It was at this point last season when Nigel Pearson sprung a selection surprise that also laid down a template for not so much how Bristol City were going to play, but more how he was going to manage this group of players.
Electing to give Alex Scott not just his Championship but senior debut in the opening game of a campaign against Blackpool, in place of the more recognised Kasey Palmer, now seems an obvious decision but at the time was a bold move.
Scott had been rewarded for his work in pre-season but also in his attitude and ability as much out of possession as it was his talents on the ball. When asked after the game as to why the teenager was preferred, outside of a will for him to “be a No10 and create” Pearson made a point of highlighting his “good pressing” attributes.
That set the tone, really, for the rest of the season, albeit with City’s system changing and their style of play but the message was clear to the squad in how they needed to win him over.
Twelve months on and it’s hard to forecast a similar surprise because the Robins pre-season has been so smooth and the demands and desires of the manager are increasingly set in the stone of the Robins High Performance Centre, with everyone seemingly on message.
City went their summer schedule unbeaten, conceding just three times, avoiding any additional serious injuries and their match fitness is at an optimum level with as many players getting maximum minutes as has been possible. It’s all gone according to plan.
However, the Championship has a knack of ripping up those best-laid plans in the blink of an eye although the difference in narrative between the two teams today is hard to ignore.
Whereas City have been settled with minimal tweaks and the bulk of the squad retained, Hull’s has been chaotic with multiple signings, players working out how to play alongside each other and some less than impressive results - losing 4-0 to Leicester City, 2-0 to Fenerbahce and 3-0 against Peterborough United. How that transfers onto the pitch at the MKM Stadium today will be fascinating. Here’s how we think City will line up…
Goalkeeper and defence
Dan Bentley has started every friendly bar the game against Exeter City in the double header and having once again been bestowed with the captaincy will take his place between the posts at Hull City.
It’s also worth pointing out, and it’s gone slightly under the radar, but the 29-year-old enjoyed a very good pre-season, making some big saves and looking assured and the only goal he conceded was regrettably via a set-piece against Forest Green Rovers.
Bentley will be supported by Max O’Leary who remains at the club having been earmarked for a loan move while Stefan Bajic recovers from his wrist surgery, Harvey Wiles-Richards should also be part of the travelling party to the MKM Stadium but isn’t expected to make the matchday 18.
In front of Bentley, two-thirds of the defence picks itself with Kal Naismith occupying the central role as the new defensive leader. The Scot was also very impressive during the summer schedule, not only in his own individual performances but with how he marshalled the backline and his vocal guidance has undoubtedly brought a new authority in that area of the field for City which, quite simply, has to be better if the Robins are going to get anywhere near the top half of the table.
To his left, Rob Atkinson has also been quietly efficient and if we witness the expected progression from the 24-year-old, in his second Championship season, he could become a very special defender indeed.
It’s the right centre-back berth which is worthy of debate because common sense dictates that Timm Klose will start there but he didn’t wholly convince in his per-season outings, looking more comfortable as the central figure in the three. The right-sided role requires some degree of athleticism to cover the space behind the wing-back, and with Kane Wilson bombing forward so much, it’s a lot of space to watch over.
That brings Zak Vyner into the conversation - both men tellingly had 45 minutes each against Bournemouth last Saturday as audition - as he is the quicker player, but doesn’t possess the same level of consistency or reliability as Klose, his unfortunate Achilles heel at this level.
Based on form, and Pearson this week noted he’s had a good season, Vyner should start but you just feel with 46 games ahead of us, and the likelihood that he’ll soon by fifth choice or perhaps not even at the club anymore, Klose will be give the nod at the MKM Stadium.
In reserve, Pearson has academy talents Ryley Towler and Duncan Idehen with a chance that one of them makes the bench.
Midfield
We’ll start with the straightforward parts to this: Joe Williams and Matty James will be in central midfield with Jay Dasilva at left wing-back.
Pearson started Williams and James as a pair in every friendly he could and neither Andy King nor Han-Noah Massengo (irrespective of his contract issues) did enough in their showings to dislodge them. Keeping them fit for 40+ games this season is a tough ask, based on recent evidence, but absolutely integral to the Robins success this season.
Cam Pring is back in training but as Pearson noted on Thursday has missed more than three weeks of training and matches, due to knee soreness, so coupled with Dasilva’s decent form and reliability out there, throwing him back into the starting XI would be a surprise.
Dasilva has looked in good nick and is playing with real confidence and authority. He’s one individual who you can see having a very good season as he’s another who’s now into the final year of their contract at Ashton Gate.
Now onto the interesting part. Starting on the right, it really does depend how fit Kane Wilson is, having sat out the 1-0 win at Bournemouth and not returned to full training until Thursday.
In essence, he can’t be 100 per cent fit, given the lack of sessions he’s had this week but it’s all about risk, relative to his state. Wilson is such an important player in this system and adds a great deal going forward so Pearson will surely try and get him on the field if it’s possible and doesn’t impact his fitness in the short to medium term.
Pearson has tended to err on the side of caution when it comes to returning players, however, so it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see the 22-year-old full debut delayed until next week against Sunderland. If that’s the case it’s then a battle between George Tanner, Alex Scott and Mark Sykes.
All three have had game time in that position and all three bring different qualities. In the case of Tanner he’s the more orthodox defensive player which could lend itself to an away performance; Scott has the passing smarts and given the logjam further up the field in his preferred position it is an opportunity to get the teenager on the field; Sykes the more obvious attacking option, but then there could also be a place for him as the No10.
Wilson’s availability ultimately dictates everything: if he plays, that then pushes Scott and Sykes into a fight for the No10 role; if he doesn’t, Pearson can then get both of them on the pitch. And they can also interchange positions during the game depending on the situation.
Attack
Antoine Semenyo’s shin injury is a blow, given what he brings, not only in an individual sense but collectively. However, the plus side is Andi Weimann and Chris Martin have both looked very sharp in pre-season and clearly have strong on-field chemistry. To the extent that whatever Nahki Wells does and has done, it’s very hard for the Bermudian to edge his way into this team as a starter.
To reference the previous debate, how Weimann and Martin have interacted with Sykes only enhances the credentials for each of them to start because it gives City a strong attacking triangle, particularly in transition, while all three are strong pressers out of possession.
Unfortunately for Wells that will likely see him playing the role of super sub/impact player/finisher but his relationship with Tommy Conway has been another big tick in pre-season and, depending on how the game is going, you can anticipate those two entering the action at some stage as a duo, if City are in need of a goal or simply just a different kind of attacking threat.
Bristol City (3-4-1-2): Dan Bentley; Timm Klose, Kal Naismith, Rob Atkinson; Alex Scott, Matty James, Joe Williams, Jay Dasilva; Mark Sykes; Andi Weimann, Chris Martin
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