Fans' support key to Bristol City's success

By David Edbrooke

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Bristol City (1) 2 Sheffield Wednesday (0) 1

A certain Scottish manager - Sir Alex Ferguson - famously encourages a siege mentality to spur his team on.

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Rather than arouse dressing-room suspicion of a hostile public, Gary Johnson has urged Bristol City fans to offer tangible messages of support so that his players can embrace a fountain of optimistic fervour.

The tactic is paying off, with Dele Adebola, a recent arrival from Coventry, firing City to joint second in the table on his home debut. "I asked everyone in the week to light a candle, say a prayer - whatever we need to help us," Johnson said.

"A fan e-mailed me a picture of a Bristol City pennant he'd hung up on the wall of a shrine in Japan. He had problems getting the picture to me but kept on trying. It's a little example of going that bit extra and I showed it to the players."

Adebola, suitably encouraged by such symbolism, ran on to Michael McIndoe's threaded pass before jabbing the ball past Lee Grant. "It's brilliant, there's great support here," the striker enthused. "There were bigger clubs who offered more money, but you get a feel for a place."

Bradley Orr then increased Wednesday's woe with an angled strike after good work by Nick Carle.

The visitors scored a consolation goal through Lee Bullen's rasping volley, but it is City's west side story that continues to flourish.

Match details Bristol City (4-4-2): Basso; J McAllister, Carey, McCombe, Orr; McIndoe, Elliott (Skuse 88), Johnson, Carle (Trundle 72); Adebola, (Byfield 58), Sproule. Subs: Fontaine, Weale. Goals: Adebola (7), Orr (56). Sheffield Wednesday (4-4-2): Grant; Gilbert, Hinds (Wood 86), Beevers, Bullen; O'Brien (S McAllister 45), Bolder, Kavanagh, Small; Tudgay (Boden 82), Burton. Subs: Burch, Wallwork. Goal: Bullen (90). Booked: Gilbert. Referee: R Shoebridge (Derbyshire).

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External links The Football League Bristol City FC Sheffield Wednesday FC

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