Nigel Pearson said his side are now in a position to deal with physical teams after a change in formation produced helped City to a 4-2 victory in a six-goal thriller at Ashton Gate.
The City manager has questioned that aspect of his side in the past, including at the fan's forum in October, just a couple of weeks after a 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture when the Robins conceded three set-pieces.
For the first time in the Championship this season, the manager started a 4-3-3 with the ambition of playing on the front foot. Kal Naismith sat in front of the defence while Mark Sykes occupied a favoured wide right role.
