Wanderers are back at home this weekend, as they face Bristol City in our annual Remembrance fixture this Saturday.
The Whites had a tough welcome back to the Toughsheet last week, as a heavy defeat to league leaders Middlesbrough sees Steven Schumacher’s side sit in 18th in the table, heading into the fixture against the Robins.
Bristol City have not quite lived up to expectations under head coach Michael Skubala, who was appointed from recently promoted Lincoln City FC during the summer. They head into Saturday without a win in four games and only one goal scored in that time too, leaving them 14th in the table following their disappointing run of form.
Our last meeting with Bristol City came all the way back in 2019, when we were visitors to Ashton Gate. The Robins’ came out on top, and Steven Schumacher’s side will be looking to set the record right on Saturday.
Form Guide:
After a strong week away from home, the Whites returned to the Toughsheet Community Stadium looking to carry on a strong patch of form that saw them take four points from six against playoff contenders. Middlesbrough proved to be one-step too far, however, as they came away with all three points from a strong display by the Teesiders.
Michael Skubala’s side have returned from the international break without much to show from their four games. Despite beating Watford in their last league fixture prior to the break, the Robins have gone four games without a win (2D, 2L). They are also three games without a goal, their last scored against Charlton by Scott Twine in a one-all draw.
What they say:
Steven Schumacher: “We learned a lot really from the way Middlesbrough played first and foremost. You’ve got to give a little bit of credit and respect to their performance. I thought they were outstanding the way they passed and moved, unselfish runs off the ball with really good intensity. So there’s loads for us to pick up and learn from that perspective. But I think we’ve got to do better the way we started the game.
“The lads’ attitudes are outstanding. Like we’ve together a little while now and I’ve never once had to turn around and say they haven’t given it up. They’re all putting 100% effort in. And when we’ve had a disappointing result or a bad performance ofren we get a decent response from the lads, and that’s not to say that’s just a given and it always happens. So you can go and lose a couple games on the spin but what the lads will definitely do is try and put it right.”
Michael Skubala: “I always look at it not just in terms of home or away matches. Sometimes, though, we also have to consider the quality of the opposition. However, we’re attacking, we want to play football. We want to be attacking. Whatever the formation is we want to stick to our principles, and I think the boys did that really well on Saturday [against Stoke].
“The main takeaway for me is, every match is completely different. Every match has its own style and a completely different feel. A lot of teams in this league are definitely a step ahead in terms of strength and physicality. And every team has some outstanding, quality players. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing against or where they are in the standings. The bigger teams may have more of them, but even struggling teams have some outstanding players who can turn a match around. So, in the Championship, as I’ve heard from experienced managers too, is definitely a league of battles in the moment. To play again and again from Saturday to Tuesday, then Saturday, you have to be mentally strong, take your chances and make sure the opposition don’t get too many chances against you. That’s why it’s called the toughest league in the world.”
Who to watch:
Dom Ballard will be one for the Wanderers defence to keep a keen eye on today. The young 21-year-old centre-forward shone in League One last year with Leyton Orient, after signing from Southampton, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 26 goals, resulting in him winning League One Player of the Season. His strong season at the O’s prompted the Robins’ to sign the centre-forward this summer, who sits joint top club goalscorer with three, tied with midfielder Scott Twine.
Rio Cardenes is another for Steven Schumacher’s side to look out for this afternoon. The young left-back – on loan from Crystal Palace – has featured in all but one of Bristol City’s games so far this season, with over 900 minutes played under Michael Skubala. A strong mover of the ball, the Trinidad and Tobago international leads the league in assists, with six contributions heading into this weekend’s fixture.
Team News:
Steven Schumacher has confirmed that winger Jayden Nelson – signed in the summer from Austin FC – remains out following an injury in his Under 21’s match against Wigan Athletic a few weeks prior. A thigh strain for Ethan Erhahon and a hamstring issue for Ryan Hardie will also see the pair both out for Saturday’s fixture. John McAtee is also out of contention for the fixture, after not training prior to the game due to a knee issue. Chris Forino could return to first team action this weekend, after he completed 60 minutes without issue in the under-21’s defeat to Huddersfield.
Michael Skubala could be without forward Elijah Adebayo for this weekend’s fixture. The summer signing – who joined from Luton Town – came off during their fixture against Sheffield United with a quad strain, and it is unknown if he will return before the November international break. Fellow forward Lorent Tolaj – another summer signing, this time from joining from Plymouth Argyle – faces a late fitness test ahead of the fixture, after a heavy coming together with Stoke City goalkeeper Victor Johansson. Defender Rob Dickie is set for a potential return to the Robins’ squad, nearing the completion of his return from a knee injury, sustained in late September.
Kick-Off:
Saturday 31st October, 3pm.
Referee:
Bobby Madley
Tickets and Wanderers TV:
It’s a Saturday, so why not come down and back the Wanderers this weekend as we take on the Robins at home? We need every one of you to come down and back Steven Schumacher’s side!
Fans are also encouraged to get down early, with both our Boxoso Premier Suite and the Dreams 2 Reality outdoor fanzones being open. Alongside this, it is our annual Remembrance fixture, with an Act of Remembrance taking place tomorrow afternoon prior to kick-off.
Match tickets are available to purchase HERE.
For our overseas Whites (except those in Ireland and the Nordic Regions), we are streaming the match to Wanderers TV live this afternoon. To buy a match pass, or take advantage of our great multi-game deals, click HERE.
For those in the UK and Nordi regions, Derek Clark and John McGinlay will be on hand to talk you through the action with our commentary passes. To join the team, click HERE.