Bristol City will be hoping to bring the curtain down on chairman Steve Lansdown’s reign with victory over Hull City at Ashton Gate on Saturday.
Lansdown, who will be stepping down after nine years in office, will be handing over power to current chief executive Colin Sexstone after the Robins’ final game of the 2010/11 season.
Ironically, it was Hull who denied Lansdown the crowning moment of his stewardship by beating City 1-0 in the Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley in 2008, denying City a spot in the Premier League for the first time.
In a further twist of irony, the Tigers arrive in BS3 looking to equal a 105-year record of 18 unbeaten away games in English football’s second tier – a record currently held by the Robins!
For City boss Keith Millen, it brings a turbulent season to an end. City were rock bottom at the turn of the year and Millen can reflect on a job well done after guiding the Robins to a credible mid-table finish.
Vital Quotes:
City boss Keith Millen wants to give departing chairman Steve Lansdown a fitting send-off…
“A win would send everyone home happy, and most importantly it would be a great send-off for the chairman.
“It won’t be an easy game for us against a Hull side with a good away record, but it would be great to put on a performance and be able to go around the pitch at the end of the game with smiles on people’s faces – none more so than the chairman.”
Tigers manager Nigel Pearson urges his side to end the season on a high…
“I can’t stand end-of-season ‘coasts’, I want us to finish with a performance and I want us to try and finish on a winning note.
“There is always something to play for and the test for the players this weekend is to finish positively and not to be in end-of-season mode.”
Bristol City Team News:
Young City defender Joe Edwards is in line for his debut at right-back, but the Robins will have to make do without the injured Liam Fontaine, Steven Caulker, Christian Ribeiro and Damion Stewart.
James Wilson is poised for a home debut at centre-back after keeping a clean sheet on his full City debut in the 2-0 win at Derby last weekend.
Striker Nicky Maynard serves the final game of his three-match suspension following his red card at Sheffield United.
Player to watch: Joe Edwards
The 20-year-old full-back has impressed City’s coaching staff after training with the first-team in recent weeks and is set to deputise for the recalled Jordan Spence against the Tigers.
Hull City Team News:
Veteran Hull winger Richard Garcia misses the trip to the West Country after picking up a knee injury against Crystal Palace.
He joins Corry Evans, former Robin Liam Rosenior, player-coach Nick Barmby and goalkeeper Vito Mannone on the sidelines.
Player to watch: Cameron Stewart
The former Manchester United winger has been in sparkling form since moving to the KC permanently in January and will need to be watched down the flanks.
The Vital Statistics:
? City have won the last TEN home games against Hull at Ashton Gate.
? City have scored more Championship goals in the opening 10 minutes of matches than any other team (nine), but have also conceded the most goals in the opening five minutes (six)!
? Regardless of the result, City will finish in our lowest position in the second tier since we were relegated in 1999.
? Hull are one goal away from their 100th against Bristol City.
? No Championship team have drawn more league matches than the Tigers, who have drawn 17 of their 45 games.
Ref Watch:
Match Prediction:
CITY 1-1 HULL
Both teams will be wanting to end the season on a high, but expect two good sides to cancel each other out in a score draw.
Next Up:
The 2011/12 fixture list is released on the 17 June.
