Maynard on show at old club Crewe

PAST results are no guarantee of future performance but Bristol City are on a high and, instead of a distraction from the league, their Carling Cup tie against Crewe tonight represents an opportunity to enjoy themselves some more.

At the front of the queue will be record signing Nicky Maynard, who returns to the club which schooled him in the art of scoring.

Whether he would celebrate a goal at his old ground remains to be seen but City fans can rest assured he won’t be doing his old team-mates any favours.

He said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better tie, especially going back so soon, but hopefully I’ll come out a winner.

“I was obviously going to go back there sooner or later. I’ve never been away from Crewe so whatever happens on the night we’ll just see what my emotions are like. Celebrations depend on the state of the game.”

The 21-year-old is not the only former Crewe trainee in City’s squad. Dele Adebola, 13 years his senior, also began his career with the Railwaymen.

He said: “It’s been a long time since I played for them but you still go back there with fond memories. It’s an interesting tie for me.

“They’ve got a lot of the same coaching staff from when I was there, and Dario (Gradi) of course.”

The 33-year-old rose to the occasion on his return to another old club, Coventry City, on Saturday and is likely to be rested tonight.

But he stressed the importance of maintaining City’s unbeaten run. “You want to win as many games as you can, no matter what side the manager puts out,” he said.

“It’s about winning games. If you’re losing games, even if they’re not as important, you can get into a little rut and you don’t want that at this stage of the season. If you’re winning or not getting beat you want to keep it going in all competitions.”

Crewe upset Championship side Barnsley 2-0 in the first round, although their victory was reliant on two strikes from the penalty spot, and in 2006 they took a third round tie against Manchester United to extra time at the Alexandra Stadium.

Adebola said: “It’s sometimes the League One sides that provide the sterner opposition, as they are very big games for them. It’s a test for them against higher-league opposition and you usually find it’s the Championship sides who rest players.

“I’m sure (Nicky) will enjoy it regardless. I’m sure they will give him a good reception. If he can get a goal or two and not celebrate then it will be a good day for him.”

Maynard was in buoyant mood after City’s 3-0 demolition of Coventry at the Ricoh Arena and, if a result can be reached against Crewe, he believes the club’s early-season form could ensure City are this season’s giant killers in the third round. He has already had a taste of such an opportunity. He was part of the 2006 side which almost upset the Premiership Champions.

He said: “The dressing room’s buzzing and we reckon we could beat anyone on our day, whether it be a higher Championship or a lower Premiership team. Hopefully we can continue this form.

“He was main striker when I was at Crewe academy. Obviously I looked up to him while I was there. Hopefully we can show what we learnt off them and use it against them.”

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.”

Webster - City's new Heart

Home is where the Hearts are for Bristol City’s defensive recruit Andy Webster who could end 18 months of injury heartache with a start at Coventry today.

The 26-year-old centre-back, recruited as a temporary replacement for the injured Jamie McCombe, admitted he had other offers for his services, but his friendship with former Hearts colleagues Jamie McAllister and Lee Johnson clinched his decision to move to the South West.

Webster comes from Glasgow Rangers with a fine CV including 22 international caps for Scotland and four Premiership appearances for Wigan, three of which resulted in clean sheets and all four of which were victories.

More than 150 starts for Hearts brought him to the attention of the Premiership side and it was at Tyncastle where he met McAllister and Johnson.

He said: “Bristol did exceptionally well last season getting to the play-offs. They’re a big club and a very good football team and are obviously looking to improve on last season.

“I had a few offers but this appealed to me the most. I know a couple of the players I played with at Hearts which made the decision a bit easier. It helps you settle in a bit quicker when you know people.

“Both Jamie and Lee are really good friends and I was still in touch with them before any of this came about.”

The six foot centre-back barely featured for Rangers during two loan spells from Wigan due to a succession of injuries. The Scottish Premier club signed him permanently at the start of the summer and Webster is looking to get back into manager Walter Smith’s plans by excelling at Ashton Gate and helping the Robins go one better than last season.

He said: “I’ve struggled with injuries so this is a fresh opportunity and one I’m looking forward to. (The injuries) were just one thing after another. You start getting back fit and then something else happens and you feel you’re banging your head against a brick wall - but I’m fully fit now. I’ve done a whole pre-season and played a few friendlies.”

“The reason I’m here is on a short term loan and I’ve come to realise over the past two years that you don’t always get what you want in football so I’m just going to do the best I can for Bristol.”The Scotsman admitted English football is generally of a higher standard than North of the border and he is looking forward to the competitive nature of the Championship.

He said: “You’ve got 10, 12, 14 teams all looking to get automatic promotion or in the play-offs. Every game is a big one. Even if my match fitness is not quite there, the adrenalin will get me through.”

