Andy Munro watches Blues beat Bristol City.
A team on fire against a team struggling to bed in seemed like a recipe for disaster and this seemed to be born out when Bristol City took the lead in the first couple of minutes. Their £6 million French striker caused mayhem down our right leaving Nsu spinning around like a corkscrew before a succession of shots ended in the Bristol opener.After that, despite the impressive Che Adams having a shot cleared off the line, it seemed to be just a matter of time before the Robins ran up a cricket score, with the Blues defence seemingly in a perpetual state of panic.
Yet Gardner put us back on terms with a coolly taken shot worthy of his previous Premiership status but it was completely against the run of play and half time came as a blessed release. However, despite some partly injury enforced half time changes, Blues came out a different team and were at it even when Che Adams added to our growing and worrying injury list. Cotterill came on and surely justified another season’s contract with an excellent display. Always making himself available and busy with a steady stream of crosses whilst tackling back.Yet in the end, it was Maghoma who took the plaudits with an excellent solo goal.
As regards the rest of the team, Morrison was the pick of the defence with Roberts having an uncomfortable time whilst the less said about he full backs the better. Behind them, Stockdale was decent apart from one moment when he thought that he could dribble around the opposition forward line. Midfield was patchy although as the game wore on, N’Doye became an increasingly impressive figure which augurs well for the future.
Up front, Donaldson ran himself into the ground without ever looking dangerous whilst Adams was impressive before he sustained his injury. One criticism about Maghoma is that whilst he was impressive offensively, his tackling back was woeful as time and time he committed himself to tackles leaving the opposition to skip past him into danger areas.
However, Bristol are a talented side who will win far more than they lose and full credit to Harry and his team grinding out this vital win in the face of injuries and an unwarranted sending off.
