Bristol City

David Pottier
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

Unbeaten in four competitive games reads like a pretty decent start to the season.

However, there are some City fans saying this coming week could define the season as a whole.

I am minded to agree myself. For a start there are two games before time off for the first international break of the season.

The Carabao Cup game at Craven Cottage on Wednesday is a match no one would really expect City to win, but if they did and got a decent (home) draw against one of the "big" clubs who enter at this stage of the competition, it would rekindle memories of 2017-18 and the epic encounters against both Manchester clubs.

Then there is another home league game against Hull City and based on their results so far it is one that City should win. It would then be eight points from four league games and hopes remain high.

Get a third successive draw and six points from a possible 12 knocks some of the gloss off remaining unbeaten.

What is really concerning City fans this week is the closing of the summer transfer window. When Emil Riis went off with an ankle injury on the hour at Pride Park, a game City should have won, there was a grim acceptance that if he is ruled out for a week or two there is no one capable of filling his shoes to offer any goal threat worthy of the name.

Harry Cornick, Sam Bell, Sinclair Armstrong and Fally Mayulu just aren't up to it and Gerhard Struber said as much in his post-match press conference.

If they could shift three of this quartet out only then would there be scope to bring someone in, such are the tight purse strings at Ashton Gate.

With that unlikely then City may have to trade, and that could see some of next summer's out of contract players depart – Mark Sykes and Anis Mehmeti immediately come to mind.

Perish the thought a club from the Premier League makes a move for Jason Knight, whose contract expires in 2027, but a bid of £10m could well see him leave. I personally felt City were pre-empting this when they signed Adam Randell from Plymouth in the summer.

Why Struber has taken off this high-energy player on 70 minutes in the past two games has baffled City fans with, based on performances so far from City's Republic of Ireland international, the Devonian being more Jason Knight than Jason Knight!

Apart from more firepower up front, there are calls from fans and coach alike to strengthen the left side of defence due to Cameron Pring's extended absence.

Playing Yu Hirakawa and Ross McCrorie there is papering over a crack in the defensive formation. It will be interesting to see if this is addressed. Personally, I think it is either/or as it is unlikely to be both.

You can hear more from David Pottier on the Forever Bristol City podcast., external

Image source, PA Media

Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber said his side were "not happy" after a "frustrating" result at Derby where they conceded in the 86th minute to draw 1-1.

The unbeaten Robins had been heading for their second win of the campaign thanks to Scott Twine's goal when Carlton Morris found the net late on for the Rams to rescue them a point.

"We invested a lot, so many things went exactly in the direction of our plan," he told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We are in the lead and in the second half lose a bit of possession power. We did a great job in so many directions, they have one thing and we have a bit of a sleepy moment with the cross on the right. Radek was ready [but] second ball he was not there.

"Over the game so many moments it was great and in this moment it was a little bit too late. In the end this is frustrating when you play away and you control the whole game in a clear direction and you drive home in the end with one point. We are not happy."

However he said that striker Emil Riis' injury was "not so bad" after he went off early in the second half. "It's a bruise. I hope he's back soon," Struber said.

Listen to more from Struber on BBC Sounds.

Derby County will look to get their first points of the season when they host Bristol City on Friday (20:00 BST).

The Rams were involved in an entertaining eight-goal thriller last time out, having led Coventry City 3-2 before the Sky Blues scored three times to take a 5-3 win.

Meanwhile, Bristol City played out a goalless stalemate with Charlton Athletic and will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the season at Pride Park.

• Derby County have lost just two of their last 10 home league games against Bristol City (W5 D3), keeping clean sheets in five of those matches.

• Bristol City have won six of their last eight league games against Derby County (L2), though did lose this exact fixture 3-0 last season.

• So far this season, Derby have lost each of their two Championship matches and will be looking to avoid losing their opening three league games of a campaign at any level since 2020-21.

• Bristol City have won just two of their last 16 away league games (D7 L7), although did win away on MD1 4-1 at Sheffield United, the first time they've netted 4+ goals on their travels since December 2023.

• Amongst the 10 Championship goalkeepers to make 5+ saves this season, Bristol City's Radek Vitek holds the highest save percentage (87.5%).

Image source, Rex Features

Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber said he hopes the club can bring in one or more new signings over the next few days.

City have brought in four players over the summer so far, in goalkeepers Joe Lumley and Radek Vitek, midfielder Adam Randall and forward Emil Riis.

"The group is very small. We are open and we look on the market. We know what we want, we know what we need. At the same time, we trust the process," Struber told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We hope we can finish the one or other new players in the next few days."

The Austrian has previously said that any new signings would have to be the "right character" for the team.

Yet chief executive Tom Rawcliffe said earlier this week that if a new player was brought in they would have to "look at outs" as well.

Struber also said he feels "sorry" for Joe Williams and the team, with the midfielder expected to be out for another eight weeks following a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury.

"We was a little bit surprised about the situation around him," he said.

"He was in the recovery programme and we realised he's not ready and he's had a little bit of a setback. He feels not ready with his leg.

"We have to be patient. We know for us he is a big key in our team, and I feel sorry for him but also for the team."

David Pottier
Forever Bristol City Podcast

Image source, Rex Features

With weather more akin to watching a game at La Rosaleda [Malaga CF], a capacity crowd, an emphatic win at Bramall Lane on the opening day of the season and a predictable midweek cup success against MK Dons, the scene was surely set for a first home league win against Championship newcomers Charlton Athletic?

No, this is Bristol City and in this, my 59th season of supporting, I can safely say based upon experience that we rarely fail to disappoint on such occasions and Saturday proved no exception.

While City did not lose, their well-drilled opponents could well have won a game that ended without a goal.

City's coach Gerhard Struber is enjoying the honeymoon period of his time in charge. He has already endeared himself to the fans with his communication skills and generally cheerful disposition but he is learning what his squad is, or is not, capable of and on Saturday he was outwitted by his Charlton counterpart as City ran out of steam long before the end, although his substitutions played a part in that.

Once the industrious Adam Randell had been taken off with half an hour remaining, to be replaced by the clearly unfit [for Struber's all-action style] Max Bird, City's chances of all three points looked remote.

When he brought on messieurs Armstrong and Mayulu with 10 minutes remaining, it was, in some fans' minds, perhaps a signal to the board that he needs more firepower up front to support Emil Riis and perhaps, with the benefit of hindsight, it was a mistake not to give Nahki Wells one more year rather than let him move to Luton.

Four points from two games is fine and if it had been secured with a draw at Sheffield United followed by an emphatic win at home, the mood would be brighter than it is.

We are sat in fourth place but to be quite honest, any thoughts on how this season is going to pan out are best put away until the second international break in October and then we'll know for sure if Struber can produce the goods.

Image source, Rex Features

New Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber has empowered the players to express themselves, says defender Zak Vyner.

The Robins are unbeaten under their Austrian coach with four points from a possible six in the Championship along with an EFL Cup victory over MK Dons.

"He's given the lads a bit more freedom to express themselves and he wants us to be high-press but not gung-ho," Vyner told BBC Radio Bristol.

"He empowers us to go out and play our game with his style and imprint on it and three games in, there have been some good performances."

Struber replaced Liam Manning in June and a 4-1 opening day win at Sheffield United was followed by a goalless draw against Charlton on Saturday.

Vyner, 28, says the head coach is proving to be an infectious character.

"The gaffer's a very enthusiastic guy and that makes you want to run that bit harder and gives you that big push to give everything," he added.

"Everyone steps onto the pitch wanting to give everything but when you have that encouragement from the side and he shows that kind of passion, it's good to have."

Bristol City visit Derby County in the Championship on Friday, 22 August (20:00 BST)

Andy Stevenson
Final Score reporter

Image source, Rex Features

Anis Mehmeti, born in London but an Albanian international, is approaching 100 Championship appearances for Bristol City since signing for them in January 2023.

The 24-year-old scored in the stunning 4-1 win at Sheffield United on the opening weekend and is a key member of the team.

Against Charlton, he was the most exciting player on the pitch, consistently at the centre of City's attacks.

He had a first half shot go narrowly wide and then clipped the angle of post and crossbar with an effort in the second.

On Saturday, he must have had Robins fans tearing their hair out at his lack of final product. But on days where everything clicks, he looks more than capable of dominating games this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber said that his side "can improve" after a draw against Charlton on Saturday.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock in the match but the best chance of the match fell to City's Anis Mehmeti who hit the woodwork in the second half with a well-struck effort.

"We expected a really difficult game, it was a 50-50 game in the end and this is not what we wanted," he told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We can improve and we have some good learning points from this, the opponent played very direct with lots of long balls today.

"In the end it is a point that we take with the clean sheet, our behaviour in defence is on a very good level at the moment."

Both Bristol City and Charlton Athletic had much to celebrate after their opening Championship games as they prepare to meet at Ashton Gate on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Robins began their campaign with a stunning 4-1 victory at Sheffield United and will hope to bring the party to their first home game of the season.

Meanwhile, promoted Charlton began life in the Championship with a 1-0 win over Watford.

• Bristol City beat Charlton Athletic 2-1 the last time this exact fixture was played in October 2019 and will be looking for successive victories over the Addicks at Ashton Gate for the first time since October 1975.

• Bristol City have won their opening home game in just two of the last seven league seasons (D3 L2). However, following their 4-1 win at Sheffield United on MD1, they could start a league campaign with back-to-back victories for the first time since 2020-21.

• Following their 1-0 win at Watford on MD1, Charlton will be looking to start consecutive league campaigns with back-to-back wins for the first time since 2009-10 to 2011-12 (all in League One).

• In this match, Charlton will be looking to claim their first away victory in the Championship since a 1-0 success against Hull City in June 2020.

• On MD1, Bristol City's Scott Twine recorded two goals and an assist against Sheffield United; the first time he's recorded three goal contributions in a Championship match and the fourth time in his overall EFL career.

Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber said he has no intention of letting right-back Ross McCrorie leave the Championship club this summer.

Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol after his side's 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over MK Dons, the Austrian confirmed that he knows "nothing" about a potential move for the Scotland international despite links with Italian club Udinese.

"Ross is super important for us," Struber said.

"Never. Never would I let him go. Never."

McCrorie scored the second goal during the Robins 4-1 victory over Sheffield United on Saturday.

Listen to the full post-match interview with Struber and more on BBC Sounds.

Adam Cottier
BBC Sport at Bramall Lane

Image source, Getty Images

Saturday's 4-1 win at Sheffield United was by some margin an impressive start for Gerhard Struber.

There were many standout individual performances and perhaps what was on show was an indication of the 'proactive' style the new head coach desires.

It was even more impressive given the players the Austrian was unable to select at Bramall Lane.

Max O'Leary has been a mainstay in the Bristol City team for the past two seasons, but injury means the goalkeeper will be missing for a while.

Step forward Radek Vitek, selected ahead of fellow new signing Joe Lumley to start in goal, and his Championship debut could hardly have gone any better.

Vitek played 18 league games in a loan spell at Accrington Stanley in 2024, and before Saturday, they were his only senior appearances in English football.

The 21-year-old Czech was loaned by his parent club Manchester United again last season as he gained more experience playing in the Austrian top flight.

But it was in the early evening sunshine in Sheffield where Vitek appeared to come of age. A commanding figure in his area, he repaid Struber's faith with an eye-catching display.

With his side leading 2-1 he made a fine one-handed save to deny Sheffield United's Louie Barry, thwarting Sydie Peck too before the break.

They felt at the time like significant moments and so it proved as Bristol City moved out of sight with the two goals they scored in a rampaging start to the second half, spearheaded by the main protagonist in their attack, Scott Twine.

But even at 4-1 with Struber's tactical plan being played almost to perfection in front of him, Vitek was still alert to make smart interventions on the occasions home side had sight of his goal.

One late save in particular - keeping out a point-blank range Peck header - had the Bristol City fans chanting his name even louder.

Vitek was encouraged to be front and centre of the post-match celebrations, waving his arms with glee in front of the travelling support. He'd earned such acclaim with a promising debut on a red-letter day for Bristol City and their red-cap-wearing new head coach.

David Pottier
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

City returned to Bramall Lane, the ground where their play-off hopes were crushed in May, and pulled off the result of the day as the new season got under way.

So emphatic was Sheffield United's dominance over the two-legged play-off semi-final that many City fans, me included, saw this as a free hit for new coach Gerhard Struber's first competitive game in charge.

A point would have been seen as a fabulous result but to run out 4-1 winners is right up there amongst the best opening day results City have ever had.

Although it might be overstating it by some to suggest it was on a par with beating Arsenal 1-0 at Highbury in 1976 in the club's first fixture in the top flight after a 65 year absence.

There was little sorrow amongst the Ashton Gate faithful when Liam Manning left to join Norwich where he has been spending money like confetti – doubtless those funds, compared with the tight budgets at Bristol City, was the attraction.

Little was known of Struber but his appointment seemed to unite the fanbase unlike when Manning had come in for Nigel Pearson.

Front-foot attacking football is what the fans have been craving and Manning certainly didn't deliver that with his possession-based style, even though it delivered play-off participation for the first time in 17 years.

There was enough evidence in friendlies against Plymouth and Real Valladolid to suggest that Struber's approach will be markedly different and so it proved at Bramall Lane.

City played with an air of fearlessness against their opponents, themselves under the guidance of new coach Ruben Selles, and took the lead with a typical long range free kick from Scott Twine.

In this game he looked like a player worth the £3.7m City paid for him and went on to provide an assist for the well-crafted goal that put the visitors in front after the Blades had equalised, then grabbed the fourth goal that put City in total control with only 50 minutes on the clock.

Was this a one-off or the shape of things to come?

We shall see in the coming weeks, but without spending big City have that all important "new" spine to their side with Man Utd loanee keeper Radek Vitek, whose debut saves and all round command of his box earned him man of the match.

Emil Riis will lead the line in a way City have needed for a very long time and Rob Atkinson in defence is like a new signing after more than two years of injury.

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Gary Owers
Former Bristol City player and BBC Radio Bristol summariser

Image source, Rex Features

Scott Twine played in a central position and had defensive responsibilities, and we've seen him get involved in a couple of duels in the middle of the pitch and come out on top, nick a couple of balls.

He was destructive in attack. The free-kick was class. We know that he's got it in his locker but to execute that, you almost had the feeling when they got the free-kick that he was going to score from it and he didn't disappoint.

He was influential again in attacking manoeuvres and he got a bit of luck with the deflected shot that went past the goalkeeper.

Two goals for him and it gives him a lot of confidence to take forward into the season.

Ross McCrorie probably had a lot of talent that we didn't see [last season]. He was so unlucky to pick up the injury that kept him out for such a long time.

He's certainly reaping the rewards now. He's versatile, we know he can play on the left, he's good in the air, defensively he's solid and he's having goals which are all bonuses.

Anis Mehmeti was a constant thorn in the side of Sheffield United. But City came out of the traps really sharply in the second half, winning the ball high up the pitch and then when that cross came in from the right-hand side, he was in the right place at the right time. Nice to see him get off the mark early in the season.

Emil Riis gives them a different dimension. They've got a focal point now, they've got someone to aim for, they've got someone that can pin defenders and make it difficult and can pick up second balls.