It’s been a weekly thought process for each of the last three Bristol City managers, albeit with Dean Holden not afforded near as much opportunity as Nigel Pearson and Lee Johnson: how do I get Andi Weimann into my starting XI?
The Austrian has been a consistent starter since he arrived at the club in the summer of 2018 and whether it be at right-wing, central striker, withdrawn forward, centre midfielder, false 10 or right wing-back, when he’s been fit he’s always tended to start.
That decision to ponder has been taken away from Pearson for today’s game against Birmingham City and potentially at least the next three Championship fixtures, due to the 31-year-old’s hamstring injury sustained against Swansea City.
Both he and Tommy Conway are absent for the rest of this month and although it’s an area of the pitch Pearson has plentiful options, he’d still much rather prefer them fit and ready to take on a typically awkward and obdurate Blues team.
Here’s how we think City will line up at Ashton Gate…
Goalkeeper and defence
There has been talk surrounding Dan Bentley’s future at the club but it’s largely inconsequential regarding team selection for today with Max O’Leary firmly established as City’s No1 having started the last 14 games and, for the most part, earned each of those appearances.
What would be interesting is if the 26-year-old were to suffer a dip in performance between now and January 31, would that make Pearson reconsider Bentley’s prospects this season - and his contract status is another sizeable caveat - or would it be Stefan Bajic’s turn?
It’s a completely hypothetical debate and one that hopefully won’t come to pass, but the goalkeeper department does appear to be in a slight state of flux even taking into consideration O’Leary’s consistency between the sticks in what has been arguably his most impressive spell in the team.
In front of the goalkeeper, there’s every reason to suggest that Pearson will stick with the same three who have started that last trio of games: Zak Vyner, Rob Atkinson and Kal Naismith. There is a growing understanding between the trio, a nice balance given the right-left-left foot combination and against Birmingham each man possesses the necessary physical attributes to combat Blues aerial threat and at set-pieces.
Once Tomas Kalas returns that could complicate selection with the Czech back in training and inching ever closer but this game comes too soon. Likewise if Pearson gets his wish and is able to sign a new centre-back but that won’t come to pass for at least another week, if not more with business likely to run all the way to the end of the window.
Like Kalas, right wing-back Kane Wilson is also working his way back to full fitness after a knee issue that has kept him out since October.
In his position should be George Tanner who has been quietly efficient in his return to the side offering plenty of defensive cover, while Cam Pring will maintain his spot on the left after Jay Dasilva played in midweek for the Under-21s.
Midfield
Matty James and Alex Scott are now established as Pearson’s go-to pairing and that should continue as they’ve started the last seven games together.
The intriguing decision is who joins them in the middle of the park following Weimann’s injury with the Austrian usually occupying the offensive playmaking role (when he’s not filling in at wing-back).
Mark Sykes has sort of become the forgotten man to an extent after a long run in the side and, in many ways, the Republic of Ireland international would be best suited to mimicking Weimann’s role, both on and off the ball, and looked bright in that position when asked in pre-season before he was switched to wing-back.
But Sykes probably hasn’t done enough in his performances off the bench and the likelihood is that Joe Williams will be shifted into central midfield, having made a bright cameo against Swansea, with Scott then positioned further forward in that No10 role.
The only other feasible option is to start Andy King but, at home, and with City wanting to take the game to Birmingham and play on the front foot that would be perceived as a slightly reductive move and the veteran will instead be kept back on the bench and potentially deployed towards the end of the game.
Weimann and Conway’s absence could also allow Dylan Kadji a place on the bench as extra midfield cover having been part of the matchday 18 against Swansea City.
Attack
Process of elimination, and the fact that Chris Martin has largely been out of favour, makes this a pretty straightforward call: Antoine Semenyo will be partnered by Nahki Wells.
The Bermudian replaced Conway against the Swans and lined up alongside the Ghana international for the majority of the game and although previously Pearson has noted that those two have a tendency to play too far apart, there was a greater degree of chemistry and cohesion; something City will dearly need to plug the goal gap.
Sam Bell does provide a talking point as the manager stated on Thursday it’s highly unlikely the Under-21 top scorer will be loaned out - much to Cheltenham Town’s frustration - and he now has an important role to play.
With Wells and Semenyo in line to start the next three or four games, depending on how long Weimann is out and their own form, Bell increasingly looks like the next change for Pearson - ahead of Martin, that is - an opportunity he’s been waiting for and has, to some degree, earned following his success in front of goal with the young Robins.
It will be a fascinating sub-plot over the next few weeks to see this next stage of his development.
Bristol City (3-5-2): O’Leary; Vyner, Atkinson, Naismith; Tanner, James, Williams, Scott, Pring; Semenyo, Wells
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