Famara’s Christmas cracker sees off Ainsworth’s battlers
Talking points from Bristol City’s victory against Wycombe at Ashton Gate, by
THOUGH you could see their goal coming as far off as Avonmouth, Wycombe Wanderers are not just any old bottom-of-the-table side.
To write off the Chairboys as the side propping up the rest is to completely ignore the Buckinghamshire fairytale that belies money in football. Gareth Ainsworth has performed miracles at Adams Park and summed things up following the game explaining the difference between his side and Bristol City.
“When you play a team who paid £5 million for a striker then you expect him to come off the bench and do that. He’s worth more than my entire team and budget,” he said in his post-match press conference.
Some will be too quick to dismiss Boxing Day’s visitors, but Wycombe have a squad with, most likely, fewer natural talents than any other side in the division. But then that was the same in League One for much part, too.
The opposition are built on more base qualities: heart, desire and attitude. And they cause problems, hence them beating Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday. They will cause many teams problems - as happened on Saturday.
Bristol City created their most chances for many a weekend but were not clinical. If they had been then the hosts may have been out of sight and able to cruise through this contest. Instead, it was left dangling in front of Wycombe who pushed and pushed and arguably deserved their equaliser.
Ainsworth was incredulous after the game that his side had come away with nothing from the encounter. But then that is why goals are the currency in football and finishers cost the big bucks.
Diedhiou has now made the difference in City’s last three wins at Ashton Gate. That’s three of City’s five home wins this season so far settled by the Senegal international forward, and with January looming and a possible time for either a new contract or exit from BS3, maybe chief executive Mark Ashton needs to finally tie down the City No 9, in case City’s resources are further depleted.
Speaking of which, Zak Vyner and Callum O’Dowda left Saturday’s match early to make it 12 injuries for the Robins: Baker, Mawson, Walsh, Williams, Sessegnon, Weimann, Paterson, Dasilva, Brunt, Watkins... and now possibly Vyner and O’Dowda out too. An entire team unavailable for Dean Holden.
One way or another this Bristol City squad needs help, with Diedhiou nursing a groin problem that meant the striker could not start the game on Boxing Day.
Loans manager Brian Tinnion floated the idea on Robins TV that the cavalry may arrive next month, with several players to return from loan spells. City need something, or else the Robins will be limping to the finish line.
FAMARA DIEDHIOU’S BLOCKBUSTER STRIKE
WHAT a hit it was from Diedhiou for his third league goal of the season in just 507 minutes of action. The finish was top-class and one of few real pieces of attacking quality on display from the Robins over the last weeks.
Academy product Opi Edwards supplied the assist, touching the ball briefly as Diedhiou instinctively crashed the ball off the underside of the crossbar first-time with just minutes left of the 90, in complete contrast to the wayward
finishing of Antoine Semenyo and Nahki Wells who had missed three gilt-edged chances between them.
“I just hit it,” explained Diedhiou to the club channels after the game - and no further explanation was needed.
CITY’S ATTACKING PLAY BURSTS TO LIFE
CALLUM O’Dowda was back to his best on Saturday afternoon and revelling in a 4-4-2 formation which returned him to the wing and saw the Republic of Ireland player bursting past Joe Jacobson and Jack Grimmer at times.
The former Oxford United man put Chris Martin’s goal on a plate for him and set up a similar chance minutes later before arguably his best piece of play, when he beat his marker in midfielder before feeding Martin again, to his feet, only for the Scot to wastefully send his shot over the crossbar with just Ryan Allsop to guide the ball past.
Unfortunately O’Dowda limped off after an hour and he could be a big loss for tomorrow’s game at Luton Town after showing some of his best form in recent weeks. Only Semenyo finished with more dribbles completed than the Irishman for City, while no Robin created more chances than O’Dowda, level with Wells and Martin (both two).
Likewise, there was a return to form for Martin who scored his first goal in the league at Ashton Gate and his second in the red shirt, after grabbing the winner in the Severnside derby. Though he wasted an easier chance that came his way in the first half, his cool setting up of Semenyo in the first period could easily have led to a second City goal in the opening 45 minutes.
CAPTAIN LEADS FROM THE BACK
TOMAS Kalas was outstanding in defence all game, brave and tenacious in the tackle. The Czech Republic international helped to keep the visitors away from goal all game and his five blocks were more than any other player produced in the game, while three interceptions completed were the most for the City side, too.
The Robins were pushed back in the second half but were also hampered by Vyner going off with a knock, as Adrian Mariappa came on and deflected Garath McCleary’s shot into the goal.
Though some supporters will judge City to not be at the required level due to the problems encountered against the Chairboys, City will be far from alone in experiencing that this season.
The hunt for the top six remains intact, but each week the squad lessens. Something has to give.