McCarthy backs Bristol City's play-off bid

Bristol City grace the TV screens of the nation once more today for the visit of Wolves and Mick McCarthy expects them to be back on the box at Wembley come May.

The Wolves manager spoke highly of his opponents last night as he prepared his team to rediscover their winning touch in the league.

The league leaders lost 3-1 at home to Preston after being held to score draws against Sheffield United and Blackpool in a bleak festive period. And McCarthy is not expecting any sympathy from his friend and Bristol City boss Gary Johnson today.

“I feel (City) have got a good enough squad to be in the play-offs,” said McCarthy. “They are probably disappointed they are not up there now.

“It’s a TV game and we will both play football that’s for sure. Both sides have got pace and good footballers. We will have to come out and attack them.”

Johnson spent a year training alongside McCarthy on his pro-licence coaching qualification and as a result has a far better idea of the man behind the Yorkshire accent. "It's strange that, a big northerner and a little southerner, friends,” said Johnson. “Opposites attract I guess.

“I get on well with him. He's a good motivator and a good coach. He'll get them going. He'll be very nice to you when he's talking to you and then when the door shuts he'll want to rip your throat out. We've got to be aware of that.”

City have also got to be aware of McCarthy’s equally merciless strikers, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo. The former has bagged 16 goals already this season - twice that of leading City scorer Nicky Maynard - and the latter earned an international cap for Scotland on the back of his own 15-goal form.

Unfortunately for Iwelumo, that one cap brought notoriety of the wrong sort as THAT miss was replayed time and again on TV.

And despite scoring 15 goals this season the big Scotsman is now fearing for his place after failing to find the net in his last seven games for Wolves. Welcome news for City goalkeeper Adriano Basso who won’t forget the striker’s 90th-minute winner for his former club Charlton at Ashton Gate last season.

McCarthy refused to allay the striker’s fears yesterday, keeping his options open after watching Sam Vokes and Andy Keogh score in Wolves’ midweek 2-0 FA Cup win over Birmingham.

Sproule to outrun Wolves at Ashton Gate

Ivan Sproule’s hamstrings may be a touch tighter after his high-octane wing-play against Portsmouth but the Bristol City winger has plenty left in the tank for the clash with Wolves.

The Northern Ireland international, a £500k signing from Hibernian in 2007 gave Portsmouth’s own speed-merchant, £4.4million signing Nadir Belhadj, a run for his money at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night.

And he’s hoping his flying form will help City step up for the crunch games that lie ahead in the Championship.

"It's another big game,” said Sproule on the visit of league leaders Wolves. “It's a bit like last season when the big games started to come at this stage and you find they keep on coming till the end of the season. We're back to the bread and butter.

"So far they've been the best team in the league. They've got a strong squad, they've got a good manager. I'm sure Wolves, like a lot of other clubs will be thinking they should be in the Premier League.”

City were one of the victims of Wolves' devastating early season form, slumping to a 2-0 defeat at Molineux. Mick McCarthy’s side have struggled in recent games though and Sproule believes there could be a reversal of fortunes for the Robins at Ashton Gate.

“We went to their place and let ourselves down a little bit,” he said. “But we've found a bit of form of late ourselves and we're quietly confident. No matter whether you're sitting 19th or top of the league you can lose a game. That's the Championship for you.”

One of the reasons for City’s rejuvenation is Johnson’s switch to 4-3-3, a formation the Northern Irishman is fond of, although he’s yet to score this season.

He said: "The gaffer's tinkered a wee bit with the formation and it's probably a bit more like my Hibs days the way I'm playing because there's three up front.

"Goals will come. As long as you're either assisting or setting them up you're playing your part. Now I've been moved further up the field hopefully sometime maybe Nicky (Maynard) can square me one and I'll tap it in. I'm not worried as long as we keep on winning.

"We gave a Premier League team a run for it and that's given the team a lot of confidence,” he added. "The onus is on me now to just worry about the full-back. My main job as I've always done is to make the full-back worry about me. At the moment the full-backs are always on the back foot so long may that continue.”

The longer it continues the shorter Sproule’s hamstrings will become. "I knew about it (on Wednesday morning) when I went to get out of my bed. Belhadj is a cracking player and I put him on the back foot going one way, but I can assure you he put me on the back foot going the other way.

“That's why we want to get back to the play-offs this season to get that crack again to get to the Premier League because it would be wonderful to bring that kind of opposition to Ashton Gate every week.”

In the Pompey replay Johnson opted to leave the strength and power of Dele Adebola and Stern John on the bench and plump for the pace of Nicky Maynard and Peter Styvar alongside Sproule in attack.

A race between Maynard and Sproule for the next tap-in is an exciting contest. "Nicky is fairly pacey,” said Sproule. “But I'd put the mortgage on me."

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."

Sell Wilson? Only for £100million says Bristol City boss

AC Milan’s world footballer of the year, Kaka, could have competition in his bid to break all known transfer records - from Bristol City’s James Wilson.

The 19-year-old defender has had a few dreamy mornings recently - opening the papers to see his name linked with a host of top Premier League clubs.

And his manager, Gary Johnson, is willing to sell. For £100million!

The young Welshman is barely breaking into the ranks at Ashton Gate yet was reported in the Sunday Mirror to have attracted bids of £500k from the likes of Everton, Arsenal and Tottenham, all of which is utter rubbish according to the man overseeing his progression from club academy to first-team action.

“Arsenal, Tottenham, Man Utd, Man City... £100million we've asked for,” said Johnson when asked to confirm if the club had received any enquiries about the defender. “And they're thinking about it, I think.

"No, of course not,” he added.

