Match Report: Despite defeat City cement credentials

[Olé]

The cliche says that you learn more about a team in defeat than in victory and that was in evidence at Carrow Road - as City utterly dominated the ex Premier League promotion favourite hosts for a full 90 minutes. Behind only to two scandalous defensive mistakes but committed to constant attack, rattling Norwich and their silenced fans with waves of attack that proved Pearson's side is well placed to mix it with the best in the division.

Kal Naismith made two of his characteristic unforced errors at the back for Norwich first two goals, gifting Teemu Pukki two painfully easy strikes - albeit the first from a suspect Todd Cantwell foul award and the second not aided by Zak Vyner suspect positioning - but City kept at it, breaking the lines, with Tommy Conway capping a lengthy spell of pressure - and it was all the visitors second half despite conceding an unexpected third. 

It looked a very different game first minute as Alex Scott gave it away for Josh Sargent to break down the right but he was closed down quickly as City eradicated any danger - while at the other end Conway seized on a loose ball edge of the box, only to then drag a shot wide. By the 7th minute it was all the away side yet a Scott foul on Cantwell setup  a free kick and rare break which got Pukki in space but he was very well closed down. 

Perhaps it was a warning as minutes later Cantwell drew the softest of fouls in his own half as Vyner jockied and nicked the ball off the midfielder, and from the deep free kick Naismith got caught under the ball facing his own goal and Pukki was easily in behind to steer a header past the helpless Daniel Bentley. City continued to attack and Mark Sykes controlled a deflection, raced into the box and was bundled over but no penalty. 

It became apparent that like City's last time away at a Dean Smith parachute payments team (Villa) we had to deal with a parachute ref as well - and sure enough in 20 minutes Conway was jockied identically to Cantwell with nothing given but we recovered and yet again picked our way through their lines and Scott was fouled just outside the area and again nothing was given. For all our football we were not having the rub of the green. 

Then at the midway point of the half things got worse as Naismith miscued a clearance straight to Aaron Ramsey - albeit Zak Vyner was out of position - and Ramsey returned it to a wide open Pukki to finish with ease, he won't score two easier goals in his career. Incredibly despite being 2-0 down this had been the extent of the Norwich threat while City went on to solidify control in possession by dominating the entire rest of the half.

Our best chance arrived on 27 as Sykes was swept clear down the right with City players all taking up positions in the box - it was cut back to Wells dropping deep just inside the area but with time to pick out the top corner his shot was low at the keeper, deflected to DaSilva out left and with players queueing up for the second attempt, as he has often this season, his shot was poorly executed, a low direct shot Tim Krul easily beat away.

City only grew and grew. On 36 they quickly recycled a free kick to get Nahki Wells to the byline but Conway couldn't head in a looped ball in front of goal at close range, Cantwell desperately hooking clear. On 39 they broke from superb control by Andi Weimann to put Wells in again, spread to Sykes who blasted his cross miles over with players in the box. Next Weimann won and took a quick corner that Naismith curled straight to the keeper.

By now with just minutes remaining it was all one way traffic and Rob Atkinson went on a driving run into the box before laying off for Wells who lifted a deft cross into the middle which Conway buried from inches out past the keeper and right in front of the corner of 350 City away fans. It was utterly deserved for a one sided first half and the away team finished the 45 on the front foot seemingly with hosts Norwich rattled and fans silent.

From the restart it was more of the same. A probing DaSilva laid it off for Scott to get to the line and cross for Wells to steer into the keepers hands. Minutes later Atkinson was on hand to step in and perfectly rob a hosts attack and cue up a well worked move with Naismith edge of box in the right channel able to angle a diagonal to pick out Scott's run to the opposite byline - from where his cross near post was claimed by the keeper.

Passing the hour mark it was a desperately one sided game in which Norwich rarely got into the City half - yet on 63 another patient build from the confident visitors saw Sykes inside to Matty James whose square ball to no one in particular was easy for Norwich to rob and break upfield at speed. Pearson's men were able to block Pukki's chance but from the resulting corner Sargent was left unmarked to head in against the run of play.

City could not hide the gut punch of having a third goal conceded in a match they had been in total control of and though Antoine Semenyo joined (arguably too late) in place of Sykes and into a 4-3-3, inside the last 20 the game was wide open and Bentley had to rush out and make an absolutely stunning block to stop a wide open Pukki claiming his hat trick. Joe Williams replaced Conway and in minutes he was involved in our second.

Max Aarons was robbed out on City's left in an untidy clash of players and with Norwich appealing the ball was fed to Williams who appeared to be crudely clattered in the box but with the penalty inevitable Semenyo got a foot to the rebound and quickly hooked it inside the far post. A chaotic goal in chaotic circumstances and yet little more than City deserved and hardly as if the visitors were beneficiaries of much support from the ref. 

Now it was game on and a rattled Norwich crowd looked terrified as City's players still continued to pour foward with a boundless energy. In the final ten Atkinson again went on a run and laid off for DaSilva who lifted in for Semenyo's near post back header to be clawed away. At the other end from a rare break Norwich worked Daniel Sinani clear on goal but again Bentley blocked heroically - the visitors fighting for a chance to level.

Chris Martin joined at the death for Atkinson but in truth City's final ball deserted them in six minutes of injury time. City continued to pile forward but Williams was guilty of loose exchanges, one horrible crossfield pass with the team upfield allowing a Norwich break but Sinani fired well over setup on the edge of the box. The away side didn't relent right to the end - winning a corner and seeing a last gasp shot by Semenyo bundled away.

The large home crowd celebrated the final whistle more in relief than pride having been comprehensively outplayed by a legitimate play off hopeful in Bristol City. Ultimately let down by two horrible moments of unforced defensive calamity by Naismith early on but otherwise a side that dominated possession and made all the running to create chances  against a former Premier League side. Even in defeat Pearson can be proud of his team. 

 

Bentley 8 Let down by defending but kept us in the game from multiple one on ones

Vyner 7 Tidy with ball but argument was at fault for second

Atkinson 8 Makes such a difference when he brings the ball out, so much belief and gives us the extra man

Naismith 6 A vital player in many attacking and set piece phases but a liability at other times - a risk reward player  

Sykes 7 Too hesitant early on when clearly had the bearing of his man if he wanted it, became more dangerous but didn't always pick the pass

DaSilva 7 Such an important player for us, sees a lot of the ball, holds onto it amazingly well, but question on some of his crosses or finishing

James 7 Looked at his best fitness wise and kept us ticking over

Scott 8 Easily best player on the pitch and this was an average game for him. A long way better than Cantwell

Weimann 6 Played especially deep and poor game by his exceptionally high standards, often didn't link with teammates and 

Wells 7 Ran the lines tirelessly, rarely put a foot wrong but should have done better with first half setup from Sykes

Conway 7 Great goal and every inch the nuisance in both the press and balls into the box

 

Semenyo 7 Not always neat with his touches but a constant threat when he got on the ball, thought he might nick it

Williams 5 Several spectacularly loose or unprepared passes or touches, should have capitalised better on our momentum

Martin 5 Not really involved

[REDOXO]

Not sure about Vyner being at fault for the second. Unless I am mistaken it was a dodgy pass shanked by Naismith that lead to that. But for the third he was watching the bloke who ran behind him and not intent on winning the ball against Sergant. 
 

Im not going to go on about Naismith, but risk reward player, brushes over the amount of goals and lost points the bloke is directly and semi directly responsible for….He needs to pack that shit up. NOW! No excuses anymore except we have bugger all else to replace him as the senior defender if Klose is not fit. 
 

City were great. Atkinson Scott and Sykes were excellent Wells and Conway very good. Bentley made two great saves, Norwich know they got out of jail due to two outright mistakes and one weak challenge. 
 

Aggggh!
 

 

[rednotblue]

Naismith should have got his head to the ball for the first and for the second slipped a pass to his left for Dasilva.

Why was Vyner so deep for the second?

Very poor marking from Vyner for the third.

