Bristol City players will be subject to trial by video between now and the end of the season. New manager Steve Coppell is not due to start work until May 11 and will not be present at either of City's final two games, at home to Derby County today and at Blackpool a week tomorrow. Although Gary Johnson's successor will be holidaying in the United States, he will, nevertheless, be keeping a close eye on events as he assesses the squad. And before jetting out of the country, he revealed his plans to watch video recordings of City's remaining games. Coppell said: "I was always going to come in after the end of the season, but that doesn't mean I haven't already been studying the games. I have to assess the squad and identify the areas I think need strengthening ahead of next season and that's where videos and DVDs come in useful."
Bristol Evening Post

Derby County and Bristol City go into today's game knowing a victory would see them pass their points tally of last season. The Rams have 53 points, one short of last season's total, and City sit on 59 looking to better 61. After the clash at Ashton Gate, the Rams complete the campaign with a home game against Cardiff City and the Robins face an away fixture at Blackpool.
Derby Telegraph

Saul Deeney wants to repay the faith shown in him by Derby County manager Nigel Clough. The Rams' number two goalkeeper steps in for the injured Stephen Bywater today as they take on Bristol City at Ashton Gate in their penultimate fixture of the Championship campaign. It will be Deeney's first start and the 27-year-old hopes to stay on the pitch longer than he did on his debut at Reading last month when he played for only 28 minutes after he came off the bench to replace Bywater, who was forced off with a back problem. Deeney was shown a red card after he conceded a penalty, leaving Derby to play for more than half the game with 10 men and midfielder Robbie Savage in goal. They lost 4-1. "I did watch the game after I got sent off and Sav did great. Fair play to him. It takes a bit of character to go in goal and as captain he did the right thing and went in, though he didn't shut up about it!" said Deeney, who played for Clough at Burton Albion and was signed by Derby last summer.
Derby Telegraph