Ex-Bristol City and Sunderland man tells Yeovil Town what to expect after double transfer swoop

Former Bristol City and Sunderland midfielder Gary Owers has told Yeovil Town that his son Josh is up for the challenge at the National League side.

Josh, a midfielder like his dad, has made the move to the fifth-tier outfit, who are battling for their lives to stay in the division. He has left the HPC temporarily again this season, after a brief loan spell with National League North side Gloucester City.

Owers joined last Saturday and made his debut in the 2-1 defeat to relegation rivals York City, before appearing in front of his new home supporters on Tuesday in a 1-1 draw with Altrincham. Yeovil, who were in the Championship less than a decade ago under Gary Johnson, have thanked Bristol City and technical director Brian Tinnion for allowing him to join.

"He will put his foot in, he’s aggressive and I don’t think he’s an off-the-shelf academy player," said Josh's dad Gary on BBC Radio Bristol last Saturday."

"As for goals, he scored in midweek for the Under-21’s, so that’s a bonus. It’s something he has to add to his game I think. He’s good on the ball, he’s quite an intelligent passer and he will try and pick out forward passes.

"He’s really up for it, he wants to go there and do well I can tell you that and good luck to him."

Josh Owers is not the only player to be making the move to Huish Park with young striker Seb Palmer-Houlden joining Owers, to provide company and also hopefully affect their current situation. Palmer-Houlden spent three weeks at Chippenham Town earlier in the season but the club were impressed by his numbers and wanted to try and integrate him into the first-team.

Palmer-Houlden scored a penalty against Everton's Under-21's in the Premier League Cup in early February, in addition to goals against Newcastle United, Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Watford and QPR. He is highly thought of amongst those at the High Performance Centre and there is a hope that this move for the 18-year-old will help prepare him for senior level football. Both Sam Bell and Tommy Conway have graduated in to the first-team after prolific scoring spells for the development side.

"Seb is a good player, he’s only 18 but he’s a big strong lad," said Owers Snr who has watched over several Under-21 matches involving his son and his teammates. “He will lead the line very well and I think they think a lot of him at Bristol City. Fingers crossed for Seb as well."