Wilson impressed during a 14-game loan spell with Brentford in Coca-Cola League Two before Christmas and earned a four-year contract with City in the process. But his return to Ashton Gate has been hampered by a knee injury.

“He's a fantastic player and a great prospect,” said Johnson. “We'd sell him for nothing at the minute because he's injured. But when he's fit he's going to be our player and we've certainly had no discussions with any of those clubs.”

Robins’ fans could see Wilson back in action as soon as next month as the last of the inflamation in his knee settles down and he gets back to training. Timely cover for the City defence since Andy Webster returned to Rangers at the end of his six-month loan spell.

But before Wilson can recommence his progress through the City ranks his manager had a timely reminder not to let paper talk get to his head.

“It's always nice for a young lad to see his name in the papers linked with such big clubs,” said the Robins’ manager. “But he hasn't done anything yet. He's got to do something first and I'm sure he will eventually.”

Nonetheless, the paper talk is likely to be treasured as will the memory of his competitive first-team debut in which he scored City’s only goal as they slipped to defeat at Crewe in the League Cup last August.

It is his sole appearance for City to date but his manager will be hoping for many more, no matter how much idle press talk it creates.

Bristol City trial Ghana international defender

Bristol City have flown in Ghana international defender Jonathan Quartey for a week-long trial at Ashton Gate, according to his club coach Bobby Motaung.

Quartey featured in the 2005 FIFA U17 World Cup for his country and has since won several senior caps for the Black Stars after impressing for South African club side the Kaizer Chiefs.

The 20-year-old came to the attention of English scouts with a goal from the penalty spot against Manchester United when the Premier League club toured South Africa last summer and he now has seven days to impress City boss Gary Johnson.

Motaung confirmed on the Kaizer Chief's club website, “Jonathan left the country (on Wednesday night) for a week trial with Bristol City. The club is looking for two defenders and they approached us about the player.

“It is not our policy to stand in the player’s way when an overseas opportunity comes up. Jonathan has shown a lot of potential as a player since joining the team last season. His call up to the Black Stars was a testimony of his talent. We wish him all the best during the trial.”

Johnson revealed last night the club are looking at a number of trialists this week and expects to run his eye over them in a Gloucestershire Cup match against Cirencester on Tuesday and a behind-closed-doors fixture next week.

His latest acquisition, Slovakian striker Peter Styvar was signed from MSK Zilina when the January transfer window opened following a trial before Christmas, and Adriano Basso is another City player who earned a contract after spending time with the club.

At 6ft 1in the central defender could provide extra cover for captain Louis Carey as City cast around for a long-term successor to their local hero who turns 32 next week. The Ghanaian is in his second season with the Kaizer Chiefs and came close to joining Red Star Belgrade before Christmas but failed to impress in a trial and remained with the Kaizer Chiefs.

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Muhsin Ertugral said: “(Quartey) has played the last six or seven games for the Ghana senior national team and so there is bound to be interest. I have even had enquires from my home country (Turkey) about him.”

Johnson has kept his transfer dealings close to his chest but confided that City are in the hunt for reinforcements and has the backing of City chairman Steve Lansdown to spend - if and when the right player is found.

"While January's there you can’t ever judge,” said Johnson. “It only takes one phonecall, from us, or from somebody else, going in or going out.”

The one thing he doesn’t intend to do is make any knee-jerk reactions as the window nears its close.

“People do tend to panic towards the end of January when suddenly something hasn't happened. We won't panic, that's for sure.

“We'd like to keep some form of continuity at the club. If you look at the clubs who have had lots of loans like Charlton, Norwich, they end up going back and all of a sudden they find themselves really struggling and can't get players in now for love nor money because people don't want to go to struggling teams.

“Obviously people do what they need to do and I feel that we done ok and if the right situation comes along, we'll do something, and if not, we'll get behind these lads."

Basso out to keep Wolves from Bristol City's door

Bristol City goalkeeper Adriano Basso is infamous for his religious beliefs and an engaging optimism which his team-mates will do well to tap into ahead of the visit of Wolves tomorrow.

City’s proud statistic of not surrendering six points in a season to any side since Bradford’s visit to Ashton Gate in March 2007 could come under intense scrutiny against the leaders.

Wolves coolly despatched the Robins 2-0 at Molineux in September and, despite a recent run of poor results, are favourites to take all three points tomorrow.

But Basso, who missed the early-season defeat because he was recovering from injury, begs to differ. “I think (Wolves) have low confidence at the moment and to be honest I don’t think there’s too much difference between the teams in our league,” said the Brazilian shot-stopper, unfazed by Wolves title of Championship frontrunners. “The only thing that makes the difference sometimes is if we lose concentration.

“We know that we’re going to work hard to defend well and keep a clean sheet. If we do that we have a chance to win the game.

“Hopefully we can suprise them. Since I have been here they have beaten us in the league, so I respect them, but I think a defeat is not going to happen (at Ashton Gate).”

A much-quoted statistic in the run-up to City’s FA Cup replay with Portsmouth was that it has been 15 years since the club last beat Premier League opposition. Their record against Wolves is almost as poor, although last season City drew with them both at home and away in their charge for the play-offs.

“No team in this league is unbeatable,” said Basso, drawing on the spirit engendered in last season’s run which took fans, bookies and pundits by surprise as newly-promoted City reached the upper echelons.

“If we win this game we get close to the play-off positions. As you get closer your confidence and belief increases. “Like last season, as we get higher in the league we get more confident and have potential to put this team in the top again.”

And Bristol City’s latest extended brush with Premier League opposition has, in Basso’s opinion, given the perfect preparation for facing a team like Wolves, who possess knowledge of life in the top tier and have players who would be at home there.

