Uncategorized

Portsmouth Visit Ashton Gate

|
Image for Portsmouth Visit Ashton Gate

After beating Leicester City in midweek, hopes will understandably be high when Portsmouth come to Town on Saturday. Boss Keith Millen had his side fired up on Wednesday and without James in goal, the defence looked a solid unit and seemed to have more confidence.

Going forward, City looked menacing and had the lads been able to take more of the chances that they managed to create, the scoreline could have been a lot worse for Sven and his merry men.

But to beat Portsmouth the team must be able to hit the same form again, Pompey have some pace in their side and while you sit wondering how you missed a chance at one end, they can be down the other end making chances of their own.

And with the likes of Dave Kitson and Benjani in the side, you don`t want to be giving them too many chances.

Of course, most of the talk coming from City fans is whether they think Nicky Maynard will stay or not. Keith Millen seems pretty keen on keeping him but you cant help feeling that if a Premier League team came along flashing the cash, they he would be gone.

Lets hope he can get a hat-full of goals before that happens, starting this Saturday against Portsmouth.

Vital Quotes:

Keith Millen: ‘We now have a bit of confidence after beating Leicester, but making a good start at home is still key for the lads.

‘If we want to have a good home record at this football club, then everybody has to pull together. That means the players, the management, the staff and the supporters.

‘We need for everyone to be pulling in the same direction and we need the fans to get behind us and create a good atmosphere.

‘If we have that and we can make a good start to the game, there is no reason why we cannot get ourselves up and running at Ashton Gate.’

(Bristol Evening Post)

Bristol City Team News:

Bristol City boss Keith Millen is expected to stick with the same side that beat Leicester in midweek.

That means no place for veteran goalkeeper David James against his former club. The 41-year-old was dropped to the bench against Leicester in favour of Dean Gerken.

The game is likely to come too soon for Liam Fontaine who only returned to training on Thursday.

Louis Carey will also miss out despite recovering from illness.

Player to watch: Nicky Maynard

Obviously it was going to be him, he is man of the moment. Goals come naturally to Nicky and he can win games for us without actully being in the game except to score.

Portsmouth Team News:

Benjani could start his first game for Portsmouth since January 2008, since returning to the club.

The veteran striker, is back at Pompey, having been to Man City, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers.

If he starts, he is likely to replace Kanu and line up alongside another good goalscorer, Dave Kitson.

Erik Huseklepp could also be added to the squad if his proposed switch from Bari is completed in time.

Skipper Liam Lawrence has been playing despite an ongoing hamstring problem and should be fine to continue.

Vital Portsmouth

Player to watch: Benjani

Despite having a liking for Dave Kitson, I feel Benjani could be the one to watch if he gets a start.

He hasn’t had such a great time of things during his spells at Man City, Sunderland and Blackburn, but in the Championship he could well start scoring again and he will want to repay Portsmouth for taking him back.

Match Facts & Stats

Bristol City are looking for a 20th win from their 45th league meeting with Portsmouth. They have lost 12 of the previous 44, and taken a share of the points on 13 occasions.

Last season’s home win was Portsmouth’s only victory over the Robins in their last 10 league clashes.

Bristol City are looking to extend their unbeaten home league run against Pompey to six games (W2, D3).
(BBC)

Match Prediction:

Hoping that the lads will still have that winning mentality about them and they could well give Portsmouth a good game.

2-1 to City.

Next Fixtures:

Carling Cup We 24 Aug 2011 Bristol C v Swindon

Championship Sa 27 Aug 2011 Doncaster v Bristol C

Championship Sa 10S ep 2011 Bristol C v Brighton

Share this article

Site Editor

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *