Michael McIndoe openly admits he is expecting a hostile reception from Bristol City fans at the Ricoh Arena tomorrow.

But then Coventry City's mercurial midfielder should be used to it by now. After all, the Scot has attracted venom from previous admirers throughout a career which has so far spanned nine clubs.

Much loved by Yeovil Town supporters when helping them win the Conference title and promotion to the Football League, the winger was greeted by a giant banner with 'Judas' emblazoned across it when he returned to Huish Park with Doncaster Rovers two seasons later.

It was a similar story when he went back to Barnsley and Wolves to play for City in the Championship and he expects nothing different when he lines up against his former team-mates at the weekend.

"I have played for eight or nine clubs now and I have never had a good reception yet," recalls McIndoe, who gave City good service during two seasons prior to joining the Sky Blues for an undisclosed fee during the summer.

"It's strange, because I feel I've done reasonably well for most of them and always played in lots of games. But it seems to be part and parcel of football these days and it's something I understand."

Although the details have yet to surface in the public domain, there still lingers a suspicion that McIndoe left Ashton Gate under a cloud after falling out with manager Gary Johnson.

The first sign that all was not well came when the outspoken Scot criticised City's record in the transfer market following defeat at Wolves in September last year. He was then involved in an unseemly spat with Crystal Palace midfielder Nick Carle in the aftermath of a stormy game at Ashton Gate in December. It was apparent his days in Bristol were numbered when City accepted a bid for the left winger from Sheffield United in June.

Even though that deal collapsed, it was only a matter of time before Coventry came knocking and McIndoe was eased out of the door.

He adds: "I'm sure I'm going to take some stick from the City fans. It's human nature, isn't it?

"All my family are supporters of particular teams and they are the same. As players, we have to accept it and try to understand it.

"Sometimes it's okay if I get a bit of a rough deal, because I like having a bit of banter. It adds to the occasion."

McIndoe invariably turned on the style when playing for his former club against Coventry, scoring two goals at the Ricoh Arena and contributing four assists to help City establish a 100 per cent record over four games in the Championship.

No wonder he feels he owes it to his new employers to turn the tables tomorrow and become a hero for Coventry rather than the architect of their downfall.

He admits: "It's a big game for me and I always enjoy pitting my wits against my old teams.

"Bristol have done well at the Ricoh the last couple of times they were here when I was obviously a player with them, but I would definitely like to be the hero for Coventry this time.

"I have scored a lot of goals against previous clubs in the past and hopefully the same will go for Saturday. Sometimes you wonder if it is just coincidence or is it that the game perks you up a little bit more. For me, I like to be perked up in every game."

As for City being one of Coventry's bogey teams, he added: "I have always said that I never compare any game to a previous one because every game is completely different, and I will view Saturday in the same way.

"I am sure players are aware if they have done well at a particular ground or against a particular team in the past, but it also gives the other team added aggression and reason not to lose again.

"We just need to start gelling better and that will come in time, but there is a lot more to come from myself and this team, that's for sure, and I just hope we can start on Saturday."