Nigel Pearson called for a response from some of his Bristol City players after the defeat to Sheffield United last week and it’s safe to say they delivered, deservedly beating Rotherham 2-1 thanks to goals from Tommy Conway and Andi Weimann.
The first half saw the Robins dominate the game and they really should’ve been home and dry by the half-time whistle, with Harry Cornick spurning a golden chance to double the lead midway through the first period.
But after some contentious refereeing decisions and a leveller from Jordan Hugill, it took a scrappy late goal from Weimann to ensure the three points remained in the southwest.
The win may not have much of an effect on the overall season for the Robins who are destined for a ninth consecutive season in England’s second tier, however, it was a rare chance to almost see a first-choice City team in action and a look ahead to what can be expected next season.
Before we get too excited with what could come in the summer and beyond, especially after a trophy-filled Sunday for the club, here are the moments missed from Saturday’s win.
The second double of the campaign
A lot was made before the Robins’ trip to Sheffield United last week of the fact no team had yet won both fixtures against Pearson’s side. That record was broken by the Blades and could well be increased when leaders Burnley visit Ashton Gate on Saturday, but City are completing their own doubles.
The Reds have now won both matches against the Millers, with an aggregate score of 5-2, as only their second completed double having also beaten Preston North End in both meetings this season.
Last season, Pearson’s team managed to beat: Derby County, Stoke City and Reading, home and away, and having already lost to both Burnley and QPR this season, they won’t be able to match their record from last season.
But with the points total already surpassing that of the entirety of the 2021/22 season, the Robins have become much more difficult to beat, losing five fewer games this time out.
The bare necessities
We’ve managed to include Cam Pring and his nosebleeds far too often in moments missed throughout this season, but once again on Saturday, City’s left-back was down clutching his bleeding face after a "stray" elbow from Jordan Hugill in the second half.
After plenty of treatment in front of the Dolman Stand, Matty James was sent over from the touchline with a spare pair of shorts and shirt much to the enjoyment of City fans.
As Pring quickly stripped down to his briefs pitch side, there were plenty of wolf whistles and cheers echoing around Ashton Gate that left a lot of the City players grinning as their teammate was left embarrassed.
It’s safe to say the having the 25-year-old back in his more natural position was to the benefit of the Robins as the cross for Conway’s opener was inch perfect and allowed him match Jay Dasilva’s season assist tally with five.
Nige enters the book
In his final season as a player, Pearson entered the book three times in 26 appearances for Middlesbrough in the old First Division. Twenty five years later he was once again shown a yellow card.
It was quite amusing to see Pearson, who was obviously still irritated by the referee’s performance, hugged by Jason Euell after the match, walking him down the technical area laughing and grinning at his manager.
As all good defenders do, Pearson said after the game he had no idea what he’d done to warrant a yellow card, but on this occasion his confusion seemed justified. The reaction of the City technical area to Joshua Smith’s decision to award the Millers a penalty was an irritated one but far from over the top.
“I got booked and I don’t know what I even got booked for,” said Pearson. “The fourth official basically imploded because he couldn’t deal with anything, and the referee basically came over and gave me a yellow card and didn’t even tell me what it was for so I’m not sure they understand what’s happening in that regard either.”
The City manager has made no secret of his boredom with officials making poor decisions across his tenure in South Bristol. But the fact that it’s having to remain the primary conversation, even after Weimann’s late winner, only deepens the frustration for Pearson and all those inside BS3.
Taylor wanted another penalty
While the City boss was left perplexed by Smith’s decision-making, Rotherham boss Matt Taylor thought that for most of the game he got the big calls right, but he thought his side should’ve had a second penalty.
“There were three penalty incidents in the game,” said Taylor. “I think he’s got two decisions right in terms of Cameron Humphreys hasn’t fouled the lad (Conway) in the first half, it’s a clear penalty on Jordan.
“Then that rebound, that unfortunately is a penalty. But that is nit-picking in terms of the referee’s performance, I know he was put under pressure.”
Having looked back at the penalty incidents, it feels as though Taylor may be paying Smith a bit too much credit. Humphreys challenge on Conway had more contact than Vyner ever managed on Hugill. While Pring’s clumsy coming together with Georgie Kelly after Shane Ferguson’s long-range effort had struck the post, was the clearest shout of the afternoon.
Ashton Gate improvements
Boxing Day and the 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion feels much more than a few months ago. Arguably Pearson’s nadir in what he described on Saturday as a “difficult season” but since the turn of the new year Ashton Gate has become a fortress.
In the league, the Reds have now not lost any of their nine home league matches in 2023, with their only defeat in BS3 being at the hands of Premier League powerhouses Manchester City in the FA Cup.
This is a far cry from how Pearson’s side finished 2022 at home, having failed to win any of their last six matches in front of their own fans, losing four and drawing two.
As the saying goes, if you can win your home matches and pick up points on the road, you’ll always be fighting at the top end of the table and if City can take their impressive home form into the new campaign who knows what could happen next season.
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
READ NEXT
