MATCH PREVIEW: BRISTOL CITY v CARDIFF CITY
Match Previews
4th March
Venue: Ashton Gate
Date: Saturday, 5th March 2016, 12 noon K.O.
The Bluebirds face Bristol City in a Severnside Derby clash tomorrow, hoping to maintain their push towards the play-offs.
THE OPPOSITION
Lee Johnson’s arrival at Ashton Gate has seen an upturn in form for the Robins. Apart from a 4-0 drubbing from Brighton, Bristol have won their other four matches under the ex-Barnsley boss, including crucial away victories over fellow relegation strugglers Charlton Athletic and MK Dons.
Johnson’s predecessor, Steve Cotterill, saw his team rampage to the League One title last season, picking up the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy along the way. Cotterill strengthened his squad in the summer with the addition of French striker Jonathan Kodjia, whose 12 League goals have made him the Robins’ top scorer this term.
January signings include Scott Golbourne, who began his career at Ashton Gate. The left-back re-joined from Wolves in the winter window, having left the club in 2006. That signing was followed by the purchase of goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell from Wigan Athletic. The 27 year old signed permanently on deadline day, having initially joined on loan as cover for Frank Fielding.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
Striker Nicky Maynard became Bristol City’s record signing in 2008, having begun his career at Crewe Alexandra. Maynard netted 45 goals in a prolific four year spell at Ashton Gate, before joining Premier League bound West Ham United in January 2012. Exactly seven months later, Nicky arrived at Cardiff City Stadium, and looked set to help the Bluebirds gain promotion. Unfortunately a knee injury curtailed his season that year, as he returned to play a part in a dramatic end of season finale against Hull City, before departing in June 2015.
Another former City man who has also played for Bristol is Jay-EmmanuelThomas. After a loan spell in 2011 with the promotion chasing Bluebirds, the Arsenal academy graduate moved to Ipswich Town, before joining League One Bristol. After making 103 appearances for the Robins, he moved to QPR, and is currently at MK Dons with Maynard.
Current Cardiff keeper Simon Moore spent time on loan at Ashton Gate, in 2014. With David Marshall performing excellently in the Premier League, Simon gained some match experience in League One with the Robins. He made eleven league appearances for the club, keeping two clean sheets.
MEMORABLE MEETING
Cardiff City 3 – 0 Bristol City
Cardiff City Stadium, 23rd August 2009
A dominant display saw the Bluebirds rise to the summit of the Championship table, with Michael Chopra continuing his red-hot early season form.
CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW TO READ MORE ABOUT CITY'S SEVERNSIDE DERBY RESULTS THAT SEASON!
In our third league match at Cardiff City Stadium, the scoring was opened when Jamie McCombe put the ball into his own net. Excellent skill from Chris Burke set up Adam Matthews, who sent teasing low cross into the box. McCombe failed to deal with the ball to inadvertently give City the lead.
Chopra doubled Cardiff’s lead in first-half injury time, with his seventh goal from four league games. A clever run between the Bristol defenders was spotted by Burke, whose delicate pass put the striker in on goal. A deft finish from Chopra with the outside of the boot sent him wheeling away to the corner – before he produced a celebration that will live long in the memory!
Gavin Rae secured the victory after 66 minutes, with a smooth finish into the bottom corner, in front of the Canton Stand. The win put Cardiff in a commanding league position, and helped the Bluebirds reach the 2010 Play Off Final at Wembley.
Cardiff City: Marshall, Hudson, Quinn, Gerrard, Rae, Whittingham, Burke, Ledley, Matthews, Chopra (Etuhu 79’), Bothroyd (Magennis 90’).
Subs not used: Enckelman, Gyepes, Comminges, McPhail, Blake.
Bristol City: Gerken, McAllister, Fontaine, McCombe, Johnson (Williams 75’), Elliott, Hartley, Wilson, Haynes (Sproule 75’), Clarkson (Akinde 46’), Maynard.
Subs not used: Basso, Carey, Ribeiro, Blackman.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT
TICKETS: All tickets of our allocation at Ashton Gate (over 1,400) are SOLD OUT!
LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live on Cardiff City Player HD* for all the action from the Severnside Derby.
WATCH: Extended highlights of the match will be available to subscribers of Cardiff City Player HD*
SOCIAL: Live updates from Ashton Gate will come via our official Twitter account, @CardiffCityFC.
*Search ‘Cardiff City’ on the App Store and Google Play Store to view Cardiff City Player HD on Smart Phones.
