Bristol City verdict: Weimann is key, dreaded penalty stat & youngster endures tough time

Nigel Pearson’s side fought back from behind in what was an entertaining way to start 2022
There was reason to celebrate as Bristol City won their first match of the New Year. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)There was reason to celebrate as Bristol City won their first match of the New Year. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
There was reason to celebrate as Bristol City won their first match of the New Year. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Bristol City started the new year with a bang as they came out on top against Millwall in a five-goal thriller.

Andi Weimann struck three times as he scored his second hat-trick in the colours of City, as he inspired a fightback from Tom Bradshaw and Benik Afobe’s first-half goals.

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From a game full of action, there were plenty of talking points for City fans to discuss amongst themselves. Read below what we thought of the match and let us know what you think.

(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Andi Weimann is pivotal to City

Probably the most obvious point that will be made all season this but Weimann is so key to this side.

With 12 goals in 25 league matches this season, he’s the Robins top scorer by some distance with Chris Martin behind him by six goals.

Quite impressive given that the Austrian isn’t exactly the final outlet in the attack. He’s at times played behind the striker, mainly Chris Martin and then recently Semenyo but has also played as a winger.

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Playing to his strengths is going to be the most important thing. He’s the game changer in this team, he’s the player that delivers the big moments in games. Even against Huddersfield when the game was gone, he was the one that still had that effort in him.

Every match he’s playing in, he’s running on an endless tank and barely looks out of breath.

Fortunately he isn’t out of contract until the summer of 2024, so there should be no worries about losing his services.

His experience is going to be vital in helping these younger players nurture. Other than Matty James, all the other players were below the age of 30.

Ryley Towler endured a difficult time against two experienced Championship forwards. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Ryley Towler endured a difficult time against two experienced Championship forwards. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Ryley Towler endured a difficult time against two experienced Championship forwards. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Difficult day for Ryley Towler

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The big piece of team news today was that Ryley Towler would start alongside Tomas Kalas in a four man defence. It was his first match since returning on loan from Grimsby Town.

Unfortunately it didn’t go the way as planned for the 19-year-old and he had a torrid first-half.

He lost the marking of Tom Bradshaw who peeled away from him to head home Millwall’s equaliser.

Just minutes later he fouled Benik Afobe, giving the front-man a penalty after sliding in from behind on him. It was a challenge that would have been up for debate for a red card.

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Instead his departure from the match would be a half-time substitution in which he was replaced by Han-Noah Massengo.

Despite what was a difficult day in the young career of the defender, he’s been tipped by his manager to bounce back.

Pearson said: "He’ll learn from today, he’s gone away and played a lot of first-team football with Grimsby and he’s worked well in training for us.

“It happens sometimes that players get caught out in the first-team environment, it’s how you frame that for them.”

Han-Noah Massengo makes the difference

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The central midfielder made a big impact when he came on at a point where the game needed to be changed. He was brought on at half-time for young midfielder Ayman Benarous.

It took a bit of time but in the last quarter of the match, he found Andreas Weimann with an inch-perfect cross that was touched home for an equaliser.

Surprisingly his assist for the leveller was the first time in his Bristol City career which is 78 games in in which he registered a goal contribution.

There’ll be a bit of discussion now on whether he should start against Fulham in the FA Cup or whether he should be preserved for the league fixture.

City almost pay the penalty

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Before the match, City had conceded the most penalties in the division with five penalties awarded against them this season. Five became six as Ryley Towler fouled Benik Afobe and the former Robins loanee punished them for it.

City haven’t had the greatest record when it comes to spot kicks as they’ve only saved one this season.

On the other occasions that City have conceded a penalty, they’ve lost each time, having lost to Coventry, Huddersfield, Nottingham Forest and most recently Queens Park Rangers.

At least this time, City were able to stop the rot and get a point at least, but their defenders need to be smarter when in the box.

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