The talking points from Ashton Gate as Coventry City take a point from their 1-1 draw with Bristol City
Coventry City followed up their Oxford United victory last Friday with another point at Bristol City on Saturday lunch-time as Kasey Palmer stepped off the bench to haunt his old club and earn the Sky Blues a share of the spoils with a fine goal. That cancelled out an equally brilliant strike from the Robins’ George Tanner in first half stoppage time, a lead the hosts had deserved.
The Robins dominated in the first half in the face of the lacklustre Sky Blues, and they were punished before the break when Tanner connected with a header from a corner which only reached the edge of the area. Mark Robins rolled the dice and introduced Ephron Mason-Clark and Palmer before the hour – that proved to be key. With 15 minutes to play, Mason-Clark’s delivery from the right was met by Luis Binks, who nodded it down and Palmer delicately danced through before finding the top corner.
The final throes of the game might’ve gone either way. Brandon Thomas-Asante worked an opening for himself, while Oliver Dovin, in inspired form, denied Fally Mayulu at the other end too. Perhaps a point was a fair outcome – City’s first on the road of the new campaign. Here are the talking points from Ashton Gate.
Rising to the challenge
It’s a pity, really, that Dovin didn’t leave Ashton Gate with a clean sheet, what would’ve been his first in Sky Blues colours. As Ben Wilson did here ten days ago in the cup, Dovin turned in a really important display between the sticks to ensure that his side remained in it, either side of the only goal that they conceded – and, in truth, something he couldn’t have done much about.
Dovin beat away shots from distance which needed dealing with, from Tanner – before his goal – and from Max Bird, while Scott Twine, a free kick whizz, also tested him from his sort of range. Dovin was equal to all of the above, but what was equally as impressive was his decision making. It was his decisions to come and meet set-pieces, the speed to come off his line and deny Sinclair Armstrong and take a blow for his efforts.
The denial of Fally Mayulu at the end showed how switched on he was, at a time when City had just got themselves on top having equalised. They could’ve easily relinquished the point, had it not been for Dovin. Wilson couldn’t have done much more than perform as he did on Tuesday, and he’ll likely have another go this coming week in the cup, but displays like this really cement Dovin as first choice.
In Sheaf’s absence
You cannot escape the fact that this side are currently missing their influential midfield presence, whose return to action for various reasons probably can’t come soon enough for all concerned. Ben Sheaf is among the best midfielders in the division and City are currently feeling his absence.
Josh Eccles and Victor Torp, as they have done this season, lined up here in the middle but the first half was a tough experience; Bristol City have a strong, balanced midfield made up of energy, physicality and technical talent. Bird, Knight, Twine and Williams had the better of proceedings, but some of the issues the Sky Blues felt were of their own making.
Torp and Eccles were culpable of giving up the ball at a time when the hosts were just getting on top in the first half and building up towards the lead that they secured in first half stoppage time; they were caught on the ball, too. Sheaf’s return will not only boost Robins’ numbers in the middle but his qualities and presence will complement those currently holding the fort.
Impact from the bench
For the second time at Ashton Gate this season, Robins turned to his bench for inspiration – and for the second time, he received a near instant reward. As Ellis Simms stepped off the bench to bag the winner here about ten days ago, so two of the manager’s changes – sort of – combined to ensure the Sky Blues earned a point.
Mason-Clark was introduced at the same time as Palmer, and he made a big impact on the right in the place of Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, crossing in the build up to Palmer’s finish. Brandon Thomas-Asante showed signs of what he can offer, too.
“You’re looking for starters and finishers, that scenario where you have to make an impact, that difference which determines if you’re a starter or a finisher and making sure you give everything on the pitch,” Robins said of the depth of his squad. “If you get tired, I can make changes which’ll bring somebody else on who has different attributes but is equally good. It’s finding that sweet spot of getting everyone in the zone and ready to go.
“The impact of the substitutes was there for everybody to see, we just weren’t at our best from the start and you have to give them credit as much as us not being right on it.” Indeed, City’s summer recruitment drive and aim to add further depth has been vindicated.
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