McCombe went under the surgeon’s knife on Thursday to repair his cheekbone. Scans showed the bone was fractured in three places in the draw against Derby last weekend and the 6ft 5in defender will be out of action for up to six weeks.

Marvin Elliott is expected to be out of action for another fortnight while he regains match fitness.

City face Coventry today at the Ricoh Arena (3pm).

City: (from) Basso, Weale, B Wilson, Orr, Fontaine, Webster, Carey, McAllister, Murray, Noble, McIndoe, Sproule, L Johnson, Skuse, Williams, Brooker, Adebola, Maynard, Trundle.

Hill powers to British title

JOSH Hill has overcome the burden of having a famous father by taking up power lifting – and he has just won his first British title.

The 21-year-old Bristol University medical student, son of Bristol Rugby Club’s head coach Richard Hill, won the 2008 British junior crown by shouldering a whopping 835kg total over three lifts – the equivalent of an adult male giraffe.

Josh chose a different path to his father after flirting with rugby early in his sporting life. A dislocated shoulder at the age of 15 required surgical reconstruction and forced him out of contact sport for two years, effectively ending any rugby aspirations, but his rehab led him into weightlifting.

He said: “The reason why I didn’t pursue rugby, although my shoulder is better now, is because, having had that time off, I realised I was never really going to be international level or a good club level player. I’m naturally quite competitive so I wouldn’t pursue something if I knew I wasn’t going to be good at it.

“As for power lifting, I started training at the Empire Gym in Bristol and found I was good at it.”

His competitiveness could spur him on to great things in the power-lifting world. Despite lifting a total of 835kg over the three disciplines of bench press, deadlift and squat to claim his first British title at Bournemouth, Josh wasn’t entirely happy with his performance.

He said: “In truth, whilst I did quite well, an 835kg total isn’t fantastic in comparison with what other country’s juniors can do.

“But I have another two years in the juniors so this year is more just a tester to see how I compare and see what I work I need to do.

“The aim is to eventually get to a 1,000kg total.”

Josh trains between three and five times a week with last year’s senior British Champion Craig Coombes and won the junior 100kg class and best overall junior on a power-to-weight ratio as well with a 320kg squat, a 220kg bench press and a 295kg dead lift.

"I hoped to lift more but it just didn’t happen on the day. I’m aiming for a 900kg total with a 350kg squat, 240kg bench and 310kg dead lift,” added Josh, who is training hard for the World Junior Championships in Florida in November.

He admits his dad, a former England scrum-half, was sceptical when he turned to power lifting but added: “I think he quite enjoyed coming to watch me at the British Championships. I could probably bench press him twice over so I think I have the upper hand now.”

Keogh joins Carlisle

BRISTOL CITY’S wantaway centre-back Richard Keogh signed a two-year deal with League One leaders Carlisle United yesterday to end a protracted transfer saga.

The 22-year-old former Stoke City trainee joined the Robins in 2005 and went on to captain the Republic of Ireland Under-21s in October 2006.

But the 6ft defender failed to settle with City, despite being named the club’s young player of the year in 2006-07, and refused to extend his contract at Ashton Gate.

Loan spells at Huddersfield Town, Carlisle and Cheltenham Town followed last season, with Keogh last featuring for City in the League at Carlisle in April 2007. This summer he went on trial at Championship rivals Doncaster Rovers, before heading further north to sign for the Cumbrians.

The defender impressed during his seven-match loan stint last Christmas and made the permanent switch to Brunton Park yesterday for an undisclosed fee, believed to be lower than City’s original asking price.

Keogh, who played 34 games for City and scored five goals, was out of contract but the club were entitled to a fee as he is under 24.

Carlisle manager John Ward said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have added Richard to the squad. “It is particularly good to sign a player we know, which means there won’t be any bedding in period.”

Ward said the deal had been in the making for some time after the player proved a hit with his new team-mates, not just the management.

He said: “Richard made a good impression when he was here last season. Quite unusually for a loan player, all the players took him out for lunch the day before he went back to Bristol City, whereas many loan players just come and go.

“He had made himself a real favourite in the group and the boys will be pleased we have brought him back. He is a young player who wants to do a lot in his career and hopefully he can do it with us.”

Johnson has had defensive worries after losing Christian Ribeiro to a serious knee injury and Jamie McCombe to a fractured cheekbone in the past fortnight. But on Monday the City manager signed Andy Webster on loan from Rangers to plug the defensive hole left by the 6ft 5in McCombe and he wished Keogh well in his future career.

He said: “He’s been on his way for a long time now. We wish him all the best and hope he does well.”

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.”

Johnson's defensive riches at City

Bristol City boss Gary Johnson could be heading from a defensive nightmare to an embarrassment of riches following the signing of Scottish international defender Andy Webster.

