Maurice Malpas, a 55-times capped former Scotland international defender, has called for a strong reaction from his players, including a better mentality on the pitch when incidents go against them. And Smith admits the advice is evident in the film of last week’s match.

“It’s always tough watching the video but it gives you ideas how to put it right,” he said. “Any manager would have been tearing their hair out. It’s just a bad game, a bad day at the office.”

The spectre of the axe still looms over some of the team despite the manager’s assertions that any reshuffle of his side should not indicate any player being made a scapegoat.

Smith said: “We’ve had a loss, so I guess everyone’s position is up for grabs. You could play that game again and not make those errors. We never felt unduly threatened by Leeds, so it was just that we weren’t playing well.”

The team retains a sense of humour, though, and a number of players, including Smith, have agreed to join midfielder Craig Easton in raising money and awareness for testicular-cancer charity TacheBack by growing moustaches.

For the journey north, Barry Corr’s place on the bench is in doubt after he missed training with a 24-hour bug, but Peter Brezovan could replace substitute keeper Mark Scott after recovering from a slight shoulder injury.

Stockport are boosted by the return of summer signing Carl Baker in midfield, and they are seeking their first home win of the season.

Swindon Town (from): P Smith, Brezovan, Scott, J Smith, Aljofree, Ifil, Nalis, Amankwaah, Casal, Easton, McGovern, Marshall, McNamee, Peacock, Timlin, Cox, Paynter, Corr.

Bristol City's shot at the billionaires

The Queens Park Rangers show comes to Ashton Gate today complete with its Formula One owners and Real Madrid loan starlet, but Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown believes the Robins can steal some of the limelight.

Flavio Briatore, manager of the Renault Formula One team, and Grand Prix supremo Bernie Ecclestone took over at Loftus Road a year ago and have overhauled the team in their bid to take Rangers back to the top tier of English football.

Lansdown is not planning on letting them have it all their own way, though, and insists City have the resources and the quality to continue their progress and another flying start to the season.

He said: “We have got something to prove. I think we go into the game probably as underdogs because of the situation, but we know what we’ve got here (at Ashton Gate) and we want to show we deserve to get to the top of the table. Competing against teams like QPR will be a good test for us.”

Money has been lavished by Briatore and Ecclestone on hauling QPR out of debt and into the role of Championship contenders.

Exotic imports such as Real Madrid’s teenage midfield sensation Daniele Parejo and Genoa’s Argentinian forward Emmanuel Ledesma have been brought in on loan to add flair to new manager Iain Dowie’s side.

Lansdown said: “From a QPR perspective, it’s probably one of the best things that could have happened to them. You had people who had wealth to their name and who were in a situation to help the club through a very bad patch.

"From a Bristol City perspective, obviously you watch with interest how they progress with regard to how they invest in the club, what they spend on players and the squad they build up.

“They have spent quite a considerable amount of money. One shouldn’t be misled about the fact there haven’t been major transfer fees paid. Players are only going to go there for a good salary and knowing there is cash there and the club is ambitious to get to the Premiership. Make no mistake about it - they have invested heavily in the squad.”

QPR are cited as one of the favourites for promotion given the new investment, yet their temperament on the road was tested and found wanting in a 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United.

And Lansdown is hoping City can further dent Rangers’ aspirations as manager Gary Johnson continues to further aspirations of his own.

Lansdown said: “I am really looking forward to this one because it is so interesting for all sorts of different reasons, and hopefully the results will prove we are on the right track. And I’m confident we can give a good account of ourselves and come away with a result. But I have to say, it’s not going to be easy. They never are.”

US Ryder Cup victory can help the South West

WHILE European golf fans are hoping Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo has picked wisely, the organisers of the 2010 event across the Severn bridge are backing the Americans.
And head groundsman Jim McKenzie believes the changes made by the US side to the Valahalla course to frustrate Faldo’s team could make the difference - as will those he makes in 2010.
The Ryder Cup venue in two years time is the Celtic Manor Resort in the Usk valley, just half an hour’s drive from Bristol, where staff are quietly crossing their fingers for a US victory – to add spice to their event.

