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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Bristol City daring to believe as Alex Scott reveals key ingredient that was missing last season

It's a real sign of maturity, and a pretty exciting prospect, when a player of Alex Scott's calibre admits he hasn't reached the levels he's capable of this season.

His showing against Blackburn would dispel that notion after he turned in one of the best performances you're likely to see from a midfielder this season, widely recognised by supporters of the opposition.

Fellow teenager Adam Wharton was making only his second senior start but was given a lesson by Scott; his composure in possession and the way he dictated the ebb and flow of the game, sparking City's counter-attacks, was not typical of a player his age.

The best example was his work in the build-up to Tommy Conway's opener as, penned in towards the right touchline deep in the City half, he nonchalantly rolled his foot over the ball, glided into central midfield past Ben Brereton Diaz before rolling a pass between the lines, with his left foot, into Weimann who flicked the ball around his marker and was away.

It's another sign of modesty when he puts the praise down to the work of his teammates around him. Along with his ability, it's those characteristics that emphasise why the 19-year-old will rise to the very top in the near future.

Nobody is under any illusions that Scott will soon be playing in the Premier League whether, optimistically, that's with the Robins or more realistically, with somebody else. City's run of eight games unbeaten in all competitions sees them sitting pretty in fourth and with a young, hungry squad, there's no shame in getting carried away.

Scott will be instrumental to any success City harbour this season under the watchful eye of Premier League scouts across the country. There's a growing confidence and belief that the midfielder and colleagues can prove the pre-season doubters wrong and continue hovering among the big boys of the division towards the summit of the Championship.

"It's one step at a time but we can go as far as we want to," Scott said. "At the moment we're building good momentum and we've got a few good results in the past eight or so games.

"It's building confidence throughout the team. Every place we go this season both home and away we know we can turn teams over and beat teams. That's maybe the main difference from last year. Last year we were a lot more... we weren't as confident as we were this season.

"Obviously, the last 10 minutes or five minutes was a big struggle for us and we knew we had to change that and I think this year we've put that to bed and we've been very good."

City have three more games before the international break and all pose their own tough tests which will determine where Nigel Pearson's side are. They host a Preston side who have conceded just one goal before trips to recently-relegated Norwich and Burnley.

Alex Scott dominated Blackburn's midfield (Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Pearson will need Scott at his absolute best and that comes with playing him in the central midfield where he has the artistry to dictate play. Back in the middle following the return of Mark Sykes from suspension, he might just be hitting form at the perfect time.

"I said before I'm a lot more confident in midfield and that's my best position and that's where you're going to get the best out of me," he added.

"Today (Saturday), I created a lot of chances for the team and that's what I want to be doing. This season I may have been a little disappointed with how I've performed but obviously, that happens and I'll keep going and keep working hard in training to put in the performances."

When asked whether that was his best performance so far, he responded: "I'd say so. It makes my job a lot easier when you've got the players who are willing to run and help me out and create chances with me.

"Having Jamo (Matty James) next to me is experience so he keeps me going throughout the game and the likes of (Kal) Naismith who motivates the whole team throughout the game and throughout the season he's going to be massive for us.

"There's a lot of confidence in this team. The forward line we have and the players we have are always going to create chances and they've taken their chances well.

"Players like Nahki (Wells) who have come into the team and didn't get much of a chance last year and Tommy (Conway) who didn't get any game time last year has come in and been brilliant. When you've got those forward players in front of you it makes our job in midfield in creating chances a lot easier.

"Eight unbeaten is good but we know we can build on that and make sure we get the result next Saturday. "We've got a couple of tough away games after that which are going to be important for us against ultimately be the teams we'll be fighting against at the top of the table hopefully so it's important we get results."

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