Gary Johnson has issued an impassioned rallying call to Bristol City's supporters. Under mounting pressure following a series of disappointing performances and results which have seen his side slip towards the Coca-Cola Championship relegation zone, the manager knows the significance of tonight's home game against Leicester City. Victory would ease the tension which has been building since the 6-0 home defeat to Cardiff and help restore lost confidence, but anything less would increase the pressure being felt by Johnson and his players, who face a tough game against Championship high-flyers West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Although some fans are threatening to stay away in protest at the team's performances this season, and floating supporters may be tempted to stay at home and watch tonight's televised Champions League clash between AC Milan and Manchester United, Johnson believes the Ashton Gate crowd has a crucial part to play in inspiring City to claiming a first victory in six games and stopping the rot. Johnson was instrumental in the fans being awarded the squad number 12, and he said they could prove vital if they can cheer City to the win they so desperately need. "This is a time when our supporters can really come into their own," said Johnson, whose team is just five points off the relegation zone after winning just twice in the last 17 games. Now is the time the lads need their support and, if they can get behind the players and the team, it could make all the difference. What we need is the kind of support that only die-hard fans can give, the kind of support that instils confidence and lifts people. I cannot drag people into the ground, but the ones who are here will be the die-hard supporters who want Bristol City to do well."
Bristol Evening Post
New Bristol City signing Chris Iwelumo is a man with a point to prove. While insisting he has nothing to prove to Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, the manager who allowed him to go out on loan at the end of last week, he admits he has plenty to prove to himself. An acknowledged Championship high-flyer and a regular contributor of goals in the second tier, the towering Scotland international striker was undoubtedly a major factor in the surge which propelled Wolves to the title and promotion to the Premier League last season. But while his team-mates have relished the challenge of pitting their wits against the very best teams in the land, Iwelumo has spent the months since promotion battling injury. He was first laid low by a medial knee ligament problem which sidelined him for several weeks. Worse followed when he fractured a metatarsal during his comeback game against Perth Glory in Australia during the summer, an injury which recurred in the autumn and effectively ruled him out of action until just before Christmas. At the age of 31, and with so many serious injuries behind him, Iwelumo knows the jury is out and that some are questioning his ability to be as good as he was before. That he is ready to meet the challenge head-on and prove the doubters wrong is potentially good news for Bristol City manager Gary Johnson, who is relying on the big man to galvanise an attack which has been firing blanks in recent weeks. "Having been out for so long, I think I need to prove a point to myself more than anyone else," said the 6ft 3in targetman, who made his City debut in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United. It's been a frustrating nine months for me, and it's a relief just to be playing again. The road back to fitness has been a long one and I've really had to get my head down and try hard not to let it get to me. It's hard when your team-mates are playing in the Premier League every week and you are having to watch from the stands. Now I'm back playing again, I just want to make up for lost time."
Bristol Evening Post
Martyn Waghorn is aiming to shoot down Bristol City tonight and possibly earn himself a permanent move to the Walkers Stadium. The 20-year-old, who is on loan from Premier League Sunderland until the end of the season, replaced injured top- scorer Matty Fryatt against Scunthorpe United on Saturday and scored his sixth goal of the season. He will be hoping to add to that tally in tonight's clash against the Robins (7.45). Waghorn led the line with real maturity and stood up well to the physical attentions of the Iron defenders. The striker is determined to continue in the same fashion at Ashton Gate, and admits he is enjoying the responsibility of spearheading the City attack so much that he would consider staying at Leicester City if the Black Cats decide to sell him. "I am excited and I am enjoying the role as the lead striker and, if I can keep performing like that and score a few goals, I will be more than happy," he said. "I feel I did all right. I am pleased with my performance and I scored a goal, and helped the team get three vital points. Matty is going to be a big loss for the team so, if I can do half as well as him, I will be happy."
Leicester Mercury
Leicester City must be mentally strong if they are to stay in the promotion hunt, says assistant manager Craig Shakespeare. City head to Ashton Gate tonight to begin a sequence of three away games in eight days against out-of-form Bristol City. Although the fixture pile-up will test the players physically, Shakespeare believes it is how they approach each game mentally that will be key. Saturday's impressive 5-1 demolition of Scunthorpe has certainly boosted confidence within the camp, but Shakespeare has warned that belief will be tested on the road this week. "The games are coming thick and fast, but it is the same for everyone in the division," he said.
Leicester Mercury
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is hoping Chris Iwelumo can get his groove back on-loan at Bristol City. McCarthy is looking for Iwelumo to make an impact at Bristol City after he played 90 minutes on his debut on loan against Sheffield United. "He needs to play some football," said the manager.
Tribal Football
Chris Iwelumo admits he is relieved to be playing first-team football again following his loan move to Bristol City. The striker has started just two Premier League games for Wolves this term after suffering a metatarsal injury in pre-season before aggravating the problem in late October. He has joined Championship side City on a month's loan and played the full 90 minutes of Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United. The 31-year-old is happy to have the chance to play regularly again and feels he has a point to prove, primarily to himself. "It's been a frustrating nine months for me, and it's a relief just to be playing again," said Iwelumo.
Sky Sports
