Bristol City vs Scunthorpe United- The Preview

[Jordan Willshear]

Following an excellent performance and 3 points away at Notts County, Steve Cotterill's Bristol City come into this home game against Scunthorpe United unbeaten in the league this season and in fact haven't tasted defeat in the league since the end of March away to Rotherham who were promoted last season. This run of form has lifted the uncertainty and despair around the club and fans are now believing that we are in the making of a good season. The confidence Steve Cotterill seems to have instilled in the players is one of many reasons behind most of our players hitting good form (Flint, Wade Elliot and Wilbraham spring to mind). Another reason I believe is our recruitment aimed at players who are suited to the 3-5-2 formation (Mark Little, Luke Freeman, Korey Smith) and bringing these players (with the exception of Agard) early in the transfer window and before the pre-season trip to Botswana has certainly aided bedding these new signings in to create better team cohesion. Looking to build on the last result, Steve Cotterill has the option to go unchanged from the team that went to Notts County and picked up 3 points, with Kieran Agard keeping his place alongside Aaron Wilbraham in attack. Another possibility is the change at left wing back with Greg Cunningham coming in to replace Joe Bryan who replaced Cunningham in the last match. With his match changing cameo last time out, Jay Emmanuel Thomas is pushing his claim for his first league start of the season, he could possibly be switched with Agard as I see Wilbraham keeping his place for the foreseeable future, but for the time being he may have to bide his time on the bench.

Scunthorpe United come into this away fixture on the back of their first victory of the season (2-1 home win vs Walsall) and an impressive midweek cup victory against Chesterfield (2-0). This turnaround of form has come of the back of an uncertain start to the season which certainly hasn't been helped with an early season injury crisis as a number of first team players are unavailable to the Iron. The likes of Miles Addison (out of this game), Eddie Nolan(doubtful) and Luke O'Niell (doubtful) have all got injured within the week and the fact that all those players are defenders makes the Scunthorpe back-line looking a little short going into this game. However they do have the return to goal-scoring form of Gary McSheffrey to call upon as well as Paddy Madden who was a prolific goal scorer at this level with Yeovil 2 seasons ago. This game also could see the return of winger Jennison-Myrie-Williams back to Ashton Gate. Having been on the bench for the last two games he will be itching to put one over on the club where he came through the youth ranks.

The last time Bristol City faced Scunthorpe was in the 2010/2011 season when both sides were in the Championship. City won both games that season 2-0. Its also worth noting that when Bristol City were automatically promoted from League One in 2006/07 season they were only beaten in the standings by Scunthorpe United, who went up as Champions. However partly due to Scunthorpe struggling with bodies at the back I believe Bristol City will record a comfortable victory on Saturday. My score prediction is either a 3-0 or a 3-1 victory

 

[Saddlerrad]

Nice preview mate, we played Scunthorpe last week and to be honest they looked really quite crap. Scored 2 goals from 3 chances and the keeper should have saved both, if they continue to play like that they are in trouble regardless of how bad we are. I can't see anything other than a bit of a landslide home victory here, maybe 2 or 3-0.

 

[Jordan Willshear]

Thats the thing we got to be wary of, I fancy them to prove a bit of a threat attacking wise, but we should have enough to deal with them

 

[Saddlerrad]

They are weak at the back and they barely created anything against us. Madden had a one off season for Yeovil and McSheffrey is almost pulling his pension out, I really don't fancy them to get anything other than a backs to the wall hard earned point, with a lot of luck in the mix. Suppose you never know what you are going to get in football though.

 

[Ben pring]

It was a great start to this game by City who began well from the off, and they should've been awarded a penalty when it looked like a Scunthorpe player had clipped a City players legs but the ref was to be having none of it. City had another half-hearted appeal which was yet again turned down.
Despite city's early dominance, Scunthorpe came close when Gary McSheffrey hit the post with a out-swinging effort, but Aden Flint was there to clear the danger. City commanded the majority of the first half possession but failed to capitalise... It remained goalless at half time.

The teams came out for the second half with City looking the stronger of the two teams once again, and Scunthorpe were made to pay for their defensive style of play when a City corner was deliciously whipped into the far post to meet Aden Flint who nodded it home with the defender on the line unable to do anything about it.

Scunthorpe continued to press and cause City's back line problems, and it didn't take them long to cause City a major scare, as a corner was failed to be cleared by the City defence and Frank Fielding, the City Goalkeeper, was called into action. Steve Cotteril, the City manager, felt it was neccessary to make changes, so he did... He brought on Greg Cunningham and Scott Wagstaff and it took Greg all of a minute to get involved in the action when Luke Freeman threaded the ball into Cunningham's path who rifled home his first City goal of the season!
City continued the pressure towards the end of the match and could've made the deficit even larger when Scott Wagstaff was threaded through, but was to be smartly denied by the United keeper! Scunthorpe saw very little of the ball towards the end of the game as City really turned up the style! The game finished 2-0 with City having a relatively enjoyable evening, despite looking a bit shabby at the back in spells.

City now find themselves in 2nd place with an impressive unbeaten run of 4 wins and 2 defeats!
However, Scunthorpe find themselves in 22nd after a dissappointing start and will be hoping they don't add to their worrying injury table!

 

[Saddlerrad]

Sounds like another solid BCFC performance in all honesty. It doesn't surprise me that things are going so well for them, you were my pre-season favourite tip for promotion.

 

[Ben pring]

Nice preview mate, we played Scunthorpe last week and to be honest they looked really quite crap. Scored 2 goals from 3 chances and the keeper should have saved both, if they continue to play like that they are in trouble regardless of how bad we are. I can't see anything other than a bit of a landslide home victory here, maybe 2 or 3-0.

They played well against us!