Dele - 'I was the one clattered'

BRISTOL CITY striker Dele Adebola stressed that he was the player that was “clattered” in the incident that led to his opening goal in the 3-0 win at Coventry.

The 33-year-old target man rose to challenge for a Michael McIndoe cross with Coventry keeper Keiren Westwood.And the 6ft 3in forward, referred to by Coventry boss Chris Coleman as “probably the strongest man in the league,” won the ball and reacted first to score while Westwood remained down, concussed and with a dislocated thumb.

Coleman described referee Phil Dowd’s performance as “abysmal” after he allowed the goal to stand. But Adebola felt he was well within his rights to challenge for the ball.

He said: “I had my eyes on the ball, I’ve gone for the header and he’s come and clattered me. It dropped kindly for me and I put the ball in the back of the net. I didn’t realise he was so seriously injured.

“I committed myself and unfortunately the collision ended with the keeper coming off worse. There was no malice in it. Hopefully he’s ok.”

Coleman was sent to the stands and described the match as “Disappointing. Traumatic. Frustrating.”

City boss Gary Johnson said: “If you analyse the major incidents I think (Dowd) has got most of them right.”

Adebola was a hit with Sky Blues fans during his four and a half years at the club but now feels at home in Bristol.

He said: “I feel wanted (at City). I’ve had to, year upon year, fight my way into contention and it takes its toll. “I’ve come to Bristol and the manager has taken to me. I haven’t missed many games and it’s nice to be appreciated.”

Adebola aiming for winning return

The last time Dele Adebola turned out at Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena when Bristol City were in town he was on the wrong end of a 3-0 hiding.

Now, in the red-and-white strip of the Robins, the 6ft 3ins striker is determined to be on the winning side although he has fond memories of his five years with the Sky Blues.

He said: “I spent a good chunk of my career at Coventry and I enjoyed my time there. “Unfortunately, it was mainly fighting against relegation.

“We had a couple of good seasons when we finished higher up, but a great set of lads changed nearly every year. A new manager would come in and ship out a new set, so I’ve seen a lot of faces and made some good friends.”

Since Adebola’s departure from Coventry in January, the managerial merry-go-round has continued with Iain Dowie making way for Chris Coleman.

The former Fulham boss saved the club from relegation by a single point last season but is aiming for much more this term after recruiting strikers Clinton Morrison, from Crystal Palace, and Freddy Eastwood, from Wolves.

“They’ve started well and have got a strong squad but we’re going there to try to get three points,” said Adebola.

The Nigerian target man endeared himself to the Coventry faithful with a goal in the last game at the old Highfield Road ground – and another in the first game at the new one, against QPR.

“At least I’ll be remembered there for something,” he said. “I hope I’ve given them a reason for a good reception. The way that I left wouldn’t have offended, I didn’t start screaming for a transfer. It just happened and it was the right time for the club to sell – and the right time for me to move on.”

Early pace-setters Coventry beat Norwich 2-0 in their opening match of the Championship campaign and won 2-1 at Barnsley last Saturday.

Adebola said: “Whenever you expect people to do well, they never seem do it and teams that aren’t fancied come to the fore. “Coventry could stay in those (play-off) positions and hopefully we can as well. It’s a big game because we’ve both had big starts.”

City deals are a page turner says Johnson

City boss Gary Johnson has expressed exasperation with his summer transfer dealings - likening the experience to an Agatha Christie novel.

Christie’s novels include apt titles such as Destination Unknown, The Unexpected Guest, The Secret Adversary and one Johnson will be hoping won’t be apply - And Then There Were None..

The Robin’s supremo has seen record signing Emad Meteb throw his deal into doubt with an unsanctioned appearance for his former club Al-Ahly, following on from a protracted negotiation.

And the City manager is still not able to confirm anything further on the other signatures he is chasing.

The Evening Post understands Johnson has relinquished hope of signing Nottingham Forest’s Nathan Tyson and Crewe Alexandra have slapped a £2million price tag on 21-year-old Nicky Maynard.

