AS far as most people are concerned, Bristol City are down already...but that just makes them a really dangerous customer in my eyes.

There are absolutely no gimmies at this stage of the season because everyone is playing for something. And though Sean O’Driscoll might be thinking inwardly that there is too much to do, his players will be scrapping to earn themselves a contract next season or to stay in his plans.

They have absolutely nothing to lose, so we need to make sure we go to Ashton Gate focused and ready to do a professional job.

The problems with our away form have been flagged up this week and I’m sure everyone will think back to the Charlton game, but I’ve got a feeling we have timed this run absolutely perfectly.

Thankfully, there were enough games left when we started digging in, because it had to happen when it did. Any later, and we could have been looking in the same dire situation that Wolves and Blackburn are right now.

There was a time when we looked more comfortable away from home but since we have started making the Reebok a fortress again, it has been on the road where we have suffered a few bad results.

But the Bristol City side we are facing this weekend are not looking as strong as they might have been a month ago when O’Driscoll first arrived at the club. Results have waned a bit and maybe there are a few people who are resigned to playing in League One next season.

Freed from that pressure, though, Bristol City could be even more dangerous. What we have got to remember is that we’re in a great position. There are players itching to get involved, and those who are getting a game are in good form. But it could all be thrown away very quickly if we don’t prepare right.

This next three games are make or break. By the time we go to Cardiff you’d like to think they will already be promoted and it’ll be party time, so we need those points on the board as soon as possible.

*****

GOOD players always bounce back – and it’s good to see Chris Eagles has rediscovered his mojo.

I said after the Burnley game when he got booed off the pitch that he wouldn’t stay down for long, and we’re seeing a different player now.

Back at the start of the season, everything he hit was going in the back of the net. He had a dip in form, but so what? Every player does.

Dougie Freedman managed the situation and now he’s looking better for it. Now you look at Eagles and think he could be the one who makes the difference in the last five games, and hopefully eight.

Squad rotation looks great when it works and the manager is a genius, but he gets criticised when it doesn’t. I suppose that’s all part of the job.

What the players need to remember is that they are working for the manager and it’s the reaction they show for being in or out of the team that might just get them in there next week.

At this stage, it’s all about mental strength and the manager will know from looking round on the training ground who’s up for it, and who isn’t.

It is no different than being at the bottom. A few months ago when we were staring over our shoulder at the bottom three, we thought we needed leaders to get us out of there. Now we need leaders to drive us on.

*****

 

WHEN we have really needed someone to step up to the plate this season, Jay Spearing has been there for Wanderers.

He’s been so consistent, week after week, and on Saturday’s evidence we have come across a great partner in crime in Medo.

That was best we have seen of him so far. He was creating things, getting stuck in, looked solid and popped up everywhere he was needed. He seems to be growing into that position at just the right time.

Another thing that strikes me is that the decision to loan Stuart Holden out to Sheffield Wednesday is also looking like a masterstroke.

We wondered whether it was a gamble sending him to Hillsborough, and now he’s getting some crucial match time, getting fitter every day, all ready to come back to us at the end of the season.

When he comes back into the camp it won’t just be about having him available on the pitch, it will also be the impact it could have on the fans. It’s all about timing – and that could be the best pick-me-up possible.

*****

I COULDN’T really help giving the Wolves fans a little wave at half time on Saturday.

It was a bit of a laugh, but it was nice to see that a few of them remembered my name!

I have to say that our fans were fantastic. When we hit a bit of a lull in the second half they got right behind us and that lifted everything.

In the end, it was perfect weather, perfect performance, and a perfect result.

Wolves worry me. It looked like men versus boys out there at times.

I thought in my heart of hearts that they would be strong enough to avoid being pulled into the bottom three last week, but now I’m not so sure.

*****

ANDY Walker has confirmed he’ll be at the White Hot reunion dinner, which means all the players will be there.

Thanks to our little wanted ad in the column last week, we’ve also been able to get in touch with David Burke, who has said he will be coming down, so it’s looking like a great night.

Andy had to wait until his games were confirmed with Sky, which only happened this week because of the strange league split they have got up there now.

He’s looking forward to it, and I know Bruce Rioch is too. I hope a lot of the people who watched us that night at Anfield will join us because it is shaping up to be quite an occasion.