Posted by With the international break giving City fans a breather from the rigours of the Championship season, Sean Beynon looks back at the season so far – and the impressive form of striker Nicky Maynard
Nicky Maynard’s deadly early season form has ensured an excellent start to the season for a Bristol City team struck hard by injury and illness. With more than half the first-team squad missing at some stage this season, manager Gary Johnson will undoubtedly be satisfied by his team’s start.
City have lost only twice all season, with this term characterised by gritty displays at the back, lit up by regular heroics from summer signing Dean Gerken in goal.
Gary Johnson: Should be satisfied with the season so far (Picture: Gary Bray / UNiCOM www.unicomsystems.co.uk)
But it has been Maynard, in his second season at this level, who has shone brightest. Last year may have seen the 22-year-old striker finding his feet at a higher level, but he has certainly filled his boots this term.
Ten goals, many of them screamers from outside the area, only tell part of the story. Maynard is quicker and sharper but, most importantly, he is noticeably stronger.
Too often last season Maynard was hustled off the ball by experienced Championship defenders. This simply does not happen any more. Indeed, despite some of the stunning goals he has scored this season, his poachers effort against Sheffield Wednesday, where he battled hard to wriggle through a physical defence, may well be the one that has pleased his manager most.
Maynard’s goals have not been the only bright spots. City are well placed in seventh with just over a third of the season completed. Hard fought wins against QPR and Middlesbrough have been particularly impressive.
Freddie Sears’ goal-that-wasn’t attracted both national media attention and the ire of Neil Warnock and Simon Jordan. Maynard’s last-winner ensured that the Robins and Eagles rivalry will be intense when the sides meet at Selhurst Park in January.
It has been tougher away from home, although scoring three goals at Barnsley, and very commendable points at St James’ Park and the City Ground have left the Robins sitting pretty in sight of the leading pack.
Following a mid-table finish last term, Johnson promised to shake the squad up. There were plenty of new arrivals over the summer, all of them impressive on paper.
Scottish international striker David Clarkson was joined by his compatriot Paul Hartley, fresh from Celtic and the Champions League. Danny Haynes, who had been terrorising defences for Ipswich at Portman Road, was another big name arrival.
Clarkson, after a bright start, fell victim to the early season virus that swept Ashton Gate. Hartley has also missed games through injury, but his pin-point passing and vision show that he is a class act. Haynes is using his pace to create chances, and has already bagged three goals with the hope of many more to come.
Among those leaving Ashton Gate were Michael McIndoe and David Noble, while Lee Trundle’s loan move to Swansea signalled that he had almost certainly made his last appearance for City.
Then, following a horrific injury to loanee striker Andrius Velicka just minutes into his debut, City unveiled an astonishing signing. Midfielder Evander Sno, who had dominated City’s pre-season friendly with Ajax to such an extent that he was awarded a standing ovation from the home fans, was moving to Ashton Gate on a season-long loan – joined by Costa Rican striker Alvaro Saborio.
New keeper Gerken and defender Lewin Nyatanga may have slipped under the radar given some of City’s summer signings. Ironically, though, they have been amongst the most impressive.
Gerken has quickly taken Adriano Basso’s mantle as a fan’s favourite. A series of stunning saves against Peterborough and Sheffield Wednesday were all that saved City from two potential defeats.
So far, so Basso. But, on early impressions, Gerken may have more to offer than Basso. His kicking, while not perfect, is more secure than the Brazilian’s, he has excellent command of his area and is never afraid to come to the ball.
Nyatanaga has also shone. Inexplicably surplus to requirements at Derby, he has slotted in at the back with self assurance that transcends his 21 years.
His addition to the squad has given City real strength at the back. Louis Carey and Liam Fontaine have started the season well, while Bradley Orr and Jamie McAllister have adjusted well to their new wing-back roles.
If City are to push on and reach the play-offs, there is still much work to do. Johnson has a strong squad at his disposal, and has his work cut out, especially in midfield, to keep all of his players happy.
McIndoe’s departure gives Johnson another headache. Bids were made for left-sided midfielders over the summer, but we not successful. With the early termination of Andre Blackman’s contract, City have been left without a natural left-footed midfielder.
Johnson’s preferred 3-5-2 formation is working well as a Plan A, but Plan B is more of a problem. 4-4-2 with a fluid – critics might say congested – midfield has been tried, as have various variants of 4-3-3. But it is wing-backs that the squad seems most suited to, and a formation which Johnson will likely persist with.
A thumping in front of the TV cameras at Cardiff was followed by a performance of stunning ineptitude against Carlisle in the League Cup.
At that point, there was a danger of the season stalling before it had really begun. But City have picked themselves up, and are well placed in a league which looks set to be tight all season long.
Confident as underdogs and happy to plug away unnoticed by the league’s giants, City will certainly be looking to be in the play-off mix as the season continues.
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