Luke Turner reflects on the 0-0 draw with Bristol City…
Blues were held to a 0-0 draw by Bristol City on an afternoon where Gary Rowett`s side weren’t quite at their best.
We had been in excellent form in the run up to the game at Ashton Gate but I always felt like this could be a potential banana skin fixture.
Bristol City, to their credit, were very good in the first half and perhaps should’ve been leading. Blues rode their luck a couple of times and struggled to get their game going.
We didn’t seem to have any control on the ball and failed to string a few passes together. It didn’t work out in the final third either so getting to the break at 0-0 was actually a positive.
In the second half Blues were a bit better and had more control of the game. But, like in the first half, we didn’t really trouble the Bristol City defence too much.
The best chance fell to Jacques Maghoma after did well to make an opening before seeing his powerful effort tipped away by their keeper.
In the end, we did well to come away with a point and it was a hard fought effort to stop a spirited Bristol side in need of a win.
We defended very well throughout but just failed to get going in the final third of the pitch. On paper it is two points dropped but in reality it’s one point gained because of how the game panned out.
However, another clean sheet is positive and we are now into the play off places, albeit having played an extra game than those around us.
We have also extended our unbeaten run to six and have only lost one in ten. The game at St Andrews vs Sheffield Wednesday next Saturday is now a huge game.
I am hopeful that the injury sustained to Jon Toral in the first half of the game isn`t too serious as he is a crucial player for us.
On the flip side, Rowett now has the ability to bring on the likes of Diego Fabbrini who showed glimpses of what he can do in the half hour he was on for today.
So although a draw may seem a bit disappointing given our recent form, there are still a lot of reasons for encouragement given current position we are in.