He said: “I think we worked very hard as a team to keep a clean sheet (at Fratton Park) and the last game (at Ashton Gate) gave us a little bit more knowledge about the game of Wolves. They play like a Premier League side as well, the kind of football they play.”

The key though for the Brazilian is the old cliche of ensuring their own house is in order before worrying about the opposition. “We must just think about ourselves,” he said. “In the last few games we did well. If we keep doing this we have a chance.”

City are again virtually injury-free. The ice pack strapped to Basso’s calf yesterday was a formality, a regular companion after training on hard ground.

James Wilson (knee), Chris Weale (thumb) and Christian Ribeiro (knee) are the sole Robins’ injury worries leaving manager Gary Johnson a pleasing selection headache, not least for the hotly-contested three-pronged attack which has served City well since Christmas and which will seek to silence the Wolves at Ashton Gate.

Bristol City (from): Basso, Henderson, Orr, B Wilson, Carey, McCombe, McAllister, Fontaine, Elliott, Skuse, L Johnson, Williams, Noble, Murray, McIndoe, Styvar, Maynard, John, Adebola, Akinde, Sproule.

Elliott wants Premier League football

Marvin Elliott is well aware of the rumours linking him with a Premier League move. And after mixing it with the big boys in the FA Cup he wants more top-flight football.

But Bristol City’s midfield enforcer is hopeful he can fulfill his ambitions in the red shirt of the Robins - by learning from the mistakes which saw the Ashton Gate outfit dumped out of the cup at the hands of Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

“These are the games that I want to play in week in week out,” said Elliott after the 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth at Ashton Gate. “I've got a lot of ambition and that's what I want to strive to do.

"I'm sure everyone else in the Bristol City changing room wants to do that as well. We have to try and take our chances and now we've got to kick on in the league to try and get half a chance to do that.

“At the end of the day (Portsmouth) are where we want to be. They're a Premier League team and we want to be there so we have to look at them and see what they do that we don't do.”

And what better match to demonstrate the lessons gleaned from City’s two run-outs against the FA Cup holders than the visit of Championship leaders Wolves, another suitor for Elliott’s services, at home on Saturday.

Wolves lead the league by four points despite going without a win in their last three Championship outings. Mick McCarthy’s side have drawn 1-1 then 2-2 against Sheffield United and Blackpool respectively before slipping up 3-1 at home to Preston. But they reaffirmed their standing in the division with a 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Birmingham at St Andrews in the FA Cup thrid-round on Tuesday.

"It’s a massive game,” said Elliott who has been continously linked with the Molineux side despite the ‘not for sale’ sign slapped on one of City’s prime assets. “Top of the table. It's another game to look forward to. It's good times.

"The rumours, there's nothing I can do about that. All I can do is keep playing for Bristol City and do my talking on the pitch.”

Elliott’s performance against Pompey drew special praise from Portsmouth boss Tony Adams, leaving the 24-year-old to rue the fact his display left him empty handed, the visitors progressing to a fourth-round tie with Swansea and buoyed by a clean sheet, with City left to lick their wounded pride.

"I felt the way we played we could have got something out of the game,” he said. “At least a goal. We were disappointed.

"We take the positives of the way we played as a team. The little passages of play, the work rate.”

England striker Peter Crouch gave Pompey a 38th minute lead before Niko Kranjcar appeared to end the tie two minutes from time. Nicky Maynard handed City a lifeline when brought down by Sol Campbell in the box a minute later but veteran David James guessed correctly and saved 22-year-old Maynard’s spot kick.

"I thought when they scored the first goal in the first half it was a bit of a suckerpunch against us and second half we got at them, we took the game to them," said Elliott.

"I felt we were quite dominant. And then they hit us on the break and it was always going to be hard coming back from two goals against that sort of opposition."

Full-time: Bristol City 0 Portsmouth 2

FULL-TIME: Bristol City 0 Portsmouth 2

It has been 100 years since Bristol City graced an FA Cup Final and the centenary of that appearance was not to herald another.

Gary Johnson's side were beaten by Premier League Portsmouth 2-0 in a lively third-round replay at Ashton Gate, international class the difference between the teams. England striker Peter Crouch gave Pompey a first-half lead before Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar doubled the lead and ended the tie two minutes from time.

City huffed and puffed in the closing stages as Johnson threw on Dele Adebola, Stern John and Michael McIndoe in search of an equaliser but failed to find the net and were open to the sucker punch at the other end.

The result fails to reflect the controversy surrounding Crouch's opener, the towering striker having handled the ball in his own penalty area at the start of the move. And with four minutes of injury time to play beyond the allotted 90, Nicky Maynard had the chance to pull one back from the penalty spot only for another international, David James, to make the save.

James was everything his manager wanted him to be and made a sensational first-half stop from a close-range Maynard header to keep Bristol City at bay before his forwards did the rest.


94 min: Kanu could have made it three before the final whistle blows ending City's long wait for a Premier League scalp and even longer wait for a Wembley appearance in the FA Cup.

93 min: The man who scored the winner at Wembley, Kanu, comes on for a cameo in place of tonight's opening marksman Peter Crouch.

91 min: And misses! James shows his class once more, guessing right and palming away Maynard's shot, the ever present Glen Johnson first to the second ball and clearing to safety.

91 min: The fourth official shows four minutes of added time and Nicky Maynard, felled by Sol Campbell to win the kick, steps forward.

90 min: PENALTY! To City.

88 min: GOAL 2-0. The Ashton Gate hearts are broken by Niko Kranjcar who slots home from eight yards after Belhadj had stormed into the City box after receiving the ball from the scorer.