Johnson has seen centre-backs Christian Ribeiro (knee) and Jamie McCombe (cheekbone) lost to injury but with the signing of Webster from Glasgow Rangers, and the return to fitness of Liam Fontaine, the City boss could soon have strong competition to partner captain Louis Carey.

Against Derby it was Bradley Orr who deputised at centre-back when 6ft 5in McCombe was forced off injured with Brian Wilson brought on at right-back.

But with Fontaine and Webster near match fitness Johnson has further options. Webster could be in the team for tomorrow’s trip to Coventry but in any event is on loan for six months meaning his stay will overlap with the recovery of McCombe from a fractured cheek.

Johnson said: “We have brought in (Webster) not as a replacement for Jamie but as an immediate replacement and then Jamie and Webby will have to compete for a place when Jamie comes back of course. It gives us an extra player for a few months.

“We felt we were a bit short in (the centre-back) department, as in numbers not in height, so we thought we needed to bring in another centre back anyway and he was available and raring to go.

“He’s a class player and we need to get him match fit as quickly as we can.

“He needs to get to know us, our way of playing, our philosophy, but I’m pleased with what I’ve seen, and I’ve no qualms about using him when we need to, and it might be Saturday”.

Johnson continued to be coy on any further transfer dealings and admitted he is now looking forward to a period of calm when the transfer window closes on August 31.

He said: “There’re lots of representatives ringing me everyday. These people don’t earn money unless they shift people about and it’s a bit dangerous with your own players.

“It’s not a nice time for a manager at the moment as no one’s quite settled.”

Johnson also confessed he is undecided on City’s No 1 keeper and is making a “week by week” decision on Adriano Basso or Chris Weale. Midfielder Marvin Elliott is still out injured but should return sometime in September.

City travel to Coventry tomorrow aiming to knock Coventry off the top of the table for the second season running despite the Sky Blues’ change in fortunes.

The Robins rocked the Ricoh Arena last September, inflicting the Sky Blues’ first defeat of the season with a resounding 3-0 victory. But Johnson will settle for three points ahead of another emphatic scoreline given the arrival of manager Chris Coleman.

Johnson said: “They always seem to start well in the opening games of the season and we always have to go there to knock them off the top.

“But it’s always nice that we are going there to knock them off, that we are always that close and it would be good to get the results that we’ve got previously.

“We’ll certainly settle for less than that so long as we win.

“Coleman’s a good manager, he’ll have them playing some good football judging from the reports.”

After a late win over Blackpool and conceding a draw against Derby at Ashton Gate, Johnson refused to be drawn on whether Saturday’s encounter will be a sterner test for his team.

He said: “We’ve only had two games so we don’t know what our toughest test is going to be yet, it could have been Blackpool we don’t know.

“It’s certainly our next toughest test."

Jordan to rub shoulders with Zidane

ZINEDINE Zidane handing you a trophy in Paris for captaining your country to World Cup glory is some dream, but for Bristol schoolboy Jordan Whittaker it could become a reality.

The 11-year-old, from Shirehampton, has beaten thousands of trialists to win a place in the England football team competing in the Danone Nations Cup in France next month.

And the 14-man squad of 10 to 12-year-olds will be coached by no less than former Liverpool, Tottenham and England team-mates Jamie Redknapp and John Scales, who made more than 70 appearances for Bristol Rovers in the mid-80s.

The Portway School pupil spent two years at Bristol City’s academy but now trains with ex-Rovers player Michael Meaker at The No 1 Football Academy in Southmead.

Proud dad Richard said his son was “over the moon” to be chosen but added: “At the end of the day he’s just a kid and nobody is placing any expectations on him for this or the future. It will just be a fantastic experience for him whatever happens.”

Jordan, who plays for Shire Colts, was one of four Bristol players who made the semi-finals of the national trials. The others were Jamie Horgan, Harry Paice and Brodie Goddard-Jones.

Richard said: “After an initial training session the kids were split up into six teams and over the two days played a tournament.

“They were told the winning team would represent England in Paris and Jordan’s team won. He didn’t look out of place and they even made him captain.

“Jordan’s best position is probably centre-half,” said his dad. “He’s good in the air and strong in the tackle, but obviously at his age he’ll play anywhere. “His new team-mates include players from the Newcastle, Spurs and Arsenal academies, so he’s in good company.”

Meaker said Jordan should be proud of his achievement. “The most important thing is his attitude is fantastic,” he said.

Bristol City outfox Posh scouts

Peterborough United were warned about Bristol City’s two scorers last night ahead of their Carling Cup clash. But, despite taking a first-half lead, no amount of homework could save them.

The Evening Post has obtained the Posh’s scouting report on City and can exclusively reveal the extent of the League One newcomers’ studies.

The 16-page team assessment, compiled on the basis of the Robins’ opening-day victory over Blackpool, ran the rule over City’s squad, tactics and set plays.

