Bristol City boss Gary Johnson is confident his players will handle the pressure of a penalty shoot-out should tonight's FA Cup third-round replay against Cardiff City still not be resolved after extra-time. In buoyant mood following Saturday's 4-2 victory over Preston North End, the Robins will approach the tie believing they can prevail over 90 minutes. But in the event extra-time is required and the Severnside rivals are still locked together at the end of two hours of football, Johnson has taken steps to prepare his team for trial by spot-kicks. Some players yesterday stayed behind and spent time practising penalties after training and Johnson is confident he has enough senior professionals with both the technique and temperament to cope with the cauldron-like atmosphere inside the imposing Cardiff City Stadium. He said: "We've spoken about the possibility of it going to penalties and it's something we will be prepared for if it happens. We've practiced spot kicks in training and we have enough lads who can step up if needed. I've told them to keep it simple, not try anything different or fancy and just to focus on making a good connection and hitting the target. Obviously, you cannot replicate the conditions inside the stadium on the training pitch, because we will have to contend with thousands of people in blue and yellow trying to put us off."
Bristol Evening Post
Bristol City's record of achievement in knockout competitions in recent seasons may be modest, but they have a man within their ranks who might just prove a lucky talisman. As far as individual cup records go, Scotland international midfielder Paul Hartley boasts an impressive curriculum vitae, having appeared in three finals north of the border and emerged with a winner's medal on each occasion. Indeed, Hartley played a starring role in Hearts' march to the Scottish FA cup final in 2006, scoring the first hat-trick of his career to seal victory in a memorable Edinburgh derby semi-final against arch rivals Hibernian. Although sent off in the final against underdogs Gretna at Hampden Park a month later, he still emerged smelling of roses as Hearts won on penalties. Hartley's move to Celtic the following season brought further success in the form of another FA cup final triumph, this time at the expense of Dunfermline Athletic, and he was back at Hampden 10 months later, helping to defeat bitter rivals Rangers 2-0 in the final of the Scottish League Cup. Not surprisingly, the 33-year-old Scot is something of an oddity at Ashton Gate. With the notable exception of midfield powerhouse Marvin Elliott, who played for Millwall in a losing cause against Manchester United in the 2004 final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the vast majority of City's players have yet to taste the proverbial magic of the FA Cup.
Bristol Evening Post
Jay Bothroyd admits the magic of the FA Cup is in short supply tonight... because next week's league match against Bristol City is far bigger. Cardiff City meet their Severnside rivals twice in the next seven days, with tonight's FA Cup winners booking a fourth-round home date with Leicester City on Saturday. But City striker Bothroyd admits the Bluebirds MUST put greater emphason next Tuesday's league game at Ashton Gate. "The FA Cup is a special cup and it would be nice to have a good run," he said. "But my peers and coaching staff are concentrating on the league.
Wales Online
Pace ace Danny Haynes is set to miss out for Bristol City tonight after sustaining a hamstring strain in the 4-2 win against Preston. But the Robins do have Marvin Elliott fit again and he could feature in midfield.
Wales Online
Nick Carle looks set to seal his move away from Crystal Palace - with Chinese side Shaanxi Chanba chasing a deal for the Australian international. The former Bristol City midfielder was cleared to miss Saturday's 1-0 win at Plymouth as he discussed a move with the Chinese Super League side.
South London Press
