Hull City manager Shota Arveladze has branded Bristol City a direct side and compared Nigel Pearson’s approach with that of Luton Town and Millwall.
City host Hull at Ashton Gate in their penultimate game of the season on Saturday with both teams neither in promotion contention nor at threat of relegation; the Robins can finish between 16-20, while their opponents 17-20.
Although the game can be reasonably billed as a “dead rubber”, individuals still need to perform with the summer approaching as City are set for another transfer window of considerable restructuring in the squad, particularly with individuals departing.
Pearson continues to try and build his type of squad, with the players he wants, as another challenging campaign comes to a close, punctuated by frustrating inconsistency.
That’s not just in terms of performance, either, with Pearson regularly altering the make-up of his goalkeeper, defence, central midfield combination, system and approach, with the only real constant being in attack.
In very broad terms, City started 2021/22 as a solid defensive outfit in a back four, before pivoting to wing-backs in the need for creativity but maintaining a direct approach. Just after Christmas there was a noticeable shift to a more possession-focused method.
Hull boss Arveladze, having conducted his analysis of the Robins, as Grant McCann was in charge the last time the sides met at the MKM Stadium in November, believes they are direct and remind him of Luton and Millwall. Hull lost 3-1 to Luton in March and were then beaten 2-1 by Millwall 10 days ago.
"It's another challenge (against Bristol City)," he told Hull Live. "They're quite direct. They're dynamic, strong and difficult to play against. They're similar to Millwall and Luton (in their approach).
"The front three have scored 37 goals this season, (they're involved in) almost all the goals, assists - they are dynamic and strong.
"It's difficult to play against them because they make a game, they make the goals. Sometimes (they play) simple, play long, get the flick and play off second ball and react again. It's difficult to catch them in a foul because they are more forward concentrated. That's what we've got to remind the boys."
That association with those two sides may not seem the most flattering comparison given they are among the least glamorous outfits in the division but, then again, the Hatters and Lions are also far above City in the table and still pushing for a play-off position.
Luton, under Nathan Jones who was named Championship Manager of the Year on Sunday, are fifth, 20 points ahead of City while Gary Rowett’s Millwall are ninth, 14 points better off; both have achieved this with two of the smaller budgets in the league.
Looking at the very basic numbers, City and Luton average the same number in terms of possession this season with 44.2 per cent, marginally below Millwall’s 46.2 per cent.
They also all occupy the bottom quarter of the table for short passes per game with Luton 23rd - 255, City 21st - 288 and Millwall 18th - 298. Unsurprisingly then, they are also in the top half for long passes per game: Luton - 1st - 76, Millwall - 6th, 72, City - 11th, 68.
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