Getting it back together: The 2003-2004 Preview

The new boys

Your A-Z cut out and keep guide to the new faces at Valley Parade this season...

Patrick Bannister

Attacker from Derby

So who is this guy then?

One time hottest property of the non-league turned Derby reject who has signed for City and seems to be set to hang about with the kids and reserves. Scored in pre-season and seems capable enough but faces a long time in the reserves before getting a shot in the starting eleven.

A good season would be...

Scoring goals in the reserves then moving into the first team squad to get some games and goals and earn himself a deal for next season.

Dream season...

If you offered Patrick Bannister Danny Forrest's 2002/2003 season he would bite your hand off.

Michael Branch

Attacker from Wolves

So who is this guy then?

Branch is a prototype of Wayne Rooney, Everton having gone from Branch to Danny Cadamarteri to Francis Jeffers before perfecting the model. He was one of the players who failed to get Wolves into the Premiership. Was released three months before the end of last season and turned City down so he could look for something else. Employed on the left wing in pre-season as Cadamarteri before him has been and Rooney will end up for England and did little to suggest he is a solution to that problem. Fast and good on the ball.

A good season would be...

To claim a regular striking spot over the likes of Luke Cornwall, Danny Forrest and all the other strikers who are looking to get onto what comes off of Dean Windass.

Dream season...

Twenty goals.

Alan Combe

Scots goalkeeper from Dundee United.

So who is this guy then?

Well know after spending the season before last on loan at City. Combe is very athletic but stays on his line a little too much for some. Had an odd pre-season where he ended up sitting out more than he should but seems set for regular number one shirt.

A good season would be...

To keep the number one position all season.

Dream season...

A Scotland cap.

Luke Cornwall

English attacker from Fulham

So who is this guy then?

The fast forward from Fulham Cornwell was doing well as a promising youngster at Craven Cottage a couple of year back before Mohammed Fayed bought the club and brought the French invasion in. Since then he has cooled his heels on loan at places like Grimsby Town. Worth noting that most of the clubs who he loaned at wanted to sign him full time. Looked lightweight pre-season in a dangerously Gareth Grant way but got into some good goal scoring positions and bags strike in Scotland.

A good season would be...

To get ahead of Michael Branch et al in the pecking order at VP and get a contract for next season.

Dream season...

To become the first choice in one of the striking roles.

Clint Davies

Australian goalkeeper from Birmingham City.

So who is this guy then?

Young Aussie keeper who has been released by Birmingham City and was snapped up by Nicky Law. Spent pre-season as he will spend the rest of teh season, on loan at Halifax Town.

A good season would be...

To have reports of his excellence coming back to Valley Parade on a regular basis.

Dream season...

To be recalled to to into the team at VP because he was doing so well for 'Fax.

Gareth Edds

Aussie right back from Swindon Town.

So who is this guy then?

Australian u23 who went through Nottingham Forest and Swindon without pulling up any trees but Nicky Law seems to be keen on him. Had a few run outs pre-season but did nothing to suggest that Simon Francis is not the man for right back.

A good season would be...

To get a place in the City starting eleven doing something other than filling in for Francis.

Dream season...

A winning goal over Nottingham Forest.

Peter Folkes

Centreback signed up after being released by Bristol City.

So who is this guy then?

Young kid that has caught someone's eye and been brought to the club as a third year scholar just as Simon Francis was last year. Has spent pre-season getting to know everyone and impressing most of them. Bench sat for the first team.

A good season would be...

To make his league debut.

Dream season...

Doing what the boy Francis did last year.

Jason Gavin

Centreback from Middlesbrough

So who is this guy then?

Tough tackling, or if you will dirty, centreback brought in from Boro after Steve Vickers turned the Bantams down. Looked a little more Andy Myers than Andy O'Brien in pre-season but injuries to Mark Bower and Peter Atherton have secured his place in the starting eleven.

A good season would be...

To keep Mark Bower out of the first team.

Dream season...

To get back in the Ireland team.

Paul Heckingbottom

Full back from Norwich City

So who is this guy then?

Started his career at Sunderland, released to Darlington where he became skipper and a bit of a hit. Moved up to Norwich but nothing went right for him at Carrow Road to flew back North to Valley Parade. Looked decent in pre-season earning the not entirely tongue in cheek nickname of Barnsley's Roberto Carlos.

A good season would be...

To get the left back spot off Wayne Jacobs, the ginger full back has seen off bigger and better though.

Dream season...

To get in the first team early so he can stick it up Sunderland, Darlington and Norwich City in August.

Fraser McHugh

Holding midfielder from Halesowen Town

So who is this guy then?

Plucked from non-league Halesowen Town for the First Division he is either a natural talent who has been overlooked many times in his career or he is a filling a squad number. Career revival owes much to the month he spent on loan at Chesterfield with Nicky Law. Spent pre-season injured.

A good season would be...

To get into the City starting eleven and prove that he is worth the faith that Nicky Law has showed in him.

Dream season...

To become a regular.

Aaron O'Malley

Young goalkeeper signed up

So who is this guy then?

Fresh faced keeper who impressed Europe when City won the 26th Hamm tournament. Spent pre-season saving penalties both in Germany and in the youth team friendlies.

A good season would be...

Lots of clean sheets for the juniors and some in the reserves.

Dream season...

Getting in the reserves ahead of Mark Paston.

Mark Paston

Kiwi goalkeeper from Napier City Rangers.

So who is this guy then?

Came to the club on trial and impressed in pre-season enough to get a contract. Giant of a man who has only recently got back into goalkeeping after a spell in education. Will start as back up to Combe.

A good season would be...

To share the first team spot with Alan Combe.

Dream season...

To get the first team spot from Alan Combe.

Dean Windass

Striker from Sheffield United

So who is this guy then?

Who is Dean Windass? Do me a favour. Spent pre-season showing he was still capable of doing his stuff.

A good season would be...

Erasing the memory of his last few bench sitting years with 15 goals.

Dream season...

25 goals.

Robert Wolleaston

English attacking midfielder from Chelsea.

So who is this guy then?

Attacking midfielder who has been released by Chelsea and thought to be able to do the job Claus Jorgensen did at times last season tight on the left flank of the midfield but spent pre-season partnering Dean Windass upfront without worrying opposition goalkeepers over much.

A good season would be...

To get a place in the City team.

Dream season...

To get the place he wants, said to be somewhere in the midfield, in the City team.