Bristol City boss: Wolves are human

Bristol City boss Gary Johnson is unwavering in his prediction Wolves will win promotion - after they’ve dropped three points at Ashton Gate.

The City manager is convinced his side are unfazed by taking on the league leaders and are well primed to do so after 180 minutes of FA Cup action against Premier League Portsmouth.

“It's always nice to have a big game after a big game because hopefully the lads are still up for it,” said Johnson. "We always feel big teams are beatable in this division when we're at Ashton Gate. We've had too many draws but that doesn't stop us thinking they're beatable.

"It will be a fantastic game but we shouldn't go into it with any worries that we're playing top of the league.”

And Johnson is looking forward to seeing his latest signing Peter Styvar test his talent against Championship as opposed to Premier League opposition.

The Slovakian striker, signed at the start of the transfer window from MSK Zilina for a reported £400,000, had a baptism of fire at Fratton Park then Ashton Gate, pitting his pace and trickery against some of the most experienced and respected defenders in the world.

“If your first two games are up against Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin on your own, it's ‘oh my God, welcome to English football’,” said Johnson.

“He's played against the best and to be fair he kept the ball for us. There's a good player there. And we'll see at our own level, and with our team maybe creating a few more easier chances, Peter is very good at sniffing out goals from short range and long range.

“You can't have enough players in your club like that. Of course he's got to get to the tempo of the game but he won't come up against players like that (Campbell and Distin) every week in the Championship.”

Wolves top the table by four points, despite two draws and a defeat in their last three league outings, and in 2003/04 were plying their trade in the top tier, playing the likes of Campbell and Distin every week. Their football this season has been worthy of a return to those heights.

"They've had a fantastic start, an unbelievable start,” said Johnson. “If you get a run of 10 or so wins on the trot you’re going to be in a very strong position.

“We've got to worry about us. It's not a six pointer, but we've got to make sure we pick up the points so we're up near the play-off spots where we want to be.

“There are more consistent teams (in the Championship) and Wolves are one of those, but they do have an off day. And if we can have a good day to coincide with their off day then we have a fantastic chance.”

The manager was pleased with his side’s performance against Portsmouth and has been boosted by news that the back spasms which forced fans’ favourite Cole Skuse off in the second half should not prevent him turning out on Saturday.

“Just listening to the TV and radio after the Portsmouth game our supporters seemed to be quite happy with the effort we've put in and the way we're playing,” he said.

Johnson will be shunning all media in the run up to today’s match though as City adjust to a later kick-off time of 5.20pm. He said: "We try and keep ourselves away from the TV and radio for the scores. That can sort of affect you as you can find yourselves dropping down the league a couple of places even though you haven't played."

Bristol City ready for penalties against Portsmouth

Bristol City have left nothing to chance in their bid to dethrone FA Cup holders Portsmouth at Ashton Gate tonight.

Gary Johnson had his players practicing penalties in training this week to see who would have the nerve to take one against England goalkeeper David James in tonight’s third-round replay, which is likely to be watched by a sell-out crowd.

Johnson has never beaten a Premier League side while in charge at Ashton Gate but came agonisingly close two seasons ago when the Robins lost on spot kicks to Middlesbrough in a fourth-round replay sent to the wire by a 117th-minute equaliser from Jamie McCombe.

Now, two years on and 100 years since Bristol City reached the FA Cup final, Johnson is mustering his men for their best chance to date of unseating a team from the top tier.

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams’ travails have been well documented. He has won only won three of his last 18 games, the club are up for sale and his side have been shorn of midfield maestro Lassana Diarra and, more recently, England’s Jermain Defoe.

Nicky Maynard, Michael McIndoe and Brian Wilson are all back for Bristol City after missing the 0-0 draw at Fratton Park 10 days ago and big defender Jamie McCombe has recovered from a recurrence of pelvic and stomach strains as well as shin splints.

The 6ft 5in centre back was pivotal in marking England striker Peter Couch out of the game on the south coast and his fitness is a relief for the City manager, faced with the threat of Crouch’s 6ft 7in frame.

