Bristol City remain in a play-off position despite an uninspiring 0-0 draw at home to Bradford City last Saturday. The Reds home record has simply not been good enough this season so far, with just 6 wins on the board from 14 home matches. Although City have played worse at home this season and won, Bradford will feel they did enough for the point after looking dangerous in the closing stages.
City's manager Brian Tinnion will be eager to amend the problem of winning at Ashton Gate as the club move into the most important part of the season still in with a shout of winning promotion to the Championship. The plays-offs do still look like City's most likely opportunity of going up with league pace-setters Luton Town and Hull City 13 points clear of City.
City appeared to be in charge for much of Saturday's League One clash with the Bantams. The players were clearly fired up and looking to avenge a 4-1 loss at Valley Parade that came back in September.
City did however, fail to force a serious save from Bradford's 'keeper Paul Henderson until late on, when Scott Murray's low drive was well handled. Dean Windass proved to be Bradford's main threat and Steve Phillips had to be alert on a couple of occasions to thwart the Bantams hit-man. It was surprising to see Paul Heffernan left on the bench for City, who were clearly struggling all afternoon to put the ball in the back of the net.
There has been very little in the way of news coming from Ashton Gate this week ahead of City's trip to Hartlepool United tomorrow (3pm), other than that the entire match squad will be travelling to the game by aeroplane on Friday. Brian Tinnion would do well to take his note pad and pen with him to Victoria Park and make some notes on the tactics that Hartlepool employ at home.
United's home record this season reads; won 11 drawn 2 lost 0. That said City did achieve a remarkable 2-1 win at Victoria Park last season and will be keen to replicate that result tomorrow. Hartlepool base themselves on a rock solid defensive game but they also score a lot. 31 goals at home this season - more than any other side - tells its own story.
City drew with 'pool 0-0 at Ashton Gate a little over 3 weeks ago, but with City's respectable away form this season who's to predict that City won't better the performance that day? It's nevertheless a tall order to avoid defeat at Victoria Park and City will do well to come away with an away point.
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