After a week that had enough action to feel like a month, as Bristol City lost Antoine Semenyo and Dan Bentley to the riches of the Premier League, any worries of a lack of attacking firepower or depth across the side were forgotten for 90 minutes as Bristol City beat West Bromwich Albion 3-0 to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Sam Bell wasted little time stepping into Semenyo’s now empty shoes, showing that natural instinct in front of goal to score either side of half-time, while Alex Scott finally opened his account for the season after an excellent counter-attacking move.
If you hadn’t known of Semenyo’s departure prior to Saturday’s game, you would have wondered what all the fuss was about. We’re not suggesting that his presence won’t be missed in the future, of course it will, but one player doesn’t make a side.
The most important thing for City is that they have their name in the hat (or ball in the bowl) for the fifth round but, ahead of that, it continues the building of momentum generated since the Boxing Day defeat to the Baggies.
You wouldn’t have been able to tell that it was little over a month ago since that miserable afternoon, such has been the immense upturn in the Robins’ performances, hopefully this is just the start of a truly exciting end to the season.
While we wait to see where City will be heading in early March and ‘enjoy’ the closing of the transfer window, here are the moments missed from Ashton Gate.
Sam Bell’s celebration
When Bristol Live spoke to Sam Bell, after he scored his first Robins goal against Swansea City, he said that all he needed no, to feel truly satisfied, was one at Ashton Gate in front of his family, and Saturday brought not one, but two.
In terms of finishing prowess, they don’t come much better than the 20-year-old’s brace and it was clear to see just what it meant to the striker, as he ran towards the corner of the where the players family are seated, waving up to those closest to him (including Dad Micky, who was in attendance) after an initial leap into the air.
Pearson isn’t exactly one for huge celebrations from the sidelines but with a smile across his face he held up one finger to Bell, explaining after the game it was to remind him, he needed to score one at home.
His second was just as good as his powerful first strike and he ran along the South Stand arms out with that same grin stretched across his face again.
As the players made their way back down the tunnel at full-time, Bell was swarmed by teammates and staff congratulating him with hugs and handshakes, while assistant Curtis Fleming instead decided to remind of his youth by ruffling his hair as if he were a young child.
Alex Scott set for England
“About time he scored one,” joked Pearson when asked about Alex Scott’s first of 2022/23 and, although there’s some truth to that comment, there haven’t been many better individual performances in BS3 this season.
The 19-year-old showed anyone who believed the Robins’ valuation of him to be too steep that he was worth every single penny, completing 91 per cent of his 35 attempted passes as he ran the game from midfield.
“This is his second full season with us, and he’s been up there with our best player in both seasons,” explained Pearson. “As far as I’m concerned, he’ll play for England. That’s how good he’ll be or is.” It's not the first time the City manager has made such a declaration, and he's never one for hyperbole.
Scott has been afforded the opportunity to play a bit further up the field since Kal Naismith’s move to the middle of the park and it’s only benefitting him as he is seemingly influencing games more often with each passing week.
Young keeper joins the ranks
As the goalkeepers and coach Pat Mountain made their way onto the Ashton Gate turf ahead of kick-off, all eyes of those already in their seats would have been trying to catch a glimpse of new signing Nikita Haikin.
But the former Bodo/Glimt stopper wasn’t the only new face involved in the City goalkeeping warm-up as the Robin’ Under-18s keeper Joe Duncan filled the third-choice role in the matchday squad.
Stefan Bajic had become a regular fixture on matchdays to help put O’Leary through his paces in the first half of the season, but with his loan confirmed until the end of the season and Bentley’s move to Wolves, there is no real obvious third option.
Pearson has often spoken about the importance of blooding academy players into the first-team squad by experiencing what the matchday experience is actually like and as his bench selection on Saturday showed, he’s not afraid to give youth a chance.
Dasilva feeling the love
It feels like we’ve been here time and time again with Jay Dasilva, the former Chelsea man will appear completely out of the future plans, only to get an opportunity out of nowhere and look like he’s never been away.
Saturday saw Dasilva’s first start since prior to the World Cup break, such has been the form of Cam Pring, and the left-back will have done little to harm his chances of some more consistent minutes.
Pearson has previously extinguished any suggestions of a fall out between him and the 24-year-old and their good relationship was on full show as the City boss shared a long hug and conversation after Dasilva was substituted in the 88th minute.
As he made his way to his seat in the dugout there were handshakes from all other members of the coaching staff who were obviously very pleased with his display. Perhaps the bittersweet factor will be that with Pring’s suspension served and, with his impressive recent form, you’d expect him to return straight into the starting XI at Preston North End this Saturday.
West Brom fans find some fun
There are few things more miserable as a fan than seeing your team be played off the park away from home, and while three quarters of Ashton Gate spent most of Saturday afternoon bouncing, the travelling Baggies were stunned into silence.
However, like all good supporters they showed some initiative and good humour by delving deep into the songbook for the most self-deprecating chants they could find.
There were choruses of “we’ve had a shot” after Brandon Thomas-Asante finally tested O’Leary late in the second half, closely followed by a string of “Olé” greeting every pass that was made by the away side.
It’s hard to feel too sorry for the travelling contingent who have already enjoyed a visit to South Bristol when they were so impressive on Boxing Day. Their side weren’t at the races on Saturday, but with the quality they possess it won’t be long until they’re firing again.
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