86 min: Bristol City are camped in Portsmouth's half. Carey finds Elliott who feeds Adebola who passes back to Carey.

83 min: Traore comes off for Hreidarsson as Tony Adams seeks to hold to his lead. Johnson takes a lofted corner but David James leaps higher than the rest to claim the ball.

82 min: Sproule again gets to the byline round the outside of Belhadj and wins a corner.

80 min: Belhadj forces Basso into a fantastic save to keep Bristol City in the game as Gary Johnson shuffles his pack for a final time pulling Fontaine for the experience and size of Dele Adebola who joins the attack as City leave three at the back and go in search of the life line.

76 min: Carey cross as City press and Stern John came close to being in the perfect position to test James with a header. City have upped their tempo in search of an equaliser and McIndoe's presence on the left is helping pin back Glen Johnson.

73 min: Portsmouth overcame Championship opposition in the form of Ipswich at the third-round stage last year on their march to Wembley and, unless McIndoe and co. can conjure something extra, Tony Adams will be leading his side into a fourth-round tie against Swansea who are 2-0 up at Histon.

72 min: Cole Skuse off for Michael McIndoe, back from a thigh injury.

70 min: Carey lobs a ball over the top from the half-way line and again it's Maynard who sprints free and is just shy of beating James to it.

68 min: Stern John on. Peter Styvar off to a warm ovation from the City fans.

66 min: Nigerian international John Utaka coming on for Portsmouth in place of David Nugent.

64 min: Bristol City's unbeaten run against Pompey in the FA Cup is not yet over but it's faltering as Portsmouth soak up the host's pressure.

60 min: Glen Johnson wins a corner for Pompey. Kranjcar takes, McCombe clears and City break with Sproule but his cross field ball to pick out the marauding run of Elliott came back off the head of a Pompey player.

59 min: Carey is receiving treatment for a head injury but looks fit to continue.

58 min: City are pressing and Orr is the latest to drive play forward and had a potshot as the vast international experience in Pompey's back four deemed it safe to back off. Cries for hand ball echoed around Ashton Gate as Campbell blocked the resulting effort but the ref waved away the claims.

57 min: Elliott muscles past Marc Wilson and slips the ball through to Maynard who is again halted by a top class intervention from Glen Johnson. Maynard, who has scored four goals in his last three games, tested James directly moments later but the England shot stopper again showed his class.

56 min: Crouch put through, gets ahead of McCombe but blasts just left of Basso's goal to the relief of three sides of Ashton Gate. The lanky Pompey striker apologises to the fourth by raising his hand in acknowledgement of a chance wasted.

54 min: City force another corner thanks to Sproule's sheer pace. Johnson crosses, and the ref Mick Jones blows for a free kick.

51 min: Bradley Orr's header drifts across the Pompey box and Styvar just can't get to it in time at the far post. A promising start to the half from City.

50 min: Sproule uses his pace to beat Belhadj, knocking the ball one side and running the other. His cross from the by-line forces a covering header from Sol Campbell to deny Maynard.

47 min: Sliding interception from Glen Johnson denies Maynard from receiving a dangerous pass from Styvar.

46 min: The second half gets under way. No changes.

HALF-TIME: Bristol City trail FA Cup holders Portsmouth 1-0 at the break, falling foul of England striker Peter Crouch who gave Pompey a deserved lead with his 13th goal of the season.
It was not without controversy. The beanpole frontman handled in his own area at the start of teh move which led to his goal, both his arms hitting the ball when he missed a headed clearance from a Lee Johnson corner.

Johnson was booked for his continued protestations as the sides headed for the tunnel at half-time.

City struggled to compete in the first half but forced David James into one of the saves of the season from a Nicky Maynard header.

It was the touch of 6ft 7in Crouch in the 38th minute that broke the stalemate though, poking home from five yards after Armand Traore had carved a path past City left-back Liam Fontaine.

David Nugent had earlier hit the post for Pompey and both Traore and Nadir Belhadj had been left free to fire shots over for the visitors.

42 min: Kaboul booked for throwing the ball away as Portsmouth concede a free kick on the left-hand edge of their 18-yard box. Johnson plays the ball square to Fontaine taking the Pompey back line by surprise. Fontaine plays it first time on the floor into the six yard box and James just, just gets there ahead of Styvar. Clever play from City, straight from the training ground.

38 min: GOAL! To the visitors. It's 1-0 to Portsmouth, teh FA Cup holders and it was Peter Crouch that did the damage. Belhadj broke down the left, hit a cross field ball to Armand Traore who beat Fontaine, made the by-line and slipped the ball back for Crouch to poke home from five yards. His 13th of the season. Bread and butter.

35 min: Crouch makes the by line on Portsmouth's right, angles a low cross into the six yard box and David Nugent, who has been far from prolific since his £6 million transfer to the south coast from Portsmouth conspires to hit the post.

34 min: ...has James backpeddling, the crowd rising to their feet, and then lands just the wrong side of the Pompey cross bar.

33 min: No joy from the corner but shortly after Marvin Elliott wins a header inside Pompey's half, directs it towards Maynard 30-yards out and the record signing lets fly with a looping effort which...

30 min: Corner safely defended SKuse almost finds Maynard at the other end before the youngster is dispossessed by the towering figure of Sylvain Distin. But the loose ball runs sto Sproule who sets off down the right once more and forces Belhadj to concede a corner.

28 min: Bad news for City manager Gary Johnson. Nugent beats Fontaine and forces a corner. And Swansea are 1-0 up at Johnson's former club Histon.

