International breaks seem to get longer but what was experienced over the last two weeks will pale in comparison to the next stoppage in the schedule when the World Cup kicks off in November.
But never mind that for now, with Bristol City back in action and returning to Ashton Gate for the first time in over a month as they host sixth-placed QPR for what should be a lively fixture, and another tough examination against one of the division’s better teams.
Michael Beale’s side have been decent on their travels, with their only defeats on the road being two 1-0s at Swansea City and Blackburn Rovers, and City will need to bring all their good prior to the break with them, and hopefully leave the bad behind.
To a large extent, the City team picks itself, which is a reflection of how well they’re playing as a collective but also, if you’re a half-empty kind of individual, is perhaps indicative of the lack of options available to the manager and managing those resources appropriately over the next six weeks before Qatar 2022 will be crucial.
Here is how we think the Robins will line up against the Rs when the teamsheets drop at 2pm today…
Goalkeeper and defence
Stefan Bajic is continuing his recovery from wrist surgery with another appearance for the Under-21 side in midweek to the point that we can start considering him as a viable first-team option on matchdays.
That’s, of course, with the large caveat of the Frenchman never having played a competitive minute for the club, or in England for that matter, so it’s going to take some time before he’s seen in a Championship fixture but the Robins now essentially have three senior goalkeepers fit and available.
The overwhelming reason why Bajic is going to have to bide his time is the presence of Dan Bentley who’s enjoying a solid campaign between the sticks and will make his 11th start of the season against QPR with Max O’Leary as No2 having been away with the Republic of Ireland squad.
In front of Bentley, what’s interesting isn’t necessarily who takes to the field in the starting XI - because injuries coupled with good form dictate it can only be Zak Vyner, Kal Naismith and Rob Atkinson - but who will be on the bench in reserve.
Outside of that trio, Pearson’s other senior centre-backs, Tomas Kalas and Timm Klose, are both injured meaning he may decide to include the marginalised Cam Pring as cover or George Tanner, with the full-back increasingly being considered a central defensive option.
As for the wing-back slots, where Pring and Tanner usually operate, Mark Sykes should maintain his place on the right and Jay Dasilva on the left as both have been among the Robins best performers. Kane Wilson will surely see plenty of football, and therefore his first Championship start, over the coming weeks but the summer signing has to earn his chance and Sykes’ form is keeping him out.
Midfield
Matty James misses out today due to a groin issue so there will be at least one change from the team that took to the field against Burnley at Turf Moor. With Alex Scott’s position in the XI and central midfield pretty much assured - and the teenager oozed class once again up in Lancashire - you’re left with three midfielders - Andy King, Han-Noah Massengo and Joe Williams - competing for the last spot.
The smart money is Williams who’s made the most starts of the trio and has played alongside Scott and brings that natural energy, tenacity and defensive smarts, offering greater security for the teenager to get on the ball and make things happen.
Williams, admittedly, doesn’t quite have the same level of tactical discipline as James but in a home fixture where City will be looking to take the game to QPR, he might not need to, and the likelihood is the man who can fulfil that task, King, will be used as a late substitute if things are needed to be shored up in that area of the park.
Williams’ availability probably limits Massengo to a bench role but that’s not to say the Frenchman has done anything wrong, it’s just Pearson trusts the senior player more, especially with James out of action.
And we digress slightly here but you also have to consider the fact that while Pearson will use Massengo if he needs to, the midfielder’s resistance at wanting to sign a new contract beyond next summer could limit his first-team involvement should there be other options available. It won’t necessarily be a conscious decision to do so by the manager, but it has to be buried in there somewhere. We are, indeed, thinking out aloud a bit here, mind.
We should also raise the ever-so slight possibility of Scott maybe given breather having featured in all three of England Under-20s games in Spain; twice as a starter and once off the bench. You'd imagine City will do everything they can to get him into the team but fatigue has to be a small consideration.
Ahead of that duo at the base of the midfield, Andi Weimann has been cleared to play after sustaining a knock to his leg while on international duty with Austria. City’s reigning Player of the Year training on Thursday and Friday and unless there were any late complications will line up in the attacking midfield position he’s very much made his own.
Attack
Pearson has all his frontline forwards fit and available with Tommy Conway and Antoine Semenyo returning from international duty in one piece and Nahki Wells remaining in Bristol due to Bermuda not playing any matches.
That should mean Conway partners the 32-year-old for an eighth successive game as the two have struck up such a strong rapport and it would seem needless to break it up.
That is unless Pearson is concerned about Conway’s involvement over the break, he started both games for Scotland Under-21s, and if his conditioning is such he can hit the ground running by starting against the Rs.
The expectation is he will play but if there is any concern from Pearson or Dave Rennie, that will then open the door for Semenyo to make his first start of the campaign. The 22-year-old was thankfully used sparingly by Ghana against Brazil and then Nicaragua, playing just 22 minutes, and Pearson admits he’s ready to now start for City but he’ll first have to dislodge Conway or Wells to get to the status.
Elsewhere, Chris Martin will play a supporting role from the bench and it’ll be interesting to see if Sam Bell’s two-goal showing against Swansea City for the Under-21s earns him a place in the matchday 18.
Bristol City (3-4-1-2): Dan Bentley; Zak Vyner, Kal Naismith, Rob Atkinson; Mark Sykes, Alex Scott, Joe Williams, Jay Dasilva; Andi Weimann; Tommy Conway, Nahki Wells
