There was always going to be a slightly strange feeling to this final block of games for Bristol City, with the play-offs out of reach but safety almost guaranteed, but Nigel Pearson’s side showed that they won’t coast into the end of the season in their 1-1 draw with Reading.
Granted, there was frustration over the result and some of the decision-making in the final third but the consensus was that it was two points dropped rather than one gained for the Robins as they seemed set to double their lead after Tommy Conway’s 10th goal of the campaign but lacked the necessary cutting edge.
Sadly, one lapse in concentration was enough for Lucas Joao to ensure a point would be heading back up the M4, leaving a rather deflated feeling both inside the stands and the City dressing room. However, Pearson can certainly take positives from Saturday’s draw and on another day the Robins could’ve and maybe should’ve scored plenty more goals, out-shooting the Royals 18-7.
Luckily, a Good Friday trip to Stoke City is right around the corner and City will have the opportunity to build on Saturday's point. Before we all focus our attention on that, here are the moments missed from Saturday’s draw.
Conway's looking after his mate
There was welcome news for Bristol City fans ahead of kick-off with Pearson breaking the news that Alex Scott’s knee injury sustained while on international duty is only expected to see the midfielder side-lined for a “week to 10 days.”
After the match, Scott’s housemate, teammate and best pal Conway admitted to the press it was time for roles to be reversed in their home, after the midfielder had waited on his every need during his time out with injury.
“I think it’s my turn now to repay the favour,” said Conway, on his first appearance since a hamstring injury in January. “Alex has been brilliant and being able to speak to him, you all know that we live together. He’s been there to listen to me when I’ve had a down day, and I’ve been there for him when he’s been doing really well since I’ve been out injured.
“I saw him just then (after the game) and I think he’s buzzing for me.”
Hopefully the last seven games of the season will offer an opportunity for City fans to see the two housemates link-up again on the pitch and you would have to imagine that would only help aid some of the recent goalscoring struggles.
Vyner finally involved at set-pieces
It’s been noticeable since the likes of Rob Atkinson, Tomas Kalas and Kal Naimsith have suffered injuries, Pearson’s side are certainly lacking a bit of height in the box from set pieces.
What has been surprising is that one of the taller members of the squad, Zak Vyner, has constantly remained the one man left to defend, stuck on halfway to cover the counter-attack, with much smaller players in the penalty area. But Saturday saw Vyner finally find his way into the final third for what seemed like the first time this campaign.
It may well have been out of necessity with Reading having one of the tallest squads in the Championship. City were always likely to be second favourites from set pieces so getting Vyner’s 6’ 1” frame in the box would at least occupy some defenders.
The City academy graduate has never had the prolific streak of Aden Flint or even Atkinson, scoring only twice in 136 appearances for the Robins. This season he’s only taken four shots from inside the penalty area, compared to Atkinson’s 12. And he wasn't able to add to that number on Saturday as he failed to make a connection with any of the deliveries into the box.
Pearson has stressed the importance of having players that are capable of scoring from all over the pitch, but of the side that started on Saturday, six outfield players are yet to find the net this campaign.
No need to hold your breath with James
It was slightly worrying to see Matty James withdrawn from the action, holding his hamstring in the closing stages on Saturday, but Pearson said after the game it was just a case of the midfielder cramping up due to the heavy pitch.
The veteran midfielder was making his first start since March 7 after recovering from an ankle injury and after playing 87 minutes, it's perhaps unsurprising he was feeling it a bit.
In terms of injury updates, Joe Williams could be seen still slightly hobbling around the technical area ahead of kick-off, which shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise with Pearson admitting he won’t feature again this season.
On a more positive note, Atkinson was in and around BS3 with no sign of a knee-brace as he continues his recovery having had surgery on his ACL, while both Kalas and Naismith both seemed to moving pretty easily. Hopefully after a congested Easter weekend they could both make their return.
Yorston inducted into Hall of Fame
Although the Bristol City Hall of Fame has been filling up nicely throughout this season, there was a special induction at Ashton Gate on Saturday, with Corinne Yorston the first Bristol City Women’s player to be inducted.
Yorston’s induction had been announced as an inductee way back in April 2022 and is thoroughly warranted having starred for City across three spells between 2005 and 2018, with time at Arsenal and Yeovil in between.
In her time at the Stoke Gifford Stadium, the defender was part of a side that reached two FA Cup Finals as well as a second-place finish in the WSL and was even involved in Bristol Academy’s famous win over Barcelona.
At half-time Yorston received her induction award from legendary Supporters Club and Trust President Marina Dolman to a great reception from those who remained in their seats.
Ince’s Ramadan confusion
After Saturday’s match, Paul Ince was keen to emphasise the threadbare state of his squad. The former Manchester United midfielder said that the Royals had eight players who would’ve started against the Robins out with injury, a problem he believes no other side in the division is having to face. “We’re asking the same players to go to the well every game,” he explained.
But injuries aren’t the only thing causing problems for the Royals, with Ince suggesting defender Amadou Salif Mbengue hobbled off in the second half because of fatigue related to his Ramadan fast.
Mbengue was one of three Muslims in the Reading squad on Saturday, along with Yakou Meite and Naby Sarr, fasting during the hold period of Ramadan which runs from March 22 to April 21 as those observing it abstain from eating or drinking during daylight hours.
Match officials have been issued with guidance by refereeing bodies to allow a pause in play for players to break their fast during evening games. But that obviously applicable for matches on a Saturday afternoon.
“It’s tough, this Ramadan thing, I don’t know how it works. If you’re not drinking, I just don’t know. He just keeps going, he wants to fight for the cause, and he’s had a thigh injury for a while," Ince added. “I kept saying Yakou (Meite), calling him over and saying, ‘get some water down’ forgetting that he was on Ramadan, and he said he could only put it over his head.”
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