Bristol City player ratings vs Sheffield Wednesday: ‘instinctive’ 8/10 and ‘passive’ 6/10 scored in victory

Bristol City edged past 10-man Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at Ashton Gate on Saturday thanks to Rob Dickie’s second half strike.

Following some early City pressure, the Owls’ afternoon got even more difficult when Barry Bannan received a first half red card for preventing Jason Knight from going through on goal.

The Robins continued to dominate after the break, and got their reward when Dickie slotted home Tommy Conway’s low cross.

Danny Rohl’s side pushed for a late equaliser, but City held firm to take them upto 10th pl in the Championship table. Wednesday remain bottom.

Here’s how the Robins fared...

Player ratings:

Max O’Leary – 7

Made a few kicking errors when playing the ball straight to Bannan early on and sending the ball out of play minutes later and in terms of saves, he had very little to do until the latut was forced to react quickly to Dominic Iorfa’s towering header early in the second half and was positive when coming for balls into the area.

George Tanner – 7

Although he is better known for his defensive abilities, the returning full back got up the pitch and picked several key passes in between the lines which led to some decent openings. Almost scored too when he reacted well to Conway’s free kick block, but Cameron Dawson clawed his effort behind.

Zak Vyner – 7

Was aggressive in the challenge and never looked in trouble defensively. A big boost for City to have him back fit.

Rob Dickie – 8

Made a good block to stop Djeidi Gassama’s dangerous cross flying goalwards early on, and did well to use his knowledge and defensive brain to hold up Gassama when the striker looked set to open the scoring. Showed his attacking insticts in the second period when he reacted first to Conway’s cross and open the scoring.

Cam Pring – 6

Was often open on the left flank and would’ve had the beating of Callum Paterson but wasn’t used enough in an attacking sense. Got about his defensive work well but missed a natural left wing to link up with and was passive at times.

Matty James – 6

Had plenty of the ball in the middle but was bypassed by passes in between himself and the backline at times. Gained more control when the visitors were reduced to 10.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman – 6

Was steady alongside James, could’ve perhaps looked to play forward more at times but sprinted back to make a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Gassima a shot on goal from 10 yards out. Was more involved going forward against 10-men but couldn’t get his deliveries right against some powerful defenders. Decent display.

Mark Sykes – 6

Happier further forward but often drifted inside which made the play too congested. When Wednesday were reduced to ten, City needed to stretch the game more to open up space. Good to see him back in his preffered position, where he will hopefully be able to stay.

Jason Knight – 8

Was often the spearhead of attacks. Stole the ball deep in Sheffield territory and was eventually brought down by Bannan, who received a red card, with the away goal in sight. Was on of City’s better performers on the day.

Andi Weimann – 6

Drifted in and out of spaces and used the ball well, was more involved than that of late and was certainly more of a threat centrally. Just lacked the pace to hurt the visitors in behind.

Tommy Conway – 7

Played with more freedom than of late, made runs on both flanks but was often stopped in his tracks by Dominic Iorfa. The defender had the legs and the strength on Conway who grew frustrated.

The Scot, though, kept battling, and played a key part in the opening goal when his cross was touched home by Dickie, before coming inches away from a goal himself when his low shot bounced painfully back off the post, with Dawson beaten. Resolute display.

Kal Naismith (subbed on for Vyner, 60’) – 6

Calmed things down when he was introduced and it was a good match for him to come into off the back of an injury.

Sam Bell (subbed on for Tanner, 60’) – 6

Reacted first to Conway’s effort that struck the post, but could only divert onto the opposite post in a bizarre few seconds of action.

Anis Mehmeti (subbed on for Weimann, 60’) – 6

Tricked his way past Pol Valentin out wide and looked sharp. Will be hoping to change his fortunes in a City shirt over the coming months.

Harry Cornick (subbed on for Conway, 90’) - N/A