Bristol City boss Johnson warns of the impact of 'Big Bertha'

Gary Johnson needs no reminder of the threat Dele Adebola poses to Bristol City this afternoon, writes Andy Stockhausen.

After all, it was Johnson who brought the big target man to Ashton Gate from Coca-Cola Championship rivals Coventry in January 2008.

Having helped the Robins reach the play-offs final at Wembley later that same year and landed the club's player-of-the-season accolade last May, Adebola will today assume the guise of deadly foe when he lines up for Nottingham Forest.

Adebola will more than likely start on the substitutes' bench, but should he be called upon by Forest boss Billy Davies, City's manager knows exactly what to expect from a player he once nicknamed "Big Bertha".

"If you see him warming up, you know straight away that your centre-halves are going to get a physical game," said Johnson.

"That's his game and he is very good at it. We have to respect that, whether he starts or comes off the bench."

Standing at 6ft 3in and weighing in at 16 stone, the veteran striker remains a handful for Championship defenders despite his advancing years.

"He's incredibly strong and you know all about it if you run into him. It's a bit like running into a wall and it does hurt.

"If he plays, it's something we have to deal with. Dele is very good in the air and he likes to roll defenders and go on the charge.

"Once he turns you and gets into his stride, he can be very difficult to stop."

Forest first enquired about Adebola during the January transfer window last season, but Bristol City refused the striker permission to talk to the East Midlands club.

When his Ashton Gate contract expired at the end of last season, Adebola jumped at the chance to move to the City Ground.

Johnson has no regrets and insists Adebola's departure was down to business rather than personal considerations.

He said: "Dele was at the stage where he was going to sign what would probably have been his last contract and he was after a good payday and a long-term deal.

"That was the business side of things and we were not in a position to offer him that, so he moved elsewhere to get what he wanted.

"Saying that, he's a lovely lad and he did us proud while he was here.

"He always did his best and worked hard and was a good centre forward for us. He was very much a part of what we were trying to achieve."

Although Forest possess numerous attacking options in a squad which includes Nathan Tyson, Joe Garner, Rob Earnshaw, David McGoldrick and Dexter Blackstock, Johnson believes manager Davies is their biggest single asset.

He said: "Billy has been there long enough to put his own stamp on things and to impose his philosophy.

"Not only have Forest spent well and improved under Billy, he has also got them playing with confidence. He's a competitor and his style has rubbed off on the team.

"We know that we are going to have to compete with him on the touchline, with his players on the pitch and with their fans in the stands."