Fans Will Get Us Going - Little

Friday, March 4th 2016

Mark Little is urging the Bristol City supporters to play their part in tomorrow’s high noon showdown with Cardiff City at Ashton Gate.

The defender is yet to experience a local rivalry in a City shirt on the pitch, having watched from the bench as an unused substitute in the goalless Severnside derby at Cardiff City Stadium back in October, and from the stands for two feisty M4 derbies against Swindon Town last season.

Little says the hostile atmosphere must start from the fans and filter down on to the pitch.

“As soon as anyone labels it a derby, you know anything can happen,” he told Bristol City Player HD.

“It wouldn’t come from the players, because I’ve got friends at Cardiff off the pitch, but as soon as you play against them in that cauldron it’s the fans that get you going, and that’s what makes it a derby.

“I had to watch both of the games against Swindon and would’ve loved to have been involved in those, but this is the level up and 100 per cent I want to be involved. I’m really excited.”

Little has started four games since regular right-back Luke Ayling broke down with a knee injury in training six weeks ago.

City have picked up ten points from those four matches, with 18-year-old Zak Vyner starting the other two in Ayling’s absence, but the former Yeovil Town man is now fit again to return to the starting line-up if selected.

“Me and Luke joke about it all the time,” Little added. “We both play the same position but we’re two different types of players, so I’m relishing the chance to compete with him.

“He’s good at some things and I’m better at other things, but he’s a good person to have a battle with – especially as I get on with him so well, so we can banter about it all the time.

“I think if you check the stats I tend to be a good luck charm – if I start, we tend to get a result, so hopefully that will continue.

“I’ve said a thousand times that I’ve waited all season to have a good run of games.

“It’s been so frustrating for me, but to come back into the team at the time that we start picking up results is a great feeling, and I’m really enjoying myself.”

City supporters are reminded the Cardiff match is now sold out, but tickets remain available for the following home game against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, March 19th. Call 0117 963 0600 or buy online.