STEVE COTTON COLUMN, PART TWO: Bristol City making case for the defence with successive clean sheets BRISTOL City have kept back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since April, when they sealed promotion to the Championship. And while two clean sheets in a row – three in four games – is not enough evidence with which to get carried away, it suggests a key upturn in the Robins' fortunes. City had conceded 26 Championship goals in 14 games going into their home match against Wolves last Tuesday and the subsequent 0-0 draw at Bolton are indicators of a change that could transform the club's season. With a settled defence in front of Frank Fielding, City have started to do the one thing that had been undermining their hopes of climbing the Championship table: keeping the ball out of their net. Having kept one clean sheet and taken seven points in their opening 10 league games, City have now kept four clean sheets and taken eight points in their last six matches. This is exactly the kind of platform in-form Jonathan Kodjia and the rest of City's attack-minded players had been crying out for, and suggests the Robins are now adjusting to life in the higher division. If the international break came at a bad time, in as much as checking City's new-found defensive momentum, they can expect to be tested when division leaders Hull City visit next weekend. But they then face three sides between 16th and bottom in successive games – by which point, we will have a clearer idea of whether their new-found defensive solidity is a brief improvement or a fundamental change. If the international break came at a bad time, in as much as checking City's new-found defensive momentum, they can expect to be tested when division leaders Hull City visit next weekend. But they then face three sides between 16th and bottom in successive games – by which point, we will have a clearer idea of whether their new-found defensive solidity is a brief improvement or a fundamental change. http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/STEVE-COTTON-COLUMN/story-28156480-detail/story.html
