Maynard eyes Pitman partnership

Last updated : 29 March 2011 By BBC Sport

Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard has urged boss Keith Millen to stick with two players in attack for the run-in.Maynard struggled on his own in the defeat to Norwich but thrived when partnered by Brett Pitman in the win against Burnley when both scored.

"We look a lot more dangerous with two up front and not just one," Maynard told BBC Radio Bristol.

"Hopefully we can play more with two up front and me and Brett will be able to score a few more goals."

Maynard has scored four goals in his last six games, after returning from a knee injury, while Pitman has 11 goals to his name.

And the pair are both proving lucky omens for the Robins, who are 10 points off the play-offs, this term.

Millen's men have not lost any of the nine games when Pitman has scored and have won each time Maynard has found the back of the net.

"The main thing is we keep working hard and the gaffer has given us the chance to form a partnership and against Burnley we linked well and got two goals," added Maynard.

"At the beginning of the game we said we should make sure we look for each other, that's what we did and we caused a major problem.

Any speculation about my players I don't mind because it means we're doing something well and the players are playing well

Bristol City manager Keith Millen

Pitman told BBC Radio Bristol: "It's nice to play up front with Nicky. We get on really well off the pitch and you can see we get on well on the pitch.

"We have five good strikers here and whoever plays together has to be pleased that they're playing first and foremost.

"I don't think any two of us are identical players which is good and gives the manager a lot to choose from and a lot to think about."

Maynard's strong showing since returning in February from a knee injury has driven rumours that he could be set for a summer switch from Ashton Gate, but Millen is unmoved by paper talk.

"Any speculation about my players I don't mind because it means we're doing something well and the players are playing well," Millen told BBC Radio Bristol.

"One thing I do know is that we'd never sell a player cheap and the chairman would never do that. It's not something I lose sleep over. I want to strengthen the squad and keep my best players."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport