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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Bristol City predicted team vs West Brom: Three changes including an opportunity for Cam Pring

A third game in nine games and a run of form that includes one victory in seven means changes are likely to be inevitable to take on West Brom this evening.

There's difficult decisions to be made all over the park by Nigel Pearson including the formation and whether he thinks about experimenting away from City's usual shape. On the other hand, the Robins were relatively comfortable against Millwall only for set-pieces to let them down once again.

The goals conceded had little to do with the shape of the team but with errors that can't be legislated for. Therefore it's more likely to be individuals that are switched as City look to A) tighten up at the back and B) try to rediscover that goalscoring touch.

West Brom average the fourth most amount of possession in the Championship and that could play into City's hands on the counter-attack. Here's how we think the visitors will shape up.

Goalkeeper and defence

There's a fine line between being considered unfortunate and being partially held responsible for a mistake as Max O'Leary found out on Saturday. He came a long way off his line to catch that ball into the box under no pressure from Millwall's attackers.

Tomas Kalas had other ideas as the pair collided to leave Zian Flemming a chance he couldn't refuse. Some argue he didn't need to come for it, Nigel Pearson said punching it would have been more practical while others say he was well within his right to come out and claim it.

The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle but those are the moments that matter and it overshadowed the positive parts of his game. His initial save to keep out Tom Bradshaw was excellent and his penalty save wasn't so bad either.

But two games after replacing Dan Bentley, he'll be feeling the heat when he starts against West Brom and he'll need a good game to restore some confidence. Pearson is likely to stick with the Irishman again but with each passing mistake, Stefan Bajic's stock continues to rise.

Max O’Leary saves Afobe's penalty (Will Cooper/JMP)

In front of him poses another question or two. The first is whether Pearson decides to switch up his shape in an attempt to prevent leaking goals.

It must be an option and it will mean the manager will have to disregard a system that he's built his side around following on from last season. Pearson did say after the game he would have to consider the way his side set up against the Baggies so the thought process must be there.

The second question is when to bring Tomas Kalas in from the start. His return to action from his injury lay-off is undoubtedly a huge positive but he did look understandably rusty following his cameo on Wednesday.

West Brom will probably come too soon to throw in from the off which will mean Zak Vyner, Timm Klose and Rob Atkinson are likely to form the three-man defence again. Kal Naismith has been all-but ruled out with Saturday's trip to Reading more of a realistic timeframe from his calf injury.

Wing-backs and midfield

Let's start with the wing-backs and here's where it could get interesting. Pearson will undoubtedly make changes to his starting XI and that could mean one of the stalwarts of the side Jay Dasilva drop to the bench.

He's been an ever present this season and the second half of last campaign but like some of his team-mates, his form since the international break has been worrying. His replacement Cam Pring has been working his way to be considered for selection again following his lengthy spell away from Pearson's plans.

Dasilva came off just after the hour mark against Millwall with Pring making just his second league substitute appearance of the season. It wasn't long before his introduction was rewarded when his low cross was turned into his own by Sam Hutchinson.

Dasilva has credit in the bank from his consistency at the end of last season but it feels that has been diminishing in recent weeks while Pring sent a timely reminder as to why he should be trusted in that wing-back position with his goal involvement. He's also more physical down that side and has a height advantage from set-pieces.

Matty James could return to action against West Brom (Ryan Crockett/JMP)

On the opposite side, Kane Wilson's injury means Mark Sykes and George Tanner will continue battling it out for that wing-back role but Pearson may also opt for Alex Scott or even Andi Weimann with the latter finishing the game there on Saturday.

With Tanner failing to make the squad against Millwall, it can only be assumed Sykes will continue filling that role and there was nothing wrong with his performance in the last outing to suggest he shouldn't keep his place.

In midfield, Matty James returns from injury and his absence has been evident since the international break. Not just in terms of his experience but also his discipline and leadership qualities.

Pearson said he was tempted to play him on Saturday but resisted to give him a couple more days to train and his availability is likely to see him come straight back into the starting XI. The manager is unlikely to risk starting Joe Williams in three games inside nine days and therefore it's likely to be the James/Alex Scott combo in midfield.

Strikers

What to do with Weimann? He's obviously out of form and Wednesday was the 12th game he has failed to score in.

Pearson said in one of his press conferences last week that he's the type of player who can play himself back into form but there's only so long that can continue before the manager decides to look for other solutions.

This is a game where Weimann might be required to drop further back to make up a midfield three and then use his burst of energy to make forward runs in transition. It would be a big call for Pearson to rest the captain and if he's going to make changes, it's likely to be with the duo up top.

Antoine Semenyo and Tommy Conway didn't really click as a partnership for the second successive game and it would have done Nahki Wells' chances no harm of coming into the starting XI as City look to rediscover that scoring touch.

Nahki Wells could reunite with Conway in attack (Ryan Crockett/JMP)

Wells and Conway's partnership before the international break was one of the most lethal in the Championship and it's a tried and tested formula that Pearson could revert back to with Semenyo coming off the bench as an impact substitution.

You also have to be wary of Semenyo's minutes following his shin fracture and three starts inside nine days could prove too much of a risk. Chris Martin's also in the reckoning however his cameos from the bench haven't set the world alight - although he does have quality in his own box in defending set-pieces.

Bristol City (3-4-1-2): Max O'Leary; Zak Vyner, Timm Klose, Rob Atkinson; Mark Sykes, Alex Scott, Matty James, Cam Pring; Andi Weimann; Tommy Conway, Nahki Wells

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