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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Kane Wilson says patience will be rewarded in honest assessment of start to life at Bristol City

Kane Wilson is under no illusions about the task at hand to earn his spot as first-choice right wing-back.

Bristol City's popular new signing was pencilled in to start against Hull City on the opening day only for an untimely minor niggle picked up at the end of pre-season forced Nigel Pearson to err on the side of caution with Mark Sykes.

City's fellow new arrival grasped his opportunity with both hands before picking up his three-game suspension in the victory over Luton. Alex Scott was then understandably preferred in the Severnside derby due to the nature of the contest, a decision which was justified.

Wilson's performance at Wycombe was his audition to give Pearson a selection headache heading into Blackpool. Rusty in the first-half, the 22-year-old considerably improved in the second topped off by the winning goal with a tidy volley from Kal Naismith's delivery.

There were glimpses of the player that scored three and assisted 13 last season but whether he did enough to etch his name in the starting XI on Saturday remains to be seen.

The Midlander was refreshingly honest speaking about the challenges in making the step up two leagues and settling into a new club and he knows it won't be long before supporters get to see the real Wilson in action. "It's been tough," he said.

"There's no denying that but I've got no worries. The lads have been class.

"I know at the start the results haven't been what we intended but the performances have been class and everyone that has been in there has done their shift. I knew I had to be patient and there's no guarantee that would come to anything but I just waited for my turn and hopefully take it when it comes.

Kane Wilson is adapting to life at City (Robbie Stephenson/JMP)

"To be honest it probably has taken a little bit of time to get settled and you're right - it's new surroundings, meeting new players and different cultures.

"Everyone's been really good with me and I'm still settling in now. I don't know how long it will take to see the full Kane but I hope that it will come soon and then we can take off."

Wilson was perhaps guilty of trying too hard in the first-half on Wednesday. He admitted Pearson had a word in his ear at the interval and told him to simplify his game and focus on what he does best.

He's aware the pace of the game is more intense, opponents are both more physical and smarter on and off the ball. It's a challenge Wilson relishes because he knows there's little room for error.

He added: "People know how to use their bodies more and are a bit smarter but it's something I hope I can adapt to quickly and I can implement my game. I want to get some more goals and assists and put my stamp on the team.

"At Forest Green we were in a different situation because we were top of the league for so long and we dominated games. I was standing on the last line for basically the whole game so there's more emphasis on defending, there's no bones about it.

"Defensively we want to be solid. Syksey has been playing really high and really aggressive and when Scotty did it at the weekend, he was the same.

"The only thing that's really different is to be more cautious because players are better. They will expose gaps that you leave so I have to be more cautious but in terms of going forward, it's been pretty similar.

"The gaffer wants me to do the same things I did at Forest Green and he said that to me when he bought me hopefully I can do it.

"The lads are chomping at the bit and that's what a good environment is. Everyone is trying to get the same thing. The team is in a great position and everyone is pulling in the same direction from the gaffer to the staff in the kitchen and there's a real feel-good factor in the building.

"We want to do something special here."

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