 

 

[CyderInACan]

8 hours ago, Olé said:

Williams 5 Several spectacularly loose or unprepared passes or touches, should have capitalised better on our momentum

5 being rather generous. Looked like he'd won a competition. 

[bcfc01]

Last night was about "are we able to compete with these relegated Prem teams".

Putting aside the manner of the goals conceded, the answer is a resounding yes.

City went to Norwich, took the game to them, and dominated the match, not a lot of teams will do that.

As such, all players get an 8/10 from me for their contribution to an enjoyable game.

I hope we can do the same on Saturday - without the errors leading to conceding.

[Eddie Notgetinya]

Conway really should have found Wiemann in the opening minutes when he slipped and then selfishly went on his own - oh how different it could have been!

[TheReds]

8 hours ago, bcfc01 said:

Last night was about "are we able to compete with these relegated Prem teams".

Putting aside the manner of the goals conceded, the answer is a resounding yes.

City went to Norwich, took the game to them, and dominated the match, not a lot of teams will do that.

As such, all players get an 8/10 from me for their contribution to an enjoyable game.

I hope we can do the same on Saturday - without the errors leading to conceding.

Saturday is the big worry for me (more so than before last nights game). Simply down to all the travel, quick turnaround, Burnley having an extra days rest and the amount of energy that went into that performance last night, I really hope we can compete with the same energy levels etc, but am just fearful we may chuck in a poor one. I really hope I am wrong.

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, TheReds said:

Saturday is the big worry for me (more so than before last nights game). Simply down to all the travel, quick turnaround, Burnley having an extra days rest and the amount of energy that went into that performance last night, I really hope we can compete with the same energy levels etc, but am just fearful we may chuck in a poor one. I really hope I am wrong.

We could freshen up in numerous areas.

Could easily go with:

                              Bentley

              Vyner | Naismith | Atkinson

Tanner | Williams | Massengo | Pring

                            Weimann

                     Martin | Semenyo

and have 6 new players in key positions and re-kindle WSM.  There are of course lots of options.  We have no idea who will recover sufficiently, and I’m sure at 14:00 on Saturday there will be the usual, “why is he playing, why isn’t he playing” type comments.  It is a short turnaround, I’m guessing it will be a very light session before flying up tomorrow?

The Nige pre-match chat will probably give us the answers, x is knackered, y is playing well and feeling fine, etc.

[Tinmans Love Child]

18 hours ago, Olé said:

 

Naismith 6 A vital player in many attacking and set piece phases but a liability at other times - a risk reward player  

 

I get the Risk and Reward comment, but for the first goal it had nothing to do with Naismith trying to get a move going by being adventurous, he tried to control a ball he was never going to control instead of clearing it, that’s an error. 
 

The second goal could fall into the risk and reward bracket, but from previous matches there have been, for me, basic errors that were nothing to do with attacking, and all to do with basic defending.  I really hope he sorts it out obviously 

[TheReds]

6 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

We could freshen up in numerous areas.

Could easily go with:

                              Bentley

              Vyner | Naismith | Atkinson

Tanner | Williams | Massengo | Pring

                            Weimann

                     Martin | Semenyo

and have 6 new players in key positions and re-kindle WSM.  There are of course lots of options.  We have no idea who will recover sufficiently, and I’m sure at 14:00 on Saturday there will be the usual, “why is he playing, why isn’t he playing” type comments.  It is a short turnaround, I’m guessing it will be a very light session before flying up tomorrow?

The Nige pre-match chat will probably give us the answers, x is knackered, y is playing well and feeling fine, etc.

Yes we could freshen up, and I'd imagine 2/3 changes. I personally wouldn't want to see too many but guess that is down to the coaches and fitness team. Also one positive, is after Burnley we don't have a game for a couple of weeks, which may help pushing a few players due to the break? 

[One Team]

Some decent comments about us here:

https://forum.pinkun.com/index.php?/topic/149660-credit-to-bristol-city/

[bcfc01]

14 hours ago, TheReds said:

Saturday is the big worry for me (more so than before last nights game). Simply down to all the travel, quick turnaround, Burnley having an extra days rest and the amount of energy that went into that performance last night, I really hope we can compete with the same energy levels etc, but am just fearful we may chuck in a poor one. I really hope I am wrong.

