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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Bristol City U21s player ratings vs Cardiff: Bajic solid but Massengo and Sykes struggle

Stefan Bajic - 7

Called into action for the first time on 26 minutes when he sprung to his left to tip an effort around the post. Made another big stop minutes later with his legs to deny a certain opener. Beaten at the fourth attempt when Campbell kept his composure to chip it over him.

Dylan Kadji - 6

Played on the right of the defensive three, away from his central midfield position, and was given a difficult task up against their quick forward. Was left vulnerable by through balls in behind which would come down to his inexperience playing in that position. Moved into the middle for the final 30 minutes.

Andy King (off 60, Leeson) - 6

Started in the centre of a defensive three. Showed his leadership qualities in marshalling Knight-Lebel and in particular, Kadji to his right. Relatively comfortable with the odd scare of Zimba's pace behind.

Jamie Knight-Lebel - 7

Assured at the back with some classy interceptions and passes forward. Keeps his cool on the ball. Have to assume he is one of the players who City see as ahead of Ryley Towler in their development.

Jay Dasilva (off 60, Morrison) - 6

Probably City's most positive player in the first half. Rarely tested from a defensive point of view and got himself forward into decent crossing positions - one which almost led to a Palmer-Houlden goal. Came off on the hour mark with minutes in the tank but failed to make an impact in the second half.

Joe Williams (off 60, Bell) - 6

Saw a lot of the ball and dictated the play for long periods, spreading the ball out to the wing-backs to open the game. Passes forward into the front men were wayward and overhit on occasions. Like the other senior pros, didn't have his foot completely on the gas to prevent potential injuries.

Han-Noah Massengo - 5

Started brightly in the opening 10 minutes, dragging an effort wide of the right post but rather anonymous from there out. Gave the ball away needlessly in the second half on a couple of occasions. Grew frustrated as the game went on.

Omar Taylor-Clarke - 6

Started the game in an unfamiliar right wing-back role and while that brought out his attacking qualities, positionally was found wanted at times which Cardiff were keen to exploit. Crossing from wide positions inconsistent and moved into the centre for the final 30 minutes. Looked more comfortable with the positional switch.

Mark Sykes (off 60, Acey) - 5

Played in the No10 position behind the two strikers but found it difficult to generate space in Cardiff's compact and well-organised defence. Grew into the game in the second half but struggled to link-up with the two forwards before coming off on the hour mark.

Seb Palmer-Houlden - 6

Almost handed City the lead in the first half when his header from Jay Dasilva's cross was tipped around the post by the keeper. Had another effort blocked at the start of the second half.

Sam Bell - 6

Quiet by his usual lively standards in the first half but still had a golden opportunity to open the scoring when he fired at the keeper from close range. Had little impact in the second half but wasn't helped by the lack of creativity from midfield.

Substitutes

Ben Acey (on 60, Sykes) - 6

Came on at right wing-back, struggled to have an impact going forward and was pinned back by Jay Semenyo.

Zac Bell (on 60, Williams) - 6

Slotted in at the left of the defensive three. The through ball for the opener came down his side although little he could have done with it.

Elijah Morrison (on 60, Dasilva) - 6

Didn't get as forward as much as he would have liked in that left wing-back role where he has the ability to create damage in the Cardiff backline.

Harry Leeson (on 60, King) - 6

A couple of loose passes on the right of the defensive three but rarely troubled by Cardiff's attackers.

Subs not used: Duncan

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