Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Bristol City verdict: Klose playing his way to a new deal and one Robin deserves more praise

They'll be a fair few fingernails scattered around the stands of Ashton Gate this morning after that rollercoaster of a win against Reading.

Only Bristol City can be cruising to a relatively easy three points against a side who had lost nine on the spin only to be throwing their bodies on the line to cling on to three points.

Those final 15 minutes felt like a lifetime after John Swift had scored from the penalty spot to give The Royals hope. They had barely threatened Max O'Leary up until that point and with City's record of conceding late goals, there was that sinking inevitable feeling once again.

But as Curtis Fleming said after the contest, when you've gone three games without a win it doesn't matter how you get the three points in the bag, as long as you get the job done.

So there it is, job done and a big sense of relief with Antoine Semenyo back on the scoresheet as The Robins turn their attentions towards Swansea on Sunday.

Here's the verdict as City made it three wins on the spin at Ashton Gate.

Timm Klose's magic

Is it too early to offer him a contract extension already? Let's forget the penalty for a split second, that was a Rolls-Royce of a performance at the back from the big man.

I had my doubts when I saw him moved out to the left of the three centre-backs, especially after his previous performances were through the middle.

Then I saw he was up against Tom Ince and I was slightly more worried for him, particularly dealing with the winger's pace on the left touchline. But how wrong I was.

That first half, in particular, was sensational which was summed up by a sublime piece of skill early on when he turned into Franz Beckenbauer for a split second.

At one point he was hogging the left touchline, somehow transforming himself into a marauding full-back with his gangly frame bombing forward.

Then he launched himself into a tackle that Nigel Pearson himself would have been proud of. He showed that mentality that 'no man shall pass' and looked determined to ensure City's defensive woes were going to come to an end.

Klose also won eight aerial battles, compare that to Tomas Kalas and Zak Vyner who both made two.

Not only he is a capable defender, strong in the tackle and solid in the air, but he's also a leader and you only need to focus on him for a couple of minutes to see that he is the man organising that backline.

He's now played three games in less than two weeks after being without a club for six months but it's almost as though he has never been away.

Klose only signed a short-term deal in January but after performances like that, he's surely playing his way for a one-year contract extension at least.

Back to the penalty. It's incredibly soft and the harsher critics among us may argue that was the only thing he did wrong all evening but don't let that take anything away from his performance.

A mention also for Vyner who came into the side following a tough spell and was more than up for the challenge - despite Reading's timid attack for the first 75 minutes.

Trouble on the left

Again, we go back to the final 20-odd minutes after Cam Pring was substituted in the 67th minute.

The defender, who was playing at wing-back following a stint in the side as a central defender, looked a lot more assured having been handed the freedom to use his pace and get forward.

It was a nervy start from the 24-year-old but he wasn't alone with the entire squad understandably looking low on confidence up until Semenyo's scrappy opener.

He played a key role in that, putting Andi Weimann through on goal who would later tee up Semenyo to slot into an empty net.

Pring then turned provider for the second when his cross just after half-time was turned into his own net by Reading captain Michael Morrison.

One assist, one goal involvement and a solid day at the office for Pring when he was taken off for Callum O'Dowda in the second half.

However, that's when the trouble started. A penalty out of nothing less than 10 minutes later and Reading started to pepper City's goal.

Almost all of those attacks came down the left side - players switching off, losing possession, being overloaded and Reading could sniff blood.

One moment in particular stands out when O'Dowda lost possession on the byline, giving Reading a clear run into the box only to squander another golden opportunity to equalise. It was heart in the mouth stuff and considering he was punished for dwelling on the ball in a similar scenario against Blackpool, he would have been breathing a huge sigh of relief.

O'Dowda was only on the pitch for 20 minutes when injury forced Fleming to make a change and bring on Robbie Cundy for the final few minutes of the game.

As far as cameos go, it was a hugely worrying one for a player who looks to be struggling for form and his defensive display will certainly give Pearson food for thought going forward.

Rest needed for Martin

It's harsh to criticise the big striker, especially after scoring three in three goals before last weekend's trip to Blackpool.

He looked off the pace on the coast and looked sluggish again yesterday evening but it's hardly surprising.

He'll admit himself he's not getting any younger and the 33-year-old Scot has been putting in a shift and a half in the last couple of weeks.

That's the fifth time he has played 90 minutes in less than three weeks and it looks as though he has run himself into the ground.

Chris Martin in action against Reading (Andy Watts/JMP)

He didn't play particularly badly, but when a player whose attributes are holding up the play, winning headers and creating space for team-mates has an off day, it's more noticeable compared to the likes of Semenyo for example who can create a moment out of nothing.

Martin failed to register a shot against Reading and only had a pass accuracy of 64 per cent - the second-lowest among the outfield players behind Pring.

Nahki Wells missed out on the matchday squad with Covid following his cameo against Blackpool where he found himself on the scoresheet. That came on the back of two goals for the Under-23s.

With another game fast approaching on Sunday away at Swansea, it could be a good opportunity to hand Martin a much-needed rest.

A Dasilva-lining

Jay Dasilva continues to be going about his business quietly without receiving a huge amount of plaudits for his recent performances.

However, he more than deserves his fair share of recognition after forcing his way back into the first-team squad and he's repaying the manager's faith.

Not only that, he's doing it out of position as he takes up the right-wing back role instead of his favoured left side.

His City career appeared almost all-but over following the 3-2 defeat to Coventry in November and he had to wait until the 6-2 FA Cup loss to Fulham over two months later to earn his shot at redemption.

Yes, Pearson is certainly not blessed with a wealth of options on that right side hence why Dasilva is a victim of a square peg in a round role.

But he's becoming a vital cog in the system and his technical ability offers his side plenty going forward.

He has the quality to pick out a forward pass and is not afraid to drive at his man. His end product could be finessed but you have to remember that he is only 23 and that will only improve with a run of games.

What makes him so useful to the side is his pace, especially his ability to track back when the opponents are on the counter-attack.

There are shades of Kyle Walker when he's running back to snuff out an opposition attack and it must be a complete nuisance as a winger to go up against him.

For a player who appeared to be heading for the January exit door and no future at Ashton Gate, he's now making himself one of the first names on the team-sheet.

SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.