Of the players on show at Blackpool nine started at Ashton Gate last night and Posh manager Darren Ferguson had the low down on each of them.

The advice?

- Man-mark Michael McIndoe and Nicky Maynard;

- Beware Chris Weale’s long kicks and Lee Johnson’s quick free kicks;

- Look to expose Louis Carey’s lack of pace but watch his attacking headers; and

- Watch the breaks, and Steve Brooker.

The report, compiled by The Scouting Network, labels the Robins’ £2.25 million signing Maynard as a player whose “overall contribution to build-up play was disappointing, often being slow to either show for the ball or react to situations.”

But Maynard was also described as having “the goal-scorer’s knack of finding space in the box” and the ability to spin and shoot with both feet.

The advice to shackle the fleet-footed 21-year-old was to keep him tightly marked as he lacks the strength to shake defenders but neglect him at your peril.

The bad news for Posh manager Darren Ferguson were the facts he already knew - City can win when they don’t warrant it, defend soundly and “always look a threat on the break”.

Ferguson also had to contend with Saturday’s super-sub Steve Brooker. The assessment noted his “aggressive” style, that he “does not allow defenders time to settle,” and is “always looking to get shots away”.

Brooker might “lack the real pace to hurt defenders in behind” but he scored another late winner to end Peterborough’s Carling Cup campaign.

Lee Johnson and Cole Skuse were both described as energetic ball winners, who kept play moving quickly, although their ability to pick more expansive passes was doubted.

McIndoe’s speed, crossing and close control was flagged but, like Maynard, the recommendation was to mark him tightly as his pace comes at the expense of a strong build.

Fellow winger Sproule was also marked as a player who likes to get outside his man. His crossing ability was questioned, but his diligence in tracking back was noted in comparison to McIndoe.

The report,which cost just £80, included diagrams of City’s set up at set plays and gave warning of the headed threat from Carey. But despite the heads up, the Posh were unable to stop the City captain heading in a 53rd-minute equaliser and Brooker connecting with McIndoe’s 85th minute corner to save City from extra time.

Brooker gives Maynard a timely lesson

by Andy Sloan at Bloomfield Road

Steve Brooker hit a last-minute winner for Bristol City to bank three points at Blackpool in the opening match of their Championship campaign.

The second-half substitute’s half-turn and snap shot proved the difference between the two sides in an afternoon of missed opportunities.

Goal machine Nicky Maynard spurned an open net before substitute keeper Chris Weale was called upon to make two sensational saves at the other end but Johnson will feel his team deserved the result after a much improved second-half performance.

Maynard fired a hat-trick on his debut against Royal Antwerp and could have repeated the feat but missed three good chances, the pick of which was a free header in front of an open goal from five yards.

Brooker came on to show him how it’s done and steal the headlines as City got their season off to the perfect start.

For City fans the greatest sporting competition in the world kicked off in Blackpool, not Beijing, but the Robins failed to get out of the starting blocks in their first 45 minutes at Bloomfield Road.

The hosts had the chances to inflict a nasty welcome to Pleasure Beach on City boss Gary Johnson whose side were fortunate to make it to the break without conceding.

The Robins could have upset their hosts though when record signing Nicky Maynard latched onto a nod down from strike partner Dele Adebola in the 45^th minute, but blasted his shot straight at the Seasider’s keeper.

Fellow new boy Gavin Williams made his bow in a City side featuring six of the team who started at Wembley in May. Cole Skuse took the place of Marvin Elliott who failed a late fitness test.

Johnson kept faith with City’s player of the season Ivan Basso in goal ahead of Chris Weale, who started this fixture in August last year when City came from behind to draw courtesy of Scott Murray’s 75^th minute equaliser.

Blackpool, who lost Wes Hoolahan to Norwich and Captain Michael Jackson to Shrewsbury over the summer had brought in 12 new signings and handed starts to four of them, with another four on the bench.

City failed to create any chances in the opening exchanges and were forced to defend a number of attacks from the Tangerines, most of which came through Liverpool loan signing Adam Hammill and a couple of early mistakes by City captain Louis Carey.

Blackpool skipper Keith Southern tested Basso twice and on the second occasion should have scored, the Brazilian keeper only just managing to fumble the shot to safety.

Ben Burgess was granted two golden opportunities too in an unfruitful first 45 for City.

The Blackpool striker beat Jamie McCombe to Mo Camara’s cross but blazed over from five yards to cries of disbelief around Bloomfield Road and just before the half-hour mark he spurned another fine chance to give the hosts the lead, heading Hammill’s curling cross narrowly over Basso’s bar.

City’s first chance of note saw Adebola play in Williams whose flick found Johnson, but his half-volley was deflected over. Maynard could have given City the lead on the whistle but the first half ended 0-0.

