Team: Bristol City
Nickname: The Robins
Lge Pos: 3rd
Ground: Ashton Gate
The Gaffer: Danny Wilson
Yorkshire happy-go-lucky chap who knows how to get the best out of his players. Wilson has made some shrewd market moves for The Robins, with the best being this season when the West Countrymen began to falter. After losing an 18 game unbeaten run, with Lee Peacock suffering a lean spell, Wilson drafted in Latics-hated Mark Robins who revived the season for City. Wilson has the nonce to keep a decent City side on track.
Star Goalkeeper: Steve Phillips
Phillips is City's only ever present this season, completing all 46 games and earning 19 clean sheets throughout all competitions. Phillips had little to do when the Latics visited Ashton Gate in March, however when City were reduced to 10 men at Boundary Park, Phillips made numerous saves to prevent the Latics from extending their 1-0 winning lead.
Star Defender: Louis Carey
Carey is possibly a catalyst for City's and Scott Murray's success this season. Solid in the tackle, confident going forward and constantly linking up with Murray, Carey has proved a vital player for The Robins this season. Amazingly the player was overlooked in the PFA Division 2 team, as the panel favoured Mickey Bell for The Robins instead.
Star Midfielder: Scott Murray
There's not a lot to say about this lad as most of it has already been said. Indeed the stats speak for themselves. On Saturday, the midfielder netted his 26th goal of the season (18 of them in the league) to cap off a memorable, injury-free season. Having been heavily touted by Premiership clubs, Murray received a worthy PFA place in the 2nd Division team and may this time be on his way should City fail to win promotion.
Star Attacker: Christian Roberts
Roberts has been a consistent scorer for The Robins this season. With his pace, Roberts causes problems in many defences and finds most fruition by taking advantage of the space created by fellow players, Murray and Brown.
Playing alongside Peacock (who has had a mixed season with injury and a dry goal spell) Roberts eventually found his place taken by loanee Mark Robins who provided a fresh impetus to the side. Robins arrival came during a poor spell for City, however Roberts has since come back to into the side with several important goals cementing City's playoff place. With his pace and nose for goal, he will be a real threat to any side in the play-offs.
The Side:
Overall, Bristol City have a very strong squad. Along with the four mentioned star players, quality also exists in players like Mickey Bell (PFA Div 2 player), Brian Tinnion and Danny Coles. However, 2 influential players are suspended. Aaron Brown faces a 7-match ban for 3 red cards (2 of them back-to-back in City's final 2 games of the season) and Liam Rosenior got a straight red in a reserve game 2 weeks ago and will miss most of the play-offs. Should any injuries creep into the side, City's tasty backbone may become ravished.
What they say:
The Robins will feel that this is their year. Like Wigan have been over recent seasons, City have been up there each year since dropping into Division 2. It's been no surprise that their season has usually come unstuck when Scott Murray has fallen to injury but with Aaron Brown facing a lengthy suspension, there may be a few doubts in some fans minds. However, with experience in players like Brian Tinnion, the quality is there to replace the likes of Brown. City fans will think that this is their year.
What we say:
Latics fans have plenty of admiration for Bristol City. I for one feel that they are a big danger in the play-offs. Quality exists throughout the squad, with Carey, Bell, Brown, Tinnion, Murray and Rosenior. It is a useful squad, but Latics fans knowing that despite having struggled to beat City in the past few seasons they are beatable, as shown at Boundary Park this season. Should we make it to the final and end up facing The Robins, it will make for one cracking game.
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The run in: (final 6 league games)
Mansfield (h) Won 5-2
Crewe (a) Drew 1-1
Luton (a) Drew 2-2
Cardiff (h) Won 2-0
Chesterfield (a) Lost 2-0
Port Vale (h) Won 2-0
Home: W3 D0 L0 - F9 A2 - 9pts
Away: W0 D2 L1 - F3 A5 - 2pts
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Head-to-head: (vs 3 playoff contenders)
vs CARDIFF (h) Won 2-0
vs CARDIFF (a) Won 2-0
Vs Latics (h) Won 2-0
Vs Latics (a) Lost 1-0
vs Qpr (h) Lost 3-1
vs Qpr (a) Lost 1-0
P6 - W3 D0 L3 - F7 A5 - 9pts