Sorry for the late report, Bristol City probably put in one of the best performances I have seen at home this season.
First half we played really really well and could have been much further ahead than 1-0, with Kemar Roofe having 2 good chances. The first half really was excellent in so many ways our counter pressing was outstanding, as every time one of our players lost the ball another player made sure they were in a position to win the ball back and did win the ball back we were very proactive.
Second half was bizzare, Bristol created a lot of chances, however, we were always a threat on the counter attack. Our intensity and energy levels dropped in the second half.
It could have easily been a 4-4 or 5-5 game
However, overall it was a good performance and a game were both teams played well.
Player Ratings:
Green 10- Man Of The Match Outstanding, he is probably in the best form of his career to be honest, 2 world class saves and his decision making was absolutely superb.
Ayling 7- Created the second goal and a good performance at right back although he wasn't tested much.
Bartley 6- Not in his best form at the moment and was caught out once or twice by Matty Taylor's pace he did ok overall.
Pontus 8- 2-3 vital challenges and started a lot of counter attacks, there was one point in the first half when he showed his ability as a winger by getting past 2 players and putting in a great cross
.
Berardi 8- Gaetano has proven that he is very useful going forward as well by creating a lot of space and helping Kemar Roofe, another vital block in the second half, he is superb at putting pressure on players high up the pitch and getting back into position.
Viera 6- Not a great first half, however, he did much better towards the end of the game. Bristol found it a little bit too easy in my opinion at times in the second half to find space in front of our back 4.
O'Kane 6- Very good first half and like Bridcutt a brilliant range of passing, second half, however, I thought O'Kane struggled (possibly because of his recent injury). Ok performance overall.
Sacko 5- Poor, I don't Sacko fits our system anywhere near as well as he did at the start of the season, his movement off the ball was very very poor the attacking 3 need to be able to interchange positions to get one of the 3 one on one with the back 4 especially with players like Pablo, Pedraza and Roofe liking to move around. He was quiet throughout the game and his work rate has massively dropped compared to the start of the season
.
Hernandez 8- Superb, Hernandez and Wood is like our equivalent of Hazard and Costa or Ozil and Sanchez. Created the first goal with brilliant thinking and the second goal was good movement from Pablo. Throughout the game Pablo was causing Bristol City problems, always trying to get 1 on 1 with their centre back or left back.
Roofe 6- He caused the Bristol City left back so many problems, however, his final decision wasn't as good as usual. Quieter in the second half, however, constantly swapped positions with Pablo making it difficult for Bristol City to defend.
Wood 8- Superb movement for the 1st goal and a good finish (one chance one goal), his link up play was excellent, his work rate and energy is incredible. Our most important player and the understanding between Pablo and Woody was outstanding, some of the skills both those 2 players attempt are beyond belief at times
.
Subs:
Barrow 6- 2 moments of great skill he should have scored to make it 3-0 when Wood created an open goal chance for him.
Phillips 6- Almost scored from a free kick
Doukara n/a- Only played 8 minutes
