The Sky Blues travel to Bristol City on Tuesday night in the SkyBet Championship. Here is everything you need to know about our opponents…
Fact File:
Name: Bristol City Football Club
Founded: 1894
Stadium: Ashton Gate
Capacity: 26,459
Nickname: Robins
Address: Ashton Road, Bristol, BS3 2EJ
Pitch Size: 115yd x 73.5yd
CCFC kit: Home Kit
The Opposition:
Bristol City head into Tuesday's encounter following a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at Ashton Gate. Saturday's victory made it four consecutive home victories for the Robins.
It was an emotional day for Bristol City, who marked the 40th anniversary of the 'Ashton Gate 8' prior to kick off - the eight players who tore up their contracts in February 1982 to save the club from financial ruin. Six of the eight were at the game and applauded on the pitch in tribute.
Austrian striker Andreas Weimann is their top scorer this season, netting 16 goals in 34 games. He's also played the most games this campaign for the Robins, a record he shares with defender Tomas Kalas
The three points on Saturday moved Bristol City up to 16th in the Championship table, with 38 points from their 33 games so far.
The Manager:
Nigel Pearson took up the managerial reins at Ashton Gate in February 2021.
Always remembered for his feat in keeping Leicester City in the Premier League in 2015 having been bottom at Christmas, it was the current Bristol City boss who was in charge of Carlisle on the final day of the 1998-99 season when goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored an injury time goal against Plymouth which preserved the Cumbrian club’s Football League status.
In November 2004 he became assistant manager of West Brom where he became caretaker manager as he later was at Newcastle United. He also worked with England Under 21s, who he was in charge of at the first match at the new Wembley Stadium in 2007.
In 2008 Nigel took over as manager of Southampton but soon moved on to Leicester where he had two spells punctuated by a period from the summer of 2010 until 2011 at Hull City. Since ending his second stint at Leicester, Mr. Pearson had a short spell as Derby manager followed by almost 18 months in Belgium with OH Leuven and 22 games in charge of Watford before taking over at Bristol City.
This all followed an impressive playing career that started at Shrewsbury Town, which then took in spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough, where he reached the League Cup final twice and the FA Cup final once.
Last Six Games:
19/2 - Won - Bristol City 2-1 Middlesbrough (SkyBet Championship)
13/2 – Lost - Swansea City 3-1 Bristol City (CH)
9/2 - Won – Bristol City 2-1 Reading (CH)
5/2 - Lost – Blackpool 3-1 Bristol City
29/1 – Drew - Preston North End 2-2 Bristol City (CH)
25/1 – Lost - Luton Town 2-1 Bristol City (CH)
Last Time We Met:
The two sides last met in November 2021 and it was a memorable and dramatic home win for the Sky Blues.
Reduced to 10-men following the sending off of Ian Maatsen, the resulting penalty put Bristol City in front just before the break. The Sky Blues levelled proceedings with a penalty of their own on 51 minutes by Matty Godden, but the visitors went ahead again. Callum O'Hare netted after 72 minutes to make it 2-2, before Matty Godden's injury time winner sparked jubliant scenes at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Attendance: 19,855 (2,894 away)
Sky Blues XI: Simon Moore (GK), Fankaty Dabo, Michael Rose, Kyle McFadzean (C), Jake Clarke-Salter (Todd Kane 45’), Ian Maatsen, Ben Sheaf, Gustavo Hamer (Liam Kelly 84’), Callum O’Hare, Matty Godden, Viktor Gyökeres (Tyler Walker 71’)
Unused subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Dom Hyam, Jamie Allen, Jodi Jones,
Head-to-head Record:
Sky Blues wins – 24
Draws – 22
Bristol City wins – 23
Tommy Hutchison celebrates scoring in a draw between the teams in 1977 at Highfield Road - a result that kept both sides in the top-flight
Club Connections
There are a number of famous names who have represented both Coventry City and Bristol City. Coventry City's record goalscorer Clarrie Bourton was also a key marksman for the Robins, while Cov kid Bobby Gould had a spell at Bristol City after being a key part of Jimmy Hill's Sky Blues side in the 60s - he would also manage the Sky Blues twice.
In more modern times, Liam Walsh has played for both as well as the likes of Brian Borrows and Louis Carey to name a few.
Bobby Gould in charge of the Sky Blues during his first spell
Match Officials:
Dean Whitestone is the referee for Tuesday's encounter. His assistants are Nik Barnard and Daniel Leach, while the Fourth Official is Andy Woolmer.