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Luke McNally and Joe Williams during Bristol City's home defeat to Wolves(Image: Joe Giddens/Press Association)
On his home debut for Bristol City, Brad Collins was a busy man in the first half of the Robins’ meeting with Wolves. While he only had a couple of saves to make, he was alert to claim a fair few crosses, particularly from the left flank, while causing some trouble with his distribution.
The 29-year-old had more stops to produce after the restart, including one superb effort from a Wolves corner near the hour-mark, but he’ll be disappointed with his part in the leveller. He didn’t do enough to push Adam Armstrong’s shot away from danger and was punished by Sean Neave. Maybe he could have done more for the second as well?
His mark feels incredibly harsh, as he was on for a seven or eight until the 82nd minute. Who would want to be a goalkeeper?
The sort of display we’ve come to expect from George Tanner against a very attack-minded Wolves side. Bristol City’s backline produced more defensive contributions than any other player on the pitch and was able to keep Rafiki Said at bay for much of the contest - or at least limit him to half chances. Did what he could to impact the game in an attacking sense, even coming close-ish, late on.
Outside of one breaking run up a cul-de-sac, Luke McNally had a strong first half against Wolves, ensuring the visitors’ frontline had little to work with as he appeared to win the majority of the duels he contested, both in the air and on the ground. Continued to battle hard and will no doubt be frustrated to have given away the free-kick from which the visitors scored the winner.
Like the rest of Bristol City’s backline, Lisav Eissat defended diligently before the break on Wednesday evening, with a couple of big sliding challenges - including one in the centre of the pitch - catching the eye. The Romanian international was lucky that Cam Pring was on hand to mop up his bizarre pass-back in the second half. Defended well and - like so many in red and white - it doesn’t really feel like he deserved to be on the losing side.
Like George Tanner, Rio Cardines got through a lot of running in the opening 45 minutes of Bristol City’s clash with Wolves. The visitors repeatedly targeted the Robins’ right flank with long-raking balls that ensured the Crystal Palace loanee spent much of the first half sprinting up and down the flank.
The 20-year-old could have very easily had an assist when he landed a cross on the head of Lorent Tolaj, but the Reds forward couldn’t keep his effort below the bar. Got into some good positions after the restart, having been pushed further forward and defended well before being withdrawn.
Bristol City defender Rio Cardines in action at Ashton Gate(Image: Matt Singer/MKS Images)
As he did at Bolton Wanderers last weekend, Jason Knight chased around the field on Wednesday evening like a man possessed, picking up almost each and every loose ball on offer and providing real energy in the middle of the park. The City skipper popped the ball around nicely at times and looked to add some energy after the leveller, but couldn’t muster that one moment required.
This was a typical Joe Williams display in the middle of the park. The 29-year-old battled consistently to break up play and produced a fair few impressive tackles. In possession, maybe he could have been a bit more consistent, but he was far from poor on the ball. It is good to see him come through back-to-back games, even if he had appeared to fall off the pace slightly towards the closing exchanges.
(Image: Joe Giddens/Press Association)
In a single defensive action, Cam Pring produced something worth more than a goal at the other end of the field on Wednesday evening, when he mopped up after Lisav Eissat in the second half. The full-back’s recovery run and slide tackle was like something out of a video game, as he flew through the middle of the pitch and blocked the shot at the end of the counter.
I can’t overstate how good a piece of defending this was. He was, however, the man beaten under the free-kick which produced the winner. He appeared to get himself in a position from which he couldn’t win the header.
After two years in this job, I think I’ve run out of words to describe Scott Twine’s free-kicks. The attacking midfielder’s effort on Wednesday evening was one of his best in red and white, as he left Jose Sa in the Wolves’ net with no chance of saving by picking out the top-left corner. Off the ball, the 27-year-old worked incredibly hard, harrying and pressuring the Wolves midfield and backline, giving them very little time to relax. The former Burnley man did tire around the hour mark, but could leave the field with his head held high when he was replaced by Dom Ballard.
Rewarded with his first start of the season after his role in Bristol City’s win over Bolton Wanderers, Sam Bell struggled to leave his mark against Wolves. The academy graduate didn’t see an awful lot of the ball, and when he did, his touch let him down on a couple of occasions. He moved into a wider role after the break, likely in an attempt to offer a greater outlet, but was replaced by Yu Hirakawa before the hour mark.
Although Bristol City’s number nine provided a constant and effective outlet in the opening 45 minutes against Wolves, he will have headed back down the tunnel at the break, disappointed to have not added to his tally for the season. Lorent Tolaj probably should have hit the target with his header from that aforementioned Rio Cardines’ cross, but in fairness, he did well to even meet the deep ball. That miss was costly, in the end. Faded after the restart, which should be expected, given his limited training time.
Got into some good positions, but didn’t do enough with them to make an impact.
Offered an outlet down the right, but like Yu Hirakawa, didn’t leave a mark in his cameo.
Did what he could to provide an attacking threat late on, but the game had descended into a basketball contest by the time he was introduced.
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