Talk of a late play-off charge was always going to be ambitious, although achievable, if Bristol City could maintain that run of fine form which saw them go 12 matches undefeated.
One of the stipulations to that included ensuring Nigel Pearson's relatively thin squad could stay injury-free until the end of the season particularly following the devastating ACL injury to Rob Atkinson in central defence. It handed Tomas Kalas his opportunity and after two really positive performances, the 29-year-old succumbed to another knee problem against Cardiff.
Adding to the disappointment in the Severnside derby, Joe Williams would also be forced off with a torn hamstring, with Pearson ruling him out for the rest of the season. In 90 minutes of action, any faint hopes of a top-six finish were surely extinguished with City down to the bare bones.
