The Exiled Robin

Lewis Hancock introduces the latest ‘Inside Line’ : City’s five-match unbeaten run came to a halt on Saturday and sees us remain a languishing ‘sleeping giant’ in League One’s relegation zone.  The defeat to Wolves was unsavoury but regrettably anticipated by many in BS3 considering City haven’t won at Molineux since 1931! But what better way for Steve Cotterill to refocus the squad with a match just three days later, you might say?  Unfortunately, it doesn’t come much tougher than a team unbeaten in 16 league matches – including an amazing 14 wins – league leaders, Brentford. Since the last encounter between the sides, the Bees’ are under new management in Mark Warburton following Uwe Rosler’s departure to Wigan, and their rich vein of form has seen them climb to the League One summit. If last season’s near-miss is anything to go by, it comes as little surprise to supporters of League One clubs to see the West London club challenging for promotion. ...

Whilst there is seemingly a new mood of optimism around BS3, in no small part down to the recent unbeaten run, that positive spirit faces some stiff tests in the next few games with trips to all of the top three inside 18 days. We should remember that getting anything out of those games will be an achievement and not bemoan/overly criticise a draw, or even a narrow defeat.  We’re in the bottom four and they’re the top three for a very good reason, even if it’s “only” Orient and Brentford. We kick off that run with a trip a what has been a very unhappy hunting ground over recent years, Molineux, to face the ‘giants’ of League One, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Twenty years to the day on from our famous win at Anfield, is it time for another 'giant'-killing? Stu Radnedge picks up the story… With the teams facing each other at the ‘business end’ of the season, you couldn't have two more starkly contrasting tales of life after being relegated from the Championship last...

Over to Lewis Hancock again for this week’s 'Inside Line’ on the Bantams, Bradford City It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions since the opening day of the season and now halfway through the campaign, it’s about time things started going City’s way! Steve Cotterill’s appointment divided fans’ opinion, but after only one loss in all competitions since he took over and two wins on the bounce, Cotterill is certainly turning heads.  Securing Karleigh Osborne on a permanent basis and Tyrone Barnett on loan until the end of the season won't have done him any harm either. However, let’s not jump the gun. The same was being said about Sean O’Driscoll prior to his sacking and, on paper, January is set to be a very tricky month in League One, starting with Bradford City away. Having flirted with the play-off places for most of the season, the Bantams seem to have tailed off of late and now find themselves in mid-table. City haven’t won against Bradford for 18 ...

Apologies for the lateness of this, the new year still catching up with us all at The Exiled Robin, but there’s a really good Inside Line on today’s F.A.Cup third round opponents, Watford, to read here, including some great insight on the Italian ownership, the Udinese loans and Gianfranco Zola’s downfall. Well worth a read! My thanks to Stu Radnedge and Matt Rowson  who writes BHappy  http://bhappy.wordpress.com/ - and is a regular contributor to The Two Unfortunates , for their time and words. Last year was an interesting one for Watford. The ambition of Gianfranco Zola led many to tip you for promotion.  Alike City in 2008, you ultimately finished one place outside the automatic spots and went on to lose in the playoff final.  How did it feel as your season had appeared very strong? Don't mention 2008.  We were twelve points clear in 1st at one stage and clung onto a playoff spot by virtue of that lead and nobody being good enough to deprive us o...