McKenzie, director of golf courses and estate management for the Resort said: “We’ve won it a few times now and we would hate to see the Americans lose interest. I think it would be good for 2010 if this one was very close but the Americans just nicked it, and they may well do.
“The ommission of Tiger Woods is seen by many as possibly being an advantage to the Americans, and I think it would be good if we had it all to play for with the Americans coming over defending it and us trying to win it back, rather than the Americans coming over to perhaps lose it again.”
McKenzie has been in Newport since 1993 when the Celtic Manor’s owner, Welsh telecommunications entrepreneur Sir Terence Matthews, told him of his Ryder Cup dream.
“To be honest I was very sceptacle,” said McKenzie. “But here we are.”
Newport beat off rival bids from Scotland and the North of England, by proving Wales and the South West would benefit most geographically from hosting the event.
“Taking the Ryder Cup to Scotland would be a little bit like having £50million to invest in the good of English football, you wouldn't give it to Manchester United,” said McKenzie, a Scotsman.
“And if the Ryder Cup had gone to Scotland in 2010 it would have made an already strong golfing nation even stronger. How ironic it is now that we’re going to Valhalla and there’s not a Scotsman in the team for the first time since the 30s.”
McKenzie will liaise with the 2010 captain to mould the “TwentyTen course” at Celtic Manor to the Europeans’ strenghs and the Americans’ weaknesses as has his compatriot Mike Montague in Valhalla.
McKenzie said: “It is one of the advantages in being the home venue. Both the Belfry and the K Club were set up as courses to beat the Americans. And likewise Mike, a close friend from Valhalla, has set up a course to benefit the American "boomers”.
“The Americans also play these very high, soft shots into greens and as a result Valhalla will suit them as there is water in front of greens and strips of rough in front of the greens and bunkers in front of the greens.
“That said guys like Casey and Poulter and some other notables in the team play a lot of their golf in America so they will be semi used to the conditions. Of course Padraig Harrington has won in America so he’s more than capable of playing in these conditions.”
In 2006, at the K club, captain Ian Woosnam had all the grass cut very, very short all round the greens to counter the Americans’ prowess with the flop shot.
“Guys like Phil Mickelson and other notable Americans, they get up and down with the flop shot 9 times out of 10 whereas our guys only do it 7.5/8 times,” said McKenzie.
“Woosnam looked very closely at what the American strengths were and took that option away.” McKenzie is now in Kentucky with the European team, monitoring every American move with a view to getting the course right in Newport. And he is excited by the potential of seeing a local golfer in the 2010 side.
“I think Chris Wood is an exciting prospect,” he said. “Very similar to Justin Rose in the way they’ve broken through. Rose didn't get off to the best of starts (after turning pro) but he’s come back, he’s won events, he’s won the Order of Merit and he’s in the Ryder Cup team. I don't see any reason why guys like Chris Wood can't do the same and wouldn't it be fabulous to have a local guy playing the Ryder Cup.
“It’s tough to think about 2010 at the moment,” he added. “Everybody’s talking about Faldo, everybody’s talking about his picks but when we come back the spotlight will be on the South West, then we’ll get excited.”

Trollope dreaming of a simple win

POINTS mean prizes and Bristol Rovers Paul Trollope is eager to shake the tag of “entertainers” if it means a 1-0 result against Walsall tomorrow at the Memorial Stadium.

Trollope has made clear he won’t be sacrificing his attacking intentions in the wake of Rovers’ defensive leaks though. And despite drilling his side on Monday and Tuesday in the art of keeping the back door locked, the remainder of the squad’s build up to tomorrow’s encounter has been spent on creating chances to score goals.

“You need the balance (between attack and defence),” said Trollope. “You need to work on some defending aspects. We did a little bit of DVD analysis and worked hard on the training pitch, especially on Monday and Tuesday.

