It's been a rollercoaster of a season so far for Bristol City.
Having reached the dizzying heights of third at the beginning of September, there's no judgement for feeling optimistic for the season ahead. Talk of a play-off charge may have seemed premature now with a fair share of reality checks along the way.
We're 21 games into the Championship season with 25 left on the calendar and four weeks to contemplate before City head to Rotherham to kick-start the festive schedule. Nigel Pearson's side lie 18th and are keeping a close eye over their shoulders having been sucked towards the bottom three.
It's not just City who have struggled to deal with the inconsistencies this season. That reflects in the ultra-tight Championship table with eight points separating the play-offs and relegation.
Some players have risen to the occasion, others have failed to deliver and Pearson has some decisions to make in the January transfer window especially if City remain close to the bottom three. Here we hand out the (almost) mid-season awards.
Best goal...
"Go on Antoine, take him on." That was the commentary from Brian Tinnion when Antoine Semenyo picked up the ball on the left touchline seconds after Huddersfield hit the post.
He had plenty of work to do as he faced up to his defender in the area, took two touches to create space on his right foot before rifling an unstoppable strike into the roof of the net to leave the keeper with no chance. It was Semenyo at his powerful best and put the game beyond doubt when the visitors were pressing for an equaliser.
I also wanted to pick out the opener away at Blackburn when City scored a scintillating counter-attack. Alex Scott started the move deep in his own half by getting out of a tight spot and playing it forward to Andi Weimann.
His first touch took it around the defender who ran half the length of the pitch before picking out Nahki Wells at the back post. From one end to the other, blink and you'd have missed the goal.
Standout moment...
A special mention to Dylan Kadji who was handed his senior debut in the EFL Cup against Wycombe and he duly took his opportunity by scoring just seven minutes into the game. It won't win any goal of the season awards as he stuck it in from close range but he won't care about that.
You can't help but smile when you see Tommy Conway's passion after he glanced his header against Cardiff into the corner. It was a superb moment for the young striker to score in the Severnside Derby having been at the academy since the age of seven. And in front of the City fans too.
Unsung hero...
Matty James' performances usually go under the radar but his absence from the side was definitely felt when he was out injured. City have lost five of the 13 games he has featured this season, including the defeats at Norwich and Burnley when the visitors were impressive.
He offers that extra resilience in front of the defence and brings organisation and leadership to midfield. If he's fit, he's usually one of the first names on the team sheet for Nigel Pearson and it's easy to see why.
When the manager bemoans a lack of consistency in his side, James has been able to maintain his levels of performance throughout the season.
Best individual performance...
I can't help but think of Alex Scott's performance away at Blackburn when dominated the game from start to finish. He inspired City to a 3-2 victory which moved his side up to third and had the Robins daring to dream.
Much of the talk in the press area before the game was the prospect of Blackburn's teenage talent Adam Wharton in the middle - making just his second senior start. Scott's composure and experience over his counterpart dictated the game and victory.
There's also a shout out to Max O'Leary away at Middlesbrough who pulled off a string of top saves to ensure City left the Riverside with a point. His double save in the first half sparked a counter-attack for the visitors that allowed Andi Weimann to end his goal drought.
Star player...
There's a few that deserve a mention. Scott has been a joy to watch at times but his level of performances have almost become an expectancy given his ridiculous potential and quality.
For me, Tommy Conway has to get the nod with Zak Vyner pushing him close. The young striker's eight goals this season is a great return for a player making in proper breakthrough campaign.
It's not just his goals, however, but his all-round play. He isn't fazed going up against powerful central defenders and his movement in and around the box has also got the best out of strike partner Nahki Wells.
Credit also to Vyner who continues to prove his critics wrong after coming back into the side. He's cemented his position as one of the most reliable defenders this season which no one would have believed at the beginning of the campaign.
Best game...
The most entertaining has to be the 3-3 draw with Blackpool, even if City conceded last minute to throw away two points. Nahki Wells hitting the post inside a minute set the tone for an enthralling end-to-end contest.
City came from behind twice with Tommy Conway and Antoine Semenyo on the scoresheet before taking the lead through a Marvin Ekpiteta own goal. Blackpool boss Michael Appleton said it could have been 6-6 as it "was one of those games."
The 2-0 home victory over Cardiff is also worthy of a mention on Nigel Pearson's 59th birthday with Conway getting himself on the scoresheet.
Worst game...
I'm sure some of the City players would wake up in a cold sweat if they think about that Lincoln nightmare earlier this month. It was an embarrassing performance and result, made more disappointing by the prospect of drawing one of the Premier League big boys in the last 16.
There's another two in the league that spring to mind. The first being Birmingham away which was a grim and forgettable afternoon.
Old wounds were reopened with the hosts scoring three set-pieces to conjure up familiar problems that became such a talking point last season. City were well off the pace, mustering just one shot on target.
Nigel Pearson was understandably far from happy at the full-time whistle and it led to the likes of Dan Bentley and Han-Noah Massengo coming out of the side.
The other was also away from home at Reading. It promised more than City delivered as they went into the game on the back of a 2-0 victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns.
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