THE manager has seen his team score in every game this season . . . but he's also agonised as points have been squandered by slack defending!

Sound familiar? It might help to know that this particular team boss read the riot act this week after the latest setback.

So it can't be Colin Todd, who has been calm personified since Wanderers' lost their unbeaten record at the Reebok on Tuesday night.

Actually, the manager in question would willingly trade problems with his Bolton counterpart. Bristol City boss John Ward has seen his Robins win only two of their 15 games this season after guiding them to promotion in Watford's slipstream then splashing an unprecedented £3 million on new summer signings!

He has enjoyed an instant return on his £1.2 million investment in Adie Akinbiyi. The former Gillingham striker has scored nine as City have clocked up an incredible 23 goals. Only Wanderers and West Brom have scored more Division One goals but it's the 30 they've conceded that tell the true story of City's poor start.

Ward wonders whether his players have "sufficient determination to make the most of their abilities" and has talked about changes for tonight's game at Ashton Gate.

Danish international Soren Andersen - a £400,000 signing from Aalborg who has scored seven - is likely to partner Akinbiyi but Tony Thorpe, who impressed for Luton against Wanderers in the FA Cup two years ago and joined City in a £1 million deal, is pressing for a comeback after injury.

Experienced midfielder Brian Tinnion missed Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Grimsby with a shin injury but could return.

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