“We’ll do bits of defending that we need to brush up on, but there’s still an emphasis on passing, on movement, of hopefully creating and scoring goals. We’re delighted to be top scorers in the division and we want to continue that.”

But Trollope would prefer a 1-0 win ahead of a 5-4 result in Rovers favour.

He said: “We’d be delighted with a clean sheet. Obviously, for the neutral and for the fans, 5-4 wins are probably better, but for us, from a professional point of view, we’ll be looking to defend solidly and a clean sheet would be a huge bonus after the goals we’ve conceded.”

Rovers’ last appearance at home was the comprehensive 6-1 overhauling of Hereford, but since then they have been on the road and without a win in three outings.

“There were individuals at fault for certain goals at Peterborough, but they were the same players who defended magnificently at Leeds seven days before so there’s no major witchhunt.

“We had a promotion here a couple of years ago on a lot of clean sheets, a lot of 1-0s, and certainly when Lennie (Lawrence) and I first came together we had a lot of 3-2s and 3-3s and it wasn’t something we liked to be honest.”

There are important players in the treatment room in the form of Danny Coles and Joe Jacobson, but the former is back in training along with Ryan Green, and Jacobson is now just weeks away from a return.

Trollope said: “Coles’ knee is fine but obviously there’s a concern if you do put him in too soon that he’ll injure something else and be out for an even longer period of time. So we’ll assess later in the week.”

Walsall come to the Memorial Stadium chasing their first away win of the season and also, like Rovers looking for a first clean sheet.

Trollope said: “They’ve got some threats in Jabo Ibehre, Ishmel Demontagnac, and Marco Reich. They’ve had a mixed start not dissimilar to ourselves – a couple of good results beating Scunthorpe as well as demolishing Southend so we know they’ve got attacking threats.

"We know we’ll have to be better defensively than last week. But we’ll be going all out to win.

Lambert in same mould as Walcott

ENGLAND’S Theo Walcott is not the only striker who is openly greedy – Bristol Rovers’ top-scorer Rickie Lambert has also admitted snaffling more than his fair share of chances.

Walcott bagged a hat-trick for England against Croatia on Wednesday and confessed his goal haul came from a conscious decision to concentrate on shooting rather than passing, something Lambert has learned as well.

“Sometimes you’ve got to be selfish,” said Rovers’ 26-year-old marksman, who has scored in every league game this season.

“I’ve gone through it myself, and passed it when I should have shot,” he said. “It’s frustrating after the game, going through it in your mind. It was a brilliant game for Theo, so congratulations to him.”

Like Walcott with England, Lambert took some time to establish himself in the hearts of the Gas supporters. But since the Liverpudlian’s first goal finally came in his 10th appearance he hasn’t turned back.

“It was a pretty bad start from my point of view and I did try and emphasise to the fans that this is not me, I am a lot better than what you are seeing at the minute,” he said.

“Then I put my head down and made sure I could show the fans what I’m really about. And hopefully that’s what I’ve done over the last year or so.”

He scored 10 in his first season, 19 in his second and already has six in the bank just five games into Rovers’ current campaign.

And the highlight of his 99 starts and 35 goals? “Bristol City!” he replied without hesitation, referring to the goal that knocked the Robins out of the League Trophy in 2007. “No, really it would have to be promotion and the play-off final.”

As far as his 100th start goes, which will come tomorrow against Walsall, the most pertinent of his strikes is the 34th-minute header which gifted Rovers all three points against the Saddlers in April.

“We played well that game,” said Lambert. “We thought we deserved the win. Hopefully we can follow it with another one on Saturday.”

The 6ft 2in front man has earned his right to be selfish and will be fighting off Chris Lines to take the free-kicks at the Memorial Stadium after his last strike came from a 22-yard dead ball opportunity.

Greed has it’s limits though, and diplomacy ruled out any heady declarations from Lambert of maintaining his scoring streak for the rest of the season.

He said: “I want (my run) to carry on as long as possible. But I won’t be thinking past Saturday. If I don’t score, but we win, then I won’t be bothered.”