Bristol City player ratings with 'magnificent' 8/10 and 'comfortable' 6/10 in Watford win

Bristol City jumped up to sixth in the championship table following a big win over fellow playoff hopefuls Watford.

After defeats earlier in the day for West Brom and Coventry, Liam Manning’s side went into their later kick off knowing that a win would take them into the coveted top six.

First-half goals from Ross McCrorie and Nahki Wells were enough to secure the robins the win despite a late hurrah from the visitors with substitute Mamadou Doumbia making it a nervy encounter with ten left to play.

After a quiet start to the game with no keepers being worked, Max Bird took it upon himself to press the Watford backline high and see if he could get a reward.

The reward came when he disposed James Abankwah just outside the area. Bird then drove with the ball into the box before cutting it back to Wells who tried to have a shot with his left but that didn't go to plan and the ball bobbled. The ball eventually found its way to Ross McCrorie whose Left footed volley beat the keeper.

McCrorie’s strike was his second of the season and his first since a header against Sheffield Wednesday in January.

Five minutes later, City were on the attack again and they doubled there lead thanks to Nahki Wells

The goal all came about from fantastic work from Mark Sykes as his burst of pace down the line beat his marker on the byline - with the visitors claiming that the ball went out).

Sykes then found Wells just outside the box, and the Bermudan took one touch with his right before firing with his left and giving the Robins a two goal cushion.

The game then stalled after that until a triple sub made by Liam Manning. He brought on Roberts, Armstrong and McGuane and immediately Armstrongs pace and power brought something different to the game.

Watford did manage to get on the scoresheet with Mamadou Doumbia after a good run between the city defence and managed to get a shot off and firing past Max O’Leary and making sure that Watford scored for the first time since before the international break.

Eventually, the final whistle blew and Ashton Gate erupted with emotion and it makes Tuesday’s game against West Brom even bigger.

Bristol City player ratings

Max O’Leary (GK): Very quiet first half for the Irish shot stopper with only a Vakoun Bayo troubling him in the first 45 and even that was easily caught. His distribution was good and composed today. He also commanded his box well, coming to collect numerous crosses. For the goal he was beaten by a good finish and not much he could do about it. 6.5

Cameron Pring: Out of his normal position of left back and was moved to the left of a back three. He had to contain his usual swashbuckling bursts and instead replace that with a calmer display of moving the ball up the pitch quickly. 7

Rob Dickie: A quiet display today thanks to the timidness of the opposition strike force. Got his head on numerous set pieces but they didn't materialise into anything. Did lose Doumbia for the goal that Watford scored but apart from that any brief Watford attacks were quickly halted by the back three today. 6

Zak Vyner: The centre back once again 90 minutes today and showed his fitness and durability down the stretch at an important time in the season. Was a quiet display as he didn’t have much to do however when he did it was a game of interceptions and keeping the ball moving. 7

Attacking confidence

Ross McCrorie: His second goal of the season gave City their first after capitalizing on some defensive errors from Watford. On his first start since the Severnside derby back in February, the Scot, who reckons City have what it takes to win promotion, was up and down his unnatural left-hand side. In the second half he played with more attacking confidence by attempting some exciting flicks to deceive the Watford defence. (Was replaced by Haydon Roberts after 60 minutes.) 7.5

Max Bird: His pressurising led to a mistake by the Watford defence which eventually led to McCrorie firing home the first which meant an assist for a midfielder who has been going from strength to strength since arriving from Derby The high press was a big factor in this performance by City’s number six as he was playing further up the pitch than normal, and the Watford defence didn't enjoy Bird breathing down their necks(Was replaced by Anis Mehmeti after 72 minutes). 7

Jason Knight(C): Was allowed a bit more freedom today going forward with the selection. Still played the box-to-box role fantastically and was crucial in both ends of the pitch. Once again, another 90 minutes in the tank for the ever-reliable skipper. 7

Joe Williams: His selection today allowed fellow midfield partners Max Bird and Jason Knight to play further forward while Williams sat just in front of the back three. While he struggled with the counter attacking play of the visitors early on, He grew more and more into the game and by the time the Robins were two up, the Scouse midfielder was comfortable. (Was replaced by Marcus McGuane after 60 minutes.) 6

West Ham star gaining in confidence

George Earthy: Rare full 90 minutes for the West Ham United loanee this season and it showed he is gaining in confidence. In the first 60 minutes he had a very good link with Nahki Wells however when Wells went off and Armstrong came on, Earthy’s impact on the game diminished as he struggled to make a linkup with Armstrong. 6.5

Mark Sykes: A magnificent run down the right-hand side set up the second goal. He was City’s main threat of pace throughout the early going of the game. Started the game as a right winger but ended up as a right wing back thus continuing to show his ability to be a utility man for boss Liam Manning. (Was replaced by Sam Bell in the 89th minute.) 8

Nahki Wells: The veteran striker again showed why boss Liam Manning wants to keep him at Ashton Gate with a fantastic mix of good hold-up play and attacking runs and both qualities led to his ninth goal of the season. It did seem a few times that there was an opportunity for a breakaway however his 35-year-old legs couldn't carry him towards a second of the day and tenth for the season. 7.5 ( Was replaced by Sinclair Armstrong after 60 minutes).

Impact players

Substitutes

Haydon Roberts: Came on for McCrorie and made an impact. His linkup with Mehmeti really helped secure the three points and his ability to use his left foot down the wing which was something that McCrorie couldn't offer was something that really benefited the robins to help close out the game. 6.5

Marcus McGuane: Came onto the pitch with a real purpose today. Intercepted numerous balls towards the end of the game in and around the box. When he tried to get a counter attack going the balls were sometimes just a tad overhit or under hit. But still a good cameo from McGuane. 6.5

Anis Mehmeti: An unusual cameo for the Albanian. Created good spaces for himself but whenever the Ashton Gate crowd were screaming for a shot he tried to take it past more Watford defenders. 6.75

Sinclair Armstrong: The Irishman ran the channels very well and held the ball up well to bring others into the game. Had a chance not long after coming on but his shot, after a ball over the top, went wide. Continued to show more and more composure with his dribbling and passing and was the pick of the bunch of the impact players who rose from the bench the help City over the line. 6.5

Sam Bell: Came on in stoppage time to take advantage of tired legs with his fresh ones. Near the end almost made it 3-1 with a goal but his shot late on was saved. 6.5