Bristol City injury update brings optimism and now Robins face Gerhard Struber's 'big mission'

While football is a game of opinions, every once in a while, a topic of conversation crops up that supporters, journalists, players, and managers alike all agree on. For Bristol City, that topic has been – in recent weeks at least – injuries.

In the modern game, injuries are to be expected. The intensity of matches, partnered with the incredibly congested fixture schedule, means that no matter how fit your squad is, or how hard you try to avoid issues, players are always going to pick up problems here and there. While all of the above is true, the Reds’ situation has been bordering on, if not straying into, crisis for much of Gerhard Struber’s tenure so far.

Although the severity of the Robins’ absentee list has only truly been recognised in recent weeks, it has been building since pre-season. Whilst away in the Algarve, the Reds lost Cam Pring to an ankle injury, Max O’Leary underwent surgery back in Bristol, Max Bird and Joe Williams followed individual programmes as a result of a calf and ankle injury, respectively, and Josh Stokes’ work was limited.

None of those names listed above were available for City’s season-opener against Sheffield United, not that it appeared to be an issue, as Struber got off to the perfect start with the Reds running out 4-1 winners at Bramall Lane.

At that stage, the combination of the group left over from Liam Manning’s tenure and the additions made in the summer transfer window ensured that there was enough strength and depth in place at Ashton Gate for the Robins to remain competitive with four or five first-team players ruled out.

However, when faced with the prospect of having twice that number of players on the sidelines, as was the case when Struber’s side travelled to Vicarage Road to face Watford in their final game before the November international break, it is only natural to expect a dip in performance level and, in turn, results.

The team that faced the Hornets last weekend were without their captain in Jason Knight, their other two play-off securing central midfielders in Williams and Bird, last term’s first-choice left-back Pring, summer signing Neto Borges, Mr Reliable Mark Sykes, this season’s best defender Rob Atkinson, arguably last season’s best defender in Luke McNally, as well as Harry Cornick and Josh Stokes.

Yes, the side that took to the field in front of the Sky Sports cameras remained competitive, but it was almost threadbare with two goalkeepers and five academy prospects making up the bulk of the bench.

Despite that challenge, the Reds found a way to battle for a point. They had done similarly to secure a win over Birmingham City a fortnight prior, but the effects of such an, at times, backs-to-the-wall performance were evident in defeats to both Stoke City and Blackburn, where the Robins were poor, but more concerningly, looked as though they were running on empty.

Struber’s Red Bull-esque system needs players fit and firing to be at its most effective. Games like the aforementioned opening day win over Sheffield United and the drubbing of Sheffield Wednesday were almost the perfect demonstration of how such a style can work when firing on all cylinders, but on both of those occasions, City were fresh and able to rotate.

It is impossible to reach that level three times a week with a squad of just 15 senior players – including three goalkeepers – to pick from, as evidenced by the slight dip in form over the last month or so. Fortunately, it appears as though there is light at the end of the injury tunnel at last for the Robins.

City confirmed in an official statement on Wednesday afternoon that Knight and Pring are both set to return to team training ahead of the Reds’ clash with Swansea City after the international break. In a further boost, both Borges and Sykes, who missed the draw with Watford, are expected to be back in contention quickly after the interval.

Bird, Atkinson, and Stokes are thought to be further behind the initial group that are closing in on a return, with the former expected to be introduced to team training in the next month, Atkinson over Christmas, and Stokes in the coming weeks.

The prospect of seven – or even eight, if you include Cornick – of the previously 10 absentees being fit and able to play some part over the course of the festive period is a cause for optimism. This period between the end of the November break and the next international interval in March can be where seasons are made or broken, with 24 league games to be played in the space of four months.

Undoubtedly, the Reds’ ability to repeatedly hit the intensity levels that have brought the best results under Struber over the course of the campaign so far will only be boosted by greater availability, but it is arguably what happens next that is most important.

Cam Pring hasn't featured for Bristol City since Gerhard Struber arrived at Ashton Gate -Credit:EFL

Cam Pring hasn’t featured for Bristol City since Gerhard Struber arrived at Ashton Gate -Credit:EFL

By Struber’s own admission, one of the factors that has held the Robins back this term has been re-injuries. Speaking to Bristol Live in October, the head coach said, “This is a really high load of games and this is something where we have to be better and we have to improve also in our direction how we can stop re-injuries better.

“In this direction, I think everyone here has a big mission. It’s not only that we play really good football on a really high level – we have a little bit of a smaller roster available, like other teams, and we have to be – in every department – on a really high level with how we deal with injuries and how we bring players back.

“In this direction, of course, we can improve.”

Struber added, “We should never forget the intensity that I expect from them, when they jump on the field is a little bit different [to what it was] before. In this direction, I have no problems when we need a little bit of a longer time, but then it’s a safety way and they are safely back. This is what I expect.”

Getting the above names back to a level of fitness where they are able to re-integrate into training is undoubtedly a positive. What City cannot afford to happen now, though, is for the likes of Knight, Pring, and Bird to suffer a new injury or a recurrence of their previous issues, as it would leave Struber and his staff back at square one.

Finding that perfect balance between getting players involved regularly enough to build back their match fitness, and arguably more importantly, impact results without risking setbacks will be a challenge for Struber, his coaching staff, and no doubt the medical department over the coming weeks and months.

The manner in which the Reds have dealt with their limited numbers means that should things go well in the lead-up to and over Christmas, the Robins are well-positioned to make a real splash in this season’s play-off race. As mentioned above, that is a cause for optimism, but such hope cannot overrule the safety-first approach previously mentioned.

Judging by the City boss’ comments and actions over the last month, he appears to be ready and willing to do what will be right for both the players and club in the long run.

Hopefully, this latest update will be looked back upon as the moment things clicked into gear when May and the end of the season rolls around.

Bristol City injury update brings optimism and now Robins face Gerhard Struber’s ‘big mission’

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