Two flights to Norwich and Burnley will have alleviated the travel a bit - cut out around 6 hours.

But I agree that it is still a tough schedule, maybe a bit of rotation in the team.

[cidered abroad]

14 hours ago, Davefevs said:

We could freshen up in numerous areas.

Could easily go with:

                              Bentley

              Vyner | Naismith | Atkinson

Tanner | Williams | Massengo | Pring

                            Weimann

                     Martin | Semenyo

and have 6 new players in key positions and re-kindle WSM.  There are of course lots of options.  We have no idea who will recover sufficiently, and I’m sure at 14:00 on Saturday there will be the usual, “why is he playing, why isn’t he playing” type comments.  It is a short turnaround, I’m guessing it will be a very light session before flying up tomorrow?

The Nige pre-match chat will probably give us the answers, x is knackered, y is playing well and feeling fine, etc.

Anyone know where the squad went after the Norwich game?

I would have stayed in a hotel near Norwich, had a light trading session on Thursday morning, travelled to Burnley and two nights there with a normal Friday training.

No point in coming back to Bristol on Wednesday evening and another long journey on Friday to Burnley.

[Davefevs]

11 minutes ago, cidered abroad said:

Anyone know where the squad went after the Norwich game?

I would have stayed in a hotel near Norwich, had a light trading session on Thursday morning, travelled to Burnley and two nights there with a normal Friday training.

No point in coming back to Bristol on Wednesday evening and another long journey on Friday to Burnley.

Coach back to Bristol….straight into the cryogenic room….home, day off.  They are flying to Burnley too (or nearest airport).

Edited September 16, 2022 by Davefevs

[1960maaan]

15 hours ago, Davefevs said:

We could freshen up in numerous areas.

Could easily go with:

                              Bentley

              Vyner | Naismith | Atkinson

Tanner | Williams | Massengo | Pring

                            Weimann

                     Martin | Semenyo

and have 6 new players in key positions and re-kindle WSM.  There are of course lots of options.  We have no idea who will recover sufficiently, and I’m sure at 14:00 on Saturday there will be the usual, “why is he playing, why isn’t he playing” type comments.  It is a short turnaround, I’m guessing it will be a very light session before flying up tomorrow?

The Nige pre-match chat will probably give us the answers, x is knackered, y is playing well and feeling fine, etc.

I think the fact we are coming into an International break means less likelihood of too many changes.

Conway has played a lot more than he would have expected , same with JD , a lot of hard yards. Atkinson & Weimann too.

I would guess Nige will go by reports on knocks & fitness, but he isn't one for changing for the sake of it. The midfield is the one place he has changed, so I wouldn't be surprised to see someone switched there.

Semenyo could probably do with a start, which would be hard on whoever loses out. 

My guess is maybe one change, probably MF. But I wouldn't be shocked if Semenyo did start.

[Selred]

On 15/09/2022 at 09:21, CyderInACan said:

5 being rather generous. Looked like he'd won a competition. 

Love Williams, but his passing is pretty poor for a Championship midfielder!

[Pezo]

29 minutes ago, Selred said:

Love Williams, but his passing is pretty poor for a Championship midfielder!

I was thinking when he came on - last season he made every player look 20% better when he came on/back from injury, this season he isn't making that much difference.

Still a type of player we need, will always try and get a forward pass, has the right mentality so useful but not making the difference he was (from a low bar).

[2015]

46 minutes ago, Selred said:

Love Williams, but his passing is pretty poor for a Championship midfielder!

It frustrated me how many times he lost the ball in the final 10 minutes. I think he needs to calm down a tad and this may improve his decision making process when making the right pass.

By comparison - James and Scott are miles ahead in terms of passing ability

[Selred]

4 minutes ago, 2015 said:

It frustrated me how many times he lost the ball in the final 10 minutes. I think he needs to calm down a tad and this may improve his decision making process when making the right pass.