24 min: For the first time this half City threaten, forcing a corner. Lee Johnson puts in the ball, Maynard heads and David James makes a sensational save which belies his 38 years of age. The England goalkeeper, somehow, got down to his left to block the ball on the goalline. 0-0 still but something for the crowd to cheer.

21 min: The fans cry for captain Carey to shoot from all of 30 yards but instead he threads the ball out right, finds Sproule but the winger is stopped in his tracks inside the Pompey box.

20 min: City looked to be building until Skuse lost the ball, Crouch found it and seconds later the ball flew over the City bar.

16 min: Pompey have the initiative but can't find a way past a City side defending in numbers. Carey dribbles out of defence and plays a high ball to Skuse who is squeezed out of the action by Portsmouth England defenders Glen Johnson and Sol Campbell.

14 min: Nugent picks the ball up in midfield, the City defence back off allowing him to feed Wilson who just drifts too wide too shoot then slips as he tries to play in Glen Johnson. It could have been ugly for City.

12 min: Portsmouth again striding forward, Belhadj this time crossing from the other flank but again McCombe snubs out the threat of Peter Crouch

10 min: A Marc Wilson cross has Basso scrabbling before McCombe clears.

8 min: Cole Skuse is down, hit by the ball at point blank range on the edge of the 18-yard box. Pompey play fair and put the ball out. Skuse heads off but only as per the rules. He's back on straight away.

6 min: Armand Traore breaks from midfield and gets the first shot of the match on target but not with enough zip to beat Ivan Basso in the City goal. He does earn a corner though, well dealt with by the City defence.

5 min: Glen Johnson gets round City left-back Liam Fontaine but can't keep his cross under control.

4 min: A poor back pass from Belhadj under pressure from Sproule forces David James into a terrible clearance which goes out for a City throw.

2 min: City look more like 4-4-2 rather than the heralded 4-4-3, with Sproule keeping Portsmouth's left back Nadir Belhadj busy on City's right flank.

1 min: Positive start from City as Sproule narrowly fails to force a corner from kick-off.

7:48pm: City huddle. And break to recommence their bid to upset the FA Cup holders.

7:45pm: Fireworks go off as the teams emerge from the tunnel into a near capacity Ashton Gate.

7:35pm: Peter Styvar makes his Ashton Gate debut following his transfer from MSK Zilina and Johnson has wished him well in his program notes. "You never get a second chance to create a first impression in front of your home fans. What a game to do it in!"

7:20pm: The team news is in and City manager Gary Johnson sticks with his 4-3-3 formation which has reaped two wins and a draw since Christmas and is boosted by the return of record signing Nicky Maynard who missed the match at Fratton Park with a calf strain. Stern John drops to the bench in an otherwise unchanged side.

Pompey boss Tony Adams keeps faith with 21-year-old Marc Wilson who will form a midfield defensive wall alongside 23-year-old frenchman Younes Kaboul. The big man starts up front, all 6ft 7ins of him with Kranjcar filling the hole behind. Glen Johnson comes in for Martin Cranie, Kaboul replaces Sean Davis (virus) and Armand Traore takes the place of the inexperienced Arnold Mvuemba who has to settle for the bench.

Bristol City (4-3-3): Basso; Orr, Carey, McCombe, Carey, Fontaine; Skuse, Elliott, Johnson; Sproule, Styvar, Maynard. Subs: McAllister, McIndoe, Adebola, Wilson, Williams, John, Henderson (GK)

Portsmouth (4-5-1): James; Johnson, Distin, Campbell, Belhadj; Kranjcar, Traore, Kaboul, Wilson, Nugent; Crouch. Subs: Hreidarsson, Pamarot, Utaka, Mvuemba, Little, Kanu, Begovic (GK).

7pm: The City fans are warming up and feeling confident. Sadly, so are the ones who have travelled to support Portsmouth.

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.

Skuse keen to fill the boots of his Bristol City heroes

Cole Skuse was on the terraces at Anfield when Bristol City last toppled a top-tier team 15 years ago.

And now the Bristol City midfielder has the chance to emulate his heroes against Premier League Portsmouth in the FA Cup third-round replay at Ashton Gate tonight (7.45pm).

“It was talk of the coach when we finished the game at Fratton Park, bringing them back to our place,” said the 22-year-old midfielder. “We fancy ourselves against them.

“It would be a massive result. It’s been a while and the fans are due a big result.”

Bristol born and bred and a product of the club’s academy, Skuse was taken up the M6 for that last big victory in another FA Cup third-round replay, a 1-0 win at Anfield.

“I was a young lad, travelling up in the minibus with my Dad and a few of his friends and a few of my friends,” he said. “I can’t remember the game massively I was only 6 or 7. I can just remember Tins (Brian Tinnion) on his left foot whipping it past the keeper and everybody going home happy.

“Back when I was 6 or 7 I could have only dreamed of playing for my home town club against a top-flight side. Luckily for me it’s happened.

“My phone hasn’t stopped since we drew Portsmouth in the FA Cup with everybody saying ‘all the best, it would be nice if you beat a Premier league side’.” It would be a massive thing for not only me but everyone in Bristol as well.”

City manager Gary Johnson, while keen to play up Pompey’s role as favourites, was also eager to play down a Robins victory as such a mighty upset.

“As I’ve said before, that’s not my fault,” joked Johnson about the 15-year wait for a Premier League scalp. “There’ll be a lot of people who’ll remember that day (at Liverpool). Maybe nowadays it’s not such a big upset. We are where we are. We were one game away from being a Premiership team ourselves.”

