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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Bristol City verdict: Semenyo's professionalism, Sam Bell's ready, set-pieces and a waiting game

So that's six unbeaten in all competitions as Bristol City's character was put to the test to come back from a second half set-back and leave Ashton Gate with a point.

It was far from a classic on a bitterly cold afternoon in BS3 and following a first-half that offered very little to take our attentions away from the plummeting temperatures, at least the second 45 minutes provided entertainment value.

Bradley Dack opened the scoring 10 minutes into the second half when he finished beyond Max O'Leary to maintain their play-off push. But City fought back and deservedly grabbed an equaliser through Antoine Semenyo after Zak Vyner's strike from distance was conveniently parried into his path.

Youngster Sam Bell thought he had won it towards the end when his strike found the bottom corner but the linesman had his flag raised for offside. City should have had a penalty in the second half when Nahki Wells was hacked down from behind but the referee waved play to continue, leading to a frustrated Nigel Pearson questioning the officials.

A point leaves the Robins 17th in the Championship, seven points above Huddersfield who occupy the final relegation spot with the Terriers also playing two games less. They are also nine points adrift of the play-offs as the second tier continues to prove its remarkable unpredictability.

Here's the talking points from the draw as the focus turns to an FA Cup game with West Brom next weekend.

Antoine Semenyo's professionalism

On Thursday, Bournemouth were desperately trying to have Antoine Semenyo in their squad to face Nottingham Forest yesterday but despite two offers, have fallen short of City's valuation. Pearson spoke in the build-up about the potential of Semenyo feeling unsettled which would be more than understandable given the nature of the offers.

There was absolutely no sign of that on the pitch yesterday with the striker again showing exactly why he could be heading to the Premier League before the end of the month. He was the best player on the pitch in the first half, with Blackburn struggling to deal with his pace and power both out on the left and through the middle.

His goal was fully deserved and if that is his final contribution in a City shirt, it was fitting that he would be the player that allowed them to come away with a point. As far as his goal highlight reel goes, the strike will be towards the bottom with the Blackburn keeper teeing him up perfectly following Vyner's strike.

It was credit to himself that he was able to switch off from the ongoing speculation and focus on the task at hand, even with the slim prospect of picking up an injury to rule him out of a potential switch to the top flight. At the full-time whistle, there was no sign of a farewell to supporters but there was a certain possibility that could have been his final game at Ashton Gate.

Pearson was full of praise for his professionalism after the game and said: "The background noise is always going to be there. Whether it is criticism or people questioning aspects of your game, you’ve got to not really concentrate on all that crap that is going on in the background because most of it is crap.

"It’s not necessarily coming from the majority of people, you have to block it out and concentrate on what the job is. As a player you’ve got to deliver what you are selected to deliver, it is as simple as that. As a young man, he’s dealt with the situation very well.

“I thought he played really well and he showed all the qualities that I hoped that he would do that whilst he’s at the football club he is committed to us."

What happens in the next week will certainly be intriguing but that performance is further evidence that City can stand firm in their valuation of the player.

Thomas Kaminski saves Semenyo's header (Robbie Stephenson/JMP)

The set-piece delivery

Whilst there has been little to get negative about during Bristol City's unbeaten stretch, there was a chorus of groans around Ashton Gate when a Matty James free-kick failed to beat the first man in the first half. That was a familiar sight yesterday with Kal Naismith and James lacking quality from dead-ball scenarios.

To give them credit, both players enjoyed a fine game in midfield. James was doing what he does best by breaking up play, winning the turnovers and keeping things simple while Naismith is looking more assured in that defensive midfield role since the change of formation although did appear culpable for switching off for Blackburn's goal.

However, their deliveries let them down and it was an all-too-regular occurrence to witness corners and free-kicks being headed away by the men at the front post. It was frustrating, particularly when chances were at a premium with City registering three shots on target.

It's also equally as frustrating with Naismith in particular, because he has the technical ability to play crosses into superb areas but that was lacking yesterday. It's a part of the game which can be worked on and the seven set-pieces scored this season, ranking City in joint-11th in comparison to the rest of the Championship, is evidence of that.

Sam Bell's ready

It's worth noting that Mark Sykes had come into this game on the back of 120 gruelling minutes against Swansea in the week and a full 90 against Birmingham last weekend. Prior to that, he hadn't played a full game since the 1-1 draw with the Swans towards the end of October.

Three goals in his last two matches before yesterday in his favoured position is an excellent return as he continues to learn and develop his game at Championship level. Whether it's down to the amount of minutes he's played recently or Blackburn's defensive qualities, it wasn't his day yesterday.

The substitution to bring Sam Bell on 66 minutes for Sykes instantly provided the hosts with extra energy, pace and a threat down that right side. His first involvement would end up leading to a goal when Alex Scott picked out his run with a great through ball.

Sam Bell's goal is disallowed (Robbie Stephenson/JMP)

Bell broke into the box and won the corner which eventually came out to Vyner before Semenyo's equaliser. He almost grabbed the headlines for the second time in a week when his found the bottom corner but was adjudged to have been offside.

Looking back at the replays it certainly proved an extremely tight call. Pearson wasn't happy with the linesman's positioning and said after the game: "I’ve seen the linesman or the referee’s assistant is not in the position to make that call in terms of he’s not level with the last person."

There's no doubt his winner against Swansea would have given him the appetite to regularly hit the back of the net and with Semenyo's future uncertain beyond this month, there's a very good chance Bell will be handed more minutes as the season progresses.

There's little doubt in Pearson's mind that Bell is ready to step up. "He may well do this year," when asked whether he could become an integral figure next season.

"I don't feel the need or necessity to outline a timeframe on that. The same as Tommy Conway this season, he broke into the team and was able to cement his own place by performing and scoring goals. Sam Bell might very well do the same.

"Sam Bell is ready and he has the attributes to allow him to perform and be successful at this level. Firstly, he's good enough technically and on top of that, in terms of his character and mentality to deal with that situation, I think he will be fine."

Tomas Kalas returns

It was very much a welcome sight to see Tomas Kalas with a huge grin on his face as he stepped off the team bus and headed into the home changing room following his injuries. It was the first time he has been in the squad since the victory over West Brom in October having struggled with a groin issue.

As he awaits his first start of the season, his return is obviously a big boost for City and Pearson in regards to options at the back but given the form and partnership between Vyner and Rob Atkinson, getting back into the side will be no easy feat.

Both Vyner and Atkinson enjoyed solid afternoons, albeit they weren't particularly troubled by the ineffective Jack Vale in attack who looked isolated for large periods. They have cemented their roles in the side and while Kalas' return provides welcome selection decisions, he will need to remain patient.

Pearson said: "He's going to have to wait for his opportunity because the lads playing at the minute are doing very, very well. Zak Vyner's form has been very good and likewise with Rob Atkinson recently. It means when we play with a back four, Tomas will have to bide his time."

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