Bristol City defender Rob Dickie was replaced by Gerhard Struber at half-time in the Robins’ 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at HillsboroughBristol City defender Rob Dickie was replaced at half-time against Sheffield Wednesday(Image: Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Rob Dickie was taken off at half-time in Bristol City’s win over Sheffield Wednesday as a precaution, Gerhard Struber has confirmed, with the Robins boss adamant the defender’s calf issue is “not bad.”

The Reds extended their unbeaten start to the Championship season to five matches as they ran out 3-0 winners at Hillsborough on Saturday afternoon. City took the lead within six minutes when Owls defender Harry Amass deflected into his own net before goals from Emil Riis and Anis Mehmeti put the result beyond doubt before the break.

Having directed the ball towards goal in the lead-up to Amass’ own-goal, Dickie, alongside fellow centre-backs Rob Atkinson and Zak Vyner, went about his business well over the course of the first half to limit the home side to minimal opportunities.

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However, when City made their way back out for the second period, the former QPR man had been replaced by George Tanner. While the decision was the result of a calf issue, Struber appeared hopeful he wouldn’t be without his vice-captain for too long.

“No, absolutely not,” the Robins head coach told Bristol Live when asked if the substitution was a tactical one in his post-match press conference. “He feels his calf, and this was a decision to protect him.

“I think this was very important today.”

On the severity of the issue, Struber added, “I think we will diagnose tomorrow, but it’s not bad. It’s not bad, I think he feels, the last few days, a little bit his calf, and I think it’s not the moment that we go and risk.

“I think it was smart from us that we did it.”

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In truth, City had done their damage long before Dickie was forced off at the break. Just 12 minutes after Amass had broken the deadlock, Riis doubled the advantage with his third of the season, as the Dane picked up a smart Mehmeti pass and slotted under the legs of Ethan Horvath in the Wednesday net.

Then, with 32 minutes of the first half played, Mehmeti himself got on the scoresheet, bringing down a chipped Scott Twine cross on the left side of the box before firing past the Owls stopper and into the back of the net.

Struber’s side had chances to then further extend their advantage either side of the interval, with Mehmeti stinging both the side netting and woodwork with powerful shots, before Twine fired high and wide late on. Although City took their foot off the gas slightly as the match wore on, the Reds head coach was delighted with the effort of his players, both in and out of possession.

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“I think the very early lead helps us a little bit and gives us a boost in the back,” Struber explained. “We can realise Sheffield Wednesday has with our identity, our vertical style, many problems, especially in the first half.

“How we did it with our through passes, in the right moment cut-backs, in the right moment great timing with how we come from the back from the centre-backs and super forward runs.

“There were so many things in the attacking direction that were really good, super connected, and also in the end, we have a clean sheet away.

“It’s really difficult against us to score, our backline is really good, and also the sixes are super aggressive, so it’s not a coincidence that today we have a clean sheet and also a goal with us.”

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