In a repeat of City’s opening match last season Basso failed to emerge after the break with Chris Weale getting the chance he has been craving. It could have been short-lived though as the Yeovil-born keeper handled outside his area later in the half and was lucky Graham Laws deemed the infringement to warrant only a yellow card.

McIndoe set the tone for City’s second-half testing Blackpool keeper Paul Rachubka from a 25-yard free kick early on as the Robins upped the tempo.

Hammill was soon proving his worth once more though weaving his way through the City defence before eventually shooting just wide of Weale’s right-hand upright.

And McCombe allowed Burgess a third crack at goal from 18 yards before Blackpool centre-back Ian Evatt headed agonisingly wide from Danny Coid’s freekick with Weale wrong-footed.

Williams’ league debut ended on the hour-mark with a straight swap for Ivan Sproule in right midfield in a bid to add legs to a City midfield struggling to cope with Blackpool’s advances.

It was McIndoe though who whipped in a cross from the left to create a chance Maynard will have nightmares about.

Adebola beat the keeper to the ball and flicked it across to City’s new young gun who, with an open net at his mercy, somehow headed wide from five yards.

The 21-year-old signing from Crewe, had another chance ten minutes later, again courtesy of McIndoe, and shot narrowly over after a deft turn inside the box.

Adebola made way for Brooker but before he could send the 1,521 travelling fans into a frenzy of delight it was Skuse and Weale who drew the plaudits.

Skuse’s clearance off the line from Southern kept City in the game after a fine block from Weale.

Basso’s understudy last season rescued City again at the death with a finger tip save from man of the match Hammill.

But it was Brooker who made the breakthrough and banked the points for City in Blackpool, the home of National Savings and Investments.

A Johnson free-kick was half-cleared from the far edge of Blackpool’s six-yard box but only as far as Brooker who, unlike those before him, made no mistake and banged home his first goal since March.

Blackpool: Rachubka, Coid, Southern, Evatt, Hammill, Taylor-Fletcher (Vaughan 77), Jorgensen (Aluko 88), Wright, Camara, Edwards, Burgess. Subs not used: Gilks, Broomes, Fox,.

Bristol City: Basso (Weale 46), Orr, McAllister, McCombe, Carey, McIndoe, Williams (Sproule 62), Johnson Skuse, Adebola (Brooker 81), Maynard. Subs not used: Fontaine, Wilson.

Referee: Graham Laws

Attendance: 8,244 (1,521 away)

Yellows: Camara, Skuse, Orr, Weale

Downing aims high in transfer waiting game

Cheltenham boss Keith Downing has admitted his ambitions for the club are the reason for a lack off transfer dealings as he searches for better quality players.

The Robins' manager is yet to land the additional striker the club needs despite the season kicking off tomorrow. But Downing won’t settle for anyone as he aims to cement the club in the League One and is confident he will produce the goods before the transfer window closes on August 31.

He said: “We’re going for the better quality player this summer and that’s probably why we’ve had more frustrations.

“Don’t get me wrong there’s players out there and I’m sure people will say well why haven’t you got him and he’s available etc, but to get the right one for Cheltenham is the key.

“I remember sitting here in October time (last year) and probably more pressure was on us then. I took my time in considering the best players for the jobs and, I wouldn’t say I got it right, but we were successful in terms of survival.

“Now I want to get it right in terms of becoming a mid-table team. Ideally, it would be lovely to get all the three or four faces in prior to this week but that’s not been the case. It’s not been for the want of trying.”

Bristol City’s Kevin Betsy is being chased by two other clubs and has a contract situation to work himself out of. Geoff Horsfield, who trained with the club on Monday, has personal demands likely to be beyond them. And Stuart Fleetwood has eight other admirers chasing his loan signature before he has even decided to leave Charlton.

“Off the field it’s been a little bit frustrating in terms of not getting the targets that you want,” said Downing. “But that doesn’t stop you from pursuing other ones and although it’s not immediate or in the first game I’m still optimistic that by the end of August we will have the players that we want.

At the same time Downing reassured fans he hasn’t taken his eye off the players at his disposal ahead of the team’s opening League One encounter against Northampton during his exhausting search.

“I would say that a lot of my time in the last couple of weeks has been regarding getting players in but I still think you have to take care of what people are here and wanting to play for this football club.

“You have to look after them. I haven’t taken my eye off the ball so to speak regarding Northampton just because there’re targets to go and get.

“The last five or six weeks I’ve been encouraged by what I’ve seen on the field and the existing players that we’ve kept have done really, really well.

“Northampton surprised a lot last year. They are a side that I look to in terms of trying to reach that standard and get to the top half. It’s a tough opening test for us.”

Shane Duff and Michael Townsend are back in contention after recovering from injury but there are still doubts over Scott Brown and youngster Theo Lewis miss out with an ankle injury.