Johnson is in an enviable position with a fully-fit squad to chose from for the replay while his opposite number, Portsmouth manager Tony Adams, has lost Sean Davis to a stomach virus. The midfielder missed training yesterday and is unlikely to feature.

Pompey are also still without long-term absentees Papa Bouba Diop (knee) and Richard Hughes (groin) meaning Adams will turn again to youngsters Arnold Mvuemba and Marc Wilson to provide cover, as they did at Fratton Park 10 days ago.

The cup holders do welcome back Ghana international John Utaka, likely to slot into right midfield, and Glenn Johnson, capped for England at right-back.

“I've got people out but don't panic,” said Portsmouth boss Tony Adams. “I've got some good players and I'll hopefully get them into a shape which does the business against Bristol City.

“I'm not so sure about 4-4-2 though,” he added. “I don't think I've got four midfielders.”

The Pompey boss won the FA Cup three times with Arsenal and was assistant to Harry Redknapp when Portsmouth lifted the cup for the second time in their history last May thanks to a goal from Nwanku Kanu who could drop in behind Crouch tonight.

He is not underestimating his opposition though, especially given his first-hand experience of Gary Johnson’s coaching methods. “I had an insight into him when we did our coaching badges together,” said Adams. “All his teams want to play football. He is doing a bloody good job at Bristol City.”
Johnson is 90 minutes away from ensuring 18,000 City fans holler in agreement.
City (from): Basso, Henderson, Fontaine, McAllister, McCombe, Carey, Orr, McIndoe, Johnson, Elliott, Skuse, Sproule, Noble, Williams, Maynard, John, Styvar, Adebola, Akinde.

Live: Portsmouth v Bristol City

Welcome to the Bristol Evening Post's first live blog! Refresh your page every couple of minutes for the latest news from Fratton Park as Bristol City take on Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round.

4:52pm: Full time. Bristol City have earned a replay at Ashton Gate on January 13. They deserved it and could have had the scalp of Pompey had Bradley Orr's header been six inches south. Portsmouth had their reasons to rue a draw though. Davis and Kranjcar drew the very best out of City keeper Adriano Basso in a hectic second half which saw the match treble in tempo and noise, but the side from the South West held the FA Cup holders to a draw and maintain an unbeaten FA Cup record against their Premier League opponents.

4:51pm: James has one clean sheet in his last 16 but looks likely to gain a second although City now have one last roll of the dice, finally breaking out of their half before Distin again steps in.

4:50pm: Pompey are encamped in City's half. Campbell and Distin lob in the long balls but Johnson's men are marshalled well and are holding on. They just have to hold on for three minutes of added time now.

4:47pm: Orr, McCombe, Carey and Fontaine are earning their money holding off Nugent and Crouch. Orr even gets his body on the line to block a screamer from Kranjcar.

4:45pm: City are being pressed back and Lee Johnson is virtually operating as a second right-back at times. McAllister has slotted in at left midfield ahead of Fontaine. The Robins are holding on having defended corner after corner.

4:42pm: Pompey sub. Cranie off. Noe Pamarot on. And for City, Styvar's debut comes to a close with Jamie McAllister running on in his place.

4:40pm: Somehow the match has remained 0-0 with 10 minutes left to play. Either side could steal it as gaps open and legs tire. Bristol City defend another corner and clear to spark another assault on the Pompey half.

4:35pm: Dele Adebola is turning back the years and almost outpaced Distin, forcing a mistake which saw the ball run to the debut boy Styvar who let fly from 20-yards only to see David James get down in time and, at the second attempt, gather the ball.

4:34pm: Sean Davis unleashes a fine volley from 20-yards after a cross from Kranjcar. Well held by Basso. Who must be freezing.

4:33pm: Adebola is creating havoc and only a masterclass from Campbell and Distin is keeping City from taking a deserved lead.

4:29pm: The Liverpudlian full-back rises, heads, and only the finger tips of David James keep the game goalless.

4:29pm: The roles are reversed and Adebola whips in a cross from City's left which finds Orr unmarked at the back post five yards out.

4:28pm: Orr plays a long ball up to Adebola who does what he does best, brings it down, holds it up and lays it off to Cole Skuse who almost troubles the corner flag with his shot. It was well worked though and big Dele's strength is telling already.

4:24pm: Sub for City. Sproule off. Gavin Williams on.

4:20pm: Sub for City. Adebola, with seven FA Cup goals to his name throughout his career, is coming on for Stern John.

4:19pm: Another penalty appeal as Distin floats in a free kick and Carey battles with Crouch to clear. No hand ball.

4:18pm: David Nugent, invisible in the first half, pops up on the right, runs at Fontaine and slips the ball across the box to the outstretched limbs of Crouch who can't qite get enough on the ball to trouble Basso.

4:17pm: Confirmed attendance of 14,446 as Pompey win a corner and force Fontaine into a lashed clearance which bolted towards his own goal and was only stopped by Skuse. Marvin Elliott is back in action after a head injury scare.

4:15pm: City's support of 3,500 are literally rocking the stadium, abusing the Pompey supporters' vocal ccontributions and doing their best to unsettle James who now keeps goal in front of them.

4:11pm: It could be 2-1! It's still 0-0. Kranjcar, somehow, heads wide from six yards after a deft chip from Crouch before Sproule scampers down the other end to test James. Back at the City sharp end Basso, the only man wearing short sleeves in the ground, makes a sharp save from Kranjcar who finally found the target.

4:10pm: End to end start to the second half as the sun goes down, the lights go on and the entertainment recommences in earnest.

4:04pm: Pompey re-emerge to the sounds of a bizarre sea-shanty jingle. City to raucous cheers from the away end.

