Derek McInnes: Bristol City fans must turn Ashton Gate into a fortress
DEREK McInnes has challenged Bristol City fans to pack out Ashton Gate when Blackburn Rovers come to town on Saturday week.
Relegated from the Barclays Premier League last season, Steve Keen's star-studded team are already shaping up to be one of the biggest draws in the npower Championship.
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Bristol City manager Derek McInnes
Robins fans turned out in big numbers to back their team in key relegation battles against Coventry and Barnsley towards the end of last season, but attendance at Ashton Gate has dipped this term.
City's two home games to date – against Crystal Palace and Cardiff – only yielded below-average crowds of 12,221 and 14,386, respectively, and manager McInnes, pictured, aware of the galvanising effect of a positive atmosphere, is urging stay-away fans to return to the fold.
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City have made an encouraging start to the campaign and the match against Blackburn can justifiably be billed as a top-of-the-table clash with the visitors in second place with eight points from their first four games in the Championship.
McInnes said: "On the back of a good start and playing at home to Blackburn, I would like to think we can get the place rocking and get a big crowd right behind the team.
"We saw the dividends that could pay last season when our supporters turned out in huge numbers and got behind the team when it was really needed.
"There was a kick on from that with the players and performances and the points we gathered towards the end.
"Just because we had a cause back then, does not mean we don't have one now. Our cause is to try to keep this momentum going.
"Hopefully, the crowd are enjoying what they are seeing at the minute and turn out in force against Blackburn.
"Certainly, the players will enjoy being backed in good numbers."
McInnes appreciates watching Championship football is an expensive exercise, but insists Bristolians will respond if they see the players giving 100 per cent.
He said: "We have had three decent performances and the supporters need to see a committed team every time we play here.
"We may not always be as good as we were in the last couple of games, but if we stay committed then, hopefully, we can have a few more home victories.
"We have certainly got a taste for it in the last couple of weeks and we want to have more of that."
Too many opposition sides have left Ashton Gate with the points in recent seasons and McInnes wants to make BS3 a fortress over the next nine months.
He added: "We want to make Ashton Gate the most uncomfortable 90 minutes any team has this season and the fans have a part to play in that.
"I don't want opposition teams thinking of Bristol as a nice little place with a nice pitch where they can enjoy themselves – I want it to be somewhere they don't like coming.
"I want our fans to make noise and inspire our team and help Ashton Gate gain a reputation as being a difficult place to come."
Comments
by piledriver
Thursday, September 06 2012, 7:26PM
“Dear All,
It would be nice if the Pleb from the Blue Few, who is hijacking every thread was ignored.That will keep the threads on topic and him in his place.”
by piledriver
Thursday, September 06 2012, 7:23PM
“Fans have been driven away by seasons of under acheivement, drivel and a club that wanted them to speak when they were spoken to.
The football's been unattractive, negative and dire in the main.
The EE was reopened after a struggle and is still begrudged, so it's a little bit of a departure to then appeal to fans who have felt somewhat disrespected to appeal for their return after a couple of good home performances and a couple of decidedly average away ones.
In these frugal times, Football is a luxury few can afford so everything has to be done to make people feel wanted.For example, Phasing the prices isn't needed.Leave them at the lowest point up to the day before kick off.Don't charge people extra for delivery and using their credit cards.Every little helps.
It's nice to see that the 0844 ticket number is now gone-That was another barrier to sale.
The club hasn't done nearly enough of that and it's come home to roost.
The players and manager don't understand that because most of them haven't been here long enough.
The same applies to some of the Board members-The real shame is that some have and they're still living in a Johnson induced trance that separates them from their fans.”
by AussieGeorge
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 11:05PM
“And I thought the "8" in i8city was it's IQ, silly me , it's not even that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
by Tommy69
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 7:43PM
“"i8city" Who's the ape in The Gas shirt, your .................................................... ???
Go away Muppet.”
by Mark_Totty
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 2:12PM
“@i8city.
How is David Clarkson working out for your grubby club, you mug ?
John Akindeeeeeeeeeee.................”
by harryreg_uk
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 2:02PM
“no wonder i8 spends her life on here, the pain of hearing what's left of the Gash, moan, whinge and attack their team is obviously too much.
have you already bought your shiny red shirt then i8?”
by phantom1974
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 12:19PM
“i8city, just look how the previous non league club have progressed past your mighty club.
If they want AG8 full, the club will have to do like last season and REDUCE the potd prices !”
by numbeast
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 10:47AM
“If we keep playing as well at home then I'm sure the casual fans will flock back to BS3. But DockLobster is right we need to take the 2 good home performances on the road as well.
I8City mate if I were you I'd concentrate on your own club and those around them. Get behind your team and it's (ex City trainee) manager and aspire to attain the level City are already at. Envy and hatred will only serve to eat you up. Although I'm a City fan I still wish your little club well and you never know we may soon meet in a competitive game soon if the FA Cup gods smile kindly. Enjoy the game Saturday and remember his week you are the biggest team from Bristol playing as us big teams have the next 2 weeks off for Internationals.”
by greeners29
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 10:14AM
“@ I8city.... so nice to see Yeovil do well last night.”
by DockLobster
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 9:56AM
“Sort out the dismal away form Del...”