Cheltenham taking on the bookies

Ashley Vincent and Paul Connor are looking forward to shouldering the burden of providing the goals for Cheltenham Town this season following Steven Gillespie’s departure and warn fans “don’t bet against us”.

The Robins may be the bookies favourites to be relegated from League One on the eve of the new season but Vincent and Connor, the club’s only two, fit strikers are confident Cheltenham can improve on last season and climb the table - with or without further signings.

Northampton away will be the first test of their credentials and Sixfields stadium will be a suitable acid test for manager Keith Downing’s side following an encouraging summer on the training pitch.

Vincent said: “We’ve played some good football during pre-season and we’re confident we can upset the bookies.

“They always have us as favourites to go down every single year; even in League Two I think we might have been one of the favourites. We just need to stick together, put in our performances and work hard as a team.

“We want to improve on last season. We have to be ambitious whether people write us off or don’t think we can do it, our aim is to be better than last year and that means not going into the last day with our fate in our own hands aiming for survival.

“We want to be aiming towards mid table come the last eight weeks of the season and then you never know where that might take you.

The 22-year-old forward scored twice in 19 appearances last year while confined to operating from the flanks but fired in a memorable 25-yard strike against local rivals Swindon – a reminder of his talent – and is relishing his partnership with Connor.

Vincent said: “We’re working very hard in training and we’re finding each other with some good movement. The new coach here, Phil Robinson has been working hard with us both on our movement and our shooting.

“Connor is the big man and gets the nice touches and I tend to get in behind and I think we’re complementing each other at the moment and hopefully that can continue.

“Northampton are a different side now, as we are, from when I first played them in League Two when I was 19. They’ll be big and strong. It will be a good game. We both want to get off to good starts and both teams will be looking forward to getting that big kick-off on Saturday.

Connor, his partner for the match barring the unlikely appearance of any new signings, wrote himself into the club’s folklore with his 85th minute winner against Doncaster Rovers to save Cheltenham from relegation in the last match of last season.

The former Middlesbrough trainee has fond memories of Sixfields, finding the net there with his last two clubs, Leyton Orient and Swansea, before he joined the Robins for £25,000 in January 2007.

Cheltenham have not won away at Northampton in their last four visits and 29-year-old Connor is hoping he can continue his run to help turn that statistic around.

He said: “Northampton are always a strong physical side. You know what you’re going to get when you go there. It’s always a tough game. I’ve managed to score a few goals at their ground over the years so hopefully it will be another good day for me.”

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."

Bristol City sign combative midfielder

Bristol City have found a unique way to add fight to their side in the future, by signing a Taekwon-Do champion.

The Robins beat off competition from Bristol Rovers and Southampton to land highly rated midfielder Theo Llewellyn, who puts new meaning in the word combative.

Theo, who has been tracked by Bristol City for the past two years, holds the English and British crowns for Taekwon-Do in the Second Kup category and styles his game on Chelsea enforcer Claude Makelele.

There's just one hitch, he's only eight years old.

Bristol City's recruitment officer, Kevin Scott, spotted Llewellyn aged six playing for a Bristol Rovers supporters' team in a summer tournament.

He has been following his progress ever since, with a view to signing him on a one-year contract (the legal maximum) at the first legal opportunity, his eighth birthday.

Theo's mother, Michele, revealed there was never any doubt who her son was going to join, despite competing offers from City's Bristol rivals and Southampton.

She said: "He chose City because it is the best academy in the country. The family are all Chelsea supporters but in Bristol we support City. He was playing for a Rovers team because it was closer to where we live."

The Bromley Heath Junior School pupil will be lining up opposite academy sides from clubs of the calibre of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham next season. But as one of 200 youngsters in the City academy his parents are well aware he is still a long way off a professional contract.

Theo's dad, John, has first-hand experience of the heartbreak of failing to make the grade. He was a promising footballer himself and trained with Leeds United from the age of 13.

But after setting his sights on a career with Leeds, the blow, at 16, of being released was enough to deter him from accepting any offers and he drifted out of the game.

"We keep Theo's feet firmly on the ground," said his mother. "He's bright and we make sure school comes first, so he'd always have something to fall back on. But we'll back him all the way with the football."

Academy manager John Clayton described Theo as an excellent prospect. He said: "He's a super little player. At this age you don't really have a position, and we try to move them around. He's that good he can play in any position.

"His passing is superb and he's very good on the ball. The main thing, given his age, is how calm he is. He's never flustered."

"It's a long way away before we decide to give professional contracts and there's a lot that can happen, girls, cars, drinking, etc. But he's one of the top-end players in his age group, has a really nice family and is a lovely lad."

Theo learns his Taekwon-Do with the North Bristol PUMA Taekwon-Do club, which holds training at Yate leisure centre. He won his British title last November and added the English one last month, but he is not the only family member to win martial arts silverware.

