Bristol City failed to capitalise on a very impressive first half display, as the televised match against transitional Derby County finished one apiece in a match both clubs failed to sustain their dominance.
The Sky Sports cameras were treated to an overcast evening at Ashton Gate without the fireworks of last season, literally, as the display was absent in what presumably has been scrapped as part of the cost cutting for Nicky Maynard's transfer fee to Crewe Alexandra. Bristol City started with purpose and Michael McIndoe and Dele Adebola combined as early as the fifth minute to force a point blank save from Roy Carroll. Derby's full back pairing of Tyrone Mears and Jay McEveley, so often terrorised by Premier League wingers last season were finding normal service resumed in The Championship as they were caught in behind by the clever and energetic movement of the Bristol City front line.
Adebola found his way to goal impeded twice, only by his failure to get the ball out of his feet, as Ashton Gate roared with approval to the positive football being played against a solid opposition, orchestrated by the diminutive figure of Lee Johnson. Just as the momentum was peaking, with Derby firmly on the back foot, a shocking injury to centre half Jamie McCombe halted play for five minutes as Paul Jewell's Derby County side tried to re-organise and rejuvenate their faltering play.
McCombe was caught with an accidental knee by Claude Davis which fractured the ex Lincoln man's cheekbone, and he will miss up to six weeks of action. With Louis Carey now the only fit centre half, right back Bradley Orr had to become the makeshift centre back alongside captain Carey and begin what would become an interesting tussle with Rob Hulse. Brian Wilson, the utility man who claims right back to be his favoured position got the chance to prove that statement, as he slotted into the right back spot.
Despite the stoppage, Bristol City's dominance of possession continued and the breakthrough came from great attacking full back play from the recently introduced Wilson. His initial header was delightfully controlled in the air with the ball still behind him, with a deft flick by Gavin Williams, who spotted the positive running of Wilson. The substitute had ran half the length of the pitch to give Williams the option of a through ball. The ball from Williams was perfectly weighted and, placed inside the penalty area, Wilson played the ball across Roy Carroll, whose palmed save fell to Nicky Maynard just two yards from goal and he swept home his first league goal for Bristol City. The record signing from Crewe has an extraordinary goals to games ratio, and positioning like that shows why.
The first half continued with City dictating the pace of the game and their hard work on and off the ball was causing Derby all sorts of problems, as Orr, Williams and Adebola all went close again. However, as the half time whistle blew, Bristol City only had a single goal advantage, which should have been two or three for the dominance they had shown in the opening period.
Paul Jewell's 28 league match barren run was looking like it was not coming to an end, with his side showing nothing offensively, a disjointed and over-ran midfield and a back four struggling to deal with the Bristol City passing game. A manager known for his use of vocal chords, it seemed the Jewell 'hair dryer' had done the trick by the time the second half began. "I can't repeat what I said at half-time but I gave it to them, I lost my rag because we were losing battles all over the pitch."
Derby's defence were tighter to the wingers and strikers of Bristol City and the hardworking Robbie Savage epitomised the change in desire as he fought and harried for every ball. Bristol City could not get their midfield quartet on the ball and were resorting to long, hopeful passes. Derby were back in the game.
A standard low cross was whipped in by Tyrone Mears and Lee Johnson inexplicably squared the ball, with the intention of passing it to Jamie McAllister, only for Paul Green to intercept and hit a shot through a weak attempt to save from City keeper Chris Weale. City had lost their lead, and lost their grip on the game. Still, Derby worked off the ball to keep the Robins midfield quiet and as the passing of Johnson was neutralised, so was the attacking football. Both teams played out the last half hour without real incident in what became a stalemate.
Two points lost then, in a match that for 45 minutes promised so much for Bristol City. With four points and a win in the League Cup, Bristol City still go to Coventry City on Saturday knowing they are unbeaten this season. They will be without commanding centre half Jamie McCombe of course, but it was announced today Andy Webster of Glasgow Rangers has signed on loan until January as his replacement.
The former Scottish international is probably best know in the footballing world for his bizarre transfer from Hearts to Wigan. Oh, and being elbowed in the face by John Hartson, at least it was his elbow and not his foot, eh, Eyal Berkovic? Anyhow, here comes the explanation of 'The Webster Ruling'.
Webster was the first player to invoke a loophole in Article 17 of a FIFA adopted EU law, enabling him to cancel his contract with Hearts in the third year of a four-year deal, with the provison that he joined a club in a foreign country and that sufficient notice be given to his former employers. Webster's transfer to Wigan Athletic was ratified by FIFA, seemingly creating a legal precedent for the conduction of international football transfers.
However....
In May 2007, FIFA ruled that Webster had canceled the contract "without just cause" and without the required full 15-day notice. FIFA suspended him for the first two matches of the 2007-08 season. They also ordered him to pay £625,000 to Hearts. On 30 January 2008, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Heart of Midlothian Football Club were to be awarded £150,000 for Webster's breach of contract. This amount had to be paid by Webster to the club.
See, you learn something new every week with Ross Verbals! Bristol City signing a world renowned player for his transfer sagas rather than his ability? (Webster hasn't played a competitive game for almost a year.) Blimey, who are we going to sign next? Jean-Marc Bosman?
Ross Verbals