By comparison - James and Scott are miles ahead in terms of passing ability

He tries the Hollywood pass too many times, you're right, just need to calm down, take a second or two, and play a simple pass. 

[Curr Avon]

1 hour ago, Selred said:

He tries the Hollywood pass too many times, you're right, just need to calm down, take a second or two, and play a simple pass. 

Definitely needs to re-Kalibrate.

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, 1960maaan said:

I think the fact we are coming into an International break means less likelihood of too many changes.

Conway has played a lot more than he would have expected , same with JD , a lot of hard yards. Atkinson & Weimann too.

I would guess Nige will go by reports on knocks & fitness, but he isn't one for changing for the sake of it. The midfield is the one place he has changed, so I wouldn't be surprised to see someone switched there.

Semenyo could probably do with a start, which would be hard on whoever loses out. 

My guess is maybe one change, probably MF. But I wouldn't be shocked if Semenyo did start.

That’s my “nagging doubt” too…can they go one more game?

If it were me (with no sports / medical science info), I’d freshen it up a bit…especially in midfield.

The Milan sports science team were early adopters of taking players out as they were hitting fatigue, rather than after they’d hit it.  They felt injuries in game would more likely occur if the fatigue was gonna happen during the match.

But we are gonna have to wait and see.  Without pre-empting a negative thought, I’d be a bit cheesed off if a few players had poor games because they were tired.  There shouldn’t need to be.

2 hours ago, Selred said:

Love Williams, but his passing is pretty poor for a Championship midfielder!

Statistically he’s not, but that’s boring, and not my point!!!

My point is - I think he struggles (less effective) to get into the game when coming on as sub.  He looks a bit rushed…and his passing is hit and miss.

1 hour ago, Pezo said:

I was thinking when he came on - last season he made every player look 20% better when he came on/back from injury, this season he isn't making that much difference.

Still a type of player we need, will always try and get a forward pass, has the right mentality so useful but not making the difference he was (from a low bar).

As above, when he starts I think he’s straight up to the pace of the game.  And he was hugely influential, as you say, at the back end of last season.

He’s now played in each league game, which is a big positive.  I’m kinda hoping post the international break that we are no longer restricting him and he can fight for his place back to back.

[Selred]

11 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Statistically he’s not, but that’s boring, and not my point!!!

 

Prove it  

[Davefevs]

7 minutes ago, Selred said:

Prove it  

[1960maaan]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

That’s my “nagging doubt” too…can they go one more game?

If it were me (with no sports / medical science info), I’d freshen it up a bit…especially in midfield.

The Milan sports science team were early adopters of taking players out as they were hitting fatigue, rather than after they’d hit it.  They felt injuries in game would more likely occur if the fatigue was gonna happen during the match.

But we are gonna have to wait and see.  Without pre-empting a negative thought, I’d be a bit cheesed off if a few players had poor games because they were tired.  There shouldn’t need to be.

MF is the one place we have rotated , partially due to Williams being eased in , but he has given others a run. 
That might be less now Scott and James are fully back.

Statistically he’s not, but that’s boring, and not my point!!!

My point is - I think he struggles (less effective) to get into the game when coming on as sub.  He looks a bit rushed…and his passing is hit and miss.

I've thought that, almost like he try's too hard  to get into the game. I have thought the same about Semenyo, can look a little clumsy at first.

 

 

[Midlands Robin]

The view from the Norwich side.

https://forum.pinkun.com/index.php?/topic/149662-ricardos-report-v-bristol-city/

 

[Jerseybean]

Bristol Live ratings:

• Alex Scott - 7.8 
• Rob Atkinson - 7.8 
• Tommy Conway - 7.4 
• Jay Dasilva - 7.1 
• Antoine Semenyo - 7.0 
• Nahki Wells - 7.0 
• Mark Sykes - 6.9 
• Matty James - 6.6 
• Zak Vyner - 6.5 
• Andi Weimann - 6.4 
• Dan Bentley - 6.3 
• Joe Williams - 5.9 
• Kal Naismith - 3.8