His sister, Ava Mary, six, recently became the Welsh champion for her category and came third at the English championships in Swindon last month.

Ronaldinho trickster visits Bristol

More than 500 children were treated to a surprise feast of footballing showmanship in Bristol from a man who has traded tricks with Brazilian star Ronaldinho.

Colin Nell, one of Europe’s best “football freestylers” (a master of juggling a football), was invited to be the surprise guest of Downend football club at their end of season prize-giving and the launch of their Africa project last Saturday.

Rival clubs can expect to face an array of stepovers and flicks after Nell gave small groups their own private coaching after performing a polished routine of tricks.

Club President Mark Ellery revealed the thinking behind bringing Nell, who has starred in a number of TV commercials alongside the likes of Ronaldinho.

He said: “Downend Saints is a relatively new club. However, we have grown significantly since 2002 and are able to offer lots of opportunities for kids from 6 to 16. We look to make the training and the football fun as well as constructive and develop kids whatever their level when they join the club.

“Our coaches are all FA accredited and the club itself has just achieved FA Charter Status. As part of our development plans we always look to improve the coaching, the opportunities for kids and all aspects of the club.”

“We are delighted to welcome one of Europe’s best football freestylers in Colin Nell. We knew he would delight and entertain the kids and parents and hopefully he has also inspired a few players as well.”

The club, which has 220 registered members, has spent the past fortnight collecting football kit in tandem with a couple of schools in the area, Emersons Green Primary and St Augustines in Downend.

All those who attended Saturday’s event were asked to dig out old shirts and unwanted football equipment which could be given a new home in Gambia thanks to new links with the Bristol Aztec Rotary Club and the Gambia Avon Fire Service in Partnership (GAFSIP).

Since 1992 GAFSIP have supplied fire and rescue equipment and fostered links with the Gambian Fire Service. This has been extended to include other equipment such as furniture for schools, educational equipment and football shirts.

The club smashed their target of 100 shirts with 178 shirts, 20 training bibs and 28 pairs of shorts being donated. Patchway FC donated a team’s worth of kit and England’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008 accounted for a large number of national shirts being handed over.

Simon Russell, a coach at the club, said: “Once we learned of the work being done via GAFSIP in Gambia we were anxious to do what we could to help. We hope to have a great number of shirts and other equipment to donate.”

“We want to track where the equipment is donated and establish contact with the recipients – how that relationship might develop we do not know, but we know that, through GAFSIP, local schools and other organizations now have links with schools and other organizations in Gambia.”

For more information on GAFSIP go to: http://www.gafsip.org/. Anyone with kit to donate should email Simon on simon@swns.com.

Hale hot on Hamilton's heels

Note the date and note the name, Mitch Hale, Bristol’s very own Formula One prospect.

As Lewis Hamilton lines up on the grid at Silverstone this weekend Bristol teenager Hale will be tearing up the record books in Spain and has turned down a test ride with Ferrari to do so.

The former Clifton College pupil has his eyes set on following Hamilton’s footsteps and making the transition from an apprenticeship in karting to the giddy glamour of Formula One.

The 14-year-old privateer only took up the sport two years ago but has now turned semi-professional and is making unprecedented progress through the ranks with Italian team JRP, who he signed for earlier this year.

Speaking from Spain, Mitch said: “I want to follow Hamilton and race in F1. You need commitment and discipline and I think I’ve got that. It will take about seven years working through KF2, KF1, Formula Renault and F3 before making F1 but I know what I have to do.

“My friends know that I race but they don’t really understand. Hopefully in seven years they will be paying a bit more attention.”

Chris Walker of Karting Magazine said: “He’s doing a lot of racing internationally where all the top F1 drivers have raced in the past. He’s probably in the top 10 in the world for his age and is definitely a future F1 prospect.”

Ayrton Senna, Fernando Alonso and Hamilton all commenced their careers in the electric world of karting and in the case of Senna it was a love affair which he never truly relinquished.

The former F1 World Champion cited the best driver he had ever raced against as Barnsley-born Englishman Mike Wilson, who pipped him to the Karting World Championship six times.

Today’s F1 teams keep a watchful eye on the category and Hale has already received amorous glances from Ferrari.

Hale was asked to drive in a karting event for the Italian constructors at Silverstone this weekend but had to withdraw due to racing and testing commitments in Spain.

The Bristolian youngster, who first tasted the sport at the indoor karting track in Avonmouth, drew plaudits with a podium finish in the Spanish Open Championship last month and on July 13 competes in the European Championship qualifiers at Alcaniz in Spain ahead of the finals at Braga in Portugal on August 3.

Last year he finished 20th overall out of 150 in the finals. “This time I’d like to be at the front,” he said. “I’ve now got the car and the kit to do it.”

