WILLIAMS HAPPY TO LEVEL UP

JOE WILLIAMS admits there is no excuse for the inconsistency that has put Bristol City among the Championship strugglers.

The Robins controlled this game from the outset against high-flying Watford, who failed to register a shot on target and defended for their lives to snatch a point.

But the impressive performance followed an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit against Lincoln and only highlighted a problem that has dogged Nigel Pearson’s men for much of the campaign.

Midfielder Williams said: “That’s the level we are capable of playing to.

“We have shown it in previous games and the players have to look at themselves for why we haven’t maintained it.

“How we played here sets a standard we must keep to after the World Cup break. The Championship is so tight that a couple of wins can make a big difference and no one in our dressing room is talking about relegation.”

The Hornets owed the draw to an outstanding 68th-minute save from Daniel Bachmann, who stretched every sinew to claw out Andreas Weimann’s goal-bound header.

Willams (above) also felt his side were denied a 27th-minute penalty when Nahki Wells was felled as he went for an aerial challenge.

“There was definitely a high boot,” he added. “In the middle of the pitch, it’s a foul, but inside the box referees are more hesitant to give it.”

Watford boss Slaven Bilic admitted to being grateful for a point but was most concerned by the Achilles tendon injury suffered by midfielder Dan Gosling.

Bilic said: “It looks like a rupture, which would probably end Dan’s season.

“I don’t have words to express how sad that makes me and it would be a massive blow to us.”