Bristol City predicted team vs Huddersfield: Williams could return with focus also on Sykes role

Bristol City take on Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium for their 20th fixture of the 2023/24 Championship season

The first leg of challenging back-to-back away trips for Bristol City which should allow us all to discover a bit more about Liam Manning's Robins while also offering more for the head coach to work with ahead of the January transfer window.

Except a Championship fixture shouldn't just be treated as some kind of petri dish to be examined, after consecutive defeats there is the feeling that City could really do with a win, just to ease some of the tension that has come to the surface post-Norwich.

That result was an unfortunate one in which City should really have been out of sight, or at least in a position where defensive errors didn't have such a profound impact on the scoreboard, leading to a 2-1 defeat that had everyone a bit miffed... to put it mildly.

Huddersfield Town are never straightforward opponents and with one defeat in their last five games under Darren Moore, albeit three of them draws, have built a degree of confidence going into this game. Here is how we think City will line up at the John Smith's Stadium...

Goalkeeper and defence

Lewis Thomas and Josey Casa-Grande experienced significant screen time during this week’s edition of Robins Uncut with Max O’Leary conspicuous by his absence and Stefan Bajic having played for the Under-21s on Tuesday in their 4-2 victory over Colchester United.

Fear not, in case you were, it was simply a case of the starting group of players training in a different group and the City No1 is set to retain in place between the posts but it does ever-so slightly reinforce the delicate nature of the goalkeeper position and, quite simply, if not O’Leary then who else?

Having fielded a 3-4-3 formation for the last two games against Southampton and Norwich, while those matches may have ended in defeat, Manning has appeared relatively pleased with the performances overall, it’s fair to forecast that will be the system he lines up with in West Yorkshire.

Two of the three defenders will, of course, be Rob Dickie and Zak Vyner given Kal Naismith and Rob Atkinson remain unavailable and Jamie Knight-Lebel isn’t in a position where we can classify him as a starting proposition yet.

The third man in the defence will therefore be one of George Tanner and Cam Pring, depending on who Manning selects as his wing-backs. Against Norwich with Sykes on the left, Cam Pring played as the left-sided centre-back but there’s a feeling the Irishman may be switched to his more natural right flank for this game, meaning Tanner will likely tuck into the backline and Vyner operating in the centre.

It’s a shame Haydon Roberts remains out with an ankle injury because the dynamic of him and Pring down the left was a real possibility for the season but the 21-year-old remains out with an ankle injury.

Midfield

As mentioned, if we’re working on the logic of Sykes operating on the right, which looks likely given his impact against the Canaries and he was only withdrawn in that game due to fatigue and concern around his workload. You could make the case that he and Jason Knight have been the most consistently impactful players since Manning arrived, and their presence and positioning is key for the head coach.

With Sykes on the right, that leaves a spot for Pring to likely play down the left, unless Manning wants to use Sam Bell - who did make a few appearances at wing-back in the early stages of his first-team career - or even Anis Mehmeti, but in that debate the England Under-20 international probably wins due to his defensive game.

It’s worth considering that this game will almost certainly see City enjoy considerable periods with the ball as they look to pick the lock of the Huddersfield defence. Manning therefore can afford to be adventurous in his selection given the attacking emphasis on his side.

But equally it’s going to be a bit of a dogfight (Terriers, geddit?) in the middle of the park, aided - if that’s the right word - by the conditions which means the Robins need some artisan midfielders to supplement their artists.

On that theory, Joe Williams could get the nod over Taylor Gardner-Hickman whose passing prowess and elegance will be missed but also may not be utilised as effectively as in other games. Matty James will, more than likely, be a selection at the base of the midfield alongside the Scouser who, if picked, will be making his first start since October 7.

Attack

Sykes’ position in the midfield, if you want to consider him there, means it’s one less decision to make in the forward line where Manning has the most options and the highest percentage of players fit and available.

To simplify it, we’ll consider it a three-man frontline but it’s more like a central striker with the wide forwards either moving out to the flanks or tucking in behind, forming a box-like midfield at times.

The former figure will more than likely be Tommy Conway who remains a subject of discussion for the chances he’s not taken but the straightforward equation is he’s getting the opportunities at a consistent rate and there’s been clear development from his rather isolated role at QPR a month ago.

Harry Cornick hasn’t done enough to dislodge him from his substitutes role so the Scotland Under-21 international will (hopefully) get the chance, or chances, to rediscover his finishing touch. Nahki Wells is back training on the grass but this game, against one of his former clubs, will likely be too soon for the Bermudian.

Cornick could come into the conversation on the right flank, but Manning has exclusively used him through the middle, while Ephraim Yeboah hasn’t been considered as a starter yet so it would seem Andi Weimann keeps his place in the starting XI.

The Austrian came in for some flak for losing the ball in the build-up for Norwich’s equaliser on Sunday, but he had a very encouraging first half against the Canaries and if can extend that over a greater period of time, his role in the team will be wholly justified.

As for the left, this normally would be between Bell and Mehmeti but Knight is now a contender, given how Manning has used him in the last two games whereby the Republic of Ireland international has been stationed either alongside Conway, out of possession, or towards the left, on the ball.

The other factor to consider is his partnership and understanding with Sykes, so there’s every reason to think he may be towards the right flank and Weimann on the left.

Or, alternatively, one of Bell and Mehmeti, of course, and the nature of the game may lean towards the Albanian. Lots is likely to be played in front of City today, and they’ll need patience and craft in possession and he is an obvious source of such.

Bristol City (3-4-2-1): Max O’Leary; George Tanner, Zak Vyner, Rob Dickie; Mark Sykes, Joe Williams, Matty James, Cam Pring; Andi Weimann, Jason Knight; Tommy Conway

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