His agent, Adam Jones, said: “It’s as far removed from the karts you can drive on an indoor track as you can imagine. All hell breaks loose when you put your foot down. It’s very technical and very fast. Mitch is racing at well over 80mph against kids with five years experience - and beating them. You just don’t do that.”

His father, Nick, a former professional speedway racer turned successful businessman, is bankrolling Mitch’s progress.

He said: “For a privateer to be mixing it with the best in the world is phenomenal. He’s competing against guys with budgets of £200,000. You need the edge and he’s got it.

“In 18 months Hamilton wouldn’t have won anything. [Mitch’s progress] is a bit like playing county tennis and then going to Wimbledon.

“Mitch wants to live with the cars, sleep with the cars and learn as much as he can.”

Mitch spends four days a week at his team’s camp in Lake Garda, Italy, and three days with a private tutor at home in Bristol.

His father said: “It’s a frantic schedule for a 14-year-old but that is what is required for racing at the top. There’s nothing else on this earth that matters to him more. This is not a family decision, it’s his decision.”

Nick is all too aware there are only 20 places on an F1 grid and Chris Walker was also circumspect about Mitch’s statistical chances, but both were in agreement there is more to success than raw talent.

“It’s not necessarily about who wins the races,” said Nick. “It’s about the right time and the right place and the right personality for sponsorship.”
Walker said: “Mitch certainly has the determination and the family support to succeed.”

Mitch is yet to compete at Silverstone but has got to know the track on his Xbox. His tip for Sunday’s race? BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica. “It’s all about consistency,” he said.

To follow Mitch’s progress go to: www.kartlink.com.

Federer and World Cup Hairdressing

...a forehand that looked to spark a comeback, but didn't.

Cardiff hairdresser Dody Constantinou was another to have high hopes but ultimately suffer a bad day in the office.

Federer, traffic wardens and weekend action

Trainee sports journalists are paid less than traffic wardens. But on a weekend such as this, who in their right mind would want to be a traffic warden.

The quick feet of Shane Williams, the forehand of Federer, a splash of arrogance from Ronaldo, a six-wicket session from Jimmy Anderson, pole for Lewis Hamilton in Canada and, if you live on the Welsh side of the bridge, the Under-20 Rugby World Junior Championship.

At 8am yesterday the All Blacks put paid to a ballsy display from their Irish visitors before the Springboks were less charitable in their domination of Wales, supposedly the best Europe has to offer.

Shane Williams gave Warren Gatland some light relief with what has virtually become an almost-assured moment of twinkle-toed magic to produce a consolation try but Wales will have to rethink and reform if they are to take anything from the second test next Saturday.

The Czech Republic were another favourite who failed to read their script and spoilt the underdog-hosts, Switzerland, from claiming a win in the opening match of Euro 2008.

Hours later Portugal showed the same attacking verve as the England cricket team, whipping up a show which Turkey, like New Zealand, couldn't live with.

And today it is Federer who is struggling on another grand sporting stage, the final of the French Open.

Serving first he hit another of his special, special forehands three points in before capitulating completely to lose the first set 6-1 and go a break down in the second. Trailing 2-0, and at 15-15 t in the third game, he hit another one. It was a forehand drive so sweet the crowd rose to their feet and Federer's head lifted for the first time in the match.

He went on to finally convert a break point and perhaps prove to himself there is a way back into a game in which victory would surely see him crowned the greatest tennis player ever... and on which I now need to concentrate.

Holland thin up top

WAYNE Hennessey ensured Wales's 2-0 defeat to Holland today didn't stretch to the 7-1 hiding last time the two teams met, but the Dutch have more pressing problems than an able Welsh goalkeeper with blonde highlights.

Holland's team is brimming with footballing highlights, it's the hair they are lacking. Main men Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben are well on the way to perfecting the aerodynamic look of Lee Carsley and fellow Real Madrid marksman Ruudd van Nistelrooy and midfielder Rafael van der Vaart look thin on top.

The dreadlocked Mario Melchiot aside, all the above will be reaching for additional sun cream in the coming month but will no doubt outshine the dubious tints of players like Hennessey as and when goalkeepers pick their freekicks out of the back of the net.

Today they served up another feast of attacking play, Robben slotting home the first after skinning Chris Gunter and Lewin Nyatanga.

Wesley Sneijder curled home a second-half free-kick to complete the score-line although the rest of the match resembled a coconut shy with the entire Dutch team lining up to test Hennessey and ensure Premiership scouts following the talented Welsh keeper value for money.

They may have been slow to get going but Holland, yet again, look set to be one of the favourites of the tournament. Whether they can deliver on the big stage still remains to be seen. Like England, the Dutch are perennial under achievers although they did win the European Championship in 1988, courtesy of this moment of brilliance: