Bristol City’s defensive issues in focus with Rob Atkinson, George Tanner and Nathan Baker problems

Bristol City have big defensive problems. The Robins have conceded the third most goals in the Championship, and only Peterborough and Cardiff have conceded more.

Factor in the missing personnel and it could be some time before the Robins show the sort of steel at the back that saw them contest second spot in the English second tier back in December 2017, likely the last time the West Country men were difficult to play through.

(Seventh fewest goals conceded at that time; until defeat at home to Wolves on December 30 2017, Frank Fielding’s red card, loss of form and a subsequent spiral down the league).

Until there is improvement at the back, City will languish in the wrong half of the table.

Defensive issues

George Tanner

Confirmed on Thursday by Nigel Pearson as being out for months with a hamstring complaint rather than just a month as originally reported. “Several” was the exact word used, meaning we may not see the right-back until near the end of this campaign.

Nathan Baker

Has suffered consecutive head knocks this season and is being carefully examined for concussion. The club have not given any recent updates on the player and rumours around supporters suggest that it may be some time before the former Villa man returns.

Rob Atkinson

BristolWorld understands that Atkinson suffered a serious, but common, illness back in October and it is taking the 23-year-old some time to fully recover his fitness levels.

“It’s probably a bit of everything,” Pearson said, when asked by Bristol World on Thursday about Atkinson’s form and fitness, also pointing to the defender playing his first season at Championship level.

“He’s not really recovered fully, it appears. If you look at his career path from where he started, and where he’s accrued his appearances, he’s made some big steps in a short period of time.

“My expectation of players is probably a bit more realistic but he’s going to have tough it out, I’m afraid. I would imagine Ryley getting picked ahead of him, if I was him I’d be a bit unhappy about that but... tough!”

There was little sympathy from his manager, a former centre-back himself no less, despite admitting that full health is yet to be attained.

Atkinson has, however, enjoyed a good campaign after stepping up from League One and playing non-league football the year before that: with 18 appearances and three from the bench.

Positives

But one point of interest and potential remedy, certainly as regards longer term and with City pushing their academy, is the return to action of Robbie Cundy.

Cundy has been missing all season so far with a knee injury, but played for 45 minutes on Monday in the GFA Cup, captaining Bristol City U23s as they lost 3-2 to Cirencester Town.

The 6ft5’ central defender impressed on loan under boss Steve Evans at Gillingham last season, and Cambridge United before that, with Brian Tinnion working his loan magic and enabling the player to climb the league pyramid since being spotted at Bath City.

Cundy is not yet fully fit, but when he does return, he could give the Robins another aerial presence at the back and some extra physicality.

Then there is also Ryley Towler, who did not yet look ready for Championship action at centre-back against Millwall last weekend, but is another young player who will improve and offer depth from the bench, after a good outing at Sheffield United last season, if tougher games at Watford and Swansea City.

Into the market?

With Fulham up next and likely rotation from both sides for Saturday’s FA Cup third round encounter, there is some breathing space for the Robins to see how Baker, Cundy and Atkinson progress.

But any more injuries at the back, with Jay Dasilva out of favour on the left but Cam Pring impressing there, and Pearson will be pushed for senior defensive knowhow (after the reliable Tomas Kalas and versatile Zak Vyner), with Danny Simpson looking a fair way past his best on the right.

Further solutions may be needed: could Matty James be used as an impromptu central defender in the middle of the back three, to help bring the ball out from deep? Recall Taylor Moore from Hearts, if possible, though Pearson has already said that he is open-minded to making that deal permanent?

Pearson admitted on Thursday that he hopes to bring in one player this January transfer window. It’s well known that in the longer term he wants to recruit a quality striker for the Robins, but in the short term City may need to think about the other end of the pitch.