The unpredictable nature of the Championship is a phrase that won’t be new to followers of the division, Bristol City, or those that listen to Nigel Pearson on a consistent basis.
Even without their manager at Ashton Gate on Wednesday, the Robins continued to reflect a massively incalculable equation minute-by-minute and week-on-week.
Taking the large part of 35 minutes to work through a slow-burning exercise, City switched into action and proceeded to dominate the next 35 minutes with the superiority of a team in form. Their frantic exposition into uncertainty in the final 15 minutes is also not a first given their dreadful second-half record, especially at home.
Given some of the passages of football produced in the middle period of the game, perhaps after a gruelling 10 days with three tough away games there should be some leniency towards City’s up-and-down performance levels before Wednesday. That might be a reason why their return home to Ashton Gate was so welcome.
The 2-1 win against Reading was the third straight home victory in the league. The first time they’ve achieved that since December 2020, a valuable backbone for inconsistent performances and constant poor results on the road.
It’s too late now to say this is a springboard for City’s season because three quarters of the way through it and, realistically, it’s hard to see where they can go above mid-table, but the Robins continue to demonstrate agonising trailers of high quality and future potential.
Here are the moments missed from BS3 in another nail-biting conclusion…
The cool head of Klose
Nathan Baker's unfortunate second concussion of the season left City in a quandary at the turn of the year as clearly Pearson needed another centre-back but there were some severe and specific parameters in place to find one.
The Robins were unable to pay a transfer fee and didn't want to loan a defender so he had to be a free agent, there was a preference for a left-sided player, with high-level experience in England and, along with the usual ability-based attributes, was a desire for leadership and organisational qualities, which tends to lead towards an individual on the experienced end.
Applying those strict filters across the pool of available and realistic targets couldn't have left many candidates to select but the one they landed on appears to tick pretty much every box and, so far, can only be described - dodgy clearance at Blackpool aside - a home run of an acquisition.
Timm Klose still has another possible 15 matches to negotiate but with Baker's extended absence and Rob Atkinson's calf injury ruling him out until the end of the month, the 33-year-old's introduction into the team and starting XI has reduced a significant amount of anxiety around the club.
The Swiss was majestic in the first-half against Reading as Tom Ince tried to exploit an apparent lack of pace and mobility but instead found himself schooled by the elegant defender who made some vital interceptions, all built around his sense of anticipation and timing.
Unfortunately the late penalty, which then allowed the Royals a pathway back into the game, slightly blotted his copybook - albeit from what was a harsh decision - but apart from his defensive display, what really stood out was his communication.
Frequently in Kalas' ear and orchestrating the defensive shape, he also helped direct Cam Pring in front of him in terms of the 24-year-old positioning. It was also notable that went Massengo limped off injured, it was Klose who went to the Frenchman to offer some words of encouragement followed by a friendly pat on the back.
At the end of the first-half, with City having taken the lead, Reading enjoyed a brief period of pressure on Max O'Leary's goal which then ended with the Robins keeper clasping his hands on the ball.
As O'Leary darted to the edge of the penalty area to release it, there was Klose - aware the clock was ticking towards half-time - gesturing with both arms downward and a very authoritative message, "calm down".
Further challenges await, plus the enduring concern about his durability, but on the evidence so far, City have managed to sign a player who's a bit more than just a really good defender. And that is quite the achievement.
Adventurous Pring
As has become customary with City teams this season, making head or tail of the line-up prior to kick-off is virtually impossible given the small squad, tactical and positional versatility of the players.
Trying to decide who is more likely to play at left wing-back out of Jay Dasilva and Pring is understandable, but if you had said a month ago that Dasilva at right wing-back makes more sense than Zak Vyner you might have gotten some strange looks, probably rightly so.
That’s why it was refreshing to hear Fleming’s honesty before the game as he stated that Pring would be playing higher up, meaning at wing-back. Given the 24-year old’s slight struggles in more recent times at left centre-back, moving him did make sense. Even if some people, us included, favoured a system change rather than a positional one.
That’s why Pearson does the managing and not us, Pring was fantastic at wing-back and now offers genuine depth in that position whilst also bringing valuable contributions at both ends.
City scored both of their goals with Pring on the pitch and he played a key role in them too, they also didn’t concede with him, looking in almost complete control until he was substituted due to tiredness.
One of the more notable parts of his game was the constant movement inside when dribbling with the ball.
This exact pattern was the play that made the first goal. Pring was comfortable in his close touches to drag the ball from the left touchline and attack the empty centre of the pitch. He opened up space for himself and also attracted Reading’s centre-backs which allowed Andi Weimann room to make his run which ultimately set up Semenyo’s opener.
This wasn’t the only time he did it either, being naturally left footed he suited the role and appeared more comfortable on the ball in his own half than Callum O’Dowda has done in previous weeks.
Able to drive inside and take the ball in central positions or go down the left and onto his strong foot in a crossing area, it’s double jeopardy for defenders trying to stop him.
The challenge for opposing players was highlighted by his even more direct impact for the second goal. Holding his width whilst Weimann and Chris Martin burst forward with purpose, Pring’s position on the far touchline this time helped open spaces and allowing him time to cross into the corner of the six-yard box where a mixture of Alex Scott and Michael Morrison made it 2-0.
Pring has developed into a very good all-round defender. He’s extremely useful across a backline in a four- or five-man defence and the problems he caused Reading on and off the ball were hallmarks of an intelligent footballer.
Williams vs Swift
We won't bring up the underlying "if" with Joe Williams but it was genuinely wonderful to see him get through so much work over the 73 minutes he was on the field against Reading.