City have kept the Pompey faithful quiet by more than containing their Premier League opponents. David James is yet to make a save of note although Ivan Sproule could have buried a quick Lee Johnson freekick to give the Robins a first-half lead.

Tony Adams' Portsmouth have made Basso work, Sol Campbell testing the Brazilian with a header and Kranjcar keeping him on his toes with a pair of long-range raspers. But the gulf of 20 league places between the two sides is yet to show and City are in with a shout of doing more than forcing a replay.

3:48pm: Half time. Portsmouth 0 Bristol City 0.

3:45pm: Now its the turn of Portsmouth, Cranie again getting the better of Fontaine on Pompey's right flank before Mr Bristol City, captain Louis Carey, mops up once more.

3:44pm: Johnson free-kick flicked on by Elliott on the edge of the 18-yard box but cleared by Distin.

3:43pm: Elliott is bossing Mvuemba in the center of the pitch as City look increasingly threatening in the run-in to half time.

3:42pm: Belhadj leaves his foot in on wantaway City full-back Bradley Orr and earns a yellow card.

3:40pm: Are the Pompey fans supporting Adams? asks Chas, Whitchurch. While the game is level they are. Had Sproule buried his effort we might see some half-time cat calls. Rumours in the ground are that Jermaine Defoe (who called in sick yesterday) is undergoing a medical at Tottenham.

3:36pm: City living dangerously as Pompey centre-back Slyvain Distin is allowed to waltz into the penalty area and forces Basso into a smart save before Kranjcar goes down theatrically in the box attempting to turn in the rebound. Referee Phil Dowd laughs off the Pompey appeals, helped by 3,000 travelling City fans behind the goal.

3:35pm: Belhadj could benefit from a breather for the next few minutes though as Sproule appears to be struggling with a knock to the ankle from the challenge by Campbell.

3:33pm: Sproule is causing some concern for Portsmouth left-back Nadir Belhadj.

3:30pm: Quick and clever free-kick from little Lee Johnson found Sproule behind the Pompey defence. The crowd rose, the Pompey defence were caught sleeping, but Sproule fired wide under challenge from man-mountain Campbell. Appeals for a penalty turned down.

3:28pm: Gary Johnson has the crowd cheering - running onto the pitch to pass the ball back to Basso for a freekick. The fourth official is less amused.

3:27pm: City are allowing Pompey into the game and Cranie enjoyed the freedom of the right flank before whipping in a dangerous ball headed for the head of towering centre-forward Peter Crouch at the far post. But fortunately the England international heads it wide.

3:26pm: Another long shot from Croatian international Kranjcar which pops up in front of Basso but is comfortabaly taken.

3:20pm: Styvar proves his strength, battling well with Pompey right-back Martin Cranie and feeding Johnson whose through ball is just too long for on loan striker Stern John, preferred today ahead of Dele Aebola who warms the City bench.

3:18pm: Pompey manager Tony Adams gets animated as Stern John and Sean Davis tangle and have some afters. City boss Gary Johnson steps forward and tells him to calm down. John is booked for his reaction to Davis' challenge.

3:17pm: Corner to Portsmouth cleared from the near post by Carey.

3:14pm: City have never lost at Fratton Park in the FA Cup and Ivan Sproule gave them the opportunity to take the lead with a rasping shsot just over the bar after good work in midfield.

3:10pm: Niko Kranjcar lets fly the first shot of substance in the match just wide of Adriano Basso's left-hand post.

3:05pm: A scrappy start sees Bristol City matching Pompey in midfield, Marvin Elliott, Johnson and Skuse putting in the tackles.

3:02: Hesitation from Lee Johnson gifts the chance to Arnold Mvuemba to surge forward but Louis Carey stubs out the danger.

3:01pm: Martin Cranie piles into Cole Skuse by way of a quick hello after Portsmouth give away the ball from kick off.

3:00pm: Pompey kick off their FA Cup defence.

2:57pm: The teams walk out and line up.

2:55pm: Brian Wilson (shin), Lee Trundle (tonsils), Nicky Maynard (calf) and Michael McIndoe (leg) miss out but Peter Styvar, who only completed his signing for the club from MSK Zilina last night is cleared to play and starts on the left.

2:45pm: Team news.

Portsmouth: James, Belhadj, Campbell, Distin, Cranie; Kranjcar, Davis, Mvuemba, Wilson, Nugent; Crouch. Subs: Begovic (GK), Lauren, Hreidarsson, Pamarot, Little, Kanu, Traore.

Bristol City: Basso, Fontaine, Carey, McCombe, Orr; Johnson, Elliott, Skuse; Styvar, John, Sproule. Subs: Henderson (GK), McAllister, Noble, Adebola, Williams, Akinde.

Top 10 highlights from a sporting year in Bristol

As 2008 comes to a close, the Post looks back at the top 10 highlights of a sporting year in Bristol.

1. Bristol City 0 Hull 1

An 18-yard shot from a 39-year-old veteran may have ended Bristol City's remarkable first season in the Coca-Cola Championship but their very appearance in the £60million shoot off for Premier League qualification stoked ambitions to new levels.

City boss Gary Johnson led his side to the Championship play-off final at Wembley in May after flirting with automatic qualification earlier in the year in their first season back in the Championship. And the Robins' extraordinary progress was only halted by that strike, a fine first-half volley from seasoned campaigner Dean Windass.

City were 90 minutes from ending their 27-year exile from the top tier of English football and would have completed the club's rehabilitation since their relegation from the old Division One in 1980 prompted financial ruin - only the sacrifices of the Ashton Gate Eight saving the club.

It wasn't to be. Hull stole the honours and the headlines and it was their own eight-year odyssey from a brush with bankruptcy to the bountiful landscape of the Premier League which filled the national papers.