“I think we’ve got as good a chance as any,” said Johnson. “We respect that they’re a Premier League side, we know they’ve got some world class players. They’re still the favourites, they’re still the ones under pressure. They’re the ones the media have come to see get beat. And if we can help that situation we will. Our boys are really looking forward to it.

“We had a little (penalty) competition this morning,” he added, confirming he has picked his penalty takers on the basis of it.

“We had two teams and walked from the half-way line. We tried to replicate exactly what’s going to happen. The lads who were walking up to take the penalty got some stick from the other lads so it’s a little bit like the opposition and some missed because of it. I’ve got to be aware of which ones missed and why.”

City have had a change in fortune since Christmas, banishing a winless run of eight games with results at Watford and Crystal Palace, seeing in the New Year in much healthier fashion. The draw against Pompey helped continue the renewed confidence flowing through the team and Johnson is aware tonight’s game, despite being a cup match, will impact the team’s form.

“I keep saying two wins isn’t a run but I’m pleased with our form,” he said. “It’s definitely going to be a tight game but it’s one we think we have every chance in. We have to believe that our game can cause a problem. Neither team deserved to win at Fratton Park. It’s up to us, being at home to open up a little bit and create more opportunities.

“This is just as big a game for them at this point in time. They’ll be disappointed in the draw at Fratton Park but they will believe they can win the game at Ashton Gate. This is the game where we get the opportunity to beat the cup holders.

“FA Cups are one-off games. We’ve all got stories of the FA Cup. As players, coaches or manageers and those stories stay with you. You always remember the big FA Cup games. And they bring small towns together, puts small towns on the map. The FA Cup is a fantastic competition and I’ve never met anyone that thinks otherwise.

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 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.

Johnson keeping the faith

Bristol City manager Gary Johnson and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger may be unlikely drinking partners but they both have the same stance when it comes to the transfer window.

Johnson admitted he momentarily lost faith with his players after a disappointing performance at Crewe which saw them unceremoniously dumped out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night. But, like Wenger, he believes he has a squad which may not need adding to unless the right man comes along.

He said: “People like you to talk about transfers but sometimes you have to get behind the people who are here.

“They’re the ones who have got us here, they’re the ones who have got us very disapppointed in getting beat at Crewe, but they’re the ones that are also very happy with the way we played at Coventry.

“As a manager you’ve got to keep a bit of a level head. Try and work things when you’ve lost and try and encourage them when you’ve won.

“Sometimes players prove that you don’t need anyone and sometimes they prove that you do but you’ve still got to bring in the right people and there’s a lot of clubs out there who are bringing in people just for the sake of it.

Wenger came under the spotlight after Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham in the Premiership and reacted angrily to suggestions he needed to bolster an injury riddled squad.

“I hate the idea that, whenever we have a bad game, the solution is to go out and buy. I don’t know why we’re always under pressure to buy £30million or £40m players.

He said to The Sun: “I hate the idea that, whenever we have a bad game, the solution is to go out and buy. I am not impressed by big names. I am only impressed by attitude and quality. All the rest is just hype.”

Johnson has injury concerns of his own with Jamie McCombe, Marvin Elliott, Christian Ribeiro, Jordan Walker, Scott Murray and now Jamie McAllister out of action.

There’s no crisis though. Webster has come in as defensive cover for McCombe, Elliott will be back in a fortnight if not sooner, McCombe a month after that, Murray is back training and initial reaction is that McAllister’s knock is only skin deep.

Johnson said: “I won’t lose faith in these players. I lost faith in them (on Tuesday) and I told them so but hopefully they’ll be back on Saturday.”

“We know this group of players don’t often have two or three bad games on the trot and hopefully we can pick them up ready for Saturday.

“That doesn’t mean to say we’re not disappointed with them and ourselves for being out of the cup.

“I’ve got to explain that to the Chairman and that’ll be the hardest interview I do.”

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.”