Albert Adomah preaches Bristol City credentials

Published on: 14 March 2011

Albert Adomah believes anything is possible for Bristol City now that sharp-shooter Nicky Maynard is back in business and scoring Championship goals.

Since recovering from long-term injury and being restored to the first team, Maynard has netted three times in four games to propel the Robins clear of relegation trouble and raise the prospect of a top-half finish.

Four straight victories have served to transform a campaign that started badly and City will approach tonight's Sky-televised encounter with promotion-chasing Norwich in the belief that they can extend their winning run.

And winger Adomah is keen to highlight the role played in City's resurgence by record-signing Maynard.

He said: "Maynard brings something completely different to the team. He's an out-and-out goal-scorer and that is something we needed and didn't have earlier in the season.

"We have some very good forwards here, but none of them are quite like Nicky in the way they play.

"No disrespect to our other strikers, but when Nicky gets a chance, you know he is going to score. I knew when he got the ball in the box at Coventry last week that it was going to be a goal.

"When you have someone like that in the team, you are always in with a chance. You can play below your best and still win a game.

"I know that's putting pressure on him, but the entire team believes that, when he gets a chance in front of goal, the ball is going to end up in the back of the net."

Certainly, Maynard's return to action has effected the kind of upturn in fortunes which will render City more than a handful at Carrow Road.

He said: "When you are performing as a team and winning matches, everyone is confident.

"It's totally different when things are going against you and you are losing.

"Confidence is such an important part of football and, sometimes, it just takes one win for everything to click into place. I know we lost the next two games to Leeds and Leicester, but winning at Preston in February did that for us.

"We've won five of our last seven games and the lads are bubbling. We believe we can win any game against any team in this league."

Although Maynard has played his part, City's recent improvement has been forged upon the successful tactics adopted by manager Keith Millen and his staff.

Adomah revealed: "We've talked a lot about team shape and worked hard on it in training. The manager has told us he wants a nice, tight back four and for the midfield four to stay narrow and protect the defence.

"Too many teams were coming straight down the middle and cutting through us and we had to do something about that. It means the strikers working back and the wingers tucking in when we have not got the ball, so we can stay solid.

"People will say it's boring and negative, but we have a lot of pace in the side and can break from that solid shape and cause the opposition problems. We did that at Coventry, we did it again to beat Portsmouth and I'm sure it will be the same when we go to Norwich."

Millen's approach has meant a change of emphasis for Adomah, who forged his reputation as a winger with potential at League Two Barnet by hugging the touchline and taking on full-backs on the outside.

Since signing for City, however, he has benefited from the advice given him by assistant manager Steve Wigley, himself a successful winger with Nottingham Forest during his playing days.

Adomah explained: "If I come inside when the opposition have to ball to make us stronger in the middle of the park, it means it is easier for my team-mates to find me when we win the ball back. When I used to stay out wide, it was harder for them to get the ball to me.

"When I get the ball now and we are counter-attacking, I have the option to go outside or cut in. I would always stay wide when I played for Barnet, but the staff here have helped me develop my game and I now have another string to my bow."

Adomah's ability to cut inside and attack the penalty area was never better demonstrated than when he became the first player to breach Portsmouth's hitherto watertight defence in more than 10 and a half hours in last Tuesday's 2-1 win at Ashton Gate.

Although the Londoner has now contributed four goals since his elevation to the Championship, he understands that his job is to create chances for others, especially now that Maynard has been restored to the starting line-up.

Not surprisingly, the 23-year-old boasts nine assists this season, more than any other City player, and he is looking to hit double figures at Carrow Road tonight.

He explained: "My job is to make goals for the strikers, not to score them myself.

"I set myself a target of 10 goals at the start of the season, but it doesn't look as though that is going to happen. Instead, I've set my sights on 10 or more assists.

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