Johnson though had put a marker in the sand, a statement of real intent that Bristol City, with the backing of chairman Steve Lansdown and plans for a new World-Cup-worthy stadium in place, were genuine Premier League contenders once more.

2. Chris Wood's silver medal

Nailsea's Chris Wood followed in the footsteps of English golfer Justin Rose, bursting onto the world stage with a barnstorming top-10 finish in the Open at Royal Birkdale.

Blustery conditions saw off many leading pros but Wood held his nerve to seal the silver medal for first amateur - a finish which saw him turn professional the following week and qualify for the European Tour before the year was out.

Caddied by his Dad, the 20-year-old chipped in for a birdie 18th on his second round 70 and ended the competition with a fourth-round 72 to finish joint fifth with Jim Furyk, two shots ahead golfing legend Ernie Els.

Wood, who originally had his sights on a career with Bristol City before a knee injury ended his progress through the club's academy, was just seven shots off winner Padraig Harrington and a mere three shots behind second-placed Ian Poulter.

3. Lee Haskins' British title

Boxing is a sport which polarises opinion on its virtues though few contest the bravery and the talent of the pugilists who practise its punishing arts.

A cut and bloodied Lee Haskins lifted the British Super Flyweight title in November after a boxing masterclass earned him a unanimous decision over champion Andy Bell in Lancashire.

The 24-year-old from Lockleaze became the first boxer since Glenn Catley 10 years ago to bring a Lonsdale Belt back to Bristol, bouncing back in emphatic fashion from his bantam-weight title-shot defeat last year.

4. Somerset CCC so close

Justin Langer and Marcus Trescothick almost put the icing on successful international careers by leading Somerset CCC to a first-ever County Championship.

Their form helped the side carry their hopes of a first title in 117 years as far as the final day of the Championship before an eight-wicket defeat by Lancashire ended the dream.

5. World Cup football in Bristol

November saw a step forward in Bristol City's plans for a 30,000 seater stadium in Ashton Vale and confirmed the prospect of World Cup football coming to Bristol - if the council bid for it.

City chairman Steve Lansdown unvealed well-received designs for a dramatic stadium which will have the option of increasing its capacity to the magic World Cup number of 42,500.

The financial turmoil has further delayed Bristol Rovers' redevelopment of the Memorial Stadium and doubts were circling about the Robins ability to push forward their own ambitions. Consultation may be a buzz word for a long delay but Bristol is in with a shout of 2018 action.

6. Bristol Rovers' FA Cup quarter-final

Bristol Rovers' 2007/08 FA Cup run stretched the imagination of Gas fans far beyond their League One campaign and brought about a unique celebration of the quagmire conditions of the Memorial Stadium's pitch.

The magic was shattered by a five-star, five-goal performance from West Brom and the Pirates tumbled out of the 2008/09 FA Cup at the hands of perennial pains Bournemouth in the first-round.

But the 07/08 run will live long in the memory for The Mem has rarely seen such drama.

Rovers' first-round replay against Leyton Orient was a six-goal thriller with two red cards, sent to extra-time by Rickie Lambert's 90th-minute penalty and won by Rovers 6-5 in the resulting shoot-out.

Rushden took a second-round lead in Horfield before being despatched 5-1 and then came the third-round, 0-0 nail biter against Premier League Fulham.

Again the encounter was decided by penalties and again in Rovers favour, this time by the comparatively comfortable margin of 5-3. Just the one red card too.

Lambert struck again to see off Barnet away from home in the fourth-round and yet once more in the fifth at home against Southampton to tee up a pay-day quarter-final matchup with West Brom at the Mem.

The crowd were treated to six goals but Rovers' solitary contribution saw their Wembley dream come to a close.

7. Bristol Pitbulls return

An extra string was added to Bristol's sporting bow when ice hockey announced its return to the city after a 16-year absence.

Rich Hargreaves' Bristol Pitbulls hit the ice in an exhibition match this Christmas at the Bristol ice rink with a view to competing in the English National League next season.

8. Downs League survives

Bristol's oldest football league came through a dark spell of bitter confrontation between rival teams and a stand-off with the Gloucestershire FA over the expulsion of a side for violent conduct.

The Downs League looked like it could fold when committee members expressed their exasperation at having to reinstate the Bengal Tigers at the behest of the English and Gloucestershire FAs.

Common sense has prevailed though and the Saturday afternoon pastimes of more than 500 footballers preserved as differences have been resolved and the league has continued to function.

9. Rickie Lambert

Rickie Lambert's scoring exploits have already been praised in reference to Bristol Rovers FA Cup run last season but his 18 goals so far this season deserve separate mention.

Lambert lies joint top of the League One marksmen's list with Matty Fryatt and the pair top their peers' tables in the Championship and Premier League.

His exploits have attracted the attention of Premiership scouts and we can expect plenty of entertainment in the tabloids during the January transfer window.

10. Jane Couch retires

Bristol's record-breaking, five-time world champion, female boxer Jane Couch MBE has blazed a trail against discrimination in sport and while retirement is not a moment of sporting glory per se, it is a moment in which sporting glories should be remembered and given their due.

She moved to Bristol 15 years ago and will remain as a boxing promoter in the city, nurturing the next generation at Tex Woodward's Spaniorum Gym.

Her biggest legacy came outside the ring when in 1998 she won her claim for sexual discrimination against the British Boxing Board of Control, over its refusal to grant her a licence to box professionally in the UK.

What do you think? There are no olympians, no skittlers, no parkour, climbing or alternative sport in this list. What would be in yours?