‘Deserves all the plaudits’ - Rob Atkinson hails Bristol City teammate after turnaround

Rob Atkinson has revealed his delight in Zak Vyner’s upturn in form and has pinpointed trust as the key factor in the pair’s ever-improving partnership.

Vyner has missed just two of Bristol City’s 35 matches this season in all competitions and has gone from strength to strength in terms of performance level and leadership at the back.

The 25-year-old’s displays this season have been consistently positive, but that hasn’t always been the case at the West Country club. Despite being a Robin since 2015, Vyner has been loaned out four times and struggled to gain consistent playing time in the past.

After a spell of difficult erformances last season, Vyner was brushed aside for the final months of the campaign, as his future looked bleak at the Robins. But, his grit, determination and quality have come good, and Vyner is now reaping the rewards.

“Zak’s a really good player and I'm glad the fans are finally seeing that,” Atkinson said. “He deserves all the plaudits he’s getting this season.

“He’s been fantastic since the start and he makes my life easy. I know if I make a mistake, he's there to cover for me and likewise if he makes a mistake ill try and cover around for him.”

With Kal Naismith’s recent switch into midfield, Atkinson and Vyner have developed a strong partnership of late, and have started the last eight matches alongside each other. Cam Pring and George Tanner have also established themselves as regular starters with their performances at full-back, as the backline have begun to form stable relationships.

When asked what the key was to his partnership with Vyner, Atkison replied: “There’s that trust already, which is crucial for a blooming partnership.”

“He’s got a natural gift of having that distribution over long ranges which is something that I've not quite got to grips with yet. He’s more technical, a bit smaller as well so that covers that, and I'm a bit taller and more aerially dominant, we compliment each other quite well.”

City’s recent switch from a three at the back to a four has led to increased responsibility for the centre-backs. A big part of Atkinson’s game is his progressive runs deep into opposition territory, but he has had to hold back from making those ventures forward at times, with just one defensive partner to cover him.

“It’s different, yeah,” Atkinson said. “For me, I don't really have a preference. I've played in both in my career so far and I've enjoyed myself in both roles.

“You could argue that playing with a back four you have one less man so there’s more responsibility but I think when you've got that extra man in midfield it does help you defensively as well. Winning those second balls and winning that midfield battle. There are certainly pros and cons to both formations.”