Twentyman Talks Back - 5 August 2010

By Geoff Twentyman
BBC Bristol

David James made a record 536 Premier League appearances

So the new football season is almost upon us. Whatever colour shirt your team plays in and regardless of which division they play in the sense of optimism and excitement is tangible.

Put your hand up now if you really think, hope and/or believe this really will be 'your' year.

It has been a summer-and-a-half at Ashton Gate. The ongoing political wranglings over the new stadium have been compelling enough. But they were only a prelude to the main drama - the arrival of the England goalkeeper at Ashton Gate.

Rumours of the impending capture of David James seemed more akin to Fantasy Football. To see the James sat at the press conference the day after he signed bordered on surreal.

Steve Coppell told me he thinks the goalkeeper is the equivalent of a thirty-goals-a-season striker. I wouldn't argue with that. Frugal defences usually equate to success. The best teams I played in certainly had great keepers.

James has opted to end his playing career in the south west. He lives near to Exeter and although it is a union of convenience I sense he is a man on a mission

Geoff Twentyman, BBC Bristol

Nigel Martyn went on to be the first ever million pound keeper. Brian Parkin, in his pomp, was one of the best outside the top flight.

I have been in these parts for nearly 25 years and it is the biggest signing in that period. I will go as far to say it is the biggest signing in Bristol football history.

James's arrival has had an incredibly uplifting effect. Everywhere I go his name crops up.

He has opted to end his playing career in the south west. He lives near Exeter and although it is a union of convenience I sense he is a man on a mission. James wants to help City mount a serious promotion challenge. He is also on something of a personal crusade to produce more footballers from this region.

Whether this is achieved as a coach at City or through some form of academy then only time will tell. He is certainly coaching and management material.

Stephen Lansdown should be congratulated for his ambitious approach. I hope Steve Coppell's team adopts similar tactics on Saturday afternoons.

Rovers' recruitment campaign has been more modest and low key by comparison. As Gasheads will well remember from this time last year the new recruits must be an improvement on the players that have moved on. By and large I like the look of the new faces.

I think retaining Stuart Campbell at the end of last season was a shrewd move. He remains a positive influence and to have allowed him to leave would have been shocking business.

Will Hoskins is the signing that caught my eye. He seemed to score on a weekly basis when he was at Rotherham. For what ever reason he did not cut the mustard at Watford. At 24 he's still young enough to make a genuine success of his obvious abilities.

I see the predatory instincts bit of Jamie Cureton in him. I was a big fan of Curo and used to despair at the stick he took from a minority of the home crowd.

I hope Hoskins gets a fair crack of the whip as I think he could be a star in the making.

Geoff Twentyman presents the Twentyman Talks Back football phone-in at 1900 GMT on Fridays on BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Somerset. If you missed the latest programme you can listen to it by clickinghere.