Johnson said: “At the moment, until they’re actually physically in front of you, I can’t tell you anything.

“There’s so many twists and turns you know. It’s like an Agatha Christie novel.”

Yesterday the Post revealed City are weighing up a move for Dele Adebola’s former Coventry City strike-partner Michael Mifsud who has handed in a transfer request. After Adebola’s performance against Yeovil on Monday, the temptation to reunite them may have increased.

Johnson was upbeat after watching his 33-year-old, 6ft 3in forward score a brace and win a penalty for Michael McIndoe to hit home a third.

He said: “It’s good for a striker to score a couple of goals. If Dele works hard like he did [against Yeovil], and he had some good balls to run onto, he gets his rewards and that’s good.

“It’s not about people who come in or who are not coming in, at the end of the day it’s about the team you are preparing on the day and he got a good 90 minutes.

“Dele looked tired after 45 but he tends to see it through and it was good because he got a couple of goals.

“There’s no value as such [in pre-season wins] because you don’t pick up any points but it’s nice for our fans to see that our team is going in the right direction from how it looked on tour.”

Adebola was obviously pleased with his performance but admitted it had nothing to do with the possible arrival of Meteb or any other strikers at the club.

He said: “Being totally honest I haven’t thought about it or any sort of competition.

“It’s a good squad, anyone is welcome in it and we’re all trying to do the same thing.

“We want to show that last season wasn’t a flash in the pan so I welcome the addition.

“It was our first 90 minutes against better opposition and I thought we stepped up a little bit, got a bit closer to what we’re looking for.

“There’s still a few games for us to get our game going properly and hopefully we’ll be ready come the start of the season.

“Pre-season games don’t really mean anything but it’s nice to get goals and to get a win and I’m happy with a good day’s work.”

Dele shows Johnson his City value

Yeovil Town 0 - 3 Bristol City

Andy Sloan at Huish Park

DELE Adebola rose to the challenge of winning a place in Bristol City's starting XI come August 9 with a towering performance against Yeovil.

The veteran forward struck twice and won a penalty, converted by Michael McIndoe, as City eased past Yeovil 3-0 at Huish Park.

City boss Gary Johnson returned to former club Yeovil looking for the Robins' first pre-season win, and it was a good day at his old office.

All three of City's former Yeovil players, McIndoe, Lee Johnson and keeper Chris Weale started for the visitors, with Adebola cutting a lone figure up front and Myrie-Williams tucking into the left side of a five-man midfield.

And the Nigerian forward gave a timely reminder to Johnson of his talents following the signing of 25-year-old Egyptian striker Emad Meteb.

The substitution of Yeovil right-back Lee Peltier in the 20th minute led to a defensive change for the hosts and confusion two minutes later when Adebola headed in the opener, connecting with a curling left-foot cross from Jamie McAllister.

His deft flick found the bottom-right corner of the net.

Weale was called into action for the first time in the 35th minute. Glovers' trialist Stephane Robinet floated a teasing ball over the head of Cole Skuse to play in Paul Warne, who tested Weale with a powerful shot, parried to safety.

Adebola was at the heart of the action after half-time, winning a penalty in the 56th minute. The 33-year-old drew a push from Terry Skiverton as he rose to meet a cross from the orange-booted McIndoe. The Yeovil fans appealed for handball from the big front man, but the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

The “Scottish player”, as McIndoe is known at Huish Park these days, stepped up and stroked the ball past another Yeovil trialist, Canadian keeper Josh Wagenaar, for City's second.

A long ball over the top with 20 minutes to go saw Adebola further enhance his standing with a strike from the edge of the box to put the result beyond doubt.

In the closing minutes Jordan Walker made his first appearance since tearing his cruciate ligament, coming on for Bradley Orr. It was just long enough for him to see Weale make a handy save from Hayden Tinto to ensure a clean sheet for City.

Johnson was impressed with the competitive nature of the game and the fitness of his players. He said: “It was a proper game and the lads had to be sharp or they got kicked.

“Our boys just got a little bit tired towards the end and it just proves they are not quite ready for the 90 yet but they are getting there."