There was a brief moment right at the end of the game as, after a lung-bursting effort to get back and fling his body in the way of a shot, he felt something tighten in his leg and proceeded to stretch it out but, there he was soon after, tearing around the field.
He adds so much to the Robins midfield and with Alex Scott now resembling a genuine Championship-level (if not higher, perhaps) central midfielder, what a combination Pearson could have on his hands if he can get everyone fit in that area at the same time.
There was a curious few passages of play involving the Scouser just after the 60-minute mark. And we know the exact time because it revolved around John Swift's entry onto the pitch as a substitute.
The Royals No10 undeniably had a huge impact on their fortunes when he came on, scoring the penalty and fashioning a host of chances in the final 10 minutes that perhaps should have ensured his team headed back down the M4 with a point.
But as Swift ran onto the Ashton Gate turf to take up his place in the centre of midfield, he ran in very close proximity to Williams, almost deliberately so.
It was hard to see if any words were initially exchanged but after making one failed attempt to alter his rivals' course with his arms, Williams then visibly shoved Swift out of the way with a few choice phrases thereafter.
A few moments later and a scrappy passage of play in centre-field, as nobody was able to take charge of a bouncing ball, saw Williams enter proceedings and aggressively swing his right boot several times in a slightly wild manner and very nearly caught Swift high on the leg in what would have been a clear foul.
Not long after that, Swift was then completely cleaned out by a long-distance slide tackle from Williams that didn't get near the ball.
Of course, Williams is a combative character and maybe this was just simply his attempts to try and shutdown arguably Reading's best player but the frequency on these incidents in such a short period of time does bring thoughts that the two may have previous.
Massengo not looking too bad
Outside of the inevitable immediate meltdown from Han-Noah Massengo’s injury there were some positives to take from the event. Not only did City manage to hold on to win with Alex Scott and Joe Williams together for over 75 minutes which tested a new partnership under strain. On the face of it, Massengo’s injury doesn’t look too bad.
He was seen in the stadium reception area after the match in his tracksuit surrounded by his family and friends and engaged in light-hearted conversation. There wasn’t a sign of much trouble or pain, and even better than that, certainly no industrial injury boot that we saw on Matty James after the Cardiff City match, crutches or anything required to aid his movement.
Granted, Massengo’s impact was on his hip but the wider point here is that from the immediate view of his knock, the damage might not be too severe and Fleming confirmed that he hopes the Frenchman will be fit to play against Swansea City on Sunday, benefitting from an extra days break.
“He smashed his hip off the ground” Fleming said, “it wasn’t from the tackle it was when he hit the ground.
“As a coach you’re saying just run it off. I haven’t got any degrees in physiotherapy or anything so I say just run it off but he’s such a good kid.
“He tried to run it but as soon as he looks over and says it’s gone then you’re not going to question the attitude or determination so hopefully it’s not too bad and that he’ll be available for Sunday, we hope.”
After a largely commanding and dominating shift from both Williams and Scott together, Massengo might have a genuine barrier to returning to action from the outset against the Swans. It might do the 20-year old some good after four completed matches in a row before Wednesday’s excursion.
The only point against this is whether it would be right to pressurise Williams’ fragile body with another game this week. The desperation of the current cause and a match on Sunday might just make the decision a bit easier for the City management team.
On the outset though, this should just be a minor setback for Massengo, and his team didn’t suffer in the meantime.
Fleming brings the one-liners
Not to read too much into the extremely small sample size of Curtis Fleming’s unexpected times when he’s had to step up and act as stand-in manager, but his results are quite impressive.
From his four games in charge City have won two and lost two, only falling to narrow defeats against the impressive Coventry City and Millwall, and we all know the first of those really should have been a victory.
He is, as you've all probably realised by now, a considerably different personality to Nigel Pearson, creating an almost good-cop/bad-cop dynamic with the Irishman’s dulcet tones, wry smiles, one-liners and love of slang.
We, of course, don’t see what goes on behind closed doors and if he’s anything like the fireball of energy that shouts on the touchline then he’s certainly got a fierce streak in him too.
Pearson clearly trusts his companion and the pair seem to see eye-to-eye in most of their decisions.
Onto what you actually missed on Wednesday, it was more a case of Fleming just being himself.
In his post-match debrief he was evidently buoyed by his own first win at Ashton Gate this season, entering the press conference room by declaring, “I did have an afro before this, my hair’s all dropped out!”
Also adding, “Nigel’s back soon, great, his hair can stand it”.
Talking about the typically nervy final stages of City home games Fleming was jovial but serious when necessary. Giving off some brilliant one-liners in the process, an indication of his relaxed nature when the game is done and also the effect he can have on the team.
He mentioned the youthful bench due to Nahki Wells’ Covid related absence, with Sam Bell, Tommy Conway and Ayman Benarous among the substitutes, joking, “I was looking at them warming up, I don’t know if it was kids day out! Maybe get them some coke and crisps and bring them out.”
Fleming is usually one to be involved with the warm-ups, including a few shuttle passes with the younger members, that was left to Alex Ball this time as he flicked, tricked and dummied his short passes with Conway, Benarous and Bell.
Fleming also decided to remind everyone of their age before leaving, admitting “we were under pressure but if you look at the video... video, are they still going? No, we’ll look at the clips, videos were out in 1968, Betamax maybe.”
He finally had a sly dig at those attempting to drag Semenyo away from BS3, delivering a cheeky wry smile when saying “he's a good player but he’s got a way to go. I look forward to working with him next season.”
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