Well, that was dismal and infuriating, especially after picking up two great victories over Middlesbrough and Cardiff last week. All we needed from this game to ensure that we were in the top 6 by Christmas was just 1 point and we looked likely to do that; however, as usual we failed to be consistent and gave three vital points away. We have no problem with scoring goals or controlling the game, it is bad luck and poor defending which seems to be our nemesis this season.
During the week, Rosenior was fined £2,500 and faced a one match suspension for swearing at officials at the QPR game earlier in the month. Thus, saw him sidelined for this game. Last time this happened, we were defeated by League 2 side Doncaster Rovers. The same thing happened in this game and the players seemed to struggle towards the latter stages of the game.
The starting eleven was unchanged from our 3-0 victory against Cardiff last week, so that meant–in a 4-2-3-1 formation–we lined up as follows: Ryan Allsop between the sticks; Lewie Coyle, Alfie Jones, Jacob Greaves and Cyrus Christie as the back line; Jean Seri and Tyler Morton just below them and Scott Twine, Ozan Tufan and Liam Delap behind Aaron Connolly, who was leading the line.
From the off, Bristol looked the better side creating two opportunities very early one; great link up play between Mehmeti and Pring allowed the latter to drive into a pocket of space on the left flank, swing in a ball, which was cleared by Greaves to the D, where Knight took it down and shot straight into Allsop’s hands. Thus, followed by some great passing by Bristol to release Pring, unmarked, on the left, who crosses it into a central position, where Knight headed it over the bar.
Then, after piling on the pressure, they were rewarded. In the 24th minute, Tanner puts a dangerous cross into the box, which is flicked on by Sykes and onto Greaves’ extended arm. The men in red surge the referee, who instantly points to the spot. Conway, who scored a penalty in his previous game against Sunderland, was put up for the job and he put it away, firing the ball into the exact same place as his last penalty. Perhaps Allsop should have done his homework and that would not have gone in.
Nonetheless, this brought The Tigers into life, with an instant response; in the 33rd minute, Coyle played a wonderful ball over the top, which Connolly brilliantly took down in the box and then he was able to take it around his men before striking on the edge of the box and putting it into the bottom-right corner of the net. Then, not long after, we went in-front. In the 42nd minute, Scott Twine put a nice ball into the box, however, before Greaves could get anything on it, he was pulled down by Pring and the referee pointed to the spot. Thankfully, we have Tufan starting and he was able to take the responsibility and roll it straight down the middle, beating the keeper. Lovely response.
In the second period, we were able to control the game and it was slowly dying out; we were passing superbly, defending well and it was made much easier with Bristol giving the ball away and not being able to string passes together. We had an excellent chance to increase our advantage when Twine swung in a threatening ball into the box from a corner, which landed perfectly for Tufan, who headed it wide.
Both sides made some substitutions, which worked out better for Bristol allowing them to have a huge burst of energy in the latter stages. Consequently, as they looked to be out of the contest, they earned the equaliser; in the 76th minute, Mehmeti received the ball on the edge of the box, where he beat his men and slotted it home. This was similar to Connolly’s goal in the first half.
Then, disaster struck after Allsop excellently saved a dangerous shot from Bristol, in which he went down and was replaced by Ingram moments later. Instantly, he plays it out to Lokilo, who is pressured and loses the ball. As a result, Knight is able to drive towards goal and shoot from range, which takes a slight deflection before finding the back of the net. Watching the replay, I do think Ingram could have done better, however, it was not our night in the end and we went back to Humberside empty handed.
This was a self-inflicted defeat, which we must learn from, regroup and go again in our next game against Sunderland on Boxing Day. We have the players, quality and ability to score goals, I think we just needed Rosenior on the touchline to guide us when Bristol had that stage of possession. Credit to Bristol who were able to come back from behind; they definitely will be a team floating around the play-offs. For us, we are currently sixth, but if Sunderland and West Brom win, we will go seventh, which is still a great position to be in. I certainly did not think we would be close to the play-offs halfway into the season. Let’s hope we can build on this incredible run in the final half.