Bristol City - Leeds ... Preview

Tomorrow's game is an important one for us. We've had a succession of draws in the past few weeks and have struggled (particularly on the road) to keep the opponents at bay. The last two away games have each seen us leak two goals and this is too much of an ask if we want to get anything more than a draw from games on the road - Burnley away won't happen all to often. We've got no better chance to press on and build upon the good performance of Coventry than tomorrows game, with Bristol having lost the last two at home and they've struggled at Ashton Gate throughout the season. It's essential that we build some momentum as the season begins to build to its climax - with three hard games coming up - Norwich, Barnsley and Swansea round off our more than crucial February - so if we're to pick up points it likely has to be ASAP in case of emergency.

The bubbling undercurrent amongst Leeds fans this week has been the formation debate and whether we should revert to 4-5-1 and leave hot-shot Somma on the bench - despite scoring in his last five - including his debut goal for the Bafana Bafana, as he put one past Kenya within two minutes of his second South Africa start on Wednesday. My personal say on this debate is swayed by Davide's international involvement this week. For that reason, I'd suggest Simon will return to the season's 4-2-3-1/4-5-1/4-3-3 formation that has brought much of our success so far. This will mean Kilkenny returns in midfield, and Howson most importantly returns to his role behind Luciano up top. 

I'll repeat what I've said before about this formation. I don't think myself that it's success is due to Kilkenny's inclusion. Yes, he's good on the ball but offers very little defensively, despite being deep lying. He can't head, struggles in a tackle and hasn't got the pace or stamina to pressure or track runners effectively. The success this formation brings is largely due to the extra capable presence of Kilkenny lying deeper allowing Howson to push forward more, and there is where he's flourished this season so far. Playing in behind the striker has seen Howson shed, for the most part, his tendency to fade in and out of games. His inclusion in the hole seems his forte - much like Bradley Johnson seems to have found his calling lying further back down the pitch.

The international matches, and Davide having played a part for South Africa midweek, will have swayed Simon back to the 4-5-1 I believe, as well as the factor of us playing away from home and last time out in a 4-4-2 saw Hull knock two past us at the KC.

This also allows us to have one of the most efficient finishers at this level to come off the bench should we need added impetus at any time.

I'd like to see us utilise Gradel and Snoddy in the same way we did at home, as inexplicably sometimes we tend not to - sometimes I get the impression the players aren't always thinking "get the ball to Snoddy" for example, but this should be what we do - as our wingers are currently unstoppable. Becchio returning to the lone striker role may also have an effect on the role our wingers play. Becchio dropped deeper against Cov. allowing him to bring Snoddy and Gradel in to play. Somma also did this when Becchio was left higher up the pitch after an attack, so hopefully having only one striker up top doesn't impact our wingers' time on the ball.

Last time out against Bristol City, Luciano bagged his first hat-trick for the club in something like eighteen minutes. He won us the game single handedly as Somma struggled up front on his own for the majority of the game.

Bristol have conceded three to Wednesday, four to 'Boro and two to Swansea in their last three home games so they're struggling to hold teams back at Ashton Gate and with our attacking prowess of recent weeks then hopefully we can also take advantage.

Prediction

I'm not doing one. No chance. I'm not tempting any fate at all this week.

Team News

Bristol City

Nicky Maynard likely to return to be on the bench. He's yet to play this season after summer surgery, but was their top scorer last season and when fit and on form is a very dangerous player.

Leeds

Paul Connolly is out for 2-3 weeks with a hamstring strain received against Coventry. Very unfortunate as he's been a very solid piece of our defence this season. Aston Villa's Eric Lichaj has been brought in on loan for a month to cover. He's made 6 apps. for Villa this season in the Premier League and is a tall, hard working and highly regarded young American.

Sanchez Watt returned to training on Thursday and could feature on the bench.

Somma, Nunez and Snoddy all featured midweek - with Davide and Nunez needing to be assessed prior to the trip down to Bristol - Somma is likely to feature though.