A derby like no other
These days South West football doesn't have a great deal to shout about with only one team above the third tier of English Football. No disrespect to Yeovil of course. However it does have one of the most feisty affairs in English football approaching. The Bristol derby.
To many people outside the South West this may seem like a mediocre or average derby like you would get between the two Manchester clubs or the two Sheffield clubs. I assure you though that there is much more at stake in this match then just bragging rights.
Both Bristol clubs have had rather glum starts to the new season with Bristol City making a stuttering start to League 1 football by picking up just 2 points in 4 games and still waiting for that all important first win in the league. Although a hard-fought victory in the week against premier league side Crystal Palace would have restored some pride and confidence in the side.City are likely to be without Stephen Pearson, Ryan Taylor and Liam Kelly due to injury.
As for Bristol Rovers, they scrapped through a tight affair with York on Saturday to earn their first victory of the season with a squad that has been plagued by injury. This injury list included the likes of Seanan Clucas, Matt Harrold, Ollie Clarke, Jim Paterson, Danny Woodards and Fabian Broghammer who could all be considered first team players.
The last time these two clubs met was back in February 2007 where the Gas came out on top with a second-leg strike courtesy of one Rickie Lambert.
Going into this derby though City will be heavy favorites based on their league status and their home advantage. Interestingly I found that the average age of the current Bristol Rovers squad was 23 as compared with that of Bristol City which is 24 so age wise both sides are evenly matched. Two very young and in-experienced sides you could add.
This is what Rovers midfielder John Joe O'Toole had to say about the upcoming derby
"Everyone here knows the size of the game," said O' Toole. "I've not played in a derby game as big as this one and I'm looking forward to it. I'm expecting it will probably be pretty lively down at Ashton Gate when we go there and the atmosphere should be fantastic" (Courtesy of Evening Post)
Key players for both teams:
Rovers
David Clarkson - Bristol City will know all about Clarkson after he spent 3 years as a Robin but has switched red for blue and is now seen as a important player for the Gas.
John-Joe O'Toole - A tough all-rounded player for Rovers, O'Toole's battle in the middle of the park against Marlon Pack will certainly be one to watch
Tom Parkes - Rovers captain at the age of just 21 will have a tough job keeping Sam Baldock and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas quiet for 90mins so the Pirates will need him and McCrystal to have a good game at the back.
City
Aden Flint - Bristol City will need a big leader in a game such as this and Flint is just the player who should step upto the mark.
Marlon Pack - Pack will be expected to control the game in the center of that Bristol City midfield as well as providing shades of creativity for the likes of JET to thrive on.
Sam Baldock - City's strong center forward will have a point to prove this season and his link up play will need to be spot on in order to allow Pack and co to create from the midfield. He will also be needed to give a captain's performance at the front of the City attack.
So those are the key battles to watch out for this Wednesday. The derby is on September 4th at Ashton Gate but for those not lucky enough to have a ticket don't worry as the game will be shown live in Sky Sports.
Also to everyone that is going, please have a safe journey there and back with as minimal trouble as possible. Thanks.
Follow me on Twitter (@ChippKG) and feel free to message me what the score will be Wednesday.
To many people outside the South West this may seem like a mediocre or average derby like you would get between the two Manchester clubs or the two Sheffield clubs. I assure you though that there is much more at stake in this match then just bragging rights.
Both Bristol clubs have had rather glum starts to the new season with Bristol City making a stuttering start to League 1 football by picking up just 2 points in 4 games and still waiting for that all important first win in the league. Although a hard-fought victory in the week against premier league side Crystal Palace would have restored some pride and confidence in the side.City are likely to be without Stephen Pearson, Ryan Taylor and Liam Kelly due to injury.
As for Bristol Rovers, they scrapped through a tight affair with York on Saturday to earn their first victory of the season with a squad that has been plagued by injury. This injury list included the likes of Seanan Clucas, Matt Harrold, Ollie Clarke, Jim Paterson, Danny Woodards and Fabian Broghammer who could all be considered first team players.
The last time these two clubs met was back in February 2007 where the Gas came out on top with a second-leg strike courtesy of one Rickie Lambert.
Going into this derby though City will be heavy favorites based on their league status and their home advantage. Interestingly I found that the average age of the current Bristol Rovers squad was 23 as compared with that of Bristol City which is 24 so age wise both sides are evenly matched. Two very young and in-experienced sides you could add.
This is what Rovers midfielder John Joe O'Toole had to say about the upcoming derby
"Everyone here knows the size of the game," said O' Toole. "I've not played in a derby game as big as this one and I'm looking forward to it. I'm expecting it will probably be pretty lively down at Ashton Gate when we go there and the atmosphere should be fantastic" (Courtesy of Evening Post)
Key players for both teams:
Rovers
David Clarkson - Bristol City will know all about Clarkson after he spent 3 years as a Robin but has switched red for blue and is now seen as a important player for the Gas.
John-Joe O'Toole - A tough all-rounded player for Rovers, O'Toole's battle in the middle of the park against Marlon Pack will certainly be one to watch
Tom Parkes - Rovers captain at the age of just 21 will have a tough job keeping Sam Baldock and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas quiet for 90mins so the Pirates will need him and McCrystal to have a good game at the back.
City
Aden Flint - Bristol City will need a big leader in a game such as this and Flint is just the player who should step upto the mark.
Marlon Pack - Pack will be expected to control the game in the center of that Bristol City midfield as well as providing shades of creativity for the likes of JET to thrive on.
Sam Baldock - City's strong center forward will have a point to prove this season and his link up play will need to be spot on in order to allow Pack and co to create from the midfield. He will also be needed to give a captain's performance at the front of the City attack.
So those are the key battles to watch out for this Wednesday. The derby is on September 4th at Ashton Gate but for those not lucky enough to have a ticket don't worry as the game will be shown live in Sky Sports.
Also to everyone that is going, please have a safe journey there and back with as minimal trouble as possible. Thanks.
Follow me on Twitter (@ChippKG) and feel free to message me what the score will be Wednesday.
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