It may not be as pronounced as the goals for, points column or even the performances that take place on the field but evidence of Bristol City progress this season is further revealed in Nigel Pearson’s selection process.
The manager may not be wholly satisfied with his options in selecting a matchday squad but whereas once the Robins XI, bar maybe one or two individuals, picked itself - even, often, in times of defeat - now there are a multitude of combinations and permutations, particularly in midfield and attack.
It gives Pearson that “nice problem” coaches like to have, and not only can he cater his line-up in terms of form and fitness but also adapt it to the opposition and the qualities they bring.
Today’s contest at Ewood Park is arguably City’s most challenging fixture of the campaign so far with Blackburn Rovers having threatened a play-off finish last season and already in these early stages of this campaign look like they’ll be in the conversation again with four wins, three losses and 12 points, one more than the Robins.
Here’s how we think the Robins will line up in Lancashire…
Goalkeeper and defence
Continuity breeds consistency and fosters chemistry; no, this hasn’t been nicked from a self-help book or a Facebook meme illustrated with a cloudy backdrop, we’ve genuinely just made it up but it very much applies to the Bristol City defence as Pearson’s backline looks set for the time being.
Zak Vyner is the early season comeback story, Kal Naismith has added a new dimension to the defence and City’s overall play while Rob Atkinson is showing increasing signs of becoming the high-end Championship defender his attributes imply he can be.
There are wrinkles there, and City still look worryingly vulnerable at set-pieces - although Blackburn aren’t regarded as a team especially proficient in those areas - plus the three conceded at Blackpool last weekend still linger as what they’re capable of in a negative sense, but three consecutive clean sheets at home is impressive stuff and proof this team can be resolute.
There are questions to be raised once Tomas Kalas returns to full fitness but for now there is a comforting reassurance as to the identity of the men in front of Dan Bentley, and that can only be a good thing in building that sense of reliability that Pearson has always craved.
Outside the back three, Jay Dasilva looked excellent against Huddersfield, particularly in the final third, and he will retain his place on the left while Mark Sykes didn’t do an awful lot wrong on his return to the side and the expectation is that he’ll keep his spot on the right despite the challenge of Kane Wilson and George Tanner.
Midfield
Just to stay on the Sykes theme at the moment because Pearson’s decision-making in the middle of the park also impacts exactly who starts on the right and that’s because of Alex Scott.
The 19-year-old has started five games in midfield this season, and two as a right wing-back. Ideally you’d want him more in the first position but the game at Blackburn is likely to reunite Joe Williams with Matty James after the former was benched for the midweek win over Huddersfield, as is now the case during two-week matches.
Perhaps there’s a case to keep Williams among the substitutes, if Pearson felt the Scott-James axis worked sufficiently against the Terriers but based on previous evidence you just feel the manager likes Williams and James together whenever he possibly can, which therefore shunts Scott out of the engine room.
There could then be a place for him as the No10, should Andi Weimann be moved into a striking berth (more on that in a second), or he may find himself on the bench where he can make an impact later in the game.
Having started against Blackpool and then Huddersfield, Pearson is keen to manage energy levels and minutes and that could be the logical role for the teenager for this particular game, especially as it’s on the road. But, to continue to argue against ourselves here, Scott has started every single one of City’s Championship fixtures so far, indicating that when he can get him on the pitch, Pearson very much will.
That being said, with James coming back from injury, exactly how many minutes he can play in a short period of time needs to be managed and although he’s a “manager’s favourite”, his moderate performance on Wednesday could rule him out from the top of the 2pm teamsheet, but that would be a rarity for the 31-year-old who tends to play when he’s fit.
Most of the above therefore pretty much rules out Han-Noah Massengo making a return to the starting XI after he was substituted at half-time on Wednesday.
Attack
Tommy Conway was withdrawn after 59 minutes on Wednesday with a sense that the teenager was struggling (understandably so) with fatigue a bit and needed a welcome breather. The fact his replacement came on and ripped it up, surely now means that Antoine Semenyo will get his chance from the start of a game after three goals in three substitute appearances, in league and cup.
Conway has been fantastic but is going to experience dips and can’t be expected either to start three matches inside eight day and maintain performance and fitness levels. Having eased Semenyo back in with three cameos of 20, 27 and 31 minutes - gradually increasing in load and intensity - this could be the moment the 22-year-old earns a starting berth.
But there is an argument that says because of his lack of pre-season and the injuries he’s faced in the past and that, now knowing they have him at least until January, City want to remain vigilant and careful and don’t want to overcook his return unnecessary so maybe one more batch of 30-40 minutes would be sensible?
It’s hard to know without looking at Dave Rennie and Paddy Orme’s spreadsheets but while there is a strong case for Semenyo to start, there’s another that says keeping him back for a second-half introduction, where he can still be incredibly devastating makes a degree of sense.
You can also consider that with his cameo against Blackpool and Huddersfield, another of a similar nature at Ewood Park would bring his match minutes to around 90 for the week, which could prove significant.
So, working on the theory that Conway won’t and Semenyo may not, Nahki Wells’ partner - because the Bermudian simply has to play - in Lancashire will be either Chris Martin or Weimann.
Martin hasn’t started a league game since the 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic on August 13 and another physical battle in the north west could raise suspicions of a return for the veteran but, then again, City will want to counter-attacking at speed and based on the parameters of wanting to keep Sykes at right wing-back, and starting Scott somehow, that then lends itself to Weimann moving into attack and partnering Wells.
Bristol City (3-4-1-2): Dan Bentley; Zak Vyner, Kal Naismith, Rob Atkinson; Mark Sykes, Matty James, Joe Williams, Jay Dasilva; Alex Scott; Andi Weimann, Nahki Wells
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