Pool V City

At this stage of the season it shouldn’t be mentioned but this is a relegation six pointer.

Simon Grayson commented to the Evening Gazette about the state of the pitch at Bloomfield Road and the effect that it has on the team.

“You'd like to think that our lads are starting to adapt to the pitch. They certainly should be because they get the opportunity to play on it more than any other team!”

'I want us to try and play in the right areas – just not to take chances in the wrong areas.

But, yes, we might be adapting to the pitch – and you never know, it might be a secret weapon for us ... hopefully starting on Saturday.'

Once again the Seasiders will be without Evens, Coid, Burns and Doughty all due to long term injuries. It looks like Simon Grayson will change his side, giving debuts to new additions Neil Wood and David Fox, being dropped might be Jason Wilcox and Keith Southern,

Possible Debuts

David Fox,

Neil Wood

Missing for the Pool

Gareth Evens – knee,

Danny Coid – ankle,

Jamie Burns – ankle,

Phil Doughty – leg.

Despite not being able to hit the back of the net last week against Huddersfield once again the young scot looked the Seasiders most dangerous attacking force.

Since the opening of the transfer window City have brought in three new faces, David Nobel who signed from Boston after a loan period and Liam Fontaine, one of Pool’s targets, from Fulham on loan. And this week another player from Fulham signed, Adam Green a defender who could make his debut this Saturday. Manager Gary Johnson has also been after another striker with James Hayter being touted as his number one target.

So far this year City have managed a win, draw and a loss. The first game of the year was an impressive three nil win at home to Walsall, which was followed by a score draw to Scunthorpe. Last Tuesday City were defeated, 3-2 by Colchester away, their ninth away loss this season. The Robbins have only managed two away wins this season, at Brentford and Port Vale.

Murray is City’s top scorer so far this season, bagging nine goals in twenty starts. His last was a conciliation goal against Colchester on Tuesday. Before that he managed a brace in the home win to Walsall.

Earlier in the season the two sides met at Aston Gate and it was the Seasiders who managed to snatch a point from City thanks to a late equaliser from Matthew Blinkhorn. Bristol at taken the lead through young striker David Cotterill but where unable to hang onto the three points due to Blinkhorn’s 90th minute equaliser

Last season the two sides drew a stalemate twice, both drawing1-1 in the respective fixtures, but this time round the three points are vital.

Referee: M J Jones Games: 25 Yellow Cards: 80 Red Cards: 3 Assistant Referees: J T Taylor and P Tierney Fourth Official : B Roberts

Blackpool 3 – 1 Bristol City

Football League 1 H Doncaster Tue 24 19:45

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