After the amazing story of last season's unexpected success in The Coca Cola Championship and the subsequent play-off highs and lows, the pre-season calendar begins this afternoon with a match away to Blue Square Premier side Forest Green Rovers. So, Here We Go Again! The Bristol City annual Latvian Tour has been replaced with a trip to Portugal - a sign of player power if ever I saw one, and a series of away matches against Hereford, Yeovil, Weymouth, Cheltenham and Bournemouth precede the only home fixture against Belgian side Royal Antwerp on August the 1st.
The pre-season aims to give the team match practice whilst improving individual fitness and team chemistry, the results are fairly secondary. Last season saw some heavy losses, including the corresponding fixture against Forest Green Rovers and some uninspiring draws against Yeovil and Bournemouth at home, but we went on to be unbeaten in the first 8 games of the season, proving the results are nothing to worry about early doors.
Forest Green Rovers, who are based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire are coming off the back of their highest placed finish in history, having finished 8th in the Blue Square Premier Division, previously known as The Conference. Their manager, Jim Harvey had spells at Bristol City as a player and was assistant manager to Northern Ireland under Sammy McIlroy. He took over from former Bristol City Captain Gary Owers as manager in September 2006, with the team struggling at the bottom of the league and has turned things around at The New Lawn. The side features ex Bristol City players Darren Jones and Simon Clist, but not goal machine Stuart Fleetwood who has joined our Championship rivals Charlton Athletic.
City News
Bristol City look set to play two sides, one in the first half and one in the second. With Marvin Elliott (Toe), Gavin Williams (Fitness), and Goalkeepers Stephen Henderson and Adriano Basso (Knocks) all out of the squad this afternoon, Chris Weale will be the only player to play all 90 minutes. Gary Johnson explained that "Everyone has the same chance in pre season and when it comes to the real stuff I won't pick teams on birth certificates." This comes as good news to youngsters such as Frankie Artus and Tristan Plummer and experienced players such as Scotty Murray. One player who won't be playing is Richard Keogh, who has turned down a contract offer from the club and will be looking for a new club. It is unlikely that Johnson will start with a 'full strength' side, but each half will see a mixture of experienced and youth team players.
As Bristol City look to begin the season playing well and feeling match fit, you can see the team make their first step this afternoon at The New Lawn, with prices at £10 for adults, £5 for senior citizens and £2 for under 16s. Catch highlights on BCFC World from later this evening.
Ross Verbals
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