Off Topic After Match Verdict. v Norwich City

Bristol City verdict: Tanner's best game, Sykes epitomises team's work rate and Mehmeti promise
All the talking points as the Robins continued their fine run of form with a 1-0 victory over Norwich

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Anis Mehmeti in action on his City debut
Bristol City are starting to enjoy re-writing the record books.

After ending a run of 12 years without a victory at Deepdale last weekend, Nigel Pearson's in-form side secured three points over Norwich for the first time since 2009 thanks to Mark Sykes' first-half strike.
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Although it wasn't as entertaining as the reverse fixture when the Robins were on the receiving end of a 3-2 defeat to end an eight-game unbeaten run,it was another dogged showing in which City had to dig deepand defend resolutely to maintain their impressive run of form.

That's now nine games without a loss and still undefeated in 2023 which has catapulted them up to 13th in the Championship. No longer areCitylooking over their shoulders with a few whispers and murmurs of apotential late play-off charge.

We'll hold our horses for now but with a winnable game against Wigan at home during the week, there's absolutely no reason why this streak can continue for at least another Championship fixture.

Here's the verdict on an impressive victory at Ashton Gate.

George Tanner's best game
Nigel Pearson summed it up perfectly in his post-match press conference. "It was his best game for us, I think" was his response when asked about the quality of his performance.

The 22-year-old has barely put a foot wrong since coming into the side following the Boxing Day defeat to West Brom. Since then, he's been instrumental in City's unbeaten run initially playing as a right wing-back before dropping into his favoured right-back role with the switch of formation.

Yesterdayhe was absolutely superband it's clear he's playing with plenty of confidence in his game at the moment. With Sykes ahead of him, the pair are working in tandem to prove a real tough nut to crack down the right side.

Since the switch to a back four, Tanner has been more disciplined in his defensive position with Sykes given the freedom to press forward. Undoubtedly it's one of the reasons why he has scored five in his last six.

He'll admit that he's not a marauding full-back and contributing to the attack is an area of his game he will want to improve as he progresses, but he lacks going forward he makes up for with his defensive positioning and aggressiveness in the tackle.

In a number of impressive pieces of defending, there was one in the first half that stood out when he headed a cross towards the back post out for a corner with a Norwich player ready to knock it in from close range. It was brave and set the tone for the rest of his afternoon.

Even when Onel Hernandez was introduced in the second half, Tanner wasn't fazed. On three occasions in the second half, he threw himself into challenges that earned a round of applause from Pearson on the touchline.

It was always going to take him some time to adapt to the Championship having arrived from Carlisle in the summer of 2021, but for a fee in the region of just £300,000, he's proving to be a real bargain.

A grafter
Talking of bargains, that brings me toMark Sykes. The more games he plays, the more glaringly obvious it is that he's the exact type of player who epitomises what Nigel Pearson wants in his squad.

I have to admit when he initially joined in the summer on a free transfer, I was dubious about where he would fit in being a natural right winger given Pearson's persistence with the 3-5-2 formation. Sykes has been open and honest when speaking to the media about his preference for playing further forward over being a wing-back.

With the switch to a four, Sykes' form has been really impressive. Five goals and one assist in his last six matches have contributed heavily to City's rise up the table and their run in the FA Cup.

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Mark Sykes was superb against Norwich
But away from the goals, the 25-year-old's work rate cannot be underestimated. There was a moment in the first half when he sprinted the length of the field to cover for Tanner and win the ball back that was met with a huge roar of approval from the home crowd.

That partnership alongside Tanner is continuing to grow and he's playing a key part in the full-back's run of form. Pearson went into detail about why it works after the game, by saying: "It’s one of those when you’ve got a player of Mark Sykes’ physical capabilities it makes your decision-making as a full-back much easier.

"George doesn’t have to get around him too often, he’s got a player in front of him who has incredible physical capabilities in terms of endurance and speed as well. When you think about towards the end of the first half, Mark Sykes made a 70-yard run to chase a ball down into the right back spot. It’s just outstanding work, that’s as good as his goal.”

The debutants
On the hour mark, Pearson made a double substitution by freshening his attack by introducingAnis Mehmeti for his full debut and Harry Cornick for his first taste of action at Ashton Gate.

Mehmeti slotted on the left side of the attack while Cornick replaced Nahki Wells as the central striker and City moved to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Alex Scott continuing his role in the No10 position.

There was a sense of intrigue around Mehmeti, a player who arrives at the club with an abundance of talent and the ability to change a game on its head. He wasn't wasting any time in looking to impress by immediately showing his quick feet when taking on a couple of his defenders.

With Norwich pressing for an equaliser, chances were few and far between for City but Mehmeti had enough time to show glimpses of what he's all about. He wanted the ball and wasn't afraid to drive into the box looking for an opening on goal.

If there was one criticism, and that's me being nit-picky, he could have released the ball earlier on occasions. That's likely to do with the change of tempo from League One and it's only natural he'll need some games under his belt to get up to speed.

But there was certainly enough evidence to suggest City have a real talent on their hands and a player who will be able to get the supporters on their feet. There were also positives with Cornick, who was handed the thankless task of chasing down his opponents.

Similar to Sykes, Cornick worked his socks off for the 30 minutes he was on the field and gave Grant Hanley an uncomfortable afternoon with his pace and physicality. Again, he'll need time to build rapport with strike partners and work on those intricacies around the penalty box but that will come with time.

He should have put the game to bed when he was played through on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat. He almost had too much time to think about his finish before being denied by a decent Angus Gunn save.

Cornick competed in his physical battles and made himself a menace although he naturally seemed to drift over to the right side of the pitch - something he may need to work on if he's going to continue in that central role.
Bristol City verdict: Tanner's best game, Sykes epitomises team's work rate and Mehmeti promise - Bristol Live (bristolpost.co.uk)

 

Nice to have a good result and follow up giving a positive Sunday feeling, it looks like our downward spiral after all of the extravagance has ended, people said Nige had sorted it out on the commercial side, the coaching and fitness areas, contractual and wage demands, size of squad and gave him credit but not on the field of play, after 8 games in all competitions without defeat we are heading in the right direction and with the players we have got surely it can only continue.

 

Was also nice to see both Mehmeti and Cornick contributed positives to our win on Saturday, another feather in Nige's cap.

 

Nige is manager of the week.

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EFL pundit reveals what he likes about what Nigel Pearson has done at Bristol City
https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/e...-what-nigel-pearson-has-done-at-bristol-city/