George Tanner believes he has the ability to stop any opposing winger in the Championship after starring in Bristol City's victory over Norwich on Saturday.
The 23-year-old has every reason to radiate confidence after putting in his best performance at the club following his arrival from Carlisle in the summer of 2021. Tanner was instrumental in keeping a first league clean sheet in 2023 and has cemented his position in the side during a run of nine games unbeaten.
He's had to be patient for his opportunity with his first Championship start of the campaign coming as a central defender in the 1-1 draw against Swansea at the end of October. Despite playing in an unfamiliar position on the right of the defensive three, Tanner impressed and kept his place in the resulting defeat against Sheffield United.
A sending-off in the following game threatened to lose his place in the side but Tanner came back to the fore, playing as a right wing-back before eventually dropping to his favoured right-back spot after Nigel Pearson adopted a 4-3-3 system.
City and Tanner are reaping the benefits and he's been integral during the club's turn of form starting all nine matches after the Boxing Day defeat against West Brom. Now he's looking to push on following a campaign that was dogged by two hamstring injuries, sending a clear message to opponents who line up against him.
"I back myself against any winger that I come up against in the Championship," Tanner said. "I know that I can get the better of them so I take pride in that.
"As I'm getting older I know what I'm good at. That's my defending, I take pride in my defending. I'm not one where I'm going to be so creative at the top of the pitch. I've done it at times this season but for me, I've just got to be dogged and to win my individual duels.
"The run of games has been really helping me. I've just got to keep building on these performances and get better each time."
Those thoughts were echoed by Pearson at the full-time whistle who said of the young defender: "That was the best game he’s had for us, I think. He’s more accomplished now. He’s worked hard.
"He’s been here a year and a half now and he’s had a mixture of fortunes both in terms of his form and opportunities and injuries so he’s doing well. It takes time to get some players up to speed and George has always had the physical capabilities but he’s doing particularly well there now, which is great.”
Tanner was involved in two brilliant pieces of defending on Saturday that resulted in a round of applause from Pearson in his technical area. Both came from crosses in either half, with the former Manchester United academy prospect winning crucial headers at the back post under pressure.
"At the minute there's a good team spirit and a real desire to not concede goals," he added. "We're so happy for each other and there's confidence We've shown we can beat any team and we've had a good FA Cup run too which has helped.
"In training, we are working on the shape and there's a real belief about not conceding goals. Teams are having to work really hard to score. I think we are having to cut out our mistakes as well. It's not just the defenders, it's the wingers and forwards pressing from the front - there's a real team spirit at the moment."
Tanner is also forging a strong and reliable partnership with Mark Sykes down the right side. The winger scored his fifth goal in six matches against Norwich and Tanner was eager to praise the Republic of Ireland international for his role in his development.
"I think the games have helped that partnership. Sykesy works really hard and he helps me out a lot," he added.
"It's not always easy playing against sides like Norwich where the wingers rotate on either side and the full-backs overlap. You don't sometimes know which ones to mark but Syksey has been really good at that. The communication has been really good and we've got to keep working and building on that relationship."
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