Scudamore involvement 'can only be good'

Former Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has joined the Bristol City board

City had high hopes of getting something from their trip to Stoke at the weekend. They had won their previous three games and, with no midweek fixture, the tired legs of the players who were still fit within an injury-ravaged squad had some welcome extra recovery time.

By 3.25 on Saturday afternoon the game was over as Stoke raced to a three-goal lead and by the end were well deserving of an emphatic 5-1 win.

City were slow to start whereas Stoke seemed fired up by their manager, Mark Robins, and deservedly took a fourth-minute lead. Gerhard Struber's men played their way back into the game but what happened in the 21st minute was, based on performances to date, a wholly uncharacteristic error by goalkeeper Radek Vitek.

The young Czech 'keeper, on loan from Manchester United, has taken the plaudits after a string of fine performances, including some "worldie" saves, but on this occasion he spilled the ball from Million Manhoef's overhit pass and Stoke's Divin Mubama showed quick feet to nip it off him to slide it into the net for his second.

The other news of note from Ashton Gate last week was the appointment to the board of former Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore.

A lifelong City fan, Richard was a regular attendee in the directors' box even before his retirement. In more recent years that has increased to the extent that he has been operating in an advisory capacity to the club's hierarchy.

What difference his formal appointment to the board will actually make remains to be seen but with the club for sale, either as part of Bristol Sport or hived off separately, having a person of his stature more formally involved can only be a good thing.