Bristol City verdict: Robins need to get their season started as Middlesbrough grab win Our City writer's considered take following 2-1 loss at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday Nigel Pearson was adamant after Saturday's 2-1 loss that Bristol City were not caused too many problems by Middlesbrough. "I think there was a lack of quality and too often we chose the wrong pass and we were a bit slow moving the ball. Having said that they didn't cause us too many problems," said the manager to the official club channels afterwards. "We're our own worst enemy at the moment, I'm afraid," he added, after his side had finally found their killer touch and clambered back into the game, only to go and concede just 10 minutes later via the most predictable way, akin to James Bond finding the Golden Gun only to then slip and shoot himself in the foot. Pearson's words are true, although some context is needed: Boro were missing key attacking players due to injury, Sammy Ameobi, Duncan Watmore and Marcus Tavernier, with Neil Warnock also revealing that his side are chasing a striker in Europe that they hope to hire before the end of the transfer window. The Teessiders could be a different outfit in future and much better for it. Warnock usually finds a way. So can Bristol City improve however, after it was a case of familiar - and frustrating - failings on Saturday. Lively winger Isaiah Jones gained too much space in the first half and crossed low at goal for the opener on 38 minutes, and although there was a faint touch in the middle from a player sliding in, the ball ran on to Uche Ikpeazu to power in. Zak Vyner had allowed Jones to get in behind (and indeed the Robins academy graduate wasn't able to tackle the winger successfully once during the game; according to Opta post-match statistics) but errors happen in games. City bounced back via a spirited second half display that may have come about after they hair-dryer treatment at the break. A terrific spell at the start of the second half, as Boro's tempo dropped and the game opened up suited the visitors. Andi Weimann won a good free-kick after Kasey Palmer had put a decent chance just wide of the far post, and Andy King netted his first goal for Bristol City from Matty James' free-kick. It was pointed out to Nigel Pearson after the game by the written media that at that point it looked more likely that the three points would be heading back around the M42 and down the M5. But City found a way to lose. Set-piece sore point Unfortunately, set-pieces came back to bite once again. It is for us THE biggest challenge that Nigel Pearson faces: stop Bristol City conceding from set-plays. (A second item on the list, incidentally, is to right City's dismal results at Ashton Gate.) The Robins had by far the worst record in the whole league last season and until that leak is plugged, the opposition will always get chances in every game. Warnock sides are always powerful and athletic and Ikpeazu had already given notice of his abilities when he thundered in a header at the back post in the 2-1 loss to Wycombe Wanderers at the end of last April. City have not yet learnt their lessons and the Ugandan striker did so once again on Saturday. Worse was to come when the 26-year-old powerhouse - whose battle with Nathan Baker was a tasty side show - then set up the winner for summer signing Matt Crooks, who lost his marker to pounce a few yards out from goal for the 70th minute winner. The former Rotherham United attacking midfielder is a player that we thought that Bristol City might go for in the current transfer window, so it's a bitter pill to swallow that the 6ft4' 27-year-old popped up with the winner, just as he scored last season against City at the New York Stadium, via another set-piece of course. It was easy to predict that how the Robins coped on set-plays would go a large way to determining the outcome of this game, and Nigel Pearson was left to explain that too many duels ended in a foul being conceded (Baker the chief culprit, with three) and the chance for the home side to hurl the ball into the box. As the manager explained after, "Back to work." More training ground sesssions needed or a rethink on the personnel involved. Pearson did concede in his club interview that the performance in the North East may now open the door for others to get a chance, and that might mean that Tomas Kalas and Danny Simpson are possible beneficiaries. When will City's season begin? That made it 12 league games without a win and eight losses in the last 11. How big a problem is the current run? Well, it is only the second Championship game of this season, but it does follow a long pattern that began last March. The loss to Forest Green Rovers doesn't help either. Bristol City need a win. We're not at desperation stage by a long shot but the trip to Reading won't be easy and Swansea City at Ashton Gate on Friday could become a huge game. City need to get their season started and waiting another week to do that would likely set off alarm bells, although time is needed to get this team right. The manager has always said that this is a three-year project and that several transfer windows will be needed to build a squad to really compete. It will take patience for the younger players to come good too. Alex Scott continues to shine but not to match-winning level yet. A fairly even game against Middlesbrough, like the week before against Blackpool, came down to fine margins. There were some signs in there that tell us that there could be good results not too far away however: relatively few chances for Boro, a very good spell for the away side with a decent number of attempts on goal away from Ashton Gate. We have already called for some tactical flexibility to make the most of the current squad and certainly many of the players will be needed in the coming days with two games in quick succession. Hard work at the training ground is the first port of call and maybe a bit of luck to get things going. It may yet take longer to regain belief, rebuild confidence and iron out the deficiencies. Pearson has time on his side currently, although it will not last forever. Room for manoeuvre? One final thing the club may wish to review and reconsider is their transfer policy for this summer: a late loan move or incoming transfer could yet spark a turnaround on the pitch and get things going in the right direction. Unfortunately market stagnation is not helping, with few clubs willing to spend currently, and therefore few offers coming in for City players, that may then enable the West Country men to go and recruit in return. If things don't go well in the next two games it will be interesting to see if the club sticks as is or twists and looks to inspire a change in fortunes. There are already a few signs that it could be a hard slog ahead for 2021/22. Any tonics are welcome. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/bristol-city-verdict-robins-need-5788896
5 points I picked up fom that imformative article ~ * Zac Vyner - Crap * Weakness - Keep conceding from set plays. * Kalas & Simpson - Sat on the bench * Squad - Need technical flexibility * Bristol City - Change in transfer policy That's some points, what do you think?
"There are already a few signs that it could be a hard slog ahead for 2021/22." Certainly seems that way. Most of our seasons we get off to a good start, grabbing safety of the championship early doors.....we need to get an early 3 points or this is going to turn into a desperate struggle......something we've avoided for quite a while!!
City are paying Pearson to sort it out.. 1. I never saw Vyner as being crap 2. Coach the defence to tighten up, Pearson sat in the stand has the same view as us and should know what needs to be done.. 3. Pearson needs to sort out their differences or replace him quickly 4. Been like that for a while, nothing has changed for the better as yet 5. Can only buy what's available, in the right price bracket that wants to come here.......in the last 3 seasons, we've lacked creative midfielders, cover at the back and a decent leader on the pitch.....again, nothing has changed. NB Jiffie.........it's my opinion and not factual
1. Vyner has started crap and has been responsible for 2 incidents resulting in goals conceded (aided and abetted by Weimann for one) he has also in both games been incredibly casual putting us at risk in dangerous areas. He doesn't know how to close players down and does not put enough effort into preventing crosses. 2. I would lay a huge bet that most of the defensive training has been on just this. But no coach not even LJ or Pep can be blamed when players like Vyner and Weimann make unforced schoolboy errors or missing very good chances. All 3 goals conceded are pretty much down to 2 players, not the defence as a whole. 3. If you are talking about Kalas I could not agree more, fans are constantly telling us that he is premiership material, so where are all his premiership suitors? 4. Totally agree, but where we differ is you claim that the serial failures can be coached to be better, something that has not happened for more than 2 seasons and 3 managers, as our back up squad proved Tuesday night too many are not up for the fight, had they been Pearson could select some of them for the Reading game without a second thought and total confidence but not for the first time they let themselves down. 5. The first sentence is correct, and I agree about the creative midfielder especially given that Palmer has done nothing as a creative outlet so far. I disagree about leaders we have 2 in midfield and in both games we have more than held our own, and although you won't recognise it they have been our main creative outlet, which is yet another indictment on Palmer. Weimann is not and will never be a midfielder, Nagy doesn't want to be here, Massengo has not weighed in with a single assist or goal since arriving. NB Onfer most of this is my opinion backed up by the evidence of performances so far, the highlighted is fact.
Can’t see any other way, unless we can pick up a RB on a free. Simpson isn’t the answer, I’ve never understood why we bothered with him, a waste of a wage in my view.
We also need width and someone who can actually cross a ball, hunt wasn’t great, but we got rid of him and haven’t replaced with better, at least he could cross a decent ball and managed a few assists. I can’t think of anyone at the club now that can actually get wide and put a decent cross over.
GMG Walking on egg shells! Between the lines often at pains to indicate reporting other media comments as opposed to own opinions. Re - highlighted some good points …. 3 league games in 7 days is quite a task to cope with 9 points up for grabs and 4 [5] has to be the minimum 1 so far. no team has not dropped points or 3! ZAK has played alongside Baker but has 1/2 new additions to get used to and DaSilva didn't play for most of last season NP likely to have own slant on how the back performs /play Set plays defending against always difficult as the odd unlikely move/ trickery often employed Kalas and Simpson ….. maybe they are set in their ways and have their part to play in a different approach? GMG comment seems out of place in it context? regarding flexibility ……... Transfer policy.... another GMG comment … the club has changed track, and also stated numerous times the market is difficult and not for the sake of it get in a misfit ……
Tbf to Vyner, he is not a crap footballer. However he is a useless RB. If he has to play then he's in the wrong position and that is down to Pearson.
Might be true however only one game so far this season is h I have heard this one before, somebody on here claimed he had never played in midfield ever before, when he had quite often for Aberdeen. For the record all of his appearances under LJ were at right back. I think he is just as bad as a centre back as he is as full back, again lapses of concentration caused a lot of goals from set pieces last season of course maybe it was premiership class Kalas who was too blame for the lapses?
This is how I would go against Reading. And to be honest that right hand side is still ****ed. It will be until Semenyo is fit, which won’t be until late September (fully match fit) …………………….Bentley …….Kalas……..Atkinson………..Baker HNM………King….…….James……..Dasilva ……………………..Scott.. ……..Weimann (Martin)……….Wells.
I would personally would put Martin in the Scott position and try Janneh next to Wells. Both worth a try.
that makes sense! lol ..... However I have added GMG to start of post …[ he regularly gets slapped down by NP ... LAST WEEK quite hard!!] as for points? well, Read again and you will see 6 opinions / notations …. starter for 10 [hopefully you read, and digested, the post Wiz thoughtfully put up, and his 5 observations?] GMG [ Gregor McGregor ] LEAGUE GAMES we played 1 on the 14th next on 17th and next on 20th ….. that's Sat … Tues … Friday [ 6 days really ] ………………. add in Blackpool